What's it about?
A new animated series that tells the story of one of the most pretentious 7-year-olds of our time. When he looks in the mirror, Allen Gregory De Longpre doesn't see a child. He sees a young man who is intelligent, sophisticated, worldly, artistic and romantic - characteristics he inherited from his doting father, Richard. The pair share an extraordinary father-son bond - a bond that is sometimes annoyingly interrupted by Richard's life partner, Jeremy, for whom Allen Gregory has minimal respect, if any at all. They live together in a stunning architectural loft, along with Julie, Allen Gregory's adopted Cambodian sister. Although Allen Gregory has allegedly composed operas, written novels and dated Chloe Sevigny, he's about to embark on his greatest challenge yet: leaving the safety of his father's homeschooling and attending elementary school with children his own age.
So, how was it?
It's a basic rule of television that if you want your audience to keep tuning in week after week, you need to have a main character who will keep people coming back for more. That's not to say they have to be a goody two-shoes; people also love a bad guy -- as long as he's got some relatable, redeemable qualities. Allen Gregory has none of those. He is a disgusting, vain, oblivious, rude, selfish person who doesn't care about anybody else and treats everyone like crap. It's funny for about three jokes, but as soon as we see that there's absolutely nothing deeper or remotely identifiable about the character, we no longer care.
We quickly learn that Allen has adopted these qualities from his equally obnoxious father, Richard. Watching Allen and Richard throw insult after insult at Richard's partner and their adoptive Cambodian daughter is not hysterical, it's tiresome. Then somewhere between Allen condescending to his new teacher, having sex dreams about his 60-year-old principal, and crapping his pants, I lost all interest in this show.
This "comedy" was created by Jonah Hill, who also plays Allen. Jonah Hill has managed to attract talented actors such as Leslie Mann and Will Forte to voice various characters. I imagine they did this as a favor to their friend, a young man very excited about his new pet project. I don't know who else thought this show would actually be a good idea, but it seems like no one involved in the production was willing to say no to anything Mr. Hill suggested. Thankfully, it seems like the American people know how to say "No," as the show's premiere only drew 4.8 million viewers, immediately following the 8.1 million people who watched the third episode of the 23rd season of THE SIMPSONS.
Rating:
* Atrocious. I will never watch this show again. Ever.
I don't need to waste a half-hour of an already jam-packed Sunday (ONCE UPON A TIME, THE GOOD WIFE, DEXTER, THE WALKING DEAD, HOMELAND) to watch people verbally abuse their family members. This show is definitely not getting a subscription in my Hulu queue. Better stick to sidekick roles in Judd Apatow comedies, Jonah.
What about you, Fellow Addicts? Did I miss something? Or did you find the relentlessly abusive humor tiresome as well? Vote in the poll below and then hit the comments!
(For a quick glance at the other pilots coming out, check out my Fall TV Preview.)
The program itself is hateful and seems to actively seek out a spiteful response. If anyone unfortunate to watch an episode thinking it would conclude with the well-recognized sitcom formula of punishment to the worst offenders, they would be disappointed. It just piles more bile and venom on every innocent and rewards the unfunny 'heroes'. Finally they have a sitcom just for the sensibilities of axe murders. So, ask yourself, have you ever murdered anyone with an axe? If so, you are in for a treat. If not, you will be bored, unamused, humiliated and have your time wasted.
ReplyDelete