James Woods’ ‘Shark’ Was Canceled Too Soon (Just Like Its Lead)

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James Woods’ Sebastian Stark operated under three simple rules.

  • One: Trial is war. Second place is death.
  • Two: Truth is relative. Pick one that works.
  • Three: In a jury trial, there are only 12 opinions that matter. Yours is not one of them.

Sounds like a man born to thrive amongst the sludge that is the D.C. swamp.

In a 2006-2008 series titled “Shark,” which aired on CBS, Stark was the main character. This legal procedural allowed the versatile actor to step into the role of a lead television personality.

In a more casual and engaging style, let me rephrase that: Woods plays Stark, a wildly successful lawyer who’s so successful he even has his own private courtroom at home. This fact is comically emphasized to highlight his success. Most cops and prosecutors despise him due to his high win rate and his boastful demeanor.

In a twist of events, Stark switches from earning substantial income as a prosecutor to grappling with moral conflicts. This shift occurs when he encounters a tough ethical predicament. Later, the same client whom he managed to acquit goes on to murder his wife. Now, instead of seeking Stark’s help again, he expects him to clear him a second time.

The show titled “Shark” adhered to the rhythm typical of CBS procedurals introduced in 2006, but its creator, Ian Biederman, along with producer Woods, infused each episode with a richer taste than expository dialogue. In this series, Stark, the protagonist, has a teenage daughter, portrayed by Danielle Panabaker, who disrupts his bachelor lifestyle and workaholic tendencies upon moving in with him, causing friction.

Woods showcased some of his finest performances in a part that appeared to be designed specifically for him.

Sebastian Stark exhibited the ruthless entrepreneurship similar to Max Renn in “Videodrome” and the ironic wit characteristic of Hades from “Hercules.” He combined this with an unconventional, evolving moral compass that was relatively rare among typical Hollywood antagonists.

The production for “Shark” was backed by more than just the Emmy-winning Woods; Brian Grazer, a longtime collaborator of Ron Howard, played a role behind the scenes and successfully recruited Spike Lee to direct the pilot.

Following the triumph of “Inside Man,” produced by Grazer, the creator of “Do the Right Thing” found himself in a position of newfound success. This victory served as proof that he was capable of leading a project, and it was this achievement that likely led him to direct an hour-long TV program for CBS.

Lee stated, as reported by Variety, that it was “the long reach of Imagine and Brian Grazer.” He had a positive experience while working on ‘Inside Man,’ he added.

An additional factor contributing to the show’s success seemed to be Woods’ friendship with Les Moonves, who was then in charge at CBS. Regrettably, this didn’t prevent the show from being cancelled after two seasons. Woods attributed the failure to the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike and schedule adjustments made by the network.

He remarked after the show’s cancellation, as reported by the Los Angeles Times, that “the strike likely had an equally damaging impact on our future as it did for many other shows. Looking back, it appears that striking was not a productive decision for many. Our situation was particularly challenging because our time slot was moved against football during the first half of the season. We should have demonstrated our strength in the second half when the strike occurred, but unfortunately, some of us never had the opportunity to showcase our abilities.

The series “Shark” kicks off powerfully, as both Woods and Lee deliver top-notch performances, infusing the show with a grand cinematic feel that’s rare for network television. Woods particularly thrives in his interactions, especially with Jeri Ryan, who previously portrayed a district attorney in the show’s first season and later joined forces with Stark in the second.

Instead of an untimely end, the TV show “Shark” demonstrated its dedication to a more film-like and interconnected narrative style compared to typical procedurals. This approach ultimately led to a multi-episode arc that lent a genuine sense of conclusion to the series finale.

In three separate appearances, Billy Campbell portrayed Wayne Robert Callison, a meticulous serial killer with an intriguing interest in Stark’s legal background. In the episode titled “Wayne’s World,” this character served as his own attorney, using this platform to interrogate a woman he viciously assaulted.

It seems far-fetched, but hey, it’s CBS and it works.

In the sequel “Wayne’s World 2: Revenge of the Shark,” Wayne reappears, having been acquitted for a murder he orchestrated against Stark and even penning a best-selling book detailing his cunning tactics. The dynamic between Woods and Campbell is reminiscent of two skilled musicians jamming together, each trying to outdo the other in a captivating dance of wit and intellect.

1. In the woods, a man was seen collapsing boundaries, certain he was doing so for a just cause, while Campbell portrayed Wayne’s cold yet alluring exterior. (127 words)

2. The woods displayed a man transgressing limits, convinced his actions were justified, as Campbell depicted Wayne’s frosty but appealing facade. (105 words)

3. In the forest, a man was observed overstepping boundaries, believing he was acting righteously, while Campbell painted Wayne’s cool and captivating persona. (121 words)

4. The woods showcased a man crossing lines, convinced it was for the right reason, as Campbell depicted Wayne with an icy yet appealing veneer. (96 words)

5. In the woods, a man disregarded boundaries, confident he was acting justly, while Campbell portrayed Wayne’s cold but charismatic demeanor. (102 words)

In “Wayne’s World 3: Killer Shark,” the tit-for-tat reaches its climax. The story takes a more intense and desperate turn for each character, making it deeply personal. Although a hint was left for potential further encounters between them, the three episodes form a powerful trilogy that could have easily become a routine legal drama.

After the series was taken off the air, Woods expressed that the show had a profound impact on him on a personal level. In essence, what he implied was that it came during a particularly sensitive period in his life.

During the shooting of the second installment of “Shark”, Woods was informed that his younger sibling, Michael J. Woods, had unfortunately passed away. Filming halted for about three weeks due to this tragic event. This sad news occurred only a few days after they had completed their coast-to-coast journey together.

In the third installment of “Shark,” entitled “Dr. Feelbad,” a heartfelt tribute was made, honoring Woods’ late brother.

In their own words, they presented an idea to me which left me utterly astonished and deeply touched. It struck a profound chord within me, causing a sense of sadness. I never imagined myself associating him with ‘loving memory’, but it was indeed thoughtful. This was shared during the filming of “Shark” with The Seattle Times.

In recent times, it’s become clear that Woods’ political activism took a toll on his career in Hollywood. It seems surprising given his diverse and extensive filmography, but it appears he has faced swift rejection since his agent parted ways with him in 2018, openly citing politics as the reason, according to Woods himself.

The actor’s last sizable live-action role was in 2014’s “Jamesy Boy.”

The actor has undergone a transformation while continuing to speak boldly about X. Woods delved into music by collaborating with Shooter Jennings on an album and assisted in the production of Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” Interestingly, this aspect was kept confidential during awards season due to, as expected, political reasons.

The actor declined a role following his dismissal by management, choosing instead to step out of the spotlight. However, he refused an invitation to join the “Family Guy” series’ adult-themed resistance episode, in which Peter Griffin and President Donald Trump engage in a physical altercation.

It’s doubtful that Woods will regain the same level of on-camera success as before, given his recent controversial project “Oppenheimer.” Nevertheless, “Shark” demonstrates some of his best work yet and underscores his versatility beyond portraying charismatic villains.

In a remarkable performance, Woods delivers the Stark role flawlessly, making a CBS procedural seem like the crowning achievement of an artist who’s honed his craft for decades under some of the most renowned film directors such as Sergio Leone, Martin Scorsese, Oliver Stone, and even Kevin Smith, the Silent Bob himself.

Sure, “Shark” was canceled too soon, but Woods didn’t disappoint with his time at the plate.

Zachary Leeman is the writer behind the book “Nigh”, published by Gilded Masque, and he has previously worked as a journalist covering politics and culture for various outlets such as LifeZette, Mediaite, and more.

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2025-06-29 03:03