Part 1
Part 2
Today, I'm review two sitcoms based off annoying premises and one show based off a superhero. So that's apparently not a great start. However, the superhero show is genuinely good and the annoying premise pilots aren't as bad as you'd expect!
The Flash
Well, this show is fun. I'll admit I'm kind of burned out on the superheroes, a trend that doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon. But The Flash has a different tone than the other superhero shows. Besides Nolan's films and The Avengers, the films are at best mediocre and worst boring. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is simply uninteresting. Gotham doesn't really know what it's doing. (I have not seen Arrow, which may be the exception and I've in fact heard it is)
Welcome to The Flash. This show is immediately good. The pilot gives us the origin story plus a villain plus introduces us to all the characters so obviously this episode is rushed. But it sure as hell acknowledges how fun being The Flash would be. Grant Gustin is well-cast as the lead playing The Flash in a "Wow is this really happening to me? Awesome" way. Which not enough superhero projects do because the seems like the natural response.
The early returns on the supporting cast are promising. Law and Order vet Jesse L. Martin has something not many actors can claim about their roles and that is 10 years experience of being a cop on TV. Tom Cavanagh is good as the genius scientist who probably is hiding something. And I already like both Danielle Panabaker and Carlos Valdes as the scientists who presumably will help Flash along the way.
Another cool thing is that the origin story seems to be directly tied to how exactly so many supernatural villains will pop up in the future. He got struck by lightning, but other people were also affected including the villain this week. Overall, I'd highly recommend this show even to anybody feeling burnt out by superhero shows.
Verdict: Absolutely watch
Grade: A-
Marry Me
Unfortunately, a sitcom nowadays a sitcom needs to have some sort of hook to its pilot to distinguish itself from every other sitcom. This one, for mostly worse, is that the two leads cannot seem to get engaged to each other. Like both want to get married, but hey something keeps getting in the way! Because that's how life works I guess. (To be fair, it's based on creator David Caspe and Casey Wilson's attempts in real life so I guess it does work like that).
With that said, I really liked this show. Casey Wilson is the star of the pilot making a character who demands to be married now likable. She basically screams at Jake (Ken Marino) for a solid three minutes while he's down on one knee trying to propose to her. She's screaming about how she can't believed he hasn't proposed yet. So you can see the challenge, but Wilson somehow pulls it off.
Ken Marino isn't playing a Ken Marino character, which is strange. I'm sure he'll get crazier as the show goes on, but in this first episode he's normal. There's also Tim Meadows in this as Wilson's gay dad (she has two gay dads). Meadows doesn't get anything to do in the pilot, but he's IN this show so there's a reason worth watching in the future. The show looks promising.
Grade - B+
Verdict: Watch
Selfie
I did not expect to be reviewing this show, but next thing I know I'm watching an episode of Selfie. I mistakenly watched the third episode of this show instead of the pilot. I really don't think that makes much of a difference, and in fact could help a show with a premise like this.
I'm not sure I can get into this show. For one, I just don't find it all that funny. Then there's the obvious fact that this show will be sooo dated in 10 years. I suppose that's an invalid criticism of a show in the present, but it's always in the back of my mind with most of the jokes. The show almost survives solely on the acting ability of Karen Gillan and John Cho, but I'll be cautiously waiting for this show to get good - if that ever happens - instead of watching it while it airs.
But this show is nowhere near as bad as you would expect gathering from the title so there's that.
Grade - C+
Verdict: Safely skip
Playlist
1. "Forgive & Forget" - The Kooks
2. "Fame" - David Bowie
3. "Run the Jewels" - Run the Jewels
4. "A Hard Day's Night" - The Beatles
5. "Fantasy" - Breakbot feat. Ruckazoid
Showing posts with label Pilots. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pilots. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Fall Pilots Part 2
Part 1
I was perhaps a bit presumptuous in my last post when I said that these new shows left me with a shrug. Today's a bit more promising with one exception. Of course, I'm not watching shows I am pretty sure will be terrible, such as Selfie or Mysteries of Laura. I don't hate myself so I only watch the shows I'm interested in. Today, I bring you two dramas and a comedy. The dramas fair a whole hell of a lot better than the comedy.
I was perhaps a bit presumptuous in my last post when I said that these new shows left me with a shrug. Today's a bit more promising with one exception. Of course, I'm not watching shows I am pretty sure will be terrible, such as Selfie or Mysteries of Laura. I don't hate myself so I only watch the shows I'm interested in. Today, I bring you two dramas and a comedy. The dramas fair a whole hell of a lot better than the comedy.
Mulaney
What the hell happened to this show? This pilot is absolutely dreadful. This so badly wants to be a new version of Seinfeld and it fails so badly at it. There may not be one single thing I liked about the pilot. I like that Nasim Pedrad is getting employed. That's it. That's the only thing I liked about the pilot.
John Mulaney, a former writer for SNL, is a comedian I have not really seen all that much. Apparently, he's one of the best stand-up comedians there is today. That is not reflected here at all. There was nothing funny about this episode, including his stand-up. His delivery is painfully stiff and I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea that he'd be good in a sitcom. I won't judge his stand-up material based on this episode, which seems to have infected everything in this episode with poison. But there are good stand-up comedians who really wouldn't fit as a sitcom star. Mulaney may just fit into that category.
Anyway, this is a pretty outdated format. In case you didn't know, there is a laugh track. Well it's filmed in front of a live studio audience, who I can't imagined laughed at any of this under their own free will. I've been watching The Andy Griffith Show and all the actors might as well be in a theatrical setting the way they act. That's exactly how the characters on this show act. It's like they are overacting so that everybody in the theater can see it - except this is a television show and you can tone it down. Despite liking three of the actors, none of the performances were good.
I'm giving this show four episodes based upon Mulaney's reputation, Nasim Pedrad, and Elliot Gould. (Well that's my plan. There's somewhat decent chance I can't bring myself to watch any more episodes.) And really I'm just looking for potential because sitcoms traditionally struggle immediately. Think Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock. But I want to be clear that me viewing the next three episodes has absolutely nothing to do with the pilot. The pilot is an irredeemable turd.
Grade: F
Verdict: Might want to wait for someone to tell you the show's turned a corner
How to Get Away with Murder
Oddly enough this is my first exposure to a Shonda Rimes television show. Technically this wasn't created by her, but she's an executive producer and it's similar in style to her previous shows from what I've read. I'm not sure How to Get Away with Murder is a good reflection on whether to watch Scandal, but it doesn't exactly scare me away either.
There are things I liked about it and things I didn't like about it. Let's start with the obvious: Viola Davis. I'd go as far as to say she's the only reason this show even works. The character of Annalise Keatings is a person who will be highly unethical, highly abrasive, and highly manipulative. In the wrong hands, Keatings would not be someone you'd want to watch everyday. Davis makes her click. She makes her an awesome character.
The rest of the cast is less memorable. Wes Gibbons, played by Alfred Enoch (best known for Dean Thomas in Harry Potter movies), is about the only character who sticks out, but he also gets by far the most screen time. How to Get Away with Murder will probably function similar to "House" - Davis teaches Gibbons and four other students how to evade a guilty verdict. What makes it different is two different mysteries that I won't reveal, but they seem likely to have something to do with Keatings.
To say this show seems unrealistic would be an understatement. I'm no lawyer, but I'm pretty positive the representation of how the legal system works is laughable. Also, no teacher like Keatings could possibly exist in any sort of real life, giving her students full access to an ongoing trial that she's defending. The class is also called Criminal Law 1000 and as a person who's taken many 1000 classes, it's hilarious how much work the students do. No, that's not how a 1000 level class works TV show. Anyway, as a viewer, I'll be juggling a somewhat entertaining show with these problems. But I care much less about the realism than I do about the non-Keatings characters, who I couldn't place out of a lineup (except for two: Gibbons and the guy from Orange is the New Black)
Grade: B
Verdict: Tentatively Watching
Gotham
I was not expecting much from this show, but I enjoyed it. The show both takes itself too seriously AND is way too campy at time, but I don't mind the mishmash of tones. I think there's real material to be mined from a corrupt Gotham police force, although the level to which it is corrupt is almost absurd. So Jim Gordon is literally the only good policeman?
The other problem is that the show is relying to heavily on iconic villains of the franchise. A little restraint goes a long way. The pilot itself includes the Riddler (who for some reason is working for the police?), Penguin, Catwoman, a young Poison Ivy, and possibly the Joker. It's also the way they introduce them: here's the Catwoman, who nicknames her self cat and her every move is catlike in a literal sense. The other villains are much the same in their bluntness.
However, there's hope in a new character created just for this series - Fish Mooney - who is played by Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith is having a whole lot of fun with the role and she's definitely one of the more intriguing villains despite the fact that she's got no history - or possibly because of it. I really like the two leads of the show - Donal Logue and Ben McKenzie. This show has potential as long as it figures out what it's doing.
Grade: B
Verdict: Safe to watch
Playlist
1. "Tongues" - Joywave
2. "Operate" - ASTR
3. "Eleven: 11" - Pell
4. "It's My Part" - Jonquil
5. "I Can't Live Without My Radio" - LL Cool J
There are things I liked about it and things I didn't like about it. Let's start with the obvious: Viola Davis. I'd go as far as to say she's the only reason this show even works. The character of Annalise Keatings is a person who will be highly unethical, highly abrasive, and highly manipulative. In the wrong hands, Keatings would not be someone you'd want to watch everyday. Davis makes her click. She makes her an awesome character.
The rest of the cast is less memorable. Wes Gibbons, played by Alfred Enoch (best known for Dean Thomas in Harry Potter movies), is about the only character who sticks out, but he also gets by far the most screen time. How to Get Away with Murder will probably function similar to "House" - Davis teaches Gibbons and four other students how to evade a guilty verdict. What makes it different is two different mysteries that I won't reveal, but they seem likely to have something to do with Keatings.
To say this show seems unrealistic would be an understatement. I'm no lawyer, but I'm pretty positive the representation of how the legal system works is laughable. Also, no teacher like Keatings could possibly exist in any sort of real life, giving her students full access to an ongoing trial that she's defending. The class is also called Criminal Law 1000 and as a person who's taken many 1000 classes, it's hilarious how much work the students do. No, that's not how a 1000 level class works TV show. Anyway, as a viewer, I'll be juggling a somewhat entertaining show with these problems. But I care much less about the realism than I do about the non-Keatings characters, who I couldn't place out of a lineup (except for two: Gibbons and the guy from Orange is the New Black)
Grade: B
Verdict: Tentatively Watching
Gotham
I was not expecting much from this show, but I enjoyed it. The show both takes itself too seriously AND is way too campy at time, but I don't mind the mishmash of tones. I think there's real material to be mined from a corrupt Gotham police force, although the level to which it is corrupt is almost absurd. So Jim Gordon is literally the only good policeman?
The other problem is that the show is relying to heavily on iconic villains of the franchise. A little restraint goes a long way. The pilot itself includes the Riddler (who for some reason is working for the police?), Penguin, Catwoman, a young Poison Ivy, and possibly the Joker. It's also the way they introduce them: here's the Catwoman, who nicknames her self cat and her every move is catlike in a literal sense. The other villains are much the same in their bluntness.
However, there's hope in a new character created just for this series - Fish Mooney - who is played by Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith is having a whole lot of fun with the role and she's definitely one of the more intriguing villains despite the fact that she's got no history - or possibly because of it. I really like the two leads of the show - Donal Logue and Ben McKenzie. This show has potential as long as it figures out what it's doing.
Grade: B
Verdict: Safe to watch
Playlist
1. "Tongues" - Joywave
2. "Operate" - ASTR
3. "Eleven: 11" - Pell
4. "It's My Part" - Jonquil
5. "I Can't Live Without My Radio" - LL Cool J
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Fall Pilots Part 1
As a person with a crazy high number of television shows on my plate, I'm always simultaneously excited and terrified when the new batch of shows comes out. Maybe my reaction should be a shrug instead. Last year, out of all the pilots I watched, I only still watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine and have regrettably not been able to keep watching Sleepy Hollow (though I may get back into it). Sleepy Hollow is a really fun, entertaining show, but it's sort of hard to believe that's the best of TV's new shows in any given year.
This year does not appear to be a whole lot different. I still have at least three other shows I'm planning to watch after these three, but these three did not impress a whole lot. Today I bring you two dramas and a comedy.
Red Band Society
I can't say I liked this show all that much. It has a very talented cast so the acting is not the problem. I've seen many reviewers claim its closest comparison is Glee - which I've never seen - and that could explain why it doesn't appeal to me. However, they also mostly mention that it fails at doing it successfully like Glee did.
The show very clearly wants to tug at your heart strings, but the problem is that it's done in such a way to where it feels manipulative. I'm not saying the show isn't at times touching. But the setting is a hospital ward for kids with diseases that require you to live in a hospital. Of course it's touching.
Oh yeah speaking of which, the impracticality and improbability of the setting is hard to ignore. The hospital is apparently some kind of hotel for these kids - who seem good enough to sneak out for a party and therefore don't really need to live in a hospital. One of the kids has an eating disorder so I can't see why she needs to live in a hospital. They have elaborately decorated and expansive rooms. The show's blatant disregard for any sense of realism is jarring.
Anyway, Red Band Society looks like it has some potential, but the high school drama portion of it will prevent me from seeing if it ever does reach it. I also didn't like the constant reliance on the narrator. Let the audience figure some things out for itself please. There's an audience for this show and it's probably the opposite of me. (Or not... the ratings for this show are dangerously low)
Grade - C-
Verdict: Skip
Gracepoint
The existence of this show is a mystery. Well, not really, the existence of this show is basically "money." But still, there's a British version called Broadchurch and this is evidently going to be mostly the same exact show but with two extra episodes tacked on. I've never seen the British version, which is probably a positive because it apparently pales in comparison.
Something I've also never heard was the original voice of David Tenant. I thought his American accent was fairly good personally. I don't really care about accents though. It also features Anna Gunn, Skylar from Breaking Bad. I'm wondering if I can separate her from that character. So far so good as she might be the best part about the show.
Gracepoint is a fairly bleak show that could benefit from some humor. The score of the first episode is too heavy-handed and too prominent. There was only one intriguing part of the pilot and the rest was kind of boring. The original, Broadchurch, was apparently a huge mystery and that was part of the allure. There's no sense of that mystery in Gracepoint. It's clear that anybody could be the killer, but I don't know any of the characters and I also don't really care yet.
Either way, I'm being a bit unfair as I overall enjoyed it. I didn't love it. But I'll keep watching.
Grade - B-
Verdict: Tentatively watching
Black-ish
Yeesh. What an awful title. The ABC department really needs to learn how to make titles, because they are dreadful at it. I think Trophy Wife was cancelled because of its title and I'm sticking to that. (Oh yeah you can add Trophy Wife as a show I would have kept watching, but it's no longer airing)
Blackish is actually pretty good and a ton of fun to watch. I love it. Anthony Anderson is great, if a bit over-the-top as the lead. All the child actors are actually pretty good and not unbearable. (The standard for a child actor is: don't be unwatchable bad). The show addresses race head-on, but in an extremely entertaining way.
The show isn't without its faults: I kind of wish they'd tone down some of the fantastical elements going forward. And I'm not sure Anderson's "HA!" is as funny as the writers seem to think it is. (It's actually not funny at all by the end). But I'm nitpicking and this is the pilot episode. These things tend to get worked out over the course of a season. I can't remember the last time a pilot episode made me laugh this much and was as much fun as this was.
Grade - B+
Verdict: You should watch this
Playlist
1. "Mardy Bum" - Arctic Monkeys
2. "White Room" - Cream
3. "The Heartbeat the Soul" - Dark Waves
4. "Cool Kids" - Echosmith
5. "Push it Along" - A Tribe Called Quest
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Pilots Part 3
The Crazy Ones (Thu., CBS, 8:00 CT)
For better or worse, this show is Robin Williams at his most Robin Williamsy. I'd argue for worse, because his fast-paced rambling isn't remarkably funny and it's certainly a little old by now. Also, in the first episode already, there's blatant product placement with a story revolving around McDonald's and a "big" guest appearance from Kelly Clarkson that is almost entirely pointless and unfunny. (Does even the concept of Kelly Clarkson wanting to sing a sex song in a McDonald's commercial song sound funny at all to you?)
Williams is Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar is competent. The supporting players are pretty broad humor-wise. There's Zachary who apparently sleeps with a lot of girls. Then there's the clueless assistant who flashed the McDonald's execs and allowed Williams to smell her hair to motivate him. Yeah, to say the least, they are thinly veiled characters.
If shallow characters, obvious product placement, and a guest star appearance whose only purpose is to showcase her vocal ability and to collect a paycheck appeal to you, then this is the show for you. Apparently, 15 million people watched this premiere - I don't think it really looked good in commercials either - which is immensely depressing to me.
Verdict - Unless you're a huge Robin Williams fan - of his comedy specifically - I'd avoid it.
Back in the Game (Wed., ABC, 7:30 pm)
To my complete surprise, I liked this pilot - with some serious reservations. It's the kind of pilot where I inexplicably liked it yet I know that there's basically no way that the show will be any good. There are big red warning signs that are surmounted past in this one episode thanks to... sheer luck? I don't know.
Maggie Lawson is charming as a single mother, recently divorced and forced to live with her alcoholic, uncaring father. James Caan plays him, which is depressing, but also probably why I liked it. Unfortunately, he plays an asshole who doesn't appear to have any redeeming qualities - he DID watch every one of his daughter's baseball games - but that's just about the only good thing about him.
The side characters is where the show really shows why it won't continue being a decent show. The fathers (or villains) are caricatures - there's not even an attempt to show them as human beings. They are delusional sexists who make fun of little kids. The kids who are on the "bad" baseball team - they are also caricatures - outrageously unrealistic one-note kids.
Verdict: I liked the three leads, but really the show's portrayal of anyone else is so mind-numbingly bad that there's no way this will be a good show.
The Millers (Thu., CBS, 7:30 pm)
Arrested Development, Running Wilde, The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, Up All Night: What do they all have in common? It's a cancelled Will Arnett sitcom. He's like cancer to a sitcom's chances. This show has a good shot, because it follows the The Big Bang Theory, but it's also probably the worst of his five shows. (I've only not seen Up All Night)
The cast is magnificent. I'm not kidding when I say I liked everybody who was prominently featured. The aforementioned Arnett, Margo Martindale (The Americans), Beau Bridges, J.B. Smoove, Jayma Mays, and Nelson Franklin (unknown, but I loved him on New Girl) were in the pilot. Unfortunately, more jokes than not miss and for some reason, the laugh track hasn't died yet.
The premise is that Arnett's character got divorced, he keeps it from his parents (does this happen?) for three months, and then when his parents find out he's divorced, they split up themselves. Because they only stayed together to not set a bad example or something. The actors did the best they could, but the material is just not there. I may watch to see if they are maximize their cast, but I am skeptical.
Verdict: Unless you're really looking for a new show or love Will Arnett and want him to succeed, this show can easily be skipped.
Updated Thoughts on New Shows
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The second episode and some digging on the people involved with this show have made me come to an unfortunate realization. The second episode was merely serviceable. That's fine except for the fact that I kind of want to watch shows that qualify as better than "serviceable" given the options I have. Hell, I'd rather re-watch Friday Night Lights or Buffy than watch a serviceable show for the first time.
I'm not quite giving up on this show, but I need to shorten my leash with shows like this. I have a limited amount of time and if I watched every mediocre show, I'd be losing the opportunity to watch shows like Deadwood or The Sopranos. I'll give it a few more episodes.
With that said, make no mistake, this is not a Joss Whedon show. Last week's pilot was co-written by Whedon and directed by him, but post-pilot, he's basically not involved. This show is like a lesser imitator of Whedon. Almost everyone involved has extensive experience working on Whedon shows. The co-creators with Whedon - Maurissa Tancharoen and Jed Whedon - worked with Whedon on Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog and Dollhouse. No offense to those two projects, but Buffy, Angel, and Firefly are all significantly better (Given what I've heard about Dollhouse at least.)
Then, the only other writer involved in the four episodes available on IMDB are to Jeffrey Bell, who wrote on Angel and was the head writer for a time.* But he was the head writer on Season 4, which was the worst season behind Season 1. This show is kind of seemingly like Whedon at his worst. Whedon at his worst is mediocre. All I'm saying is this show has the tag of a Whedon show, but it's actually a Whedon knock-off.
*Knowing the behind-the scenes for Angel's fourth season makes sense of why that show lost its way for a little. Whedon was pretty busy with two other shows. Talented writer Tim Minear wrote just one episode in that season and David Greenwalt - co-creator - left the show after the third season. The man who was supposed to become head writer left due to creative differences. That's a whole lot of change.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
They seemed to have built strongly off the pilot with pretty good episodes. Most importantly, the characters are people I want to hang out with on a weekly basis and it has its fair share of laughs. It isn't a great comedy yet, but it is just oozing with potential. The first three episodes have earned enough goodwill for me that I will watch the rest of the season barring an immense drop in quality. If and when it ever reaches that potential, I'll make sure to be there to see it.
The Blacklist
I think my original plan was to watch more than just the pilot, but I have absolutely no desire to watch any more episodes when it came time to pull the trigger. Sleepy Hollow provides me with my improbably stupid show, but does it ten times better.
Trophy Wife
The second episode was pleasant with some mild laughs. I really like Malin Akerman in this role and all of the characters are likable and smart. Bradley Whitford plays the sort of cool, relaxed dad that I wish I had. I'm going to continue watching and hope it hits its stride soon.
Playlist
1. The Keepers - Santigold
2. Soapbox - Cyne
3. No Way Down - The Shins
4. The Way - Fastball
5. Get By - Talib Kweli
For better or worse, this show is Robin Williams at his most Robin Williamsy. I'd argue for worse, because his fast-paced rambling isn't remarkably funny and it's certainly a little old by now. Also, in the first episode already, there's blatant product placement with a story revolving around McDonald's and a "big" guest appearance from Kelly Clarkson that is almost entirely pointless and unfunny. (Does even the concept of Kelly Clarkson wanting to sing a sex song in a McDonald's commercial song sound funny at all to you?)
Williams is Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar is competent. The supporting players are pretty broad humor-wise. There's Zachary who apparently sleeps with a lot of girls. Then there's the clueless assistant who flashed the McDonald's execs and allowed Williams to smell her hair to motivate him. Yeah, to say the least, they are thinly veiled characters.
If shallow characters, obvious product placement, and a guest star appearance whose only purpose is to showcase her vocal ability and to collect a paycheck appeal to you, then this is the show for you. Apparently, 15 million people watched this premiere - I don't think it really looked good in commercials either - which is immensely depressing to me.
Verdict - Unless you're a huge Robin Williams fan - of his comedy specifically - I'd avoid it.
Back in the Game (Wed., ABC, 7:30 pm)
To my complete surprise, I liked this pilot - with some serious reservations. It's the kind of pilot where I inexplicably liked it yet I know that there's basically no way that the show will be any good. There are big red warning signs that are surmounted past in this one episode thanks to... sheer luck? I don't know.
Maggie Lawson is charming as a single mother, recently divorced and forced to live with her alcoholic, uncaring father. James Caan plays him, which is depressing, but also probably why I liked it. Unfortunately, he plays an asshole who doesn't appear to have any redeeming qualities - he DID watch every one of his daughter's baseball games - but that's just about the only good thing about him.
The side characters is where the show really shows why it won't continue being a decent show. The fathers (or villains) are caricatures - there's not even an attempt to show them as human beings. They are delusional sexists who make fun of little kids. The kids who are on the "bad" baseball team - they are also caricatures - outrageously unrealistic one-note kids.
Verdict: I liked the three leads, but really the show's portrayal of anyone else is so mind-numbingly bad that there's no way this will be a good show.
The Millers (Thu., CBS, 7:30 pm)
Arrested Development, Running Wilde, The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, Up All Night: What do they all have in common? It's a cancelled Will Arnett sitcom. He's like cancer to a sitcom's chances. This show has a good shot, because it follows the The Big Bang Theory, but it's also probably the worst of his five shows. (I've only not seen Up All Night)
The cast is magnificent. I'm not kidding when I say I liked everybody who was prominently featured. The aforementioned Arnett, Margo Martindale (The Americans), Beau Bridges, J.B. Smoove, Jayma Mays, and Nelson Franklin (unknown, but I loved him on New Girl) were in the pilot. Unfortunately, more jokes than not miss and for some reason, the laugh track hasn't died yet.
The premise is that Arnett's character got divorced, he keeps it from his parents (does this happen?) for three months, and then when his parents find out he's divorced, they split up themselves. Because they only stayed together to not set a bad example or something. The actors did the best they could, but the material is just not there. I may watch to see if they are maximize their cast, but I am skeptical.
Verdict: Unless you're really looking for a new show or love Will Arnett and want him to succeed, this show can easily be skipped.
Updated Thoughts on New Shows
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The second episode and some digging on the people involved with this show have made me come to an unfortunate realization. The second episode was merely serviceable. That's fine except for the fact that I kind of want to watch shows that qualify as better than "serviceable" given the options I have. Hell, I'd rather re-watch Friday Night Lights or Buffy than watch a serviceable show for the first time.
I'm not quite giving up on this show, but I need to shorten my leash with shows like this. I have a limited amount of time and if I watched every mediocre show, I'd be losing the opportunity to watch shows like Deadwood or The Sopranos. I'll give it a few more episodes.
With that said, make no mistake, this is not a Joss Whedon show. Last week's pilot was co-written by Whedon and directed by him, but post-pilot, he's basically not involved. This show is like a lesser imitator of Whedon. Almost everyone involved has extensive experience working on Whedon shows. The co-creators with Whedon - Maurissa Tancharoen and Jed Whedon - worked with Whedon on Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog and Dollhouse. No offense to those two projects, but Buffy, Angel, and Firefly are all significantly better (Given what I've heard about Dollhouse at least.)
Then, the only other writer involved in the four episodes available on IMDB are to Jeffrey Bell, who wrote on Angel and was the head writer for a time.* But he was the head writer on Season 4, which was the worst season behind Season 1. This show is kind of seemingly like Whedon at his worst. Whedon at his worst is mediocre. All I'm saying is this show has the tag of a Whedon show, but it's actually a Whedon knock-off.
*Knowing the behind-the scenes for Angel's fourth season makes sense of why that show lost its way for a little. Whedon was pretty busy with two other shows. Talented writer Tim Minear wrote just one episode in that season and David Greenwalt - co-creator - left the show after the third season. The man who was supposed to become head writer left due to creative differences. That's a whole lot of change.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
They seemed to have built strongly off the pilot with pretty good episodes. Most importantly, the characters are people I want to hang out with on a weekly basis and it has its fair share of laughs. It isn't a great comedy yet, but it is just oozing with potential. The first three episodes have earned enough goodwill for me that I will watch the rest of the season barring an immense drop in quality. If and when it ever reaches that potential, I'll make sure to be there to see it.
The Blacklist
I think my original plan was to watch more than just the pilot, but I have absolutely no desire to watch any more episodes when it came time to pull the trigger. Sleepy Hollow provides me with my improbably stupid show, but does it ten times better.
Trophy Wife
The second episode was pleasant with some mild laughs. I really like Malin Akerman in this role and all of the characters are likable and smart. Bradley Whitford plays the sort of cool, relaxed dad that I wish I had. I'm going to continue watching and hope it hits its stride soon.
Playlist
1. The Keepers - Santigold
2. Soapbox - Cyne
3. No Way Down - The Shins
4. The Way - Fastball
5. Get By - Talib Kweli
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Pilots - Part 2
These are part timely, part shows I didn't have time to watch the first time around because I was watching other pilots. This is basically pilot week, and while some shows have their pilot earlier or later, it appears this week is the standard. These shows were a combination of wanting to actually watch the show and seeing it on Hulu so fuck it.
The Goldbergs (Tue., ABC, 8:00 p.m.)
The Goldbergs gets the likely treatment I'm giving The Crazy Ones. There is so much negative buzz that I will only watch it if it's free on the internet. Well, this show was free on the internet. And it sucks just as much as I feared.
If you like Jeff Garlin screaming, this is probably the show for you. I personally didn't find him funny at all in this show because his humor is basically just straight up screaming. Well, that's not really fair. Everybody in this show screams. Troy Gentile stood out for being particularly bad at acting as Barry Goldberg. And as unfunny.
Verdict: Never planning to watch this again and I suggest you don't even start.
Hostages (Mon., CBS, 9:00 p.m.)
There's definitely a huge concern about a show when I did not enjoy the pilot episode AND I have serious doubts about if this could be stretched out over a season much less multiple ones. (If it's a hit - and I have no idea if it will - it will definitely be multiple seasons). I was mostly bored by it though.
Dylan McDermott plays a comically over the top FBI special agent who usually helps hostages escape, but instead is holding a doctor and her family hostage. The doctor, played by Toni Collete, is the one performing a routine surgery on the president and McDermott for some reason wants to kill him. It has something to do with his sick wife, but there is no indication of how in the world those two things could possibly be related.
Each of the family members is holding a secret from the rest of the family and it's really not that interesting. I don't know if it's the writing, the acting or a combination, but I could care less about their problems. Also, this show kind of suffers from "Well there's no way they will kill anybody in the first episode" so the tension just wasn't there for me, despite the music's best efforts to tell me there was tension.
Verdict: It's kind of intriguing enough to where I will follow along to see if it's good, but not enough to where I'll watch it until I know it's good. So I most likely just watched my last episode of this series.
Lucky 7 (Tue., ABC, 9:00 p.m.)
This has an intriguing premise, although displays a message that is well-explored. A group of seven gas station employees dream of winning the lottery and play it every week. When they do win, they find out that they have just as many problems with money as they did without. That's not really a bad message, but if the show plans to just show seven people who prove that and none of the stories are about how a person's life got better, it'd come across annoying and unrealistic to me. Money doesn't solve your problems, but it's also not like it won't help you either.
The people themselves weren't terribly interesting. An ex-convict who needs to get money to pay back for his former life? Original. A future father who needs money to get his own place for his wife and kid? This could have worked if I didn't hate the wife, who basically just threatened to leave him in the episode if he didn't get money. That's a loving relationship right there.
Anyway, I really liked the scene where they showed that the members won the lottery. Some of the scenes worked, some of them didn't. But I didn't like a lot of the characters so I'm not really sure how good of a strategy that is. Or at least I'm pretty sure that wasn't the creator's intent.
Verdict: This will be cancelled soon anyway after such terrible ratings so don't bother.
The Michael J. Fox Show (Thu., NBC, 8:00)
The biggest thing that a comedy pilot needs to do is make the viewer want to see these characters again. Humor, at least at first, is kind of a secondary thing. That's why the MJF Show works for me. The show is pretty tongue-in-cheek about Fox, his Parkinson's, and other people's reactions to his Parkinson's.
Michael J. Fox plays Mike Henry, a retired news anchor with Parkinson's. But he basically plays Michael J. Fox post-disease. He's famous so a lot of people stop him on the street and tell them how somebody they know also has Parkinson's, or Alzheimer's. I really liked the pilot, but the second episode was more sitcom cliche than I would have liked.
The supporting cast is top notch. Betsy Brandt (Breaking Bad) is good as the wife. Wendell Pierce (The Wire) is basically playing Bunk in this show but as a newscaster. Of the kids, Juliette Goglia made the best impression. I guess Katie Finneran is a regular in the show, but I don't see her point really. Neither of her story lines worked and it was the least funny part of the episode for me.
Verdict: The second episode leaves me worried, but I'll watch because I see potential in the show.
Playlist
1. "A Song from Under the Floorboards" - Magazine
2. "Punching in a Dream" - The Naked and Famous
3. "X Gone Give it to Ya" - DMX
4. "Too Close" - Alex Clare
5. "Master Hunter" - Laura Marling
The Goldbergs (Tue., ABC, 8:00 p.m.)
The Goldbergs gets the likely treatment I'm giving The Crazy Ones. There is so much negative buzz that I will only watch it if it's free on the internet. Well, this show was free on the internet. And it sucks just as much as I feared.
If you like Jeff Garlin screaming, this is probably the show for you. I personally didn't find him funny at all in this show because his humor is basically just straight up screaming. Well, that's not really fair. Everybody in this show screams. Troy Gentile stood out for being particularly bad at acting as Barry Goldberg. And as unfunny.
Verdict: Never planning to watch this again and I suggest you don't even start.
Hostages (Mon., CBS, 9:00 p.m.)
There's definitely a huge concern about a show when I did not enjoy the pilot episode AND I have serious doubts about if this could be stretched out over a season much less multiple ones. (If it's a hit - and I have no idea if it will - it will definitely be multiple seasons). I was mostly bored by it though.
Dylan McDermott plays a comically over the top FBI special agent who usually helps hostages escape, but instead is holding a doctor and her family hostage. The doctor, played by Toni Collete, is the one performing a routine surgery on the president and McDermott for some reason wants to kill him. It has something to do with his sick wife, but there is no indication of how in the world those two things could possibly be related.
Each of the family members is holding a secret from the rest of the family and it's really not that interesting. I don't know if it's the writing, the acting or a combination, but I could care less about their problems. Also, this show kind of suffers from "Well there's no way they will kill anybody in the first episode" so the tension just wasn't there for me, despite the music's best efforts to tell me there was tension.
Verdict: It's kind of intriguing enough to where I will follow along to see if it's good, but not enough to where I'll watch it until I know it's good. So I most likely just watched my last episode of this series.
Lucky 7 (Tue., ABC, 9:00 p.m.)
This has an intriguing premise, although displays a message that is well-explored. A group of seven gas station employees dream of winning the lottery and play it every week. When they do win, they find out that they have just as many problems with money as they did without. That's not really a bad message, but if the show plans to just show seven people who prove that and none of the stories are about how a person's life got better, it'd come across annoying and unrealistic to me. Money doesn't solve your problems, but it's also not like it won't help you either.
The people themselves weren't terribly interesting. An ex-convict who needs to get money to pay back for his former life? Original. A future father who needs money to get his own place for his wife and kid? This could have worked if I didn't hate the wife, who basically just threatened to leave him in the episode if he didn't get money. That's a loving relationship right there.
Anyway, I really liked the scene where they showed that the members won the lottery. Some of the scenes worked, some of them didn't. But I didn't like a lot of the characters so I'm not really sure how good of a strategy that is. Or at least I'm pretty sure that wasn't the creator's intent.
Verdict: This will be cancelled soon anyway after such terrible ratings so don't bother.
The Michael J. Fox Show (Thu., NBC, 8:00)
The biggest thing that a comedy pilot needs to do is make the viewer want to see these characters again. Humor, at least at first, is kind of a secondary thing. That's why the MJF Show works for me. The show is pretty tongue-in-cheek about Fox, his Parkinson's, and other people's reactions to his Parkinson's.
Michael J. Fox plays Mike Henry, a retired news anchor with Parkinson's. But he basically plays Michael J. Fox post-disease. He's famous so a lot of people stop him on the street and tell them how somebody they know also has Parkinson's, or Alzheimer's. I really liked the pilot, but the second episode was more sitcom cliche than I would have liked.
The supporting cast is top notch. Betsy Brandt (Breaking Bad) is good as the wife. Wendell Pierce (The Wire) is basically playing Bunk in this show but as a newscaster. Of the kids, Juliette Goglia made the best impression. I guess Katie Finneran is a regular in the show, but I don't see her point really. Neither of her story lines worked and it was the least funny part of the episode for me.
Verdict: The second episode leaves me worried, but I'll watch because I see potential in the show.
Playlist
1. "A Song from Under the Floorboards" - Magazine
2. "Punching in a Dream" - The Naked and Famous
3. "X Gone Give it to Ya" - DMX
4. "Too Close" - Alex Clare
5. "Master Hunter" - Laura Marling
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Pilots - Part 1
I watched four pilots in the past two days. My mission is to accurately describe, give my opinion on, and tell you what I think of these shows in just three paragraphs (and one verdict). The reason I chose Mom was because of its cast, The Blacklist because of James Spader, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. for Joss Whedon, and lastly, Trophy Wife, also for its cast.
Mom (Mon., CBS, 8:30 CT)
Playlist
1. "I'll Be Doggone" - Marvin Gaye
2. "Two Princes" - Spin Doctors
3. "Sometimes" - Cam Meekins
4. "Maps" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5. "Illuminate" - Ab-Soul ft. Kendrick Lamar
Mom (Mon., CBS, 8:30 CT)
This show has a live studio audience that laughs when jokes aren't funny, cheers when a popular guest star appears on screen, and literally "Awwwws" when something cute happens. This show should work better, but it has the stain of a Chuck Lorre sitcom on it.
If you want to see talent wasted by poor writing, despicable human beings, and unrelatable characters, this is the show for you. Anna Faris plays the titular character, a recovering alcoholic mother who hates her own mother, Allison Janney. Faris is the only character who doesn't seem like a terrible person, excluding the kids because they don't really count.
Anyway, French Stewart appears as a somewhat funny Chef who would by no means be employed in real life due to health codes. There's Nathan Corddry, who plays Faris' manager and lover. He's also married. But it's cool because his wife is bitch. But he can't divorce her because her dad owns the restaurant. This is the kind of stuff the show comes up with. Anyway, this is one of those shows where the audience will wonder why Faris chooses to put up with her mother's shit and for this episode at least, the answer is that her daughter improbably wants her mother - who she hates - to talk to her grandmother - who is all of the worst qualities of her mother magnified.
Verdict: This is likes Dads, but inoffensive and slightly funnier. Don't watch. Much better comedies exist.
The Blacklist (NBC, 9:00 CT)
The Blacklist had an interesting, yet troublesome start to begin its series. The amount of improbabilities that happen in this one episode is a little too high for my liking. The writing is mostly predictable when it's supposed to be shocking.
James Spader plays Raymond Reddington, a criminal's criminal who willfully lets himself get caught. It's not hard to figure out why he gets caught. He wants to spend more time with his daughter, fresh-faced agent Elizabeth Keen. That's kind of a spoiler, but it's kind of not. For one, we don't really know if that's true yet. For another, they telegraphed that she was his daughter so blatantly and obviously that they might as well had a neon sign in the background that pointed to Keen and said "THIS IS REDDINGTON'S DAUGHTER."
Spader obviously steals the show as he elevates the material above what it actually is. I don't know if this is a good show or not, but I'm guessing Spader will hide how bad it is for a long time before I figure it out. Or the writers will figure out what they want and just do a better job. Either way, I'll be watching with a similar type of quick hook I had with The Following last year. Points in this favor are that it's much better than The Following was. (I gave up on that show after two episodes so faint praise)
Verdict:Watch it for James Spader; Can't guarantee quality.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (Tue, ABC, 7:00 CT)
The triumvirate of Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, and Maurissa Tancharoen has created a slick show of basically awesome spies. The pilot was more style than substance as the only fleshed out character was Mike Peterson, an undiscovered superhero. The rest are introductions, explosions, impossible technology, and a lot of exposition.
Clark Gregg is the marquee name as Agent Coulson. That feels odd just saying that. I don't think it's a spoiler to say that he apparently faked his own death to motivate the superheroes in The Avengers. (Don't worry: That death rang kind of hollow anyway since nobody in the audience likely gave a shit about him). The next most famous person is Ming-Na Wen, who played Mulan and was a long-running character on ER. The rest of the characters are relative unknowns and, with the notable exception of Chloe Bennett as Skye, make little impression in the pilot.
Angels fans will appreciate J. August Richards in the pilot as Peterson and Firefly fans will appreciate Ron Glass. While Whedon's influence on this show will probably be minimal, either his impact was high in the episode or his impact on his fellow creators has been high. In this episode at least, this was clearly a Joss Whedon show as the dialogue is snappy and original. Also, he subverts your expectations and I was surprised three times in the pilot. The pilot shows promise. Hopefully, they can build off that.
Verdict: Watch the pilot. Approach the series with a heavy dose of skepticism that Agent Coulson and four actors who could be mistaken as characters on a CW show - I don't mean that as a compliment either.
Trophy Wife (ABC, Tue, 8:30 CT)
Trophy Wife had a fast-moving, character-laden pilot that's kind of a lovely mess. Bradley Whitford plays Pete, a twice-divorced newly married family man with three smart, manipulative kids. His new wife, Kate played by Malin Akerman, is much younger than he is. I hope they explore why they are together in future episodes.
Whitford's first divorce with Diane (Marcia Gay Harden) produced two surprisingly likable and well-acted kids who are NOT mad at their dad for marrying a new mom. Akerman gets a head start in earning the affection of Hilary, played by newcomer Gianna LePera, in a funny sequence in this episode. The other kid is played by veteran actor, Ryan Lee, who despite being born in 1996, has appeared in 35 titles according to IMDB. (Such as Super 8 and This is 40)
Whitford's second divorce with Jackie (Michaela Watkins) produced a lone, adopted Asian kid, Bert. He cons his babysitter in the the pilot and is the most memorable kid of the three. The pilot managed to interject everyone of these characters in the plot, which is why it's kind of a mess. But it's a carefully plotted, well-written mess.
Verdict: Definitely watch - All-Star cast, good writing, and an impossibly endless supply of ideas that could come from this premise.
Anyway, French Stewart appears as a somewhat funny Chef who would by no means be employed in real life due to health codes. There's Nathan Corddry, who plays Faris' manager and lover. He's also married. But it's cool because his wife is bitch. But he can't divorce her because her dad owns the restaurant. This is the kind of stuff the show comes up with. Anyway, this is one of those shows where the audience will wonder why Faris chooses to put up with her mother's shit and for this episode at least, the answer is that her daughter improbably wants her mother - who she hates - to talk to her grandmother - who is all of the worst qualities of her mother magnified.
Verdict: This is likes Dads, but inoffensive and slightly funnier. Don't watch. Much better comedies exist.
The Blacklist (NBC, 9:00 CT)
The Blacklist had an interesting, yet troublesome start to begin its series. The amount of improbabilities that happen in this one episode is a little too high for my liking. The writing is mostly predictable when it's supposed to be shocking.
James Spader plays Raymond Reddington, a criminal's criminal who willfully lets himself get caught. It's not hard to figure out why he gets caught. He wants to spend more time with his daughter, fresh-faced agent Elizabeth Keen. That's kind of a spoiler, but it's kind of not. For one, we don't really know if that's true yet. For another, they telegraphed that she was his daughter so blatantly and obviously that they might as well had a neon sign in the background that pointed to Keen and said "THIS IS REDDINGTON'S DAUGHTER."
Spader obviously steals the show as he elevates the material above what it actually is. I don't know if this is a good show or not, but I'm guessing Spader will hide how bad it is for a long time before I figure it out. Or the writers will figure out what they want and just do a better job. Either way, I'll be watching with a similar type of quick hook I had with The Following last year. Points in this favor are that it's much better than The Following was. (I gave up on that show after two episodes so faint praise)
Verdict:Watch it for James Spader; Can't guarantee quality.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (Tue, ABC, 7:00 CT)
The triumvirate of Joss Whedon, Jed Whedon, and Maurissa Tancharoen has created a slick show of basically awesome spies. The pilot was more style than substance as the only fleshed out character was Mike Peterson, an undiscovered superhero. The rest are introductions, explosions, impossible technology, and a lot of exposition.
Clark Gregg is the marquee name as Agent Coulson. That feels odd just saying that. I don't think it's a spoiler to say that he apparently faked his own death to motivate the superheroes in The Avengers. (Don't worry: That death rang kind of hollow anyway since nobody in the audience likely gave a shit about him). The next most famous person is Ming-Na Wen, who played Mulan and was a long-running character on ER. The rest of the characters are relative unknowns and, with the notable exception of Chloe Bennett as Skye, make little impression in the pilot.
Angels fans will appreciate J. August Richards in the pilot as Peterson and Firefly fans will appreciate Ron Glass. While Whedon's influence on this show will probably be minimal, either his impact was high in the episode or his impact on his fellow creators has been high. In this episode at least, this was clearly a Joss Whedon show as the dialogue is snappy and original. Also, he subverts your expectations and I was surprised three times in the pilot. The pilot shows promise. Hopefully, they can build off that.
Verdict: Watch the pilot. Approach the series with a heavy dose of skepticism that Agent Coulson and four actors who could be mistaken as characters on a CW show - I don't mean that as a compliment either.
Trophy Wife (ABC, Tue, 8:30 CT)
Trophy Wife had a fast-moving, character-laden pilot that's kind of a lovely mess. Bradley Whitford plays Pete, a twice-divorced newly married family man with three smart, manipulative kids. His new wife, Kate played by Malin Akerman, is much younger than he is. I hope they explore why they are together in future episodes.
Whitford's first divorce with Diane (Marcia Gay Harden) produced two surprisingly likable and well-acted kids who are NOT mad at their dad for marrying a new mom. Akerman gets a head start in earning the affection of Hilary, played by newcomer Gianna LePera, in a funny sequence in this episode. The other kid is played by veteran actor, Ryan Lee, who despite being born in 1996, has appeared in 35 titles according to IMDB. (Such as Super 8 and This is 40)
Whitford's second divorce with Jackie (Michaela Watkins) produced a lone, adopted Asian kid, Bert. He cons his babysitter in the the pilot and is the most memorable kid of the three. The pilot managed to interject everyone of these characters in the plot, which is why it's kind of a mess. But it's a carefully plotted, well-written mess.
Verdict: Definitely watch - All-Star cast, good writing, and an impossibly endless supply of ideas that could come from this premise.
Playlist
1. "I'll Be Doggone" - Marvin Gaye
2. "Two Princes" - Spin Doctors
3. "Sometimes" - Cam Meekins
4. "Maps" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
5. "Illuminate" - Ab-Soul ft. Kendrick Lamar
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Double Feature: Derek & Brooklyn Nine Nine
I got to be honest: I had zero interest in this show. The pictures of Ricky Gervais as Derek on Netflix certainly didn't help at all. An IMDB rating of 7.5 - which is by no means a good source of the quality of a television show (it has since improved) - confirmed my suspicions in my mind that the show wasn't that great.
Then on twitter MLB pitcher Brandon McCarthy threw his full fledged recommendation for the show. I looked at the show a little more closely and realized it was seven episodes and had the length of a 30 minute show. So why not try it because it's little time commitment?
Needless to say, I don't agree with Brandon McCarthy. It's not exactly a bad show. I commend it for being different than just about anything else. The thing about being different though is that it doesn't always work. I don't really think this show works for me.
There are genuinely moments in the series where it's fantastic. Those moments aren't common enough to overcome my problems with the series. Just to be clear, Ricky Gervais plays Derek genuinely and in an inoffensive way in my opinion. Derek is ambiguously assumed to be autistic, but we don't really know. So Gervais the actor isn't the problem.
Its shot in documentary style made famous by The Office. This is one of the problems with the show. There's little reason for it to be shot this way. I frequently wondered how they got certain camera angles which was distracting. Also, it's not really used in any sort of positive way on the show. I didn't see any benefit to it, maybe other than it appears more realistic.
The show frequently repeats itself, which gets irritating. For instance, we're reminded 1many, many times about how great of a guy Derek is and selfless he is. It does this a lot whether by side character or something Derek says.
The home is run by Hannah, played by Kerry Godliman. She's sympathetic enough and interesting. Then there's Dougie, played by Karl Pilkington, who is funny due to his general outlook on life. Then there's Kev, who as worthless as characters come. He doesn't go to the home, he doesn't work there, but apparently he goes there and gets drunk and makes rude remarks referencing sex. His appearance makes no sense on the show. His scenes are too hit-or-miss comedy-wise as well.
I've watched three episodes and while I'm sure it has some of the better ones later in the season, I don't have much desire to watch them right now. It's a different series that aims high and unfortunately seems to miss a lot.
Brooklyn Nine Nine
I heard a lot of positive buzz about this show before watching the premiere which caused me to watch it at least partially. But it exceeded those expectations that had been created by that buzz. It's pretty funny.
I suppose this show is long overdue. Cops shows have existed for a long time and it's long since become a tired genre. But I don't remember a time when a comedy about cops was pitched mostly because the source material wouldn't lend it self to comedy. Or so it seemed.
Andy Samberg, who plays detective Jake Peralta, is the star of the ads, but I think this show is more of an ensemble after watching it. At least so far, none of the characters seem like deadweight. This is kind of what happens when you put a bunch of funny people in a show with good material.
Andre Braugher, formerly of The Wire, is hilarious in his deadpan serious response to anything that would make a normal person laugh. Melissa Fumero plays Jake's partner and she creates an interesting character I want to find out more about in the coming episodes. Their banter, I presume, will be an ongoing source of humor.
Filling out the rest of the roster is Jo Lo Truglio (Superbad), Stephanie Beatriz (I assume this will be her breakout role should this show succeed), Chelsea Peretti (who you'll recognize despite not knowing why), and Terry Crews. All of them have something that makes them stick out, which hopefully will get expounded upon in later episodes. I also wonder how they'll treat the more serious aspects of police work, which they understandably avoided in this episode.
Overall, the pilot was very good filled with humor throughout the episode. I'll be watching the show for the rest of the year and assume it will be one of the best comedies this fall. (Also, Michael Schur is in some way involved with this show as he co-wrote the pilot but I'm not sure how so talented people are in this show both behind and in front of the camera)
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Bates Motel Pilot
I love the streak that television is on right now. Now A&E is adding an original series that looks like it has immense potential? I'm all for it. Screw Fox, CBS, NBC, and ABC. The only quality shows on those networks are comedies for the most part. So if A&E wants to follow in the footsteps of AMC, please do it.
The pilot wasn't perfect, and I'll voice some complaints later in this post, but it is without question good television. There was this creeping sense of dread throughout this whole episode and it's not just because you know the end result for Norman Bates.
I'll confess two things before I continue: I don't really like horror movies. It's not my thing. Also, I've never seen Psycho, although I have seen the iconic scene and I am aware of Bates' modus operandi.
This is the second true horror television series I will have ever watched. American Horror Story, through five episodes, is funnier than it is scary and I don't think the creators intended that to be the case. This show is full on a horror show as I don't think I laughed once though.
The performance of Vera Farmiga is absolutely phenomenal. She plays the part of an overbearing (to the extreme), jealous, caring, and straight up attention-seeking mother seamlessly. There's a seen where she puts herself down, obviously so Norman will say something good about it. I hate that so incredibly much. There's also a very creepy sexual undertone between the mother and son.
The son is played well by Freddie Highmore, except his voice bothers me. It's a weird accent and it's off-putting. He does nail the shy and reserved guy who, on the inside, could be murderous as fuck. It's pretty clear in the beginning his transition will be slow and steady so don't expect him to randomly go psycho on anybody.
Now for some problems with this show. First off, what in the hell with every girl on screen fawning over Norman, including his OWN mother? (I'm aware the latter is pretty central to the story, just making a point). So he sits on a bench waiting for the bus and BOOM five girls come up to him and start flirting hardcore immediately. Then his teacher tells him to stay after class and not so subtly indicates she wants him.
Norman doesn't even have to do anything. He has no game. I don't understand female attractiveness to guys at all, but I'm pretty sure every girl in the school won't just throw themselves at him. He's got a weird vibe to him and pretty sure girls would be slightly put off by that.
Also, this is a small town I believe. And apparently they have a night club for teenagers. I don't really understand how that party came to fruition, because even if I accept that the small town did have an awesome nightclub, why are high school students in there? They can't be in there. There's an age limit. And if that's at a house, then I guess the creators missed that most high school students are broke. (They could have basically made the same point in that scene and made it look like a realistic high school party so I don't understand.)
Anyway, those are my two complaints, one minor and the other slightly major in my opinion. (I can kind of guess where the major problem is headed as well which would make me have less of a problem with it).
There's also a pretty enticing cliffhanger that I want to find more about.
In summary, Farmiga steals the show and drives the episode. I wasn't really looking to add a show, but I will be watching the rest of the first season.
Grade - B+
Sunday, February 3, 2013
House of Cards Review
So I decided I will dedicate two posts to House of Cards. One reviewing the show after just two episodes like most critics do. The other will be a review of the first season. I wanted to do a review immediately after it was put on Netflix, but at the same time I couldn't watch 13 episodes in three days.
Kevin Spacey plays Francis Underwood, a longtime politician who has paid his dues and is ready to become Secretary of State. He helped get the current president into office and would be rewarded for his duties. Except the president reneges on their deal and asks Underwood to be in Congress, where he would be more help.
And the premise of the show is Underwood slyly getting his revenge by ruining the administration and controlling their actions indirectly. One flaw of the first two episodes is so how ridiculously easy everything fell into place for Underwood. There is no way it's that easy to manipulate and gain access the way he does.
Spacey shines and relishes this role. Spacey has a subtle Southern accent that works, because it's hardly noticeable. With a worse actor, the moments where Spacey's character breaks the fourth wall and talks directly to the audience could come off terribly. They don't quite mesh with everything else that goes along, but it doesn't exactly hamper the show either.
Underwood's cold demeanor and calculating moves are only matched by his wife, played by Robin Wright. They didn't give her much to do in the first episodes as her storyline is significantly less interesting than everything else going on, but she does what she can.
Corey Stoll plays Russo, a Congressman who parties and sleeps around a lot. Underwood helps a drunk driving charge go away in return for Russo's loyalty, which he of course accepts. Stoll's solid, but his relationship with his secretary is kind of hard to buy although not implausible by any stretch. (The part that's hard to buy is that he seems to have had relationships with secretaries in the past) Basically I have no idea how he is still in office with the things we learn about him.
Kata Mara is phenomenal as an aspiring top journalist who really doesn't care about ethics or morals in her quest to the top. Not exactly original, but Mara is really good in this role. She's easily the second best thing about the first two episodes behind Spacey.
Overall, the first two episodes were great with some flaws holding it back. It's clear it has enormous potential and I'm excited to see if it reaches that potential in the future. If it never did reach the potential, I still think this show would be worth watching however.
(Side note: I get why they did the first scene, but that was a bit ridiculous. Easily could have gone without it. Seems like that was just for shock value. If you've seen show, you know what I'm talking about.)
Next post: Classic Comedy, probably (I find half of these next posts end up inaccurate when I decide to write about a pilot so...)
Kevin Spacey plays Francis Underwood, a longtime politician who has paid his dues and is ready to become Secretary of State. He helped get the current president into office and would be rewarded for his duties. Except the president reneges on their deal and asks Underwood to be in Congress, where he would be more help.
And the premise of the show is Underwood slyly getting his revenge by ruining the administration and controlling their actions indirectly. One flaw of the first two episodes is so how ridiculously easy everything fell into place for Underwood. There is no way it's that easy to manipulate and gain access the way he does.
Spacey shines and relishes this role. Spacey has a subtle Southern accent that works, because it's hardly noticeable. With a worse actor, the moments where Spacey's character breaks the fourth wall and talks directly to the audience could come off terribly. They don't quite mesh with everything else that goes along, but it doesn't exactly hamper the show either.
Underwood's cold demeanor and calculating moves are only matched by his wife, played by Robin Wright. They didn't give her much to do in the first episodes as her storyline is significantly less interesting than everything else going on, but she does what she can.
Corey Stoll plays Russo, a Congressman who parties and sleeps around a lot. Underwood helps a drunk driving charge go away in return for Russo's loyalty, which he of course accepts. Stoll's solid, but his relationship with his secretary is kind of hard to buy although not implausible by any stretch. (The part that's hard to buy is that he seems to have had relationships with secretaries in the past) Basically I have no idea how he is still in office with the things we learn about him.
Kata Mara is phenomenal as an aspiring top journalist who really doesn't care about ethics or morals in her quest to the top. Not exactly original, but Mara is really good in this role. She's easily the second best thing about the first two episodes behind Spacey.
Overall, the first two episodes were great with some flaws holding it back. It's clear it has enormous potential and I'm excited to see if it reaches that potential in the future. If it never did reach the potential, I still think this show would be worth watching however.
(Side note: I get why they did the first scene, but that was a bit ridiculous. Easily could have gone without it. Seems like that was just for shock value. If you've seen show, you know what I'm talking about.)
Next post: Classic Comedy, probably (I find half of these next posts end up inaccurate when I decide to write about a pilot so...)
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Thoughts on The Americans Pilot
The hour and a half pilot episode of The Americans, the new FX drama, was suspenseful, gripping, and exciting. That is how you make a pilot episode. After watching it, I can now empathize with two Soviet KGB spies integrating themselves into America.
The show is set in 1980 with Ronald Reagan as the new president of the United States. The Soviets are terrified of Reagan and think he's a mad man. The presence of a potential war seems very real despite knowing that the war always remains cold.
The show is set in 1980 with Ronald Reagan as the new president of the United States. The Soviets are terrified of Reagan and think he's a mad man. The presence of a potential war seems very real despite knowing that the war always remains cold.
Keri Russell stars as "Elizabeth Jennings" (not her birth name, but her American one), alongside her "husband" "Phillip Jennings"(played by Matthew Rhys). The quotes indicate the ambiguity of their life. They act like husband and wife to the outside world and to their two kids, but when they are alone, it's less clear.
Elizabeth has sex with an American agent to obtain information in the first scene so a monogamous marriage it is not. But when Phillip plays the tape of her escapade, it's obvious he is deeply affected by it. He seems to love her and wants a normal, American life.
Elizabeth is much more cold, and clearly dedicated to the KGB. It's not as obvious that she cares for Phillip much more than any two agents care for each other. There's a reason for this as a flashback will show. There are three flashback scenes and all are effective in getting the point across.
The couple has been in America since 1965, had children, and have done their best to sound and look as American as possible. They never even speak a word of Russian once they enter America (very convenient for television purposes, but it's not exactly an irrelevant reason for doing so).
The children have no idea and it's clear the couple care about them. I won't reveal a spoiler, but the show does a very effective job of making it very clear that Phillip cares about his two children. It's a very satisfying scene.
To create an immediate and likely future conflict, a new neighbor (played by the great Noah Emmerich) moves in who happens to work for the FBI. He was undercover for the past three years so he knows what that is like. He is seemingly there to provide intel on what an undercover Soviet would do. So he knows what being undercover is like so he would be attuned to any slight misstep that the Jennings would have. (Let me make it clear that he moved in as a pure coincidence, not because the Americans are onto them)
Overall, that was just great television. It's obvious the main characters are not bad people, they just care about their country. That's pretty important in establishing these two people as likable characters and not people that we would despise.
On another note, after just two episodes, I am finished with The Following. It appears it will be on for a while since the ratings are good and evidently the majority of the American public enjoy it. Not me. I cannot do a show where federal agents might possibly be on Joe Carroll's side with no reasoning as to how or why. Sorry, it's dumb. If the show was at all convincing about Carroll's ability to brainwash people, I could forgive everything else. But it's not. He's no more interesting than your regular professor.
So The Following is out and The Americans is in for awhile longer.
Next post: Classic Comedy shows that I am watching or will watch... or have watched.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Thoughts on The Following Pilot
I decided to watch The Following mostly on the basis of Kevin Bacon and the 10,000 ads Fox ran for the show. I'm decidedly mixed on the first episode. On the one hand, there is no doubt the show did enough to draw me in for a second episode, so technically the show is a success in the strictest sense. On the other, well....
I was really enjoying the episode up until the last five minutes. Actually, I have some bigger issues with the show than the last five minutes, but I'll return to that later. The final twist bothered me more than it shocked me. I mean, great, we are now watching a show were literally anyone could be bad or good except clearly Kevin Bacon's character, Ryan Hardy, is good.
There's an upside and downside to having doubts about any character who enters the show. Since I'm pretty big on character development within my TV shows, the downside out ways the upside by a pretty large margin. (This is also why I am not exactly thrilled to start "24") The downside is that nothing shocks you anymore and it takes out the thrill of the show mostly. The upside is you literally do not know what will happen. It really depends on why you watch TV.
The show starts out with Joe Carroll escaping from prison. It doesn't show how really. I mean there are numerous dead guards with no explanation as to how he managed to overpower them all. Whatever. I don't have a big issue with that. If they showed that scene, it'd probably look more ridiculous than awesome anyway.
Then we meet the protagonist of the show, Ryan Hardy. What appears to be necessary ever since The Sopranos aired, Hardy is of course a flawed hero. But by golly, he is determined to get the best of Carroll. Holy cow is this ripped straight from The Wire. Jimmy McNulty is an alcoholic, don't give a fuck about authority, slightly deranged, yet ultimately good cop because he is so determined to catch Stringer Bell. I mean, that is exactly what Ryan Hardy is. Switch the names. Hell, he drinks during the job just like McNulty.
Thankfully, Bacon is playing the part or that could have been disastrous. I actually like Dominic West playing a drunk way better than Bacon, but whatever. Again, I can live with that as well.
Here's the big flaw in the episode: Carroll doesn't seem like the person who could motivate loyal followers to do his bidding. Like the whole basis for this show is that Carroll has this innate ability to convince people to be on his side. He honestly doesn't seem more interesting than your average college professor in those flashback scenes. At least, from the scenes we are shown, I can't see it.
Also, Carroll is stolen straight from John Doe in Se7en. Doe uses the seven deadly sins. Carroll uses Edgar Allen Poe's poems. They both have some sort of higher thinking that makes them better than everyone else. Anyway, it is a clear rip-off and I'm sorry Kevin Spacey blows James Purefoy out of the water as an actor. I don't think Purefoy is bad per se, but he has an extremely hard sell and he doesn't quite pull it off.
I will be tuning into episode 2 (though not writing about it), and will be quick to stop watching if the show keeps reaching these ridiculous levels. I'm not optimistic, but I like the Scream movies, so I'll give Williamson the benefit of the doubt.
Next post: Could be Sons of Anarchy Season 1 Review or I'll go over my unconventional dramas. I will not be adding The Following to that list as watching that show is sort of independent of my project.
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