Jaeger Right for Role in Unique Show

By GREG HERNANDEZ

Anyone who says broadcast television isn’t creative anymore hasn’t seen an episode of “Eli Stone.”

The title character of this comedy-drama- musical, set in a top San Francisco law firm, has a series of visions — including one of George Michael singing “Faith” — that affect his practice, relationships and reputation.

Sam Jaeger plays an attorney in the firm and is a critical member of an all-star ensemble that includes Jonny Lee Miller as Eli, Victor Garber, Loretta Devine and Natasha Henstridge.

“He’s a wonderful character because just when you’re about to root for him, he goes and does something really nasty,” Sam said of his TV alter ego, Matt Dowd. “I think we all know somebody in our lives who’s like that — who every once in a while they redeem themselves.”

Because it is a unique show — cast members spontaneously break into song — there was a question of whether it would catch on with audiences when it premiered last spring.

But it did, and it will be returning for a second season on ABC.

“There was kind of a buzz, and the buzz was pretty accurate,” said Sam. “It was a good script that turned into a good show.”

At 31, the actor has been steadily making a name for himself in television and films. In addition to many guest spots on high- profile shows, he has had significant roles in films including “Catch and Release,”"Within,”"Lucky Number Slevin,” and “Hart’s War.”

He deeply wanted the role on “Eli” but didn’t like his chances going in.

“I knew when I went into the audition that they had been seeing people for this role for several months,” he remembered. “It didn’t really put pressure on me because I just thought, ‘Well, I don’t have a chance in hell.’ Thankfully, they saw that I was the character.”

Sam and I chatted at last month’s Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour while his co-star Miller was being hounded by personal questions about his former wife, Angelina Jolie.

Sam seemed relieved that interest in his personal life has been on a far smaller scale.

“I have a pretty simple life,” he said. “I’ve got a wonderful wife and a great kid. I’m grateful that I can jump into the (showbiz) world and jump out. I’ve seen enough to know that it’s not the kind of life that’s easily taken on.”

Hudson impossible to miss

I’ve been attending the Countrywide Classic tennis tournament this week at UCLA watching such players as Andy Roddick, Marat Safin and Carlos Moya practice and compete.

On Tuesday during the match between Germany’s Tommy Haas and Donald Young of the U.S.A., there was a glamorous blonde presence courtside: Kate Hudson.

Kate, who just recently announced her split from Lance Armstrong, seemed a bit embarrassed when the announcer mentioned her presence to the crowd. But then again, she was sitting out front and was impossible to miss. She left after Haas lost to Young in straight sets.

(c) 2008 Daily News; Los Angeles, Calif.. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.