Betas

Article first posted as Betas on TheTVKing.

Another of Amazon's new pilots is Betas. Set in Silicon Valley, four computer programming geeks attempt to build the next great bit of code and make their dreams come true. But while it is hard to catch a break, their own worst enemies may just be themselves.

Betas reminds me a lot of The L.A. Complex, except about a different and specific slice of Americana. These are the young people who believe they can achieve fame and fortune through their own special skills, and then find that luck and networking plays as big a part as talent in this game. Not to mention, they are surrounded by others who can do what they do just as well, if not better. Are passion and drive enough to set one apart and make the wish a reality?

Funnily enough, Joe Dinicol, one of the stars of The L.A. Complex headlines Betas. This time, though, he isn't the dork, but instead, he's Trey, the visionary leader who tries to keep his buddies on track. He makes the transition well, and, ditching his glasses, is very believable as a sympathetic leading man. If the group at the center of this does succeed, they will have him to thank.

The others in Joe's gang are: Nash (Karan Soni, Safety Not Guaranateed), the genius with crippling social skills, whose hermit-like ways remind me a bit of Pindar on TNT's Franklin & Bash, with a dash of The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon tossed in for good measure; Hobbes (Jonathan C. Daly, Kroll Show), the older guy tired of being stuck, but not able to stop goofing around; and Mitchell (Charlie Saxton, Hung), the earnest romantic who looks up to, and is easily influenced by, the others.

Each of these boys, and despite their age, they are still boys, not men, are presented as a layered, realistic character. They aren't just stereotypes played for laughs, but developed individuals with personalities that alternately complement and clash one another. One can see how they are friends, but one can also see that they might not come together at a key moment, which could hurt them.

The series itself is also the mix of reality and indie vibe. Betas is not a laugh-a-minute sitcom, hewing closer to drama in many regards, even though it has funny moments. The tone is not silly, even when silly things happen, and instead feels like an authentic slice of life. There are Asian stereotypes, but in ways that might actually be seen in the world and feel necessary here, not so cartoonish that they feel ridiculous.

In the "Pilot," Trey tries to get interest from an eccentric investor named George Murchison (the great Ed Begley Jr.), who likes to jam on his flute with Moby (himself). Viewers can see that Trey has picked his target well, someone who is vulnerable and can be manipulated, though Trey's motives are to further his work, not hurt Murch. Trey plays Murch just right in order to spark his interest. The scene is a tad too familiar, but the results should prove sufficient to push the story along.

Of course, in a series like Betas, we must have romantic interests tossed into the mix. Trey's is Lisa (Margo Harshman, The Big Bang Theory, Bent), Murch's wary assistant who, of course, does not seem at all interested at first, though a soft spot slowly appears for Trey. And Mitchell's is Mikki (Maya Erskine), a fellow techie who he is scared of approaching until Hobbes pushes him, and then finds her completely accessible, especially when they bond over pranking the douche in the office, Dane (Tyson Ritter, The House Bunny). Neither gal really breaks new ground, but Harshman, especially, should be able to transition the role into someone interesting.

Betas won't be a show for everyone, to be sure, but it has a specific vision and mood that feels very well developed, and for those that get into it, it should become a beloved favorite. At times soapy, the characters are every-men who can, and probably will, achieve greatness. Fans will root for them and invest in their story.

The Betas "Pilot" is available now on Amazon.com.

NTSF:SD:SUV:: the F stands for Fun

Right from the opening in the season two premiere of NTSF:SD:SUV, viewers knew that fun times were to be had. After all, the episode was rated F for Fun. And then we get labels for locations like the NTSF hallway and Kove's (Kate Mulgrew) office. What's not to like about that?

The story of the premiere, entitled "16 Hop Street," finds Piper (June Diane Raphael) and Trent (Paul Sheer) sent undercover to Nick Cannon High School (wtf?), where the popular kids are being kidnapped. They are tapped because the President of the Navy's (Rob Riggle) son is one of the victims, and the 16 Hop Street task force were all recently killed. What they find is a typical high school, infiltrated by all sorts of adults with various goals, and the kidnapper.

"16 Hop Street" is funny by itself. From Trent refusing to listen to Piper when she says Nirvana sang about smelling like teen spirit, even though he later remembers it's the truth, to the disappearing kid at the dance, to the school musical's cast list posting, there are plenty of humorous moments. Yes, the title is a play on the movie from earlier this summer, 21 Jump Street, as is the plot, but that is far from the only move references. Back to the Future, Back to School, and Never Been Kissed, among others.

What this means is, on top of the police jokes, "16 Hop Street" also serves as a backdoor pilot for a similar take on high school tropes. The preview at the end, promising a spin-off entitled Filthy Dirty T$$ns may or may not be real. For the sake of the great cast, which looks to include Charlie Saxton (Hung), Carly Chaikin (Suburgatory), Desperate Housewives' Max or Charlie Carver (who can tell?), and possibly Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead) and more guest spots by Rob Riggle, let's hope that it does come to pass.

There are other great guest stars in the episode, too, but since the official website and IMDB aren't current for this episode yet, I could only list the ones I recognized and knew.

NTSF:SD:SUV has a great formula. It's similar in vein to its parent show, Childrens Hospital, but embraces enough differences that the two don't seem similar. It makes itself action packed, even when not necessary. The characters are just as clever, but in different ways, embracing the talents of the actors who play them. And it continues to deliver laughs. For it to birth its own spin-off would be very welcome.

Watch NTSF:SD:SUV Thursdays at 12:15 AM (technically Friday) on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

Hung up on Hung

     HBO's Hung is about a single father slash high school basketball coach who goes into prostitution to pay for the rebuilding of his house after it pretty much burns down.  Ray (Thomas Jane) is an interesting character, balancing family life, romance, and being a male whore.  He fell in love with a client last season, and clearly pines for his ex-wife, Jessica (Anne Heche, Men in Trees), who isn't exactly happy with her second husband, Ronnie (Eddie Jemison, Ocean's 11, 12, and 13).  This almost came to a head last season as Jessica sat waiting for a male hooker in a hotel room, but Ray, realizing who he was going to meet, couldn't bring himself to go through with it.  It's frustrating, because Ray and Jessica have great chemistry, and they belong together, now that Jessica is developing into a full grown human.  They just had a case of bad timing the first time around.

     Their kids, twins Darby (Sianoa Smit-McPhee, UK's As the Bell Rings) and Damon (Charlie Saxton), are far less than well adjusted, and wish Ray would finish his construction so they could go back to living with him, which hurts Jessica quite a bit, as she's genuinely trying.  They are both interesting, though rarely get much plot.  Darby's campaign last week to make fat acceptable was nice, and Jessica's attempt to support her, though awkward and a complete failure, was sweet.  My biggest question about the kids, though, is how did two such beautiful parents make two completely average, normal looking children?  I would have never suspected Damon and Darby's biological lineage had it not been spelled out explicitly.  In fact, I'm still waiting for the plot twist to explain it.  I'm not trying to be mean; I like them both.  They just don't match.

     Tonight will be the third episode of the second season.  This year, Ray is being fought over by two pimps.  His first, Tanya (Jane Adams, Frasier), doesn't quite know how to build the business, but is trying her hardest.  Lenore (Rebecca Creskoff) is already a lifestyles coach for wealthy broads, and is just trying to add Ray to her list of offered services.  Lenore is winning on the income, but Tanya is determined to prove herself, so it's still anybody's game.

     Hung doesn't get the attention, praise, and award nominations that many HBO shows get and have gotten, but it is very good.  It's a unique story, told in a compelling way.  I don't really see where it's going to go long term, but twelve episodes in, I'm very pleased.  I think it just needs to find its audience, and with HBO waiting two weeks after the season premiere to air the second episode, that may be difficult.

     Hung airs Sunday nights at 10pm.