My Favorite TV Show - "Drive"

When I first saw the previews for "Drive", I knew that this was an exciting show that I just had to watch, and there are very few shows that I watch on television. I get tired of the same old boring, soap oprah kind of shows. This had a very different angle that grabbed you tight.

"Drive" follows the intimate lives of 12 Americans who each are suffereing in their own way. All of them receive a special phone call that takes them across the country in an illegal road race, that could possibly end their lives. Why would they do this? To win a cool $32 million dollars.

Cast & Characters

Dylan Baker
Plays :John Trimble
A man who is on a mission to find a cure for his disease. He brings his only daughter along the road trip.
Dylan was born in Syracuse, New York and is married to actress Becky Ann Baker, and they have a daughter born in 1993. He went to the College of William and Mary In Virginia.

Kevin Alejandro
Plays: Winston Salazar
An ex-con trying to reconnect with his father released from jail. For revenge he brings along his little brother who never knew he exsisted on the road trip.
You might have seen him on another tv show, recently, Ugly Betty. Now that that is over for Kevin, maybe we can see him again on Drive Full-time. Kevin was born in San Antonio, Texas. He knew he wanted to act while in high school, taught by Jerry P. Worsham. Kevin participated in many acting endeavors, from which he won many awards and honors enableing him to get a scholarship to the University of Texas. Two years later, he went to Hollywood and the rest is history. He has appeared on such shows as: CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, The Young and the Restless, Drive and Ugly Betty.

Kristin Lehman
Plays: Corinna Wiles
Her character is after the head of the Drive contest. They were responsible for the death of her parents, as seen in the second episode, and she wants revenge.
Kristin was born in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Kristin has been in such films and tv shows as Dog Park, Dinner At Freds, Judging Amy and The Twilight Zone. She is a trained dancer. She spent 8 years at Canada's Royal Academy of Dance.

Nathan Fillion
Plays: Alex Tully
This guy is my favorite character. The whole show is centered on him. He is desperately looking for his missing wife, quite possibly abducted by the guys in charge of the race. There is more than a few hints, that Alex's past is kinda shady, but all in all he seems like an honest guy. He is tough and, oh so cool.
Nathan was born in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. He has done small roles on televsion, theater and film. Unable to find any big roles, he moved to NYC and became Joey Buchanan on One Life To Live. In 1997 he went to LA, and got in Saving Private Ryan, and the tv show Two Guys, A Girl, And A Pizza Place. That show ended in 2001. He went on to Firefly, which also ended after a few episodes. Recently he has finished Waitress, a romantic comedy, and White Noise 2: The Light.

Melanie Lynsky
Plays: Wendy Patrakas
Wendy is a battered wife who recently gave birth to a precious baby boy. She wants to give herself and son a better and safer life. Melanie was born in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Melanie is the studious type, and loves reading. She knew she wanted to act when she was young and participated in many school plays. Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson's partner discovered her in 1993 and thought she would be perfect in their movie Heavenly Creatures. The movie opened a year later to stellar reviews. Melanie went to Victoria University In Wellington, to which she did just small cameo roles.

In 1994 she landed the role of the nice stepsister in Ever After with Drew Barrymore. She's made 10 new movies, is on televisions Two and a Half Men, and is in production with Donut Hole.

Taryn Manning
Plays: Ivy Chitty
Her character is friends with Susan and Leigh and they travel together...at first.Taryn is one of my own-a singer/songwriter, dancer and actress. She works with her brother Kellin who is a musician. She was born in Falls Church, Virginia. After their parents split, they moved to Tuscon, Arizona where their mother worked two jobs to support them. Later they moved to California, where in the 1990's she got into acting. Her first film was Crazy/Beautiful. Later, she appeared as Britney's best friend in Crossroads. In 2003, she and Kellin formed the duo BoomKat. Even though the music career didn't take off, she continuesto be successful in films. The latest additions, Cold Mountain, and Hustle and Flow.

Riley Smith
Plays: Rob Laird
Rob is an Awol Character who is presently thinking of going back to the service. Riley was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Riley was cast on the TV Show Chestnut HIll, which unfortunately wasn't wanted by NBC, and Eastwick, which was not wanted by Fox. He was discovered in a mall, and Ashton Kutcher grew up in his hometown.

Emily Stone
Plays: Violet Trimble
Violet is the daughter of John, who is a bright, spunky light in his ever darkening world. Emma is her real name, but goes by Emily who is a triple threat-singer-television and theater actress. She's appeared in The Wizard of Oz, The Princess and the Pea, Cinderella, and many more. Television shows she's appeared in are Malcom In The Middle and Medium.

Charles Martin Smith
Plays: Mr. Bright
This is the man that gives all the directions and meeting places to the racing participants. Charles was born in Van Nuys, California. His father is cartoonist Frank Smith VI. Charles played Man of La Mancha in highschool and was discovered by an agent. The next year he was on the Brady Bunch. He graduated California State University with a degree in Theater. He's appeared in such films as American Graffitti, Never Cry Wolf, Starman and the Untouchables. His latest film is Jack and Jill Vs. The World.

J. D. Pardo
Plays: Sean Salazar
Sean is the Intelligent younger brother of Winston, finding his father out to be a liar, when he says he didn't have another son, Sean accepts Winstons invitation to drive in the race. J.D. is a worldwide model for Ford and has done ads for Tommy Hilfiger and Sketchers. He was on American Dreams and Clubhouse.

Rochelle Aytes
Plays: Leigh Barnthouse
Leigh is one of the survivors of Hurricane Katrina and helped her friends Ivy and Susan evacuate patients. When an incident happens, which kicks them out of the competition, her and her driving partner scramble to stay in, and it kills her partner. Leigh is vowing to stay in and most likely avenge her friends murder. Rochelle was born in NYC and graduated from SUNY Purchase College Conservatory For Dance, and has a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts. She has appeared in many dance perfomances some of which are Ballet Hispanicos, and Aida.

Michael Hyatt
Plays: Susan Chamblee
Friend of Leigh who was murdered during the contest. Susan had a nursing degree and along with Leigh and Ivy helped evacuate patients out of a hospital after hurricane Katrina. Micheal has appeared on numerous television shows such as Law and Order, ER, Shark, The West Wing, 24 and Grey's Anatomy.

I have to apologize for those who are encouraged to watch Drive, because Drive was pulled off the air only after two episodes.(They never did air the third episode in my area the night they were scheduled to) It seemed viewers didn't like it, and it had a low rated airings for those two nights, and it was replaced by House in place of the third episode. The last episode "Extra Mile" will air July 4, 2007. There are nine episodes left and it is uncertain when those episodes will air. They are considering streaming the last episodes on Fox, or offering them as downloads on I-Tunes.

I don't know. I guess Drive came on at the wrong time, but I think giving it more of a chance will bring more viewers. Check it out July 4, you won't be disappointed. Visit the websites for more information about the characters and the first three episodes.