Atlanta (FX)
Premiered September 6 at 10pm
I should start off by noting that I was not a “Community” fan, but I did enjoy seeing Donald Glover on the show and in other projects whenever I happened to. I like FX but I’ve also noted that its comedies – all its shows, really – tend to be considerably darker than on most other networks. That’s certainly true of this “comedy,” which covers racism, crime, police brutality, and a whole lot of other issues in just its first two episodes. Its tone is particularly interesting, since it’s full of funny jokes embedded within a calmer, more serious narrative anchored by Glover’s Earn and his desire to hit it big by making Paper Boi and his signature track into a household name. Ending the first episode with a news report that the two of them had been arrested for their involvement in a shooting and then finding Earn in jail for almost the entirety of the second episode underscores the show’s dramatic nature, indicating that it’s not going to all be fun for Earn in his attempt to make it. There’s still plenty of entertainment, like Paper Boi showing up to tell his neighbors that violence isn’t cool and then ending up taking a selfie with their mother, and while it’s an adjustment to be ready for the way that it’s all framed, it is certainly enticing. I’m not sure how long I can stick with it, but I’m intrigued enough that I’d like to see where it heads, a more sophisticated “How to Make It in America” of sorts with a unique Glover-infused flavor and a great performance from the creator-star as well.
How will it work as a series? It’s going to be entirely story-driven if its main character can spend an entire episode in jail, and I think that’s a plus because the writing has been to be rich and engrossing for that to work. Blurring the lines between comedy and drama isn’t too difficult, and this show seems to have a superb handle on that.
How long will it last? The reviews are great and Glover is popular, so I think FX will renew this one very soon. Like “Louie,” it’s a darker comedy that still makes people laugh, and I bet that they’ll be all about that. The positive reception only helps matters, so count on this one to be picked up shortly.
Pilot grade: B
Showing posts with label The Big Bang. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Big Bang. Show all posts
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
What I’m Watching: Entourage
Entourage: Season 8, Episode 6 “The Big Bang” (B+)
It seems right now that all five of the major characters on this show are desperately trying to prove to those around them that they are someone other than who they’re perceived to be. Vince is obsessed with getting the stuffy British journalist to believe that he’s capable of something more than seducing women. Eric wants Melinda to know that he’s prepared to be professional, and wants to ensure that he hasn’t lost Sloane for good with his latest misdeed. Drama is struggling not to make the biggest mistake of his career, but continues to let himself be pushed around by Dice. Turtle is trying to be taken seriously, but his hometown friends just want to see celebrities and be treated like royalty. Ari wants his wife to know that he’s changed, and he actually does a surprisingly good job of keeping his cool, storming out of his wife’s house without getting into a fight. The effectiveness of all this depends on the person. Vince is now doubting himself, while Eric received a disturbing visit from Johnny Galecki that causes him more concern than he needed. Drama, it appears, got what he and Dice wanted all along, though there’s still the chance that it could all fall apart. For all the following around he does, Turtle has never been so vain about being in the company of celebrities, which I find quite interesting. Most valuable of all, we finally know Mrs. Ari’s first name, dropped so casually by Bobby: Melissa!
It seems right now that all five of the major characters on this show are desperately trying to prove to those around them that they are someone other than who they’re perceived to be. Vince is obsessed with getting the stuffy British journalist to believe that he’s capable of something more than seducing women. Eric wants Melinda to know that he’s prepared to be professional, and wants to ensure that he hasn’t lost Sloane for good with his latest misdeed. Drama is struggling not to make the biggest mistake of his career, but continues to let himself be pushed around by Dice. Turtle is trying to be taken seriously, but his hometown friends just want to see celebrities and be treated like royalty. Ari wants his wife to know that he’s changed, and he actually does a surprisingly good job of keeping his cool, storming out of his wife’s house without getting into a fight. The effectiveness of all this depends on the person. Vince is now doubting himself, while Eric received a disturbing visit from Johnny Galecki that causes him more concern than he needed. Drama, it appears, got what he and Dice wanted all along, though there’s still the chance that it could all fall apart. For all the following around he does, Turtle has never been so vain about being in the company of celebrities, which I find quite interesting. Most valuable of all, we finally know Mrs. Ari’s first name, dropped so casually by Bobby: Melissa!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
What I’m Watching: The Closer (Season Premiere)
The Closer: Season 6, Episode 1 “The Big Bang” (B+)
It doesn’t really feel like summer until Brenda Leigh Johnson and Major Crimes are back with new episodes of TNT’s flagship drama series. It’s both hard to believe and impressive that this show hasn’t become stale at all as it enters its sixth year, still managing to create new and inventive plotlines while keeping its cast on their toes. Strong guest stars are a big part of the show’s success, and the series actually just earned its first-ever non-Kyra Sedgwick Emmy nomination for Beau Bridges’ turn as the cross-dressing Georgette in the “Make Over” episode from last year. In this episode we have two men who have played important guest-starring roles on different TV series, among other accomplishments. Patrick St. Esprit, who played the strangling-prone husband, recurred on “Sons of Anarchy” and “Sleeper Cell” and played a pivotal role in “United 93.” Currie Graham, who played the ultimately-revealed perpetrator, was recently stuck on the dud “Raising the Bar” but will also be instantly recognizable to me as presumed innocent businessman/actual Russian bad guy Ted Cofell from two episodes of the first season of “24.” Regarding our regular players, Will did seem awfully energetic and at times even stupidly careless, particularly when he waved suggestively at a person of interest in the case. You would think that someone up for a big promotion would exercise more caution rather than less. The question is, if Will gets a promotion, who takes over his job? The office-less Taylor? Whatever happens should prove interesting. The continuous maze and ineffectiveness of the new building was enormously entertaining, second only to Fritz’s hilarious expression of his feelings during his role play workshop session with Brenda.
It doesn’t really feel like summer until Brenda Leigh Johnson and Major Crimes are back with new episodes of TNT’s flagship drama series. It’s both hard to believe and impressive that this show hasn’t become stale at all as it enters its sixth year, still managing to create new and inventive plotlines while keeping its cast on their toes. Strong guest stars are a big part of the show’s success, and the series actually just earned its first-ever non-Kyra Sedgwick Emmy nomination for Beau Bridges’ turn as the cross-dressing Georgette in the “Make Over” episode from last year. In this episode we have two men who have played important guest-starring roles on different TV series, among other accomplishments. Patrick St. Esprit, who played the strangling-prone husband, recurred on “Sons of Anarchy” and “Sleeper Cell” and played a pivotal role in “United 93.” Currie Graham, who played the ultimately-revealed perpetrator, was recently stuck on the dud “Raising the Bar” but will also be instantly recognizable to me as presumed innocent businessman/actual Russian bad guy Ted Cofell from two episodes of the first season of “24.” Regarding our regular players, Will did seem awfully energetic and at times even stupidly careless, particularly when he waved suggestively at a person of interest in the case. You would think that someone up for a big promotion would exercise more caution rather than less. The question is, if Will gets a promotion, who takes over his job? The office-less Taylor? Whatever happens should prove interesting. The continuous maze and ineffectiveness of the new building was enormously entertaining, second only to Fritz’s hilarious expression of his feelings during his role play workshop session with Brenda.
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