Superstore: Season 1, Episode 3 and 4 “Shots and Salsa” and “Mannequin” (C-/C)
I guess this is technically round three and four, but I watched these episodes two nights in a row, and I think that may be more than enough of this show for me with a handful of other half-hour comedies that are really much better coming back. I noted in my review of the first two episodes that the reason to watch this show was its stars, America Ferrera and Ben Feldman. Their rivalry was taken a bit far in episode four, which had Amy teasing Jonah repeatedly by putting a mannequin that looked a little like him in compromising positions all over the store. Garrett pointing out to Amy that she was engaging in what he called “work flirt” (I would probably use terms like “work wife” and “work husband” to better describe the relationship) summarized an entire annoying episode into the inevitability of the two of them getting together even though she didn’t even bother to hide the fact that she’s married. Glenn and Dina fighting over Cheyenne’s baby got weird fast, and it’s hard to take this show anywhere near seriously with those two characters on it. The third episode was considerably more irritating, with a strange and unclear message on racism in the workplace, lowlighted by Amy putting on the accent herself after getting into trouble for mocking another culture to prove a point. This show is definitely cringeworthy if nothing else, but having nothing to go with it doesn’t exactly make it too appealing as a weekly stop on my TV schedule.
Showing posts with label Superstore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Superstore. Show all posts
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Pilot Review: Superstore
Superstore (NBC)
Premiered November 30 at 10pm
This is an interesting strategy that NBC is employing: launching two of its midseason shows with back-to-back episodes a month before they air together, getting excitement up before they actually begin. The first of these shows is this one, set in a Walmart-type store that has everything but doesn’t really have much of anything. Make no mistake about it: this show has a lot of elements that make it a terrible, typical sitcom, most notably two absolutely unbearable characters, Mark McKinney’s brainless manager Glenn and Lauren Ash’s commando employee Dina, both of whom are completely devoid of social skills. Other characters, like airheaded Cheyenne, played by Nichole Bloom, who recurred as Amanda on “Shameless,” and her idiot musician boyfriend exist somewhere between good and bad. Wheelchair-bound comedian Garrett and eager-to-please newbie Mateo definitely lean much more towards awful than good. But then there are two saving graces: Ben Feldman and America Ferrera. Feldman seems to have a knack for this, starring most recently in the quickly-canceled “A to Z,” which also just had its stars going for it. He brings a charm to this role that is equaled by his ability to put his foot in his mouth and say the wrong thing. Ferrera, who was great on “Ugly Betty,” packs on the aggressive sarcasm in a role that’s very fun to see her play. This is relatively simple comedy, but I think the stars make it worth it, at least enough to watch a few episodes, including the third episode, which is available on NBC.com and I’ll review next week.
How will it work as a series? Episode two confirmed that the store and its corporate nature will be the primary focus of this show, with plotlines like everything in the store being priced at twenty-five cents and handicapped employees always ending up on the cover of the company magazine taking center stage. That sounds moderately entertaining and moderately exasperating, which should serve as a solid analysis of this show.
How will it work as a series? We won’t know for sure until the series officially premieres in January, but it’s off to a good start, with commendable ratings for the first episode and impressive holdover for the second. NBC could use a hit comedy, and it’s looking like this could be a contender. It’s early, but I think a second season could be in the cards.
Pilot grade: C+
Premiered November 30 at 10pm
This is an interesting strategy that NBC is employing: launching two of its midseason shows with back-to-back episodes a month before they air together, getting excitement up before they actually begin. The first of these shows is this one, set in a Walmart-type store that has everything but doesn’t really have much of anything. Make no mistake about it: this show has a lot of elements that make it a terrible, typical sitcom, most notably two absolutely unbearable characters, Mark McKinney’s brainless manager Glenn and Lauren Ash’s commando employee Dina, both of whom are completely devoid of social skills. Other characters, like airheaded Cheyenne, played by Nichole Bloom, who recurred as Amanda on “Shameless,” and her idiot musician boyfriend exist somewhere between good and bad. Wheelchair-bound comedian Garrett and eager-to-please newbie Mateo definitely lean much more towards awful than good. But then there are two saving graces: Ben Feldman and America Ferrera. Feldman seems to have a knack for this, starring most recently in the quickly-canceled “A to Z,” which also just had its stars going for it. He brings a charm to this role that is equaled by his ability to put his foot in his mouth and say the wrong thing. Ferrera, who was great on “Ugly Betty,” packs on the aggressive sarcasm in a role that’s very fun to see her play. This is relatively simple comedy, but I think the stars make it worth it, at least enough to watch a few episodes, including the third episode, which is available on NBC.com and I’ll review next week.
How will it work as a series? Episode two confirmed that the store and its corporate nature will be the primary focus of this show, with plotlines like everything in the store being priced at twenty-five cents and handicapped employees always ending up on the cover of the company magazine taking center stage. That sounds moderately entertaining and moderately exasperating, which should serve as a solid analysis of this show.
How will it work as a series? We won’t know for sure until the series officially premieres in January, but it’s off to a good start, with commendable ratings for the first episode and impressive holdover for the second. NBC could use a hit comedy, and it’s looking like this could be a contender. It’s early, but I think a second season could be in the cards.
Pilot grade: C+
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