Dec 19 2008 05:17 PM ET

'Sam Who' Recast Scoop: Zane in, Olyphant out!

Categories: Samantha Who?

Zaneolyphant_l
Wanna mess with a recovering amnesiac’s head? Have her former boyfriend reappear in her life… with a new face!

Samantha Who? producers have tapped Titanic baddie Billy Zane to replace Timothy Olyphant as Sam’s ex, Funk, sources confirm to me exclusively.

But, alas, the recast isn’t part of some elaborate prank being played on Christina Applegate’s memory-challenged alter ego. Rather, Olyphant — who originated the role of Sam’s boss/almost fiancée last April –- was unable to return because he’s now starring on FX’s Damages.

Zane’s recurring stint kicks off in episode 15 when Funk and Sam come face-to-face for the first time since she rejected his marriage proposal.

Is Zane a worthy successor to Olyphant? Or is it just too funky to picture anyone other than the ex-Deadwood sheriff in this role? Sound off in the comments!

Comments (1-30) of 48 Add your comment

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  • Carey Jenkins

    Timothy Olyphant is NOT ON SAMANTHA WHO. Barry Watson plays her ex! What kind of reporting is this?

  • Nic

    How can you say that Timothy Olyphant is Sam’s ex when the character Todd is played by Barry Watson? Please clairfy!

  • Jaime

    She can have more than one ex. Jeez. Don’t jump all over Mike unless you actually know what you’re talking about please.
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1127269/

  • Ep Sato

    Funk was only in one episode, so it shouldn’t be a big deal to replace him. They did a recast with one of the characters (the fbi agent who turned Ariana) in the Sopranos and no one seemed to notice.

  • Angela

    Ummm….yes he was Carey and Nic. I can’t remember how it all played out, but I think she was cheating on Todd with him. He proposed to her and she turned him down.

  • Robbie

    LOL @ the people freaking out over “bad reporting.” You guys clearly didn’t watch all of the first season.

  • CandyMaize

    Although I would much rather have
    Tim Olyphant back as Funk again (yes, I’m a fan of his), he WAS only in one episode, so I agree that re-casting the character isn’t going to be the end of the world. Plus, Billy Zane can be very entertaining. Besides, I am a fan of “Damages” and am happy that Tim is going to be in it this season .. and I’ll actually wind up getting to see MORE of him this way.

  • abcsucks!

    calm down kiddies, the character of Funk came on last season, I believe. Turns out Sam was sleeping with her boss and no one knew – or something like that…guess my memory’s a little sketchy as well…but they are not talking about Todd (whom I love and adored as Brian on What About Brian)

  • Anonymous

    Billy Zane doesn’t do it for me.

  • Ace

    I got scared for a second b/c I didn’t know the name of the guy that plays Todd. Shew! But seriously, Billy Zane should not be allowed on this cute show. He is just annoying. They should have found someone more similar to Timothy Olyphant…

  • jbj

    The funny thing is that I wondered if Tim was stealing Billy’s look when he showed up with the shaved head last season. Thankfully, it was shaved for Hitman and Tim’s not going prematurely bald…unlike Billy. It’s amazing how alike they look and sound. Anyhoo, as much as I like Tim, I think Billy may fit the role a little better because of his age.

  • samfan

    Billy Zane is awesome. Can’t wait to see him shake things up in Sam’s life!

  • julie

    …love Billy Zane, think he is so handsome….

  • Mo

    WRONG ACTOR..IT’S BARRY WATSON. Check out the official ABC website for the show.

  • I digress

    I like Billy Zane, but no no no no no!!!!!!!!!!!! Wrong guy.

  • deb

    Timothy Olyphant was on SAMANTHA WHO he played the role of Sam’s boss/almost fiancée last April only in one episode thou.
    SHE WAS BAD SAM (WHY WOULD YOU THINK SHE ONLY HAS ONE EX)
    The reporting on this is good you just have to read more of this report or watch season one.

  • Sarah

    Timothy Olyphant was definitely on Samantha Who for a short stint. He played a millionare who was in love with Bad Sam. The EW writers haven’t confused him with Barry Watson.

  • DJ

    Billy Zane isn’t the best fit. Can we get a re-recast?

  • Melissa

    I came on here to say that I’ll miss Timothy Olyphant on here, but if only for an ep or two, I’ll deal with Zane. However now I just want to laugh at all the people that freaked out thinking that the article was wrong. I think Ausiello has been doing this long enough to not mistake Timothy Olyphant for Barry Watson!! People are always so eager to be right… it’s just silly. You just ignore them, Michael! :)

  • Jen

    How about Michael Vartan instead of Zane? I think he’d be perfect and it would be nice to see his face again on a good show.

  • K

    Josh Duhamel… he looks a lot like olyphant!

  • Jamie
  • MonicaOP

    HI :) , I wonder, if is not much of a problem, if you could tell us more about Chloe in SMV.
    This hiatus is really killing me, I want to know what really happens to her, and really when are her and Clark going to get together??
    Years and years of loving this 2 and nothing!! Really… I’m getting depressed ;) .
    Tons of thanks to you :D hugs!!!! Happy holidays!!! Monica

  • Rosemary

    I really hope that the idiots who freak out over false reporting that wasn’t false come back and admit their idiocy

  • Margaret

    Zane hasn’t been hot in years. I think they at least could have went with someone in Olyphant’s age range. Still glad the talented actor is now in ‘Damages’ – he deserves a brighter future.

  • cami

    Well, I wish they would recast Jennifer Esposito and Sookie version 2.0. Esposito has always gotten on my last nerve with her arch, shrill overacting and the woman who plays Sookie version 2.0 always plays every character the same way (hence why I cannot remember her or her character’s name).

  • Elizabeth

    So when does John Taylor from Duran Duran start?

  • Anonymous

    Billy Zane is so ugly compared to the other guy. We need a good looking guy with a baby face.

  • Anonymous

    Billy Zane is so ugly compared to the other guy. We need a good looking guy with a baby face.

  • Joanie

    I’ watch Olyphant in anything. Zane…not so much!

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