The big-eyed, chestnut-haired cutie that is Michelle Trachtenberg has landed herself a starring role on the NBC pilot Mercy. The medical dram-com centers around a group of young nurses who, I’m sure, stand by each other through times of trouble, romance and hilarity.
With ER leaving the NBC building, Mercy might be the defibrillator the network will need to crush Grey’s Anatomy. There can never be too many hospital shows — nothing says fun like changing a bedpan and obligatory doctor-nurse sex: “We shouldn’t be doing this.” “Oh yes, we should!”
Of the three lead nurses, Michelle’s character will be playing the inexperienced “tragically unhip” role. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to think of Trachtenberg as anything remotely “unhip” — even the stint she had on House as a heart-transplant patient who basically lives in a bubble, had a boyfriend and got some nookie (which almost ended up killing her because she got a tick in her no-no spot). Now that is hip.
Joining Michelle in the land of hospital gowns is Dark Matter actress Taylor Schilling and former Men in Trees star James Tupper.
The good news for the former Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum is that the show’s executive producer, Elizabeth Heldens, has already hit it big with Friday Night Lights. The high school football drama starring the very hot Minka Kelly has just been picked up for another two seasons. Hopefully Heldens will have the Midas touch with this one as well.
While I celebrate almost all of Michelle’s entire collection (except for maybe that Ice Princess movie with Hayden Panetierre), I worry about what this means for one of my very favorite Gossip Girl characters, Georgina Sparks. I know she’ll be coming back to the Upper East Side soon, but would prefer an extended stay instead of a hit it and quit it kind of plotline. Let’s face it: Gossip Girl could use a hot bitch injection right about now and Georgina excels at just that.
Trachtenberg also co-stars in the upcoming comedy Young Americans, opposite Topher Graceand Anna Farris.
Harriet the Spy has definitely grown up, but will you be paying attention to her new pursuits? I’d rather have a dog fart in my face than see 17 Again, but I’m a little excited to see where they take Mercy. If anything we can at least hope for a throw-away lesbian plot like they had on ER, Grey’s and even House.
