Yes, I like that actor very much. Wasn't he in a movie that was discussed here not long ago? Was it called Days of Heaven? He played opposite Julianne Moore, I think.

Anyway, sorry to hear that it's scheduled opposite AI. That's unfortunate. I love Haysbert's voice. Hope he lands some deserving roles. Heard about Jarhead. Decided not to waste my time.

Now, I don't know why you say that Arab terrorists in TV dramas are so predictable. If anything, it seems to me that most programs have avoided the Arab-terrorist theme, especially Hollywood. I don't like stereotyping but Arab terrorism is a reality. Note that the terrorists in 24 seem to be Russian this year.

> Those of you in the States who watch
> television perhaps have seen those auto
> insurance commercials featuring a deep
> voiced black man as the announcer, Dennis
> Haysbert. That smooth tone is responsible
> for Haysbert doing a lot of "voice
> over" work in television as well as
> many supporting roles in films.

> Most recently he can be seen in a minor role
> in the recently released dvd
> "Jarhead" (bad movie, review to
> soon follow) but fans are most familiar with
> his role as president David Palmer in the
> Fox series "24" with Keifer
> Sutherland.

> Haysbert's current role is that of Sargent
> Jonas Blane in the CBS series "The
> Unit" dealing with a top secret anti
> terror group controlled only by the highest
> powers in govt. Scary thought, huh? The
> thing that makes this series more
> interesting is that the team lives on a base
> WITH their wives and kids who, by the way,
> try to live a normal life with the knowledge
> that their men may not come home.

> Clearly the most interesting character, so
> far, is Jonas Blane as the leader of the
> group. The first episode also features actor
> Scott Foley ("House",
> "Scrubs", "Scream",
> "Felicity", etc.)as the "new
> guy" being trained by Blane.

> Unfortunately, or should I say, predictably
> , the bad guys in this one are (GASP!!) Arab
> terrorists. How tiresome! The saving grace
> is Haysbert himself. His presence and acting
> power are the keys to this show, but if the
> others, in future episodes, don't pick it up
> and stand out then I'm afraid this series
> will not see the new year. Being broadcast
> on Tuesday nights at 9pm, opposite
> "American Idol" is a bad omen.

> On just the first episode I would have to
> give it a "C+" because it DID hold
> my attention, but "C+" is not good
> enough to make me look for it on whatever
> night it is on, although it MAY be good
> enough to record on the vcr to watch later.

> Check it out tomorrow, IF you are an action
> fan and give us YOUR verdict.