Bad Judge: Season 1, Episode 3 “One Brave Waitress” (C-)
This wasn’t quite as bad as episode two, to be sure, but I don’t think that I should be watching this show anymore, let alone reviewing it. The former likely won’t be happening, since it’s a fun half-hour to watch with my wife, who does enjoy it, and I’ll have to consider whether I can bear to keep criticizing this show week after week. This episode got rid of the truly ridiculous case from last week and did its best to make its featured case as ridiculous as possible. I’ll reiterate my comment that it would be great if Rebecca was actually a truly competent judge whose often missteps were in her personal life, but unfortunately that’s not really the case. Watching her talk in doublespeak and make secret deals to ally with one lawyer doesn’t impress, and her clear bias against the defendant didn’t either. I understand that it’s supposed to be a comedy, but having all the female jurors lined up and ready with excuses necessitating their dismissal was a bit much. I’m glad that we haven’t seen Rebecca’s kid pal since episode one, and instead we get to watch her personal life unfold through her budding and now defunct romance with Billy, who she seems to have inspired to go read a second book, though he’s only the latest in a long line of movie and TV idiots to be surprised that “To Kill a Mockingbird” isn’t actually about a bird. Maybe he’ll come back much smarter someday soon – who knows?
Showing posts with label Bad Judge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bad Judge. Show all posts
Monday, October 20, 2014
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Round Two: Bad Judge
Bad Judge: Season 1, Episode 2 “Meteor Shower” (D+)
I had hoped that this show would get better or at least maintain its quality in its second episode and beyond, but that doesn’t seem likely at this point. What we got was more antics to support the show’s title and ensure that no one in their right mind would think that Rebecca is a competent person to be deciding other people’s fates, though she of course has the ability to proscribe the perfect punishments to help those convicted of crimes truly realize their misdeeds. This episode’s case addressed celebrity in the most ridiculous manner by having paparazzi show up to hound a bra-wearing Rebecca by her van, somehow aware that she was the judge who would be deciding the pop star’s fate, and then Rebecca getting revenge on them for calling her a “muffin top” by arresting everyone in the courtroom. Rebecca’s friends-with-benefits arrangement with Gary has already become untenable as she planned a major night in together while he scheduled a date with another woman, and I don’t see that romance leading anywhere beneficial. What happened instead was that she got very high, something she boasted about quite publicly, and had a fun night with a fireman, played by Ryan McPartlin of “Chuck” fame, whose major flaw is that he has only read one book (over and over) in his life. The destruction of the van was a therapeutic event, one which highlighted the interesting friendship between Rebecca and Tedward. I think this should be it for me and this show, though I may be tempted to give it an ill-advised third chance since my TV schedule isn’t quite as crowded as I had expected it to be.
I had hoped that this show would get better or at least maintain its quality in its second episode and beyond, but that doesn’t seem likely at this point. What we got was more antics to support the show’s title and ensure that no one in their right mind would think that Rebecca is a competent person to be deciding other people’s fates, though she of course has the ability to proscribe the perfect punishments to help those convicted of crimes truly realize their misdeeds. This episode’s case addressed celebrity in the most ridiculous manner by having paparazzi show up to hound a bra-wearing Rebecca by her van, somehow aware that she was the judge who would be deciding the pop star’s fate, and then Rebecca getting revenge on them for calling her a “muffin top” by arresting everyone in the courtroom. Rebecca’s friends-with-benefits arrangement with Gary has already become untenable as she planned a major night in together while he scheduled a date with another woman, and I don’t see that romance leading anywhere beneficial. What happened instead was that she got very high, something she boasted about quite publicly, and had a fun night with a fireman, played by Ryan McPartlin of “Chuck” fame, whose major flaw is that he has only read one book (over and over) in his life. The destruction of the van was a therapeutic event, one which highlighted the interesting friendship between Rebecca and Tedward. I think this should be it for me and this show, though I may be tempted to give it an ill-advised third chance since my TV schedule isn’t quite as crowded as I had expected it to be.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Pilot Review: Bad Judge
Bad Judge (NBC)
Premiered October 2 at 9pm
There are some actors and actresses who are only known for one role, and it’s difficult for them to assume another part since nearly everyone associates them with that one career-making performance. I for one didn’t watch very much of “Private Practice” or “Grey’s Anatomy” when Kate Walsh was on it, and I quite enjoyed her turn as widow Gina Hess in a few episodes of FX’s “Fargo” this past season. It’s clear that she’s trying to craft a whole new character in Judge Rebecca Wright, who, among other things, drinks and has sex while in her chambers. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen someone charged with executing justice behaving badly, but the show’s title underlines just how monumental this is since she’s literally deciding the fate of others while demonstrating that she has absolutely no control over the mess she calls a life. Having her express such a deep and unsupported connection to the young troublemaker son of the woman she put in prison doesn’t exactly lead to the best moments of the pilot, though it does illustrate that she wants to be a good person even if it means pissing off as many people as possible to do it. Walsh is relatively entertaining, enjoying herself quite a bit, and Ryan Hansen has what may be his best role since “Party Down.” If the two of them can help make everything else seem less forced and just have fun, this show might just develop into a winning comedy…
How will it work as a series?…but it all depends on what the show wants to be. If it wants to be a slapstick sitcom with Rebecca being as ridiculous as possible every episode, I don’t think it will get very far. If it chooses to expand and go beyond what it’s set up for, I think it could be a lot of fun.
How long will it last? The ratings were not inspiring, and reviews weren’t great either. Given the choice between this show and its timeslot companion “A to Z,” which earned similar ratings but more favorable words from critics, I think this show will easily be dismissed by NBC. Don’t expect it to stick around unless viewership improves drastically.
Pilot grade: C+
Premiered October 2 at 9pm
There are some actors and actresses who are only known for one role, and it’s difficult for them to assume another part since nearly everyone associates them with that one career-making performance. I for one didn’t watch very much of “Private Practice” or “Grey’s Anatomy” when Kate Walsh was on it, and I quite enjoyed her turn as widow Gina Hess in a few episodes of FX’s “Fargo” this past season. It’s clear that she’s trying to craft a whole new character in Judge Rebecca Wright, who, among other things, drinks and has sex while in her chambers. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen someone charged with executing justice behaving badly, but the show’s title underlines just how monumental this is since she’s literally deciding the fate of others while demonstrating that she has absolutely no control over the mess she calls a life. Having her express such a deep and unsupported connection to the young troublemaker son of the woman she put in prison doesn’t exactly lead to the best moments of the pilot, though it does illustrate that she wants to be a good person even if it means pissing off as many people as possible to do it. Walsh is relatively entertaining, enjoying herself quite a bit, and Ryan Hansen has what may be his best role since “Party Down.” If the two of them can help make everything else seem less forced and just have fun, this show might just develop into a winning comedy…
How will it work as a series?…but it all depends on what the show wants to be. If it wants to be a slapstick sitcom with Rebecca being as ridiculous as possible every episode, I don’t think it will get very far. If it chooses to expand and go beyond what it’s set up for, I think it could be a lot of fun.
How long will it last? The ratings were not inspiring, and reviews weren’t great either. Given the choice between this show and its timeslot companion “A to Z,” which earned similar ratings but more favorable words from critics, I think this show will easily be dismissed by NBC. Don’t expect it to stick around unless viewership improves drastically.
Pilot grade: C+
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