Underestimating Middle-America Since 1950: Television Test Thread

[Reply #600 on:]

I just watched the pilot for Last Man on Earth and loved it. I'm very curious how they'll progress and introduce other characters.

[Reply #601 on:]

I liked the pilot a lot but I thought episode two was a pretty huge step down and I don't think it bodes particularly well for the series as a whole.

It's a shame that they didn't leave the character on his lonesome for at least a few episodes before shifting into completely conventional, odd-couple sitcom territory.

From the looks of the cast-lists on various sites, they're obviously going to add another couple of characters pretty soon, so I imagine this is going to deteriorate into a really simple sitcom with a different backdrop to usual, fast. Hopefully I'm wrong. I'll definitely stick with it for now, but I seem to be at a disconnect from the world when it comes to Phil Lord and Chris Miller. I really like 21 and 22 Jump Street but my opinions of their other work ranges from crap to mediocre.

[Reply #602 on:]

I don't think I can relate to your complaints. I didn't find anything conventional about the way the characters interacted in episode two. The material was far more self-aware, edgy, and humorously acted than any other network TV sitcoms I can think of beyond AD or Community.

I also hoped they had waited longer before bringing in Schall to give the stated premise more time to breathe, but based on the high quality of the first two episodes my thought is that they probably wouldn't have taken that turn so quickly if they didn't have plenty else planned for the future of the show. Personally while I thought the first episode was more visionary and unique, I found the second episode to be surprisingly funnier and more compelling, and not in a cheap or cliche way.

As for having a mixed opinion on Lord and Miller's work other than the Jump Street movies, might that have to do with the fact that those are pretty much the only adult-aimed things they've worked on so far before this? I'm not saying there aren't plenty of great kid's movies, but it's possible that's just not their strength. (Though personally I did like The Lego Movie for what it was even if I didn't find it as transcendent as some critics. I'm not sure I could see any other writing/directing teams doing much better with the property.)

[Reply #603 on:]

Just caught the first two and really hope the rest of the season can keep up with that quality, very enoyable

[Reply #604 on:]

[Complaining]

1. I honestly don't see how you can figure out how this show is going to play out based on these two episodes. The odd couple thing is certainly a factor but it is so early on and there is so much opportunity here for anything to happen to make a snap judgement.

2. The pilot is great and I do think it allowed enough time to get its point across. I don't think a show, specifically a comedy, could sustain with only one person in the entire episode for so long.

3. I haven't seen the Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs movies but everything else I've seen; the Jumpstreet movies, The Lego Movie, Clone High, I've found to be incredibly funny material and I have complete faith in Lord and Miller.

[Reply #605 on:]

[Complaining]

[Counterpoints]

I haven't seen it yet.  I'm not sure why I'm responding.

[Reply #606 on:]

I miss you too!

[Reply #607 on:]

*huggles* [if you want them]

[Reply #608 on:]

Back on topic, I definitely agree with Josh and Spacedal on this one. I think they're utilising the show's radical premise in the best way possible, and given the circumstances of the plot, the basic "odd couple" scenario set up in its second episode doesn't feel trite at all to me. Plus, I highly doubt it'll remain the status quo for very long, and I'm incredibly interested to see where they go with the idea.

On another note, does anyone here watch Rectify? My girlfriend and I watched the first few episodes yesterday and I was thoroughly impressed, particularly by just how well the show's potentially touchy premise is handled.

[Reply #609 on:]

*huggles* [if you want them]

I'm stopping here to report you for a deliberate attempt to derail this thread.  The time police don't take kindly to what you were up to.  Good Luck!

[Reply #610 on:]

So, thoughts on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt? I watched the first two episodes today and I really enjoyed it. It's so upbeat and hilarious despite its surprisingly dark premise, and is a damn worthy successor to 30 Rock.

[Reply #611 on:]

Huh. I had no idea that was coming out yet. Shows how out of the loop I am with all the cool kid schtuff. Oh well. I'll have to check that one out when I regain access to Netflix in several months.

In the meantime, I shall watch it vicariously through you guys. Post away!


Also, this:

On October 31, 2013, NBC placed a 13-episode straight-to-series order under the title Tooken, with Ellie Kemper attached to star in the lead role of Kimmy Schmidt. The series is created and written by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock who also serve as executive producers alongside David Miner. The following May, the title of the series was changed from Tooken to Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

On November 21, 2014, it was announced that NBC had sold a two-season order of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt to Netflix, with the streaming service releasing the entire first season on March 6, 2015. In late January 2015, Netflix released a first look trailer for the series.

[Reply #612 on:]

I'll have to check that one out when I regain access to Netflix in several months.

Yep, that's the only way to watch it. I totally live in the U.S. and have Netflix.

[Reply #613 on:]

[Phonetic laughter]
[Reminder that I'm in the Peace Corps]
[Explanation that I have very limited internet access]
[Explanation that my computer broke]
[Something optimistic]
[Witty remark]

[Reply #614 on:]

I'll watch it once I make some headway in my homework. Or I'll watch it instead of doing homework, haven't decided yet.

[Reply #615 on:]

I'm also two episodes in and eh... it's alright. Kind of like 30 Rock's lesser episodes. I'll definitely stick with it, though. I can see it improving.

[Reply #616 on:]

I'm up to episode 9 right now and it's definitely found its footing. The "laughs per minute" ratio is almost up to the same rate as vintage 30 Rock for me.

[Reply #617 on:]

Oh god I'm so lazy but I should be done in an hour with this assignment and then I'm gonna watch Archer and start Kimmy when I go to bed. Yes I've had all day but I don't function until late at night.

[Reply #618 on:]

We just finished the first season. It was really good. The show definitely reaches the same levels of craziness as its predecessor in the second half (which is a good thing - I definitely missed that at first). Plus, Ellie Kemper is fantastic. And the last few episodes have quite a few guest stars 30 Rock fans will appreciate.

[Reply #619 on:]

I am very curious to pick apart Tina Fey's brain about the concept of this show because it comes from some extremely dark real life subject matter. And that disturbing element kind of lingers every time I watch the opening sequence. This is like all the crazy elements of 30 Rock hit as the seasons went on, (for what it's worth it was more of a standard workplace sitcom when it started), but we're hit with it from the get-go. I think that's probably the only way you could deal with the super creepy implications of what the "bunker" meant.

I like the show btw, I'll be starting the next episode here in a moment.

[Reply #620 on:]

Okay.

[Reply #621 on:]

I am very curious to pick apart Tina Fey's brain about the concept of this show because it comes from some extremely dark real life subject matter. And that disturbing element kind of lingers every time I watch the opening sequence. This is like all the crazy elements of 30 Rock hit as the seasons went on, (for what it's worth it was more of a standard workplace sitcom when it started), but we're hit with it from the get-go. I think that's probably the only way you could deal with the super creepy implications of what the "bunker" meant.

I think you're reading a little too far into it. Especially given that, despite Kimmy's mention of "weird sex stuff" happening in the bunker in the pilot, later episodes seem to indicate she's still quite naive and innocent in that regard, thus implying her definition of "sex stuff" is likely skewered. Tina Fey and Robert Carlock also had a few other comedies in the works at the time this was being developed, and none of them seemed to be based on her life at all, going by what I read in her autobiography, at least.

Also: UNBREAKABLE! They alive, damnit!!

[Reply #622 on:]

Please don't misunderstand that I think this show is based on Tina Fey's life in any way. I'm referring to this case, which you might not have heard about on your side of the world. I say curious because I would like to know why Tina Fey and co. would use elements of that situation and those super crazy polygymist cults in Utah as the premise for a sitcom. It's such a bizarre meshing of ideas (based on something so dark) to create a rather optimistic kind of show.

I mean to be fair I don't think anyone could honestly make a show about young women being kidnapped by a cult leader without it being the darkest and saddest fucking thing on television. So turning that into a comedy is just a very weird idea, especially because this show does it very well.

[Reply #623 on:]

Oh, fair enough. I misinterpreted what you meant and wasn't familiar with that particular case (though I wouldn't be surprised if the cult in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was based on a few different things, rather than this one specific event).

But still, at it's core, the show is a classic fish-out-of-water story, not to mention the fact that "adult with the mind of a child" is a very well-established comedy trope. In this instance, it works, even though it theoretically shouldn't, and I'd say that largely hinges on the character of Kimmy Schmidt herself. She outright says in the pilot that she doesn't think of herself as a victim and doesn't want to be treated as one, and the show consistently champions this aspect of her personality. I think the cult thing just gives the show some dramatic stakes (which, let's face it, 30 Rock never really had) and a unique emotional well to visit, should it ever want to.

[Reply #624 on:]

(though I wouldn't be surprised if the cult in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was based on a few different things, rather than this one specific event).

Oh certainly. America is horrible and weird.

But still, at it's core, the show is a classic fish-out-of-water story, not to mention the fact that "adult with the mind of a child" is a very well-established comedy trope. In this instance, it works, even though it theoretically shouldn't, and I'd say that largely hinges on the character of Kimmy Schmidt herself. She outright says in the pilot that she doesn't think of herself as a victim and doesn't want to be treated as one, and the show consistently champions this aspect of her personality.

Valid argument. She is unbreakable after all.

[Reply #625 on:]

You must be familiar with the saying that "comedy = tragedy + time". Countless examples of comedy are built on pretty dark foundations. Hell, even Futurama got pretty dark at times. The pilot introduced suicide booths. It's an interesting concept and it's one that lends itself to comedy in so far as it's weird and unusual.

Anyway, I just finished the season and it did really pick up with the last three episodes or so, though I'm not really willing to say it found its feet given that it told a much more serialised story than we ever got with 30 Rock and season 2 will, presumably, explore some new story arcs.

I'll definitely be watching season 2, anyway.

[Reply #626 on:]

Yeah, between Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and The Last Man on Earth, I dare say that the next generation of tv comedy is going to be a bit darker in tone (or at least in premise) than what we're used to. And that's pretty damn exciting, at least in my opinion, anyway.

I've watched the first few episodes of Man Seeking Woman with Jay Baruchel and Eric Andre, and it's pretty great so far. If the idea of a show that explores the awkward and depressing nature of dating, but with a ridiculous supernatural element wherein metaphors become entirely literal, sounds interesting to you then check it out.

I watched the first two episodes of this last night and absolutely loved it. It felt like a cross between Hello Ladies and the more surreal episodes of Louie, yet feels so self-realised and entirely its own thing. I'm definitely on board for the rest of the season.

[Reply #627 on:]

Definitely keep with it, it's been consistently excellent so far. One of my favorite new shows for sure.

Does anyone else here watch Broad City? The second season has been absolutely hilarious. I feel like a lot of people are missing out.

[Reply #628 on:]

I watch it! It truly is one of the funniest (and boldest) shows on television right now.

[Reply #629 on:]

Yeah, it's a really funny show

[Reply #630 on:]

They just announced Jon Stewart's replacement http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/30/entertainment/trevor-noah-daily-show-jon-stewart-feat/

[Reply #631 on:]

Jeremy Clarkson?

[Reply #632 on:]

Saw the first episode of Firefly last night; was pretty neat. The fact that it's only one season long makes it much less daunting to approach.

[Reply #633 on:]

I actually saw that for the first time in January. I thought it was a fun show, but I was a little underwhelmed due to how much praise I heard about it over the past decade

[Reply #634 on:]

The Western aspects of the show grate against my nerves, but overall I love it.  The characters and their interaction drew me in.  I'd love to sit down with friends and marathon it some weekend.

[Reply #635 on:]

I actually saw that for the first time in January. I thought it was a fun show, but I was a little underwhelmed due to how much praise I heard about it over the past decade

The worst thing about Firefly is its fanbase. Other than that, I can't really fault the show at all. It's a delightful romp.

[Reply #636 on:]

I gave up on Firefly after 4 episodes. I'm pretty sure it was just cancelled because it's bad, contrary to the internet.

[Reply #637 on:]

You're wrong. Objectively wrong. But I don't blame you, considering you haven't seen any of the series' best episodes (which I would consider to be Ariel, Objects In Space, Out Of Gas, War Stories, and Jaynestown).

It having been canceled so early is definitely the main reason for it being overhyped...had it run for even a few seasons I don't think its fanbase would be quite as outspoken about it. Regardless, it was a very funny show that had the beginnings of a promising mythology. I'm a big fan, or at least as much as I can be for how short its run was. There was clearly a lot of room for it to develop and become something even better had it not been canceled, and I think a lot of people get swept up in that idea when they talk about it.

[Reply #638 on:]

I'm loving the characters and dialogue (unsurprisingly similar in tone to the Avengers) and it just has this fun feel to it. I mean, I'm not sure if I'd call it absolutely breathtakingly amazing, but it's memorable for sure.

[Reply #639 on:]

I thought the characters were very well fleshed out given how little time they had to work with them. It'll probably be at least another year or so before I attempt to revisit and form a more solid opinion by being able to soak more in the second time around