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Elmore Leonard, Michael Connelly and George Pelecanos swap insights about writing crime fiction.

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TV GUIDE: Justified Gets It Just Right

TV Guide
by Adam Bryant

Elmore Leonard doesn’t waste words on the page or in conversation.

So when asked what he thinks of Justified, the FX series based on one of his characters, anachronistic U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, the prolific author’s response is simple and direct: “I like it a lot.”

6 Reasons you should be watching Justified

For Leonard, whose 43 novels and countless short stories have inspired decades of TV and movie adaptations, dialogue has always been the key to the 84-year-old writer’s success. And Leonard thinks that’s one of the reasons Justified works.

“When he delivered the lines, the ones that I wrote, they were just the way I heard them when I wrote them,” Leonard says of series star Timothy Olyphant. “That doesn’t happen very much. They’re sticking right to my sound, and I think it’s really good.”

Leonard likens Olyphant’s spot-on line delivery to that of Richard Boone, who starred in the 1957 western, The Tall T, the first film made from a Leonard story (“The Captives”). That same year saw the release of the original 3:10 to Yuma, also adapted from a Leonard short story. At the time, that was just what Leonard wanted.

FX shoots to kill with Justified

“When I started writing in the ‘50s, I was hoping for movie sales,” he tells TVGuide.com, noting he made $90 when Yuma was published. “After that, when I got into crime [stories], I began to think more of the writing than the possibility of a movie. Still, in my style of writing, I always write in scenes, and I always write from a character’s point of view. So, that feels like a movie, and when a studio executive reads it he can see it as a movie.”

Of the many adaptations of his works, Leonard is particularly fond of the 1967 Paul Newman film Hombre. He also gives high marks to the mid-to-late-‘90s triumvirate of Get Shorty, Out of Sight, and Jackie Brown, the last of which Leonard says may have come the closest to his original intent in “Rum Punch,” the story which inspired Quentin Tarantino’s film.

Leonard’s works haven’t always fared as well on TV. The author was no fan of ABC’s Maximum Bob or Karen Sisco, which put Carla Gugino in the titular role Jennifer Lopez originated in Out of Sight. Leonard said the writers of Sisco never found the character.

“It ran for six episodes, and in each episode, I think her personality changed,” Leonard says. “They just had to find out who she is, and how she operates most effectively and most entertainingly. And they never found it.”

Justified: Walton Goggins breaks down the role that almost wasn’t

Justified, on the other hand, has Raylan Givens nailed, Leonard says. “I thought he was laid-back in just the right way,” he says. “He’s a confident lawman, and he knows he can shoot. He knows he can pull his gun. That’s what I like about him: He doesn’t rush anything. He doesn’t seem on the muscle, because he knows he’s the good guy.”

Leonard has begun work on a new Raylan Givens story which he hopes might inspire plots for the show’s second season, if FX renews the series. “It’s a new idea that they can get into if they like it,” Leonard says. “It doesn’t have anything to do with the continuity of what they’re doing, so they can wedge it in anywhere. I’m going to write at least 60 pages and give it to them. If they like it, fine.”

And if they don’t, Leonard says he will pen a couple more Raylan stories and publish a collection. After almost a year working on his latest novel, Djibouti — a story about Somali pirates holding merchant ships for ransom — Leonard views writing Raylan as a break.

“It’s not a rest, but it’s more restful to write about Raylan Givens because I know him so well,” he says.

Justified airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on FX.

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Timothy Olyphant is Badass

Dr. Bristol’s Prescription

Olyphant has become one of those actors whose very presence in a cast legitimizes the project for me. Sure, his early career looks like most actor’s, a few romcoms, guest spots on bad TV shows, less than stellar plots. But lightning struck when he hooked up as part of the cast of Deadwood, certain to go down as one of the all-time classic series on television. He brings such charisma and strength to a role, when he’s onscreen it’s hard not to be completely captivated.

He’s always been good in a war-themed flick; the recent Stop-Loss and the underrated When Trumpets Fade being but two examples. Domed skull in Hitman. Convincingly appropriate in culture flicks like Go and Rock Star. But he really shines when given a character with inner conflicts who might be morally ambiguous; his supporting role on Damages was a standout.

But after one episode of the new FX series Justified – hell, after one scene – I’ve come to the conclusion that Olyphant belongs under a cowboy hat. (And to think they almost cast Dermot Mulroney as the lead!)

Justified is based upon an Elmore Leonard character from his story called “Fire In The Hole“, with Olyphant playing the lead character Raylan Givens. The original title of Lawman wasn’t available thanks to Steven Segal’s latest abuse of his fifteen minutes of fame (isn’t that voucher beyond stale by now?).

Writers include those who have worked on Karen Sisco (another Leonard-based show featuring Carla Gugino and Robert Forster) and Deadwood. And what tips the brim is that Elmore Leonard is directly involved as writer and producer. Show writers wear a bracelet that reads “What Would Elmore Do?“…now that is badass as well.

Basic cable has started to kick the major networks’ asses with more and more quality actors finding great projects and first-rate material. Mad Men and Breaking Bad give AMC huge credibility; TNT struck gold with The Closer and USA may have found their replacement for Monk in White Collar.

But FX has been on a serious roll the past couple of seasons adding drama like Justified and Sons of Anarchy and comedy shows Archer and The League. The majority of my must-see TV is on basic cable these days.

If you have not jumped on the Justified bandwagon, I implore you to do so quickly and catch up; the third episode airs next Tuesday (March 30) at 10pm. Rich characters, great atmosphere, stellar casting (Walton Goggins!), adult themes…this one is a keeper.

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What Does Harlan Think of Justified?

Harlan Daily Enterprise
by JASON EDWARDS

Elmore Leonard’s interest in southeastern Kentucky started when he read the book “Stinking Creek” by John Fetterman. His interest continues today with FX’s new hit series “Justified,” which follows the exploits of deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, and now Leonard reveals Givens will be returning home to Harlan County in a new book.

Leonard has more in common with his old west and pre-World War II era characters this his modern type of character. Leonard does not own a cell phone, word processor or even use e-mail. He does, however, “proudly” boast the fact he does use and own a fax machine.

Leonard has written over 40 novels and countless short stories, many of which have been turned into Hollywood blockbuster films such as “Jackie Brown,” “3:10 to Yuma,” “Get Shorty,” “Out of sight” and now the hit television series “Justified.”

“Justified” is based off of Leonard’s short story “Fire in the Hole,” which follows Marshal Givens, who is from Harlan County.

Leonard revealed he was unsure why he picked Harlan to use as Givens’ hometown but thinks it was due to a book.

“I don’t know, I don’t remember. I don’t even remember how I heard about the book “Stinking Creek,” said Leonard.

Leonard said without all the information his researcher Gregg Sutter gathers, his writing would take a lot longer and be a lot more difficult. Often, Leonard said, he will have his desk and floor covered with papers, articles and pictures Sutter has gathered dealing with whatever he is writing about.

“Gregg gets me all kinds of stuff — unbelievable stuff. I get so much good stuff from him that I’m not sure at first what will work and what won’t,” Leonard said.

Leonard said he felt the writers and Graham Yost were staying true to the essence of Givens and his books.

“The way they are writing, I think it is amazing,” Leonard said. “They are picking up my sound, which is very complimentary, and they are doing a good job.”

Leonard said he feels the series works on many different levels.

“I’ve only seen the first three episodes and little bits — little pieces of scenes from some of the others,” said Leonard. “I think they are right on the money. All the reviewers who has seen what has been done, everybody seems to like it.”

Local responses seemed to be mixed on the series.

Mayor Danny Howard said the series is not a documentary and when he watches it, he views it just as that — entertainment.

“I’ve watched both nights. The character is sort of a Clint Eastwood type with a strong personality,” said Howard. “If you think about it, it’s entertainment. I try not to take it too serious… and I am pleased with it.”

Local columnist Charlotte Nolan, a former actress, said she feels the series shows potential.

“I thought it had enough dramatic value to continue watching it, and see which direction it is going to go,” said Nolan. “The main character seemed strong, and I thought it showed some real possibility.”

Howard and Nolan both said they would continue to watch the series out of “curiosity.”

The show is not with some negative and neutral positions as well.

Chrissy Saylor said after the first episode she just doesn’t seem to be interested in the series.

“I’ve watched the first show and it started out slow. I tried to watch the second one and I just lost interest,” she said.

Leonard said he has started working on a new Givens story and a story idea for possible future “Justified” episodes.

“I’m very proud of the program. I think it is great,” Leonard said.

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Elmore Leonard And Sons’ Recipes For Writing, Fried Spam

Elmore Leonard has written scores of novels about crime and the Old West, many of which have been turned into movies. Host Scott Simon visited the Tuscon Festival of Books earlier this month and spoke with Leonard and his sons about growing up with one of America’s best crime novelists and the craft of writing.

Listen here.

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Elmore Introduces Mike Lupica at Borders

Elmore was on hand last night at Borders Birmingham to introduce his good friend, Mike Lupica, on tour with his new book, The Bat Boy.

Read about Mike’s new book in The Detroit Free Press here.

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‘Justified,’ week two review: ‘That’s a good story’

Entertainment Weekly
by Ken Tucker

For those unfamiliar with the laconic tone of Elmore Leonard’s storytelling, last night’s second episode of Justified served as a primer. The hour began with a quiet scene: Timothy Olyphant’s Rayland Givens visiting the hospital bedside of the man he shot last week, Walton Goggins’ Boyd Crowder. Boyd told our U.S. Marshal hero that, while recovering form the wound, he’s rediscovered his faith and has been “born again.” We’ll see how long that lasts.

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Justified, ‘Riverbrook’: Got beat. Got my gun took.

The Star Ledger (New Jersey)
Alan Sepinwall
By Alan Sepinwall/The Star-Ledger

Of the four episodes of “Justified” I’ve seen, “Riverbrook” was definitely the weakest of the bunch - not bad, but a definite comedown from the thrills, chills and laughs of the pilot, and not as strong at working without an Elmore Leonard safety net as the third or (particularly) fourth episode.

Again, you can’t underestimate how big an issue that is. Graham Yost borrowed large chunks of Leonard’s dialogue from “Fire in the Hole” for the pilot, and while I think it would have been folly to try creating Leonard soundalike dialogue going forward(*), there’s definitely less snap to a lot of the banter in this one.

(*) Jason Smilovic and company did okay with that on “Karen Sisco,” but in general Leonard’s authorial voice is so distinctive that a bad imitator would stick out much worse than not trying to copy him at all.

There were still some very funny moments, like the party guest calling for “Freebird,” or Art giving Raylan a hard time about losing his gun, badge and hat to Cooper the bank robber. And some cool running gags, too, like Tim the ex-sniper telling Raylan about he learned to create “stories” about each of his potential targets, until the idea caused some snipers (and, it’s implied, him) to have some killer’s remorse, which led to the great payoff where Tim described his story about Dupree: “Yeah, if he does anything out of line, I get to shoot him.”

My problem with the episode, I think, came largely from the Cooper/Dupree/Shirley side of things. Given the nature of a Marshal’s job, and the way that Leonard himself structures most of his stories, the bad guys have to be as important to every story as the good guys. And that can work if Raylan’s quarry is played by someone as instantly-colorful as Walton Goggins (who returns briefly as Boyd at the top), or if the writing for the guest characters is really spot on (as it is in the fourth episode). But Cooper was never a compelling enough character for me to want to spend long stretches of the episode with him, and away from Raylan. Tim Olyphant sets such a high bar that the show is going to need to be really smart with how it writes and casts the guest stars, or else the show is going to tip heavily to one side.

(That, or they’ll need to rethink how they apportion screen time, and that has its own pitfalls; if we’re not in any way invested in Raylan’s targets, then things get repetitive.)

What did everybody else think?

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‘Justified’: Timothy Olyphant on what to expect this season

Entertainment Weekly
by Mandi Bierly

Last Tuesday, Justified became FX’s highest-rated series debut since The Shield. The show follows U.S. Deputy Marshal Raylan Givens (Deadwood’s Timothy Olyphant) as he’s reassigned to his native Kentucky, home of his remarried ex-wife Winona (Dirty Sexy Money’s Natalie Zea), his criminal father Arlo (Raymond J. Barry), his high school crush Ava (Joelle Carter), and the old coal mining buddy-turned-racist church bomber/bank robber he had to put a bullet in last week, Boyd (The Shield’s Walton Goggins). Here, a few things we have to look forward to this season. SPOILER ALERT:

The Official
Elmore Leonard Website

Archives

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Stories

Film and TV

Justified Episode Recaps

Elmore Leonard, Michael Connelly and George Pelecanos swap insights about writing crime fiction.

TV GUIDE: Justified Gets It Just Right

Timothy Olyphant is Badass

What Does Harlan Think of Justified?

Elmore Leonard And Sons’ Recipes For Writing, Fried Spam

Elmore Introduces Mike Lupica at Borders

‘Justified,’ week two review: ‘That’s a good story’

Justified, ‘Riverbrook’: Got beat. Got my gun took.

‘Justified’: Timothy Olyphant on what to expect this season

Recent Posts

The Gregg Sutter Blog

On Twitter

The Official Elmore Leonard Website

Archives

Novels

Stories

Film and TV

Justified Episode Recaps

Elmore Leonard, Michael Connelly and George Pelecanos swap insights about writing crime fiction.

TV GUIDE: Justified Gets It Just Right

Timothy Olyphant is Badass

What Does Harlan Think of Justified?

Elmore Leonard And Sons’ Recipes For Writing, Fried Spam

Elmore Introduces Mike Lupica at Borders

‘Justified,’ week two review: ‘That’s a good story’

Justified, ‘Riverbrook’: Got beat. Got my gun took.

‘Justified’: Timothy Olyphant on what to expect this season

Next

Recent Posts

The Gregg Sutter Blog

On Twitter

The Official
Elmore Leonard Website