It's a reasonable satire on how Americans remakes never really work, but I just didn't find it funny at all. I'll give it another go next week, though.
Watched this and whilst not laugh out funny it was okay. hopefully it will improve with episode 2. Understandably episode 1 was merely setting the scene. Might check out episode 2 in a while. They leaked the first two epis a few weeks ago, but I resisted the urge lol
I'm quite liking it but I wonder if there's too many inside TV references to keep a big audience. TV shows about TV shows don't have a history of doing well (30 Rock being a notable exception)
Then again, Friends fanatics will probably tune in for Mr LeBlanc
It's an unfunny show about a fake unfunny show, apparently. OK it's only the first episode and takes time to set the scene, but slow start, yes indeedy.
There's nothing wrong with the actual concept, but somehow Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan feel completely wrong for it (don't get me wrong, I like those people in other things).
For some weird reason I just feel cringey that that was shown on American TV...
But I'll give it another watch next week, if only because I suspect Matt Le Blanc is going to be the best part of the show. And it's not often you can say that.
Alan Sepinwall's review which (as per usual) I think is spot on:
"...when you're attacking a big, fat target like the superficial, duplicitous nature of Hollywood, and being so relentless and bitter about it, you need to be much, much, much funnier than "Episodes" is. You need to be "The Larry Sanders Show" funny, or "Extras" season two funny. "Episodes" isn't even as funny as Crane and Klarik's last collaboration, the exceedingly mediocre short-lived CBS comedy "The Class" - and that's even considering that the new show features Crane's old "Friends" star Matt LeBlanc delivering a terrific performance as an exaggerated version of himself.
The debut, um, episode opens with a scene from fairly late in the Hollywood tenure of Mangan and Greig's Sean and Beverly Lincoln, as they fight over all the horrible compromises they've made and people they've had to kiss up to since leaving England. The idea is to make us curious about how Sean and Beverly got to this bad place in their relationship, and then take us through it step by step. But the in media res opening isn't necessary, because you will see every single plot development coming from at least as far away as you'll see every limp punchline."
Just finished watching it on BBC HD, I think I only laughed out loud a couple of times one being Richard Griffiths trying to put on an American accent. It wasn't funny but the plot sounds good enough and I liked what I saw for the preview for next week, so I'm going to give it another go then.
well i'm sure they all had a lovely time on location at the licence fee payers' expense. This is symptomatic of how British comedy has disappeared up its own backside...yet another laughter free 'comedy' written by TV insiders about the 'oh-so-hilarious' (to them at least) world of being a TV insider. Maybe if they wrote comedy about the real world they might find something we could all find funny. Maybe I should pitch a script about the side-splitting dilemma of a TV commissioner faced with yet more lame comedies about the film and TV world....
I loved it and laughed out loud about five times - that is five times more than at most comedies. I liked the premise and thought it was brilliantly played by Tamsin Gregg and Stephen Mangan. I really think this will be a hit.
well i'm sure they all had a lovely time on location at the licence fee payers' expense.
:rolleyes: Most of the "LA scenes" in the series were actually filmed in the UK. So get off your high horse.
I was a little disappointed as it didn't live up to my expectations, but then again maybe it was unfair of me to have expectations. I will give it a chance and watch again next week.
I hope someone can help me - I'm trying to recall what the guy who played the security guard on the gate has been in before? It was bugging me all the way through, and then I went and forgot to watch the credits for his name.
I hope someone can help me - I'm trying to recall what the guy who played the security guard on the gate has been in before? It was bugging me all the way through, and then I went and forgot to watch the credits for his name.
Maybe I should pitch a script about the side-splitting dilemma of a TV commissioner faced with yet more lame comedies about the film and TV world....
Maybe you should.I'm sure there's also "comedy drama" mileage in, for example, the story of a tabloid owner and pornographer buying a low-rating TV channel and his myriad madcap schemes to boost ratings and cut costs, all the while cross-promoting his other commercial ventures.
I hope someone can help me - I'm trying to recall what the guy who played the security guard on the gate has been in before? It was bugging me all the way through, and then I went and forgot to watch the credits for his name.
Lou Hirsch has been in all sorts of things, but perhaps you remember him as the seedy brother/cousin of Ardal O'Hanlon's Thermoman character in My Hero.
What got me distracted was the bizarre expression on Daisy Haggard's face in each of her scenes. The way she wrinkled her nose up it looked like she had just shat herself :eek:
Comments
Not laugh out loud funny but what I expected. Hoping for some more Carol :cool:
A US review from last night
http://www.buddytv.com/articles/californication/watch-the-premieres-of-showtim-39019.aspx
Then again, Friends fanatics will probably tune in for Mr LeBlanc
There's nothing wrong with the actual concept, but somehow Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan feel completely wrong for it (don't get me wrong, I like those people in other things).
For some weird reason I just feel cringey that that was shown on American TV...
But I'll give it another watch next week, if only because I suspect Matt Le Blanc is going to be the best part of the show. And it's not often you can say that.
"...when you're attacking a big, fat target like the superficial, duplicitous nature of Hollywood, and being so relentless and bitter about it, you need to be much, much, much funnier than "Episodes" is. You need to be "The Larry Sanders Show" funny, or "Extras" season two funny. "Episodes" isn't even as funny as Crane and Klarik's last collaboration, the exceedingly mediocre short-lived CBS comedy "The Class" - and that's even considering that the new show features Crane's old "Friends" star Matt LeBlanc delivering a terrific performance as an exaggerated version of himself.
The debut, um, episode opens with a scene from fairly late in the Hollywood tenure of Mangan and Greig's Sean and Beverly Lincoln, as they fight over all the horrible compromises they've made and people they've had to kiss up to since leaving England. The idea is to make us curious about how Sean and Beverly got to this bad place in their relationship, and then take us through it step by step. But the in media res opening isn't necessary, because you will see every single plot development coming from at least as far away as you'll see every limp punchline."
But by Christ Richard Griffiths has lost some weight! He is literally half the man he was. Kudos to Henry Crabbe.
Showtime's promo
Maybe the next episode will be better, when Matt LeBlanc has more scenes.
Exactly what I thought actually - no real belly laughs but good and watchable. Will stick with it.
:rolleyes: Most of the "LA scenes" in the series were actually filmed in the UK. So get off your high horse.
I was a little disappointed as it didn't live up to my expectations, but then again maybe it was unfair of me to have expectations. I will give it a chance and watch again next week.
Reminds me a little of the movie the TV Set which stars David Duchovny going through something similar trying to get his pilot sold to a network.
Lou Hirsch he was in My Hero.
Maybe you should.I'm sure there's also "comedy drama" mileage in, for example, the story of a tabloid owner and pornographer buying a low-rating TV channel and his myriad madcap schemes to boost ratings and cut costs, all the while cross-promoting his other commercial ventures.
Or would that situation lack credibility?
Lou Hirsch has been in all sorts of things, but perhaps you remember him as the seedy brother/cousin of Ardal O'Hanlon's Thermoman character in My Hero.
What got me distracted was the bizarre expression on Daisy Haggard's face in each of her scenes. The way she wrinkled her nose up it looked like she had just shat herself :eek: