Loudermilk: Season 1, Episode 2 “Shark Week” (B+)
This show held up well in its second episode, which proved that anyone in Loudermilk’s immediate vicinity really isn’t a great person. Ben in particular played a big role in this episode, making things difficult for Claire because he wasn’t being straight with his roommate. After he enjoyed a more casual drink when Allison came to knock on their door at the end of the last episode, he now was drinking far more generously during the day, which proved problematic when Claire showed up to use the bathroom. He didn’t have to work hard to convince Loudermilk that it was Claire’s bottle and not his, and it seems that this “vision quest” trick is commonplace and did manage to keep her sober without her realizing. She’s got quite the personality of her own, hilariously demonstrated by her unwillingness to move during her first group session which resulted in her being physically picked up by the big guy who wanted her seat and deposited on another chair. Allison asking Loudermilk to sign a copy of his book was a good sign for the development of a relationship, but when her ER doctor boyfriend answered the door, he ripped that front page right out. I love that even the priest swears at Loudermilk since he knows he’s a jerk, and I hope that we’ll see snippets of Loudermilk espousing sensibilities like those expressed by Larry David on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” at the beginning of each episode. Loudermilk’s fury at being given directions “as the crow flies” was fantastic.
Showing posts with label Loudermilk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Loudermilk. Show all posts
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Friday, October 27, 2017
Pilot Review: Loudermilk
Loudermilk (Audience Network)
Premiered October 17 at 10:30pm
Here’s the second Audience Network comedy I didn’t get a chance to review last week, and I’m thrilled to report that this one is infinitely better than the other one. The opening featured a pretty memorable exchange about chivalry and the selfishness of coming in with a coffee order for one hundred people, and this show did its best to very quickly and effectively portray Sam Loudermilk as a despicable person, who does things like push old men down the stairs. He strikes me as a cross between David Duchovny’s Hank on “Californication” and Hank Azaria’s title character on “Brockmire,” meaning well but not trying all that hard to make sure that his self-serving actions aren’t misunderstood as what they really are. The fact that he runs an organization that helps people and that he leads AA meetings makes him very interesting, and I think that Ron Livingston, recently seen in a very different but equally memorable role on “Search Party,” is absolutely the right person to play this character, a far cry from his signature “Office Space” character. The summary of this show on epguides.com explains that Loudermilk puts the “S.O.B. in sobriety,” and I think that’s a fitting way of summing up this show’s warped sense of humor. I’m not sure yet what will come of the focus on his friend Ben or the new neighbor he’s trying and failing to impress, Allison, but I think there’s something very substantial here. I’ll certainly be back to check out episode two, which conveniently is already available and will be reviewed shortly!
How will it work as a series? Maintaining his sobriety is probably the least of Loudermilk’s challenges since he has to keep his group together and try - hard - not to offend every person with whom he comes into contact. Watching him navigate that should be very entertaining, and this show feels fresh enough to sustain itself.
How long will it last? Without much to go off in terms of ratings data, I’ll point to the simple fact that this show got much better reviews that its lead-in series, “Hit the Road,” and therefore it’s likely that Audience Network will choose to invest in seeing where it goes. I’d hope for and expect a renewal.
Pilot grade: B+
Premiered October 17 at 10:30pm
Here’s the second Audience Network comedy I didn’t get a chance to review last week, and I’m thrilled to report that this one is infinitely better than the other one. The opening featured a pretty memorable exchange about chivalry and the selfishness of coming in with a coffee order for one hundred people, and this show did its best to very quickly and effectively portray Sam Loudermilk as a despicable person, who does things like push old men down the stairs. He strikes me as a cross between David Duchovny’s Hank on “Californication” and Hank Azaria’s title character on “Brockmire,” meaning well but not trying all that hard to make sure that his self-serving actions aren’t misunderstood as what they really are. The fact that he runs an organization that helps people and that he leads AA meetings makes him very interesting, and I think that Ron Livingston, recently seen in a very different but equally memorable role on “Search Party,” is absolutely the right person to play this character, a far cry from his signature “Office Space” character. The summary of this show on epguides.com explains that Loudermilk puts the “S.O.B. in sobriety,” and I think that’s a fitting way of summing up this show’s warped sense of humor. I’m not sure yet what will come of the focus on his friend Ben or the new neighbor he’s trying and failing to impress, Allison, but I think there’s something very substantial here. I’ll certainly be back to check out episode two, which conveniently is already available and will be reviewed shortly!
How will it work as a series? Maintaining his sobriety is probably the least of Loudermilk’s challenges since he has to keep his group together and try - hard - not to offend every person with whom he comes into contact. Watching him navigate that should be very entertaining, and this show feels fresh enough to sustain itself.
How long will it last? Without much to go off in terms of ratings data, I’ll point to the simple fact that this show got much better reviews that its lead-in series, “Hit the Road,” and therefore it’s likely that Audience Network will choose to invest in seeing where it goes. I’d hope for and expect a renewal.
Pilot grade: B+
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