Just this past week, HBO announced the addition of Gretchen Mol to the cast of its upcoming series 'Boardwalk Empire,' starring Steve Buscemi as Atlantic City gangster Nucky Thompson. With a string of respectable supporting roles, Mol's made a career out of not-quite making it, starting with her famous 1998 'Vanity Fair' cover that asked the entirely premature question: "Is Gretchen Mol Hollywood's New It Girl?"

But though Mol didn't exactly fade into obscurity (she earned kudos for her eye-opening turn in the indie 'The Notorious Bettie Page' and co-starred in ABC's short-lived 'Life on Mars'), neither did she become the huge success the industry predicted she would be. What happened? Was it luck, timing, bad choices or simply a case of too much hype? Whatever that case, Mol's casting got us thinking about other "Almost It" girls that Hollywood left behind about as quickly as it tried to make them mega-stars.

The answer: Hugh Laurie.

Ha! Just kidding. Actually, the question this week comes from TV Squad reader Toni, who asks "On House, what was the name of the guy who played Stewart Nozick?" She knows him from somewhere but can't think of his name or what show she knows him from (that has happened to all TV viewers at some point, I think).

The actor's name is Todd Louiso, and he's one of those character actors who has been in a little bit of everything over the years, on TV and on the big screen. The first thing I think of when I see Louiso is his role in the John Cusack film High Fidelity (that's him with Cusack in the pic). He played the record store worker that Jack Black was always teasing. He was also in Apollo 13, Snakes on a Plane, Thank You For Smoking, Jerry McGuire, and The Rock.

The TV show that viewers might remember him from is the short-lived Phenom and several episodes of Chicago Hope. He has also made guest appearances on Law and Order, Everwood, Without A Trace, and others.

If done right, this can be a great idea. I'm excited for Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but at the same time, I obviously have some reservations. I mean, who can forget the steamy pile of poo that was My Big Fat Greek Life? But like I said, if done right there are plenty of films out there that could have a very solid run as television shows. Here's some of my picks.

• Super Troopers: Quite possibly my favorite comedy of all time, I can't think of another movie that just never gets old for me. As a sitcom with the original cast intact, this has a lot of potential. Who wants a moustache ride?