In This Section
|
« The Winner
March 4, 2007: "The Pilot"
Being a fan of both The Daily Show and Family Guy, I’ve been looking forward to The Winner and tonight’s pilot did not disappoint me. Family Guy creators Seth MacFarlane and Ricky Blitt successfully bring their oddball humor to the show’s main character, Glen Abbott, and I think there is no one better to portray the 32-year old loser than Daily Show expatriate Rob Corddry.
First off, I love how the show is set in 1994. The subtle (and not so subtle) 90’s references cracked me up, among them Glen’s Party of Five mention and of course, the O.J. Simpson car chase. I think one of the funnier lines in tonight’s pilot was Glen’s mom, Irene (Linda Hart), declaring that O.J. “couldn’t hurt a fly,” rivaled only by Allison (Erinn Hayes) noting that Clinton “seems to be a good family man.” I love how the writers intentionally take us back to 1994 through these references and I’m excited to see more of them as the series continues.
While I know the show’s central plotline is Glen’s trying to reconnect with his high school crush Allison, I think it’s creepy that he enlists the help of her son Josh (Keir Gilchrist) to do so. Especially on their double date when Glen tells Josh that since his mom is divorced, she definitely goes all the way. You just don’t say that to your date’s son! But this is only the beginning of Glen and Josh’s friendship and I know it will bring plenty of laughs to the table.
Rob Corddry makes a great “Winner.” I love how Glen used the theme song to Growing Pains as his secret signal to Josh and I laughed out loud when he had the night’s entire TV schedule memorized. No one plays a better loser than Rob. His quirky awkwardness around Allison was dead-on, and I can definitely see some Peter Griffin-like (Family Guy) moments to come. I’m also glad the series started off in the present day where Glen is the richest man in Buffalo. I think it will be a fun ride to see how this 32-year old who still lives at home with his parents transforms into the “Winner” that the show’s title promises.
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Mar 5, 2007 1:51 AM
|
|
I'm always happy to hear a "Growing Pains" reference as I was a HUGE fan. However that show ended in 92. A little out of the timeline but oh well. I haven't watched the second episode yet. The pilot was a little better than I was expecting, but did not blow me away. Will give it one more chance next week solely out of appreciation for Seth McFarlane.
|
|
Mar 5, 2007 11:03 AM
|
I am huge fan of The Daily Show and of Rob Corddry, but The Winner just did not live up to my expectations. I think it may have done better if there were no laugh track - some of that stuff just was not funny and it irritated me.
While I thought it was sweet to see Glen & Josh get along so well, it creeped me out that Glen did not seem to understand that there are just some things you do not say to a 14-year-old.
|
|
Mar 5, 2007 1:05 PM
|
|
I really wanted to see what would come out of Seth MacFarlane and Ricky Blitt, but was really disapointed. I thought the show was going to be funnier (or at least hold my attention), but unfortunately it wasn't. I actually stopped watching half way though and never returned.
|
|
Mar 5, 2007 1:36 PM
|
I think you guys are missing the point of the show, which is that here is this 32-year-old man with the mind of a 14-year-old. So, he's not going to know what is and isn't appropriate to say to a real 14-year-old.
Also, I think that Josh connects with Glen and wants to see his mom happy.
I found it laugh-out-loud funny. Especially the part when he rolls off the tv schedule (reminds me of me at that age -- 14, I'm not 32 yet.)
|
|
Mar 5, 2007 1:38 PM
|
|
I have to agree with the previous comment about the laugh track. The very fact that it was noticable means it was overused. Other than that, the show was funny. Rob Corddry is great and believable as the 32 year old "late bloomer." What is it with former Daily Show guys and playing that type?
|
|
Mar 5, 2007 9:02 PM
|
|
Yeah, tone down the laugh track and the show should be allright. The forced laugh track is really what made the war at home suck (that and the lack of funny jokes) but the winner needs to learn their lesson and make it less noticible
|
|
Mar 12, 2007 10:33 AM
|
|
|
