As I said in Wednesday's Ted Danson column, I found "Bored to Death" to be terribly uneven, and in particular I found the pilot kind of unbearable in its smug twee-ness. But I love Danson, I found next week's episode a dramatic improvement. No time or interest to do a full write-up on the pilot, but I'm curious what everybody else thought, and whether you think you'll be back next week.
I liked it, it was quirky and I'll be back next week. Not as good as the previous CYE episode, obviously, but it has potential.
ReplyDeleteMost of the reviews have been awful and even you said you didn't like the pilot, Alan. Which is why I'm sort of shocked to say I actually enjoyed it. I can see, though, why other people might not like it or why it might not continue to hold my interest. But for now I'm in.
ReplyDeletePerhaps I'm violating the spoiler policy, but I'd urge people to watch episode two - even if they didn't like the pilot - before deciding whether or not it's for them.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I found it much more to my taste than a certain other show Alan's been raving about, but to each his own, as they say.
I liked it well enough I even laughed out loud a couple of times. I agree Alan - Ted Danson was the best part. Definitely will watch next week.
ReplyDeleteI'm almost glad for your bad notices, Alan, because it enabled me to be very pleasantly surprised. Sure, some of the dialogue was a little precious (the "You don't have cancer" "Yet" bit in particular could have been much funnier if it wasn't delivered so smugly) but I genuinely liked it and am happy to add it to my Sunday schedule.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was pretty good. Not brilliant but room to become a very nice show. Certainly at least 300 times better than any episode of Hung has been.
ReplyDeletePretty slight, but I laughed a fair amount, and it was good enough to watch again.
ReplyDeleteEven if the show were terrible, I'd probably still watch it for Galifinakis/Schwartzmen/Danson. That said, I enjoyed it quite a bit and am looking forward to next week's apparently much better show. Jeez, I might love it by this time next week.
ReplyDeleteI'm just happy to see Max Fischer grown up and with sort of a purpose in life. And NYC looked great.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that Schwartzman was so tiny! What's he, like 5'4" and 98 pounds soaking wet? With a big head.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, the show was quite awful. One of those instances where they should have had a second thought about the title: Yes, I was.
I liked it, too. If this is as weak as it gets, I'm in.
ReplyDeleteThese are characters that actually have conversations with each other about their lives and problems, rather than just flinging insults and one-liners. It was a little slow-paced, but it's a pilot and could easily pick up the pace.
Liked it much better than Community.
I wouldn't say I was in love with it, but it certainly made me laugh out loud a few times. I also see a lot of potential, but we'll just have to see what they do with it. The scene in the hotel room didn't really work for me, and there were times where I thought it tried to be too smarmy for its own good. Still, worth a watch, and I'll probably watch the whole first season.
ReplyDeleteIt helps that I'm a big fan of Raymond Chandler, I suppose. :)
I just hope Galifianiks and Danson get involved in the weekly cases and i will be okay i guess.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I watched it and we loved it. Yes, there's a certain "look at me, I'm hip" air to it, but this is also done in a tongue-in-cheek manner.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a post on my blog staking my reputation on this show being awesome before I'd seen it - I was that enthused by the concept.
ReplyDeleteWell, I consider my reputation to be intact. So it's uneven: what's even? Friends? Why is being even even a good thing? Haven't see the second one yet, but I restake my reputation on that. Let it ride...
There was something about it that clicked with me. I chuckled a few times and enjoyed moments all the way through.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it was very low key, and I can see that it has a sensibility that would put a lot of people off. Particularly those who expect something more impactful given the talent involved (in front of the camera anyway).
For a series premiere, I thought it was great. I am very excited to watch this show over the next several weeks.
ReplyDeleteJason Schwartzmann has a certain je ne sais quoi which allows him to have a considerate head-in-the-clouds approach to the gig. I also think the show will feature some great indie music (hopefully all Brooklyn music. I think the creidts rolled to Brooklyn's TV on the Radio).
Danson was also great.
I liked it. Reminded me of Box 13.
ReplyDeleteI dug it, for the most part, and plan on watching it again. Ted Danson is hilarious.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that Schwartzman was so tiny! What's he, like 5'4" and 98 pounds soaking wet? With a big head.
I saw him at a show last week and had occasion to stand near him. I'm nearly 5'5" and he was a bit taller than me and more than 98 pounds dry :-) But for a guy, yeah, he's short.
I also liked it a lot. It's kinda weird and it lacked a bit of exposition, but I think it has potencial to be a great show. And Ted Danson is amazing! He was the only thing I really loved about Damages.
ReplyDeleteI am an enormous fan of Jonathan Ames, and have read every book he has put out. I also hate Jason Schwartzmen with a passion. I wasn't a huge fan of the pilot but mostly because of Schwartzmen and knowing that Ames can write better than he did in the pilot, but screenwriting is a new medium and may take time. I'm very glad to hear that the other episodes are stronger than the pilot. Keeping my fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteThe thing I liked best was the opening song. That's Schwartzman, right?
ReplyDeletethat coffee shop sene was where they filmedthe last shots of ANNIE HALL. Was there once but it was year ago.
ReplyDelete