"Area 52" is a 1/2 hour NBC TV pilot, shooting in Los Angeles this month. Executive producers are Dean Parisot, David Latt and Mike Armstrong.Director is Dean Parisot from a teleplay by Mike Armstrong.
Partial casting breakdown:
'Colonel Steven Isaac':
Early-Mid 30s, ambitious, enthusiastic and optimistic. He graduated with honors from West Point and has been moving quickly up the Air Force food chain. Sees himself as "leadership material." There's no telling how far he can go in his own mind... and yet there's something a little vulnerable about him which he hasn't yet learned to conceal. Series Regular.
'The Alien': (played by Paul "Pee-Wee Herman" Reubens)
This is a vain, condescending, judgmental, overly-sensitive, insulting, stubborn, demanding and passive-aggressive creature. It likes to pontificate. It needs special food and exercise facilities. It is incapable of forgetting any detail, however insignificant. Every conversation is recalled with 100% accuracy. In other words, it is the most annoying life form ever known to mankind. Series Regular.
'General Keller':
50ish, Caucasian. A military journeyman. He's seen it all and done it all. Has a history of candor, which is probably what got him assigned to this outpost. That's fine with him. He'll make the best of it. Cynical? Hell no. He's making up his own reality as he goes. And working on his golf swing, because someday that little prick from outer space is going to kick the bucket. Series Regular.
'Dr. Annabelle Fermi':
30ish. The scientist. Brains, beauty and willing to drink whatever Kool-aid they can throw at her. She doesn't see the futility of this project, just the possibilities. She gets along with everyone, including the alien. She's going to make a difference in her life and she'll have a great time doing it. Series Regular.
'Irene Maloof':
40ish. Human Resources. Officious and devoted to paperwork. She considers herself the most important person on this project. Series Regular.
'Private Simms':
Early 20s, male. Eager and enthusiastic. A little annoying. But he's juiced in and can get you whatever you need. Sees nothing extraordinary about working with an alien, and yet he worships General Keller and the whole military machine. Has no career ambitions whatsoever. Destined to be an Air Force private until the day he retires. Series Regular.
'Dr. Marc Allan':
30s or 40s. Lives in a state of perpetual rage. He gave up a great teaching job at MIT for the world's most elaborate babysitting service. Fantasizes about escaping or killing the alien or both. Sees himself as Steve McQueen in "The Great Escape" but he behaves more like Paul Giamatti in "Sideways". Series Regular.
'Dr. Duxler':
40ish, male. The shrink. Unlike Dr. Allan, Duxler is repressing his rage. But make no mistake, he wants out just as badly. Fancies himself a ladies man, or at least he did back in Beverly Hills where he had a booming practice and a hot social life. Now he's spends his days trying to reassure himself that his one terrible decision in life hasn't put him out of commission for good. He worries about Dr. Allan cracking because he knows that Allan is the canary in the coal mine. Series Regular.
