Cast Brings ‘Action’ to City for Filming

The cast and crew of the new Fox series “Action” were in town Wednesday filming at City Hall and at the Ventura County Medical Society building at South Chestnut and Santa Clara streets.

In the generally well-reviewed series, Jay Mohr plays Peter Dragon, a Hollywood producer who suffered a $150-million movie flop and wants to rehabilitate his image. By a comic twist of fate, he meets Illeana Douglas, a call girl and former child star, who becomes his director of production.

“I think this is the funniest show on television because it’s reality-based, and the jokes are based on real life,” said Mohr, 29.

Mohr’s self-assured Peter Dragon is prone to saying such things as, “I’m going to take violence off the street and put it back where it belongs--in the movies.” It’s that sort of wit that has detractors already lining up against “Action.”

“It’s not a cookie-cutter sitcom,” Mohr said. “It’s cutting-edge and prolific.”

Mohr and Douglas previously worked together on the movie “Picture Perfect.”

Mohr was featured in four television series before joining the “Saturday Night Live” cast. He has made 13 films since 1992, including his debut as a ruthless sports agent in “Jerry McGuire.” He is the occasional guest host on the irreverent sports radio talk show “The Jim Rome Show”--and talks trash about basketball with “Action” producers between takes.

Veteran comedian Buddy Hackett plays Lonnie Valiant, Dragon’s uncle, bodyguard and chauffeur.

Wednesday’s shoot in Ventura was not the first visit here for Hackett, who lives in the Trancas Beach area of Los Angeles County.

“The last time I was in Ventura County was when I was on location in Camarillo, filming the movie ‘Tight Shoes,’ ” he said. “I fell off a director’s chair and broke a rib. I nearly popped a kidney.”

“Action” airs Thursdays and Sundays at 9:30 p.m. on Fox TV, Channel 11.