Meeting the New Dogs on the Block

When her boyfriend told her last November about a commercial for “Terriers,” Sanyee Yuan ’12 first thought of canines. Last Friday in Lowell House, in a pleasantly ironic turn of events, Yuan, in collaboration with the Office for the Arts, the Harvard University Television and Harvardwood, organized a screening of “Terriers,” the new comedic crime drama on the FX Network, and a talk with its stars Donal F. Logue ’88 and Michael Raymond-James.

The show, which premiered in September, centers on ex-cop Hank Dolworth (Logue) and his ex-crook partner Britt Pollack (Raymond-James) as they launch an unlicensed private investigation business.

“It’s a love child between ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ and  ‘The Shield,’” Logue said. “We wanted to create a show for people who hate the contrivances of television.”

“We fought to make it real for the audience,” Raymond-James added.

Despite stellar reviews, “Terriers” is facing dismal ratings, which prompted Logue and Raymond-James to hit the road on a publicity tour across college campuses. The Harvard stop has special meanings for Logue, who spent his undergraduate years in Adams House. A history concentrator, he nonetheless found his calling in the performing arts after participating in a theater production.

“The experience was like a drug,” Logue said. “I feel comfortable with the fact that I’m never going to wear a suit and sit in an office. But I’ve made a decision to live and work in the creative arts until I die.”

Logue’s decision startled his Irish immigrant parents but thrilled Claire Mallardi, former Director of the Harvard-Radcliffe Dance Program and Logue’s teacher in a 1988 course titled “Movement for Actors.” “He’s truly funny and I’ve always remembered him,” she said as they reunited in a poignant embrace.

As their parting words, Logue and Raymond-James encouraged students to find their passion in life. “Live for what you love,” Logue said.