Has there ever been a greater cinematic pairing than Ellen Burstyn and prescription medication in Requiem for a Dream? OK, yes, maybe there has. But I could watch that woman stare at infomercials in a fantastical haze on loop forever, so I am very excited to hear that she will be playing the matriarch of a pharmaceutical family in the new Showtime pilot Possible Side Effects. And yes, I do realize that just because her family sells pills doesn't necessarily means she'll be a-poppin' 'em, but if TV has taught me anything about matriarchs, it's that the one thing they like better than gin and manipulating everyone is pills, so hopefully she'll be drinking some of her own Kool-Aid on this show. The pilot is also being written and directed by Tim Robbins, so it'll likely be good and preachy, or annoying and preachy, depending on your outlook, but if that's what you're worried about you really need to rethink things because Ellen Burstyn and pills will be on the screen at the very same time. Get your priorities straight!

Tags: Ellen Burstyn, Possible Side Effects, Requiem for a Dream, Showtime, Tim Robbins