Amazon's Eight Comedy Pilots Reviewed

I read on one of the television related sites I frequent the other day that every man and his grandmother's cat are getting in on making original television content for online distribution. An odd analogy, yes, but also most definitely an apt one, which makes it a very exciting time for the production of television. Last month, Amazon, best known as being an online shopping website, released eight comedy pilots and six children's pilots on Amazon Instant Video in an attempt to gauge viewers thoughts on the programs, which will in turn help Amazon Studio decide which shows they will produce into series. As a situation like this is the first of its kind it is unknown at this stage how much audiences' feedback will dictate what Amazon Studios does next, but its exciting nonetheless, and as an avid TV fan I couldn't wait to view the pilots for myself, and of course, give my own feedback. Below are my thoughts on Amazon's six comedy pilots (I doubt my views of children's television are of any importance), in order of which I liked the most, to the least, as well as there loglines and what I thought did and didn't work for them.


Betas

Logline: Set in the land of Silicon Valley start-ups follows four friends as they attempt to strike it rich with a new mobile social networking app.

My Take: The show looks and feels great. The glitz and glamour of Silicon Valley is contrasted well with the hardship the main characters are enduring trying to make it big. For a comedy it was quite serious, which may be a turn off for some, but I think it works perfectly here. The four male leads are all well and the relationship between Trey (Joe Dinicol) and Nash (Karan Soni), is a highlight. They're all likable characters, although I'd hope more would be done with Mitchell (Charlie Saxton)and Hobbes (Jonathan C. Daly) if the pilot went to series, rather then have them involved is a comic subplot every week. And despite being about 'nerds' nothing felt too similar or stereotypical, but actually quite fresh, and if the show makes it to series I will be watching.

Browsers

Logline: A musical comedy set in contemporary Manhattan that follows four young people as they start their first jobs at a news website.

My Take: Again, the acting is rather strong, and the characters are very appealing and funny too. However, the lead Kate (Brigette Davidovici) is the very generic bubbly small town girl who annoys me easily, and some of the other characters are borderline stereotypical, especially Prudence (Constance Wu).  As for the musical aspect of the show, I'm still undecided. Musical comedies can work well, but majority of the time characters seemed to be singing about what was happening and their thoughts and feelings on the matter. Some were catchy, some were slightly funny, but others fell flat and felt misplaced. The question is whether or not the show needs the singing. It might be fine without it, but then again the singing makes it a whole lot more memorable. I'll continue to watch if it makes it to series, but more out of curiosity of how the show will handle itself then for anything else.

Zombieland

Logline: Based on the hit Columbia Pictures movie of the same name, and finds four survivors outwitting zombies and searching for a place to call home.

My Take: Kirk Ward does a great job at replacing Woody Harrelson as Tallahassee from the film version as does Maiara Walsh as Wichita. Tyler Ross isn't able to capture the same adorkableness that Jesse Eisenberg put was able to into Columbus  though, and this makes the character a little jarring to emphasise with. Most of the episode's humour came from irony, and while it worked well, obviously you would want the comedy to go beyond this if it were picked up. The main problem Zombieland has is one it shares with The Walking Dead. Watching the show almost feels like a futile attempt because naturally a show that based in a post-apocalyptic works is going to have a bleak ending. That's why character development is important here, and that can most definitely be built on with the characters the show has, but the problem is one of plot. While it was fun watching the characters in the episode with little narrative drive (a comedy show's dream) because of the nature of the show plot is necessary to keep audiences interested, and I'm wondering if this can be done in a comedy. I'll play this one by ear if more episodes are made, and if I hear good things about the production I'll keep watching.

Dark Minions

Logline: An animated workplace series about two slackers just trying to make a paycheck, working on an intergalactic warship.

My Take: I absolutely loved the concept, despite the fact it's relevance to everyday life was not at all played subtly in the pilot. This show has so much potential not only as a serialised science-fiction animation, but also a compelling love story between Mel (John Ross Bowie) and Carly (Jamie Denbo). The other characters, however, were very much caricatures and need a lot of work. It also wasn't particularly funny. I could see it trying to be funny, but it was although it was trying too hard. Everything was played straight, and as I said, it was all very obvious. I can't help but think it would be better as a drama, but it's a stop motion animation so there goes that idea. It was also quite annoying that only parts of the animation were complete. While I understand how this makes sense on the money making side of things, it was a very jarring experience for me as a viewer. I'll probably try and check it out if more episodes are made, but only if I've got nothing else to watch.

Those Who Can't

Logline: is a comedy about three juvenile, misfit teachers who are just as immature, if not more so, than the students they teach.

My Take: The premise is likable, and although the main characters are little more than immature adolescents they are understandably all very relatable, Loren (Adam Cayton-Holland) being the stand out. Andy (Andrew Orvedahl) could use a little work. watching these friends talk crap and follow through with their ridiculous plans make make you nostalgic, unlike the lack of plot problem that poses Zombieland, the humour of the show just can't carry it alone because it's all to familiar or, at least to me, seems a little bit juvenile (then again, that's probably the point). The show needs more from it's three characters it terms of audiences becoming immersed in their lives and wanting to follow their story, whatever that may turn out to be. As with Zombieland, I'll play this one by the ear, but I doubt I'll be tuning in again.

Onion News Empire

Logline: Set behind the scenes of The Onion News Network that shows just how far journalists will go to stay at the top of their game.

My Take: the show looks amazing, and once again the acting is great, but it's the three older cast members whose characters, Ed (William Sadler), Helena (Laila Robins) and David (Jeffrey Tambor), really stand out. While I'm generally a fan of satire, particularly of news and current affairs, everything is played so straight in the show. The problem with this is that everything that happens in the show tries to be so ridiculous, and again, not subtle, that it just makes the feel of the show awkward. It had its moments, but majority of the time I felt I was being bombarded with fake news headlines that were supposed to be funny, but weren't. If more episodes are made and are of similar quality, I won't be watching.

Alpha House

Logline: Follows four senators who live together in a rented house in Washington DC.

My Take: Again, the show looks amazing, and the premise always holds promise even if it is a little tried. Unfortunately, the idea of four senators living together doesn't feel realistic, and of the four male leads, only Clark Johnson as Robert seems interesting. John Goodman always acts well, but his character Gil painful and overplayed, as is his assistant Tammy (Alicia Sable) and his unseen wife Julie (Brooke Bloom). Matt Malloy's Louis is played for a one gag joke and Mark Consuelos' Andy only seems to be the arrogant up and comer new guy that'll cause trouble. That's not to say there's not potential here, but from what I've seen, I'm not interested is pursuing the story of these characters.

Supanatural

Logline: An animated comedy series about two outspoken divas who are humanity's last line of defence against the supernatural, when they're not working at the mall.

My Take: The show certainly had an interesting premise when I first heard of it, but having seen it I'm not so sure. The main characters, especially Hezbah (Lily Sparks), are not likable, and despite their middle class friendship appeal, aren't exactly relatable either. As with Those Who Can't, audiences are expected to sit through the pair of adult friends talk crap while being inept at their jobs, a part from a major part of their jobs it to save the world from supernatural beings. It's a weird concept trying to be paired with the banality (or familiarity) of the everyday lives of two friends, and unfortunatley neither aspect hits the mark.

So that's my take on Amazon Studios eight comedy pilots. Not all of them hit the mark for me, but nonetheless it's exciting to witness, and potentially even be apart of, a new way of television production. Did anyone else watch the pilots? What did you think? Are Amazon on to something here, or should they stick to what they know?

Game of Thrones 3.2 Review: Dark Wings, Dark Words

In King's Landing Margaery invites Sansa to lunch with her and her grandmother, Olenna Tyrell, who is amusingly honest and abrupt. They ask Sansa what Joffrey is like, since Margaery is to be married to him, and poor Sansa just can't quite ever grasp her composure, initially hesitant, then telling them the truth about Joffrey, before retracting everything she said.

As Joffrey is being fitted with his wedding clothes Cersei questions him about Margaery. He quickly grows angry and impatient with his mother, but is obviously not above heeding her advice, later inviting Margaery to his chambers. He questions her about her late husband Renly and where her loyalties lie, but she cleverly distracts him by admiring his love of the hunt and crossbow skills. Margaery's not exactly subtle about it either, and one has to wonder whether or not Joffrey is just dumb, or doesn't mind being played with as long as a pretty young woman is playing with the idea of his perverse sexual desires.

Tyrion finds Shae in his room, and he is afraid Of Tywin's threat to kill any whore with which he shares a bed. Shae is unperturbed, and has come to tell him about Petyr Baelish taking an interest in Sansa, to which Tyrion replies that now Sansa is no longer betrothed to Joffrey, many men will take an interest in her.

Beyong the Wall Mance Rayder tells Jon that the way he got all of his men to fight in his army was that if they didn't work together, they'd all die. Jon encounters his first warg, people who can see through the eyes of animals, in Orell. Orell awakens from his trance after inhabit acting a crow and tells Mace Rayder that he has seen the Fist of the First Men, and the aftermath of the battle which took place there.

In an unknown location, Theon is tortured by a group of men, and despite answering all of their questions through fully they continue to do so. After they leave a boy who claims to have been sent by Yara Greyjoy, promises to aid him once the soldiers are sleeping.

While heading towards the Wall, Bran, Rickon, Osha and Hodor are confronted by Jojen and Meera Reed. Jojen shares a dream with Bran, and reveals he's a greenseer like Bran. He says that after Ned's death and seeing Bran in his visions, that Jojen and his sister were sent to look for him.

Travelling north, Arya Stark,  Gendry, and Hot Pie are discovered by group who fight for the Brotherhood without Banners. He offers to take them to an inn to eat if they tell him how they escaped Harrenhal, which they do. As they are leaving another group of Brotherhood soldiers enter with a captive Sandor Clegane, who recognises Arya and reveals her true identity to the men.

While transporting a chained Jamie to King's Landing, he and Brienne encounter a farmer who gives them up to men whose allegiances lie to the North, and as such, they want to give Jamie's head to Robb.

Rating: 3.5/5

Californication 6.12 Review: I'll Lay My Monsters Down

Hank is torn over whether or not he should go on tour with Faith and Atticus, or stay in California and try and reunite with Karen. He arrives at Marcy's where she is showing off her wedding dress to Karen, and asks Karen's opinion on whether or not he should go. Understandably she tells him that they're no longer a part of each others lives and for Hank to consider her in his plans is redundant. Marcy is sad that they haven't reunited, explaining to them that her time in California has being one long mid-crisis but that she's tired of being unhappy all the time which is why her and Charlie are getting back together. On Atticus's plane, Atticus convinces Hank that if the two of them finish he musical on the tour hopefully the two of them will find love. Atticus's concert is undoubtedly crass, as we all knew it would, including a song called 'Right Between The Thighs'. He marries Charlie and Marcy on stage, and asks anyone else if they would like to get married. Hank proposes to Karen but she just smiles at him before Atticus asks everyone to leave the stage. I would say this is the smartest decision Katen has ever made in regards to her relationship with Hank, but the result remains to be seen until next season. Hank leaves with Atticus and Faith because of Karen's rejection, but while asleep on the tour bus he realises he has to go back for her. Faith is sad that Hank is leaving, but completely understands, as does Atticus. Crow drives Hank back to Karen's and the episode ends with him knocking on her door. A pretty uneventful episode for a season final, but it successfully wrapped by Atticus's and Faith's story lines while most obviously preparing for next season.

Rating: 3/5

Bates Motel 1.3 Review: What's Wrong With Norman

It's not uncommon for young men to fantasise over erotica material or their female teachers so when Norman faints after remembering images of bound Chinese women from the diary he found, and then imagines Miss Watson in a similar position, I found it a exaggerated. To be fair though he's got a lot on his mind, he did, after all, recently help his mother cover up the murder of Keith Summer's and was almost killed himself when investigating the diary with Emma.

While in hospital after his spell, Norma is called away to sign for the new motel carpet, which Dylan couldn't sign for because of his new job. When she returns home an unnecessarily aggressive Sheriff Romero bursts into her house with a search warrant.

Back at the hospital Bradley gives Norman some flowers, partially in thanks for him giving some to her after her father's accident. She joins him on his bed and they watch a movie, and maybe it's because I'm not used to popular girls liking weird guys, or maybe it's because both actors are a little wooden, but I feel no chemistry here, no warmth in the relationship the characters are meant to share. Later a spooked

Norma returns to the hospital and takes Norman back home despite the doctors wanting to keep him for observation. When Norman realises it's missing he tells Norma that the police have taken Keith Summer's belt as evidence, which he had, of course, kept as a memento.

Elsewhere, Dylan's new job is watching over the field of marijuana Norman and Emma stumbled upon last week. His co-worker, Ethan tells his the field's owned by several families in town, and that Bradley's father's accident way repaid with the life of the man hanging upside down on fire in the middle of town. The White Pine Bay folk certainly seem to have a different way of doing things and obviously a lot of time on their hands.

At Bates Motel, Emma deducts from pictures in the diary the room where one of the girls was kept at the hotel, and finds a Chinese symbol written under the sink. I understand this girl doesn't have much going on in her life, but Norman wasn't wring in saying she's obsessed.

Norma approaches Deputy Shelby about Romero's harassment if her and, as always, is painfully flirty, and, being the worst deputy ever, invites her to dinner. Continuing on in that fashion he reveals to Norma at dinner that he hid the belt from Romero to protect her, and they have sex.

Dylan arrives home and finds Norman waiting for Norma, he tells Norman that he should get out more and stop letting their mother smother him. Dylan forgives him for almost killing him, but Norman has no idea what he is talking about and thinks it is a joke.

Later Norma returns home and tells Norman what has happened, they have a special relationship these two, and Norman tells her he doesn't like it.

At school Emma tells Norman she's depicted the Chinese symbol and wants to go o the police, and understandably, Norman tells her to mind her own business.

That night a vision on Norma appears to Norman and tells him to retrieve the belt from Shelby's house. I don't enjoy characters experiencing visions, and I'm also afraid that Bates Motel might try to assign their occurrences has a symptom of whatever mental illness Norman is likely to be diagnosed with. I was hoping for a more psychological story of how and why Norman starts to do the things he does, not psychiatric. Regardless Norman goes to Shelby's house and under covers a secret basement (can't any if these people be normal?), as well as a Chinese women tied up in it, just as Shelby returns home.

Rating: 2.5/5

Californication 6.11 Review: The Abbey

While initially well conceived by wanting to ensure Charlie maintains his job as Atticus's manager Hank and Faith's blatant attempt to destroy any chance of the rock star's sobriety were disheartening to watch, despite the fact anything Californication ever does is meant to be played for laughs. They use Richard Bates, who, by the way, is a very poor excuse for a creative writer teacher to distract Gabriel, sponsor at the rehab centre Happy Endings so that they can get to Atticus. If waving drugs in Atticus's face and using Becca to lie about being a fan of his wasn't enough, the return of the crazy sex addict patient and then Gabriel's own submission back onto drugs was just painful to watch.

Meanwhile, Opheila tries to reconcile with Marcie after having tasered Charlie and Stu. Opheila tells Marcie that she is in love with her and that she wants Marcie to be her first. Marcie declines and goes to leave but Ophelia tasers her. She manages to get a text to Charlie asking for help, but when he arrives Ophelia tasers him as well. Both awaken chained up in Ophelia house and tell one another that they're still in love with each other. Ophelia enters with gardening shears planning to cut off Charlie's penis. Marcie tricks her into thinking she'll do it instead and when Ophelia unites her, she tasers her. Despite Marcie's short foul mouthed speech about what it means to be a feminist this was a very predictable end to a bizarre and disturbing seasons long storyline that unfortunately dragged Marcie's character down quite a bit. Ultimately it was only a matter of time before a Charlie and Marcie reunion but it was a poor effort to Crete genuine feeling and character development out of it though.

Back at Hank's Charlie and Marcie announce they are to be remarried and Atticus, naturally being a minister, tells them he'll do in onstage at one of his concerts on tour. He invites Hank and Faith on the tour as well so that they can continue working in the musical. Afterwards Hank and Karen see Becca off on her literary pilgrimage. Once she has left Karen wonders if Becca was the only thing that was keeping her and Hank together, quite an emotionally poignant end to an otherwise crass episode. While we all know Hank and Karen will reunite at some stage whether or not we'll see it next episode remains to be seen and at least allows a little bit of substance to show through the show.

Rating: 2/5

Revenge 2.18 Review: Masquerade

After Padma's kidnapping Emily and Aidan try desperately, for Nolan, to track down The Initiative. Aidan uses his position at Grayson Global to ruin the companies finical holdings, which losses him his job but is successful in reuniting Daniel with Emily, Trask informing Daniel that The Initiative will no longer be doing business with Grayson Global. Aidan kidnaps Trask, and he takes him to Padma's body, revealing he killed his sister and father. Aidan snaps his neck, but Nolan is blamed for Padma's death. To me, Emily and Aiden felt cold towards Nolan throughout the episode, not truly understanding his loss. I'm interested to see when The Initiative and the Falcon will return, they obviously still have Carrion and I'm sure they have plenty more nicely dressed employees where Trask came from.

I love that Jack is infiltrating the Grayson's in an attempt to get his own revenge for Amanda, but his attempts to do so beg a different question: what does he actually want to do to make them pay? Emily has less problems in this department. She's after retribution for her father, and just when you think it's Jack's master plan to detour Conrad's election Q&A, Emily uses Nolan tricks to manipulate Conrad into making David Clarke's pardon for his crimes an election promise. This is all well and good for Emily, but it still annoys me that Emily never seems to be out of control, and I'd love to see Jack start spoiling her plans. He seems to know the right person to turn to as well, who else would want to recruit the self-serving Ashley Davenport as their co-conspiritor to bring down the Grayson's? Not a smart move Jack.

Using Mason Treadwell's information that Victoria had a son she put up for adoption when she was sixteen, Emily tortures her throughout her masquerade ball, sending letters and flowers from the abandoned son causing Victoria to faint. It also caused her to return to the nunnery to which she gave up the boy, unwittingly leading Emily there as well. What plans Emily good possibly have involving Victoria's long lost son is beyong me, but let's just hope it's good considering her mistreatment of both Nolan and Aidan to further concentrate on exciting her revenge.

Rating: 3/5

Game of Thrones 3.1 Review: Valar Dohaeris

Beyond the Wall Jon Snow finally meets Mance Rayder, the king of the wildlings, and is duely accepted by him because of his noble reasons for abandoning the Night's Watch. Jon will no doubt struggle adapting to the foreign community, but already his presence amongst a new group of characters seems promising against the stark comparison of his storyline last season.

At King's Landing Tyrion is saddened that his efforts during the battle of Blackwater have gone unnoticed by his father. Cersei is overly suspicious of what Tyrion might say to Tywin, but Tyrion asks him for his family inheritance Casterly Rock, to which Tywin replies that Tyrion is an embarrassment. I've always felt sorry for Tyrion in regards to his relationship with his family, particularly after his efforts to save them last season, but we've never actually seen a Lannister family dynamic with Tywin involved. Unfortunately it just led to a very depressing and subdued Tyrion, the opposite of what his character is loved for, so lets hope he soon finds a way to one up his father without being entirely disowned and losing his power.

Meanwhile Petyr Baelish tells Sansa that he is in negotiations to take a role that would remove him from King’s Landing and he offers to smuggle her out with him, but Ross, his handmaiden, tells Shae that Sansa should be careful with Baelish. Margaery Tyrell, Joffrey's newly be throed, has no reason to run, however, undertaking her role as future Queen quite well when she stops at the Flee Bottom and comforts children from the orphanage. Joffrey does not join her, afraid to step out of his carriage, and later that night at dinner Cersei tells Margaery that she ought to be more careful, to which Joffrey openly disregards her. It's great to see some tension between two characters that have been so strong together, especially from Margaery, who is a vast change from having passive Sansa at his side. No doubt she won.t stay there too long though if Cersei thinks she is being undermined.

Stranded on a rock in the bay outside King’s Landing after the battle of Blackwater Davos is picked up by a ship belonging to Salladhor Saan who returns him to Dragonstone despite his concerns about Davos returning. There he finds Stannis secluded and that Melisandre has been burning people alive at his castle for speaking out against her. Davos loses his temper at Melisandre, attempts to kill her, and is sent to the dungeons. While admirable, Davos's constant plight to ween Stannis out of Melisandre's throe has become quite tedious and repetitive. With still no more information given about who Melisandre is and her intentions the storyline seems baseless, and quite a waste of three characters who I'm sure could have potential. 

Across the Narrow Sea Daenerys arrives at Astapor in Slaver’s Bay and is considering buying renowned eunuch slave soldiers, the "Unsullied". She and Ser Jorah witness a demonstration of their fortitude, but Daenerys is horrified to hear of their gruesome training. Later, walking throughout a nearby market, a warlock, masked as a young girl attempts to assassinate Daenerys with a scorpion, but is thwarted by a cloaked Barristan Selmy who swears his allegiance to her. Darenerys self-importance is as heightened as ever now that she has acquired enough money to actually start progressing. However, I'm afraid her storyline will continue to be plagued by distracting subplots as it always has been, and Selmy's arrival at the end of the episode does nothing to qualm those thoughts,

Rating: 3/5