Out of curiosity, did anybody here watch the CW's new outsourced Sunday lineup? Judging by the microscopic ratings for the likes of "Valentine" and "Easy Money" (the latter of which I liked a fair amount), I doubt it, but I figured I'd ask.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Will you be my Valentine? I'll pay you Easy Money for it.
Out of curiosity, did anybody here watch the CW's new outsourced Sunday lineup? Judging by the microscopic ratings for the likes of "Valentine" and "Easy Money" (the latter of which I liked a fair amount), I doubt it, but I figured I'd ask.
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No, but if Entourage puts out another episode like last night's I might have to start looking to the CW for Sunday entertainment.
I missed them (never really intended on watching) because I was clearing the "Life on Mars" marathon off my box. I was never really that interested in the previews for the US version but I really enjoyed the episodes I saw yesterday on BBC America. I tried to search the site but couldn't find that much info. Should I be scared and just avoid the retread altogether? It was amusing that the movie they suggested going to in Ep 3 was Mean Streets and now Harvey Keitel is it the new version.
Sigh. Because I'm a sucker for new programming, of *course* I watched.
Valentine was kind of silly, with the lead from North Shore, and the OCD chick from The OC. I can't see that lasting very long. Or rather, I hope it doesn't. Of course, it stays on the roster one more week for a final verdict.
I'm *so* not the demo for Easy Money, but I tried to watch it anyway...and had to switch away about 15 minutes in. I think it was the garish hair on Laurie Metcalf, the chick from Rosanne.
Oh! Also, clever post title. :-)
I was pleasantly surprised by "Easy Money". The first 15 to 20 minutes were rough but once the show got into the characters a bit I started to enjoy it. There is potential there I think. Admittedly, I had low expectations, but once some conflict started to develop it held my interest. First episodes of series are often tough when they try to jam in back story. I'll watch it again next week.
The promos for Valentine had me worried. Was this the remake of Cupid? How could that look this bad? I guess they're separate projects (if Cupid's still a go?). But how many god-of-love shows can be on the air at once?
J, "Cupid" is still a go for ABC for mid-season, with Bobby Cannavale as Cupid, and with Diane Ruggiero joining Rob Thomas in the writers room.
Based on the Sunday night ratings (barely a million viewers apiece), I doubt either of the CW Sunday shows will still be around by the time "Cupid" debuts.
Why yes, yes I did. _Valentine_ was bad in a bland, clunky way. It made me feel sad for the people on it.
_Easy Money_ wasn't nearly as bad, for whatever that's worth, but the two non-lead siblings and their terrible storylines (skydiving lessons? pipe-dreaming husband?) didn't help. The lead wasn't bad; it was nice to see Metcalf, Reinhold, and Farmer; and I liked that the premise lent itself to believably low budget sets, like the mall food court. I'm also a little bit more willing to give the _Easy Money_ writing team the benefit of the doubt. The show may also be benefiting from the glow of _Breaking Bad_, with its similar cold eyed look at the American southwest.
But let's be honest. Both of these shows will just disappear soon, right? Or is the CW committed to this farmed out schedule in some way?
Anon
I watched Valentine because I wanted to see if it was a rip off of Cupid. The premise is different enough and the show was not that bad. I'm not sure how long it will be on, but there are worse shows out there.
I missed them (never really intended on watching) because I was clearing the "Life on Mars" marathon off my box. I was never really that interested in the previews for the US version but I really enjoyed the episodes I saw yesterday on BBC America. I tried to search the site but couldn't find that much info. Should I be scared and just avoid the retread altogether?
The reviews I've seen so far have actually been surpisingly positive considering how troubled the pilot was. I'll probably have to check it out now, at least for Keitel, even if he's at least ten years too old for his part.
I have yet to watch, but I did TiVo Easy Money based entirely on your column the other day.
I'm not interested in the concept of Valentine, and you didn't exactly heap praise on it, so I didn't bother with it.
I wanted to like Valentine -- I've enjoyed several of the actors elsewhere. I thought Kristoffer Polaha did a good manic-skeevy characterization; he deserves a role on a stronger show, as does Autumn Reeser, who has been in some pretty cheesy stuff since The O.C. Can't she go hang out on CHUCK or something?
The show's problem was with the pacing and structure. They introduced the human character 3/4 through the pilot, and spent the first full five minutes introducing the one-off couple. Scenes often dragged on for a beat or two longer than necessary, and the best site gag (the love gun), was quickly skuttled aside.
In all, it's not without its charms, but it needs a serious jolt of energy...though I doubt it'll last long enough to find its footing.
I am amazed they got that ograsm scene past the censors.
Easy Money was much better than I thought it would be, although the lead actor could really use a shave. The show follows the precedent set by Breaking Bad of really nailing the look of the urban southwest: endless driving, highway interchanges, miles of strip malls and beige subdivisions, hot pavement, dirtbags with frosted tips under a cruel, cruel sun. When the two brothers are walking back home after dropping off the cop's car, my partner and I looked at each other and said, yeah, that's how it is--trudging along a bleak busy road filled with pickups and SUVs while the sun turns you to gravy. Man, I don't miss it one bit.
Alan - did you see anything beyond the premiere of Easy Money for purposes of your review? I ask because I enjoyed, and am hoping the show works up from the pilot and not down.
I watched about the first 10 minutes of "Valentine" and just had to turn it off... so clunky!
I had "Easy Money" on and paid it some attention but after a long day of catching up on shows I've missed during the week (and still ending up two weeks behind on "Sons of Anarchy" and "It's Always Sunny"), I need to save energy to watch "Mad Men".
I think your review was right on. It's a good concept, and the writing shows potential, but I just don't think I have the time.
Why do you think it will be cancelled? The CW has nothing to replace it other than more reruns, and they're probably making a profit no matter how low the ratings are. It'll probably last longer than most new shows.
Caught Valentine. No charm. Bland is too positive a word for it.
Oops... I intended to watch that Valentine train wreck but didn't even realize it was on. And that isn't the first time this season. Is it just me, or are a lot of the new fall shows insufficiently advertised? Maybe I'm just not watching enough TV these days to catch the ads...
I had both on while working in the kitchen. Valentine I ended up muting; Easy Money was intriguing enough that eventually I stopped what I was doing and stood there watching it (mostly). It has enough promise that I would watch it again.
I agree with the comments about Easy Money and the setting. The southwest really works for this show - and it's enjoyable to see this part of the country since it isn't LA or NYC represented on a TV drama. With this show, Breaking Bad, and In Plain Sight are we seeing the emergence of a trend? Are some really great production tax breaks being offered?
'Valentine, Inc.' was okay, but nothing I'd come back for. I'll wait and see what Ben Stiller comes up with for 'Gods Behaving Badly' and ditto for Ben Browder's project - if they ever get made, that is.
I wasn't really expecting to like 'Easy Money', but I liked Frolov & Schneider's work back in the 'Northern Exposure' days, so I wanted to give it the chance. Another sign of trouble for me - the promo trumpeting the producer's connection to 'The Sopranos'. For me that always smacks of desperation.
But I enjoyed it. Especially since I was surprised to see Marsha Thomason is involved. I thought she was gone too soon from 'Lost'!
I also didn't like the sub-plot about the sister's husband, but as long as the show stays focused more on Morgan than his siblings, it should stay interesting....
Finally watched Easy Money. Liked it more than I thought I would. What sold me was the last few minutes- there was no surprise in the phone call (Has a scripted DNA test ever served any other purpose?) but the way it was played was the perfect amount of understatement. I'll follow this one until it gets pulled- my money says mid-November.
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