In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« The Return of Jezebel James
Episode Recap: "Pilot Episode" and "Frankenstein Baby"
The Return of Jezebel James has one of most unique stories ever created for the small screen. Independent movie star Parker Posey portrays Sarah Tompkins, an editor for a prominent book publisher that distributes the Jezebel James series of novels. She has a strictly sexual relationship with Marcus, seemingly afraid of anything personal due to the aftermath of a rough divorce. As she was gazing at her co-worker's daughter, Sarah decides that her path to happiness will occur with motherhood. She soon discovers that she has a rare disease that makes her possibilities of conception impossible. So Sarah seeks out her estranged sister, Coco, hoping that she will carry her child for her. After a lengthy argument, the obstinate Coco agrees to carry Sarah's baby!
I requested the assignment of writing for The Return of Jezebel James because of how much I respect the creator of the show, Amy Sherman-Palladino. Her masterpiece, Gilmore Girls, was a truly innovative show with its characters so well developed that the stories practically wrote themselves. I was shocked to discover that The Return of Jezebel James was an archaic multi-camera comedy, far removed from its progressive predecessor. Never did I think that I would see a sitcom in this format again. With shows such as The Office revolutionizing the sitcom format, it was frustrating to see The Return of Jezebel James evoke such a stylistic regression. The show felt trapped in the poorly constructed set pieces and would have benefited from some outdoor on-location shots. Parker Posey gave her best impression of a zany Lucille Ball combined with the wit of a Lauren Graham, but that admirable attempt was still not enough. The show simply did not have the material to support its very talented star. Sarah's assistant, her father, and her mother were also very forgettable. The character of Coco was extremely irritating and I did not understand why Sarah would entrust such an awesome responsibility to such a negligent individual. Further more, I would have liked to have more of an explanation about why Sarah wanted to jump immediately into motherhood. The show's saving grace was an excellent performance by Scott Cohen as Marcus. I am biased because Scott Cohen had an excellent turn as a love interest on Gilmore Girls as well. He brought the same wit and charm to The Return of Jezebel James, but his performance was not enough to salvage this sinking ship.
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Mar 15, 2008 1:34 AM
|
Hi Joshua:
I just watched the 2 episodes of this program. I, too, loved Gilmore Girls. It was one of my favorite programs.
Because I usually am disappointed by most American comedy programs, I didn't get my expectations up too high, but I was hoping that Amy Sherman-Palladino would surprise me. That did not happen.
Both episodes were pretty bad. I hate laugh tracks. Unlike you, I felt that Posey Parker needed to tone it way down. I love Lauren Ambrose. I thought she played her part just right. To me, the worst acting of all was Scott Cohen as Marcus. He was really bad. I blamed the director, then I saw that Amy Sherman-Palladino was the director.
Since there's nothing else I watch at that time, I'll keep watching & hope it will improve. I liked your recap. Having blog is good. I look forward to hearing what others think.
|
|
Mar 15, 2008 3:40 AM
|
|
What a disappointment! This show was awful! I can't imagine it comes from the same woman who created Gilmore Girls. The premise is unbelievable, the characters are unlikable, and the "jokes" were flat. The only thing more annoying than Parker Posey's performance was the laugh track. Considering Fox dumped this on Friday night, I don't think they have high expectations for it. I doubt it will be around for long.
|
|
Mar 15, 2008 10:19 AM
|
Originally, I thought I heard that this was supposed to be on after Idol, but I guess they lost confidence in the show, which disappoints me.
While it doesn't have the instant charm that GG had, I still think people should give it time and let the characters develop a little more. I liked both of the female leads very much and I say...give them time!
I do think it's not a good sign that Fox put this show on friday nights. it's probably already in the middle of cancellation, but I have faith in ASP and I think this show has potential. just hang in there, peeps!
|
|
Mar 15, 2008 11:26 AM
|
|
I became a Gilmore Girls fan about half way through it's run and it quickly became one of my favorite shows of all time. I was so excited and looking forward to a new show by Amy Sherman-Palladino, and I thought the story line sounded great. But, I can't even begin to describe how disappointed I am with Jezebel James. I agree with two of the other posts that the laugh track is awful! I couldn't even believe it was being used. Parker Posey's character is so annoying. I will continue to "give it a try", but I don't hold out much hope that this show will continue.
|
|
Mar 15, 2008 1:42 PM
|
|
Huge GG fan here. I too am disappointed with the Return of Jezebel James, and concur with other posters lists of gripes, especially the laugh track, that was so out of place I thought I had forgotten to turn off the TV in the other room. However, that being said, you could tell it was an ASP production as there were several nods to GG - the boyfriend, Marcus who was Max, the pregnant woman in the OB/GYN office was Gypsy the mechanic, the word "cahoots," and a few other obscure-type references, anyway, I will give it a few more tries and hope it gets better.
|
|
Mar 15, 2008 2:56 PM
|
|
Agreed, it was just painfully bad.
|
|
Mar 15, 2008 3:19 PM
|
I have to give it up to my fellow posters, who not only sat through the whole hour, but are still willing to give this a shot and keep watching. I couldn't get through the first 5min. of ep 2 and tossed in the towel.
I've got to say, if GG had this horrible laugh-track from jump street, I probably never would have fallen in love with our beloved town of Stars Hollow. As Sarah stares at a blossoming belly, infectious tittering from the virtual audience. Who the heck is in charge of that button??? The worst part is, I'm fairly certain that a real audience was present, as I saw that tickets for the taping were being offered at the time of filming. Not a good sign at all.
Ms. Posey, please return to your post as reigning queen of indie films, because this train wreck is a real resume-killer. Sorry ASP. Better luck next time, 'cause this certainly doesn't seem to be your element.
|
|
Mar 15, 2008 6:23 PM
|
My wife got me addicted to GG and I figured this would be a slam dunk.
Once I heard the horrible laugh track I pretty much gave up.
I'm shocked the creator of GG would stand for a laugh track in her show; that is something they would mock.
We turned this off before Lauren Ambrose even came onscreen.
|
|
Mar 16, 2008 1:27 AM
|
|
Wow. I'm in the middle of watching the pilot right now at Hulu.com and it is unbearable. ASP left GG for this?!?! I was willing to forgive her, as long as this show had the chops to give me my weekly witty-banter à la Rosalind Russell, but I'm sad to say that this just doesn't cut it. What a bummer. Truly, a missed opportunity.
|
|
Mar 16, 2008 1:27 PM
|
Wow...wow.....that was.....bad.
Not just not-as-good-as-Gilmore-Girls bad, but "gosh, that was reeeeeally bad" kind of bad. I wanted so much to like it, but I felt like I was watching a horrible 70's sitcom.
Lauren Graham should send Parker Posey a thank you note for making her look like a freaking genius.
It all seems like such a retread of GG's, except without the charm, likable characters and enjoyable dialogue. This has left me wondering if ASP only has one story to tell?
|
|
Mar 16, 2008 8:53 PM
|
|
That is one hour of my life I will never get back!
|
|
Mar 17, 2008 2:34 AM
|
That is one hour of my life I will never get back!
That was only an hour? It seemed soooo much longer.
|
|
Mar 17, 2008 8:06 AM
|
|
That was a big ouchie.... I too was excited to see the show and was shocked when I heard the first canned laughter. Parker way over-acted the part and I thought Marcus was one of the better, more believably acted parts. I also liked how they threw in guest spot for actress who played the mechanic on GG. Had her name in my head a minute ago but is now escaping me...will come back as soon as I post this.... Couldn't help but wonder how the show would have gone had LG played the part and the laugh track had been removed....
|
|
Mar 17, 2008 9:13 AM
|
|
Gypsey!!!! Sorry, I overlooked Melissa's post where she did name "Gypsey" as the guest starring pregs lady.
|
|
Mar 17, 2008 9:16 AM
|
|
|
