Ain't Afraid of No SPOOKED

Article originally published as TV Review: 'Spooked' - Series Premiere on Blogcritics.

Felicia Day (The Guild) and Bryan Singer (X-Men) have a brand new series on Hulu called Spooked, premiering next week. The half-hour comedy, which will post four episodes in its freshman run, follows a group of five wanna-be ghost hunters, spoofing paranormal “reality” shows in a live-action, modern-day Scooby-Doo. The Paranormal Investigation Team (or P.I.T. for short) tackles a new case each week, and through bumbling luck and raw talent, they manage to touch the other side of reality.

The P.I.T. crew isn’t just a bundle of stereotypes, as there are clearly layers for each visible in the very first episode. Piper (Shyloh Oostwald, In Time), who is merely a child, is deeply scarred by parental tragedy and shuts down, communing more easily with spirits than with people. She’s creepy, but the real deal. Her older brother, Connor (Julian Curtis, Dance Academy), is doing the best he can for her, trying to hone her talents, rather than shut her away in a mental institution. They find Lindsey (Neil Grayston, Eureka), a stated skeptic, but who is willing to fund their venture just in case actual evidence is discovered to be documented. And then there’s Elliot (Derek Mio, Greek), the goofy nerd, and Morgan (Ashley Johnson, The Killing, Growing Pains), the spiritual type who fancies herself in touch with the earth, both of whom we’ll likely learn more about in future installments, given the development of the first three in the pilot.

Spooked doesn’t take the time in the first episode to establish either an origin story or a foundation, but that’s a good thing. Instead, it drops the characters (and viewers) head-first into a case, which will likely be the weekly story structure, and then drips details of the past in when it makes sense to do so. In this way, there’s no boring exposition, and I came away still feeling satisfied that the writers had a solid grasp on what’s going on and that will be revealed in pieces, rather than all at once. This adds mystery when done right, which it is here.

While the series does feature the supernatural, and yes, ghosts and paranormal activities are real in Spooked, it’s not very scary. It’s definitely going to deliver more laughs than frights. The humor doesn’t come from clever one-liners (well, there are a few of those), but rather its inherent in the personalities that make up the scenarios and the cast. There’s a witty, dry tone underlying the production, and it throbs through every scene, giving an overall feeling of amusement to those who watch.

The first case does not feel like a canned procedural, taking a simple situation and adding an authenticity to it until its fresh. D.J. (Alison Haislip, Attack of the Show!) is convinced that her deceased father-in-law, who did not approve of D.J.’s marriage to his daughter, Carol (Dichen Lachman, Dollhouse), is tormenting them. The truth is not nearly so simple, and while it may end up being a tad predictable, it’s done in a manner sure to tug the heartstrings, too. It has just enough originality in the presentation, from how the lesbian couple interacts in a way that doesn’t scream gay stereotype at all, to the events that take us to the conclusion, to set itself apart from any would-be peers.

Day, who writes as well as produces, has clearly brought her own talent, honed on a very successful web series, and combined with what she has learned from Joss Whedon, tapping into his talent pool, as well as cast members from shows Day has been involved in, to create Spooked. The result is something that will be very welcome and enjoyed by Whedon geeks and Day fans alike, of whom there are many in the world, and the style is mainstream enough to be accessible to practically anyone, even as it keeps its cred and charm. I hope to see much more from Day in the future.

My overall impression of Spooked is that it should do well. I found little to complain about in the initial half hour, and I do plan to stream the other three episodes as soon as they become available. I suggest you do the same. Spooked will be available on Hulu and YouTube’s Geek & Sundry channel beginning June 4th.

Will Amazon Change Television?

Article first published as Will Amazon Change Television? on Blogcritics.

It wasn't that long ago I was pondering in this column, "will Netflix change television?" Now, with the streaming release of 14 comedy and children's' pilots by Amazon this week (the dramas will be forthcoming), even more changes are afoot in the television landscape.

Streaming video is nothing new. YouTube has been around for quite awhile. It's even been pushing "channels," including Felicia Day's "Geek & Sundry" for some time. And websites like Revision3, CollegeHumor, and FunnyOrDie have also made some inroads in web-based programming. But these all mainly feature shorts, and despite a couple of big blips, and Day building herself a very respectable reputation, none of them have had a consistent runaway hit nor as widely viewed as anything on a traditional network.

Amazon and Netflix hope to change that. Already having large platforms and subscriber bases, they are making carving a new path by producing recognizable programming blocks - hour long dramas and half hour sitcoms. This hybrid of new and old provides a possible bridge for those not yet fully embracing the digital revolution, giving them a familiar-looking access point. So it seems natural that those companies might as well offer their own original content alongside the shows they buy or rent from other companies.

Because Netflix and Amazon are not beholden to the traditional model, meaning they don't need to kowtow to advertisers or negotiate with cable providers, they aren't reigned in by the same restrictions as traditional networks. It gives them freedom to experiment and change the game, making them pioneers that, depending on their success or lack thereof, others may try to emulate. There is a lot of potential for Netflix and Amazon to become the leaders of the next entertainment wave.

Netflix's approach makes sense for its customer base. It develops high-quality series, and then releases an entire season at once, giving the public the opportunity to watch an entire series without waiting a week for a new episode.

Amazon is taking a different approach, involving the consumer much earlier in the process. Traditional networks order and review a bunch of pilots and then decide which ones to pick up. Amazon is putting this choice in the hands of their customers by releasing a number of ordered pilots publicly, and then gauging interest from crowd sourcing to see if a series should be made.

On one hand, this is Amazon asking us to do its job. Rather than having to review and consider possibilities themselves, they are just putting stuff out there and seeing what everyone thinks. It takes a big chunk of work and decision making away from them.

On the other hand, this may be a much more effective way to do business. Why let a handful of corporate folks decide what we should get to see? We are the ones who watch (or don't watch) the shows. Shouldn't we have a say in what is produced?

It's actually a smart thing to do. By allowing the public to pick which pilots it likes, Amazon is guaranteeing an audience before spending the money to produce an entire series. It's a lower risk investment, and a way to make sure the company delivers what the people want.

It also benefits the viewer. We get to tell Amazon what we want. We aren't beholden to what a small group of people think, but rather chart the course for the company. It makes so much sense that it's a wonder no one has done it before now.

Now, the public at large doesn't necessarily choose things wisely. There are plenty of people who enjoy quality, smartly written programs, and grumble when American Idol or NCIS tops the ratings chart. Hopefully, Amazon will keep this in mind and give some weight to what is the best-made show, rather than just what is the most liked. But there is definitely a happy balance of the two to be found, and given that Amazon is judging based on multiple criteria, the company may very well have thought about this issue already.

If it succeeds, and I really hope it does, this could be something easily adaptable by the traditional networks. What if, instead of airing reruns through March, NBC, ABC, and the others let us check out the pilots they are considering? It could provide a needed boost during a season when reruns typically mean lower ratings, and make "pilot season" a highly anticipated "event." TV fans might take a sense of pride and ownership in a show they help vote into life. I am completely in favor of this technique. I've only watched a few of Amazon's shows thus far, but it seems there is a decent variety, and I look forward to checking out more.

Will it spread? Who knows? But I hope so.

This review is not Written By a Kid

Television is in the throes of a revolution. Many young consumers watch their shows online. And with a number of studios, as well as countless individuals, releasing programming online, the line between what is and is not television is blurred. I say this because this review is actually of a web series, which I believe can now be clumped into the same category as traditional television.

One of the best internet channels, a new invention by YouTube to get viewers regularly visiting, is Geek & Sundry, run by Felicia Day (The Guild, Eureka), which launched a new show this week called Written By a Kid. In the first episode, we meet a kid named Brett who tells a story to two men, the creators of the series, Will Bowles (The Underground) and Josh Flaum (also The Underground). This story is acted out by live people who inhabit a crudely animated world.

The tale told is a simple one. Called "Scary Smash," a monster kills a milkman (Dave Foley, The Kids in the Hall, NewsRadio). To save the town, the S.Q.U.A.T. team is called in. Led by a fun-loving commander (Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly creator Joss Whedon), the force suffers numerous casualties until they finally subdue the threat.

Now, the story isn't completely driven by Brett. Those who have listened to children tell a story know that they can ramble, get distracted, or peter out. The back and forth format allows for seamless editing, so that it's not immediately obvious what questions the hosts are asking the kid. But for a child to remember which weapons he armed his hero with, and remember to use them all throughout a seven day battle, seems a little far fetched.

But even if the plot is a little guided, it is still enjoyable.This is partially due to the fantastic visuals, with scenery that looks like its been drawn by crayon, and partially a credit to the amazing cast put together to act out the words. This includes, besides Foley and Whedon, Felicia Day, Kate Micucci (Scrubs, Raising Hope), Rhett McLaughlin, and Charles "Link" Neal (Rhett & Link). There are probably other notables, but no complete credits are given.


The fact that famous, or infamous, people would agree to do Written By a Kid and not even get their name on screen is a testament to Day's network, as well as this incredibly creative, wonderfully made series. When something this fun is going on, of course people want to be involved! There is no telling what famous faces might pop up in future episodes.

Not to mention, Written By a Kid is genuinely funny. Whether it stems from the animators getting ahead of the narrator, having to change the color and look of the monster, or the cheesy performances by Foley and Whedon, it works. The adults behind this project are smart enough to know when to let the kid by unintentionally funny, and when he might need a little help by taking things more literally then they probably should were they interacting with him outside of the entertainment industry. Fantastic.


Written By a Kid is a must-see show, even if it might be hidden away slightly on the internet, and another fitting addition to the Geek & Sundry lineup. But that's why I link the title, so you can find it. New episodes will go up on Mondays, so make sure that you check them out!


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

Horrible Turn not so horrible

     I may be a tad behind the times, but I discovered only yesterday that there was a prequel out (since November 2009) to Joss Whedon's (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firely, Angel) awesome Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.  Called Horrible Turn, the prequel is not official, and does not involve any of the same actors or crew.  Or even actors and crew who have been involved with TV or movies.  However, unlike most fan-made spin-offs, it is almost as good as what it is seeking to emulate.  The production value and professional look are at least as good as the original, it's a bit longer, and it pays homage to not just it's source material, but also other Joss projects.

     Horrible Turn is the story of a teenage Billy Buddy (Tyce Green), working in a garage laboratory on plants, and pining for Australian exchange student Katie Kitty (Kristin Massa).  So that explains why Dr. Horrible (Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother, Doogie Howser) wanted to create a new Australia!  Billy still has a best friend, this one named Wade (Dominic Difelice), though he had enough similarity, including the water-based name, for me to assume that Wade will eventually become Moist (Simon Helberg,The Big Bang Theory).  The biggest difference is that his lab partner, Kenny Hammerstein (Jacob Buras), who is, by the way, the best part of this prequel, is hated by everyone for his holier-than-thou attitude and giant ego.

     Then Billy discovers that the newly formed Evil League of Evil is creating havoc, and calculates that the next target will be his high school math competition.  Billy has invented a potion to make everyone like each other, and tasks Hammerstein to drip the stuff into the ventilation system.  Hammerstein decides he would rather drink the whole thing himself, making himself instantly beloved by everyone, and completes the transformation to Captain Hammer (Nathan Fillion, Castle, Firefly).  Of course, Billy gets everything wrong, and, burned, decides to become an evil genius instead of helping people.

     Among the references to the original are appearances by Bad Horse and Dead Bowie, similar news casters, an Australian girl chorus that resembles the Bad Horse Chorus, and familiar parts of costumes.  The humor, music, and plot arc are also close.  A truck says "Dahlhaus" on the side, a reference to Joss's last series, Dollhouse, and the rival math team is from a school called Serenity, and there's a character on them team named Felicia Night.  The best part may be that Johnny Snow (Christian Haile), only mentioned in Dr. Horrible, is a fleshed out character who worships Hammerstein and hates Billy.  Stay tuned through the credits for more Johnny goodness.

     Hopefully, Joss will include the actors at least in any upcoming Horrible sequel, of which there is sure to be, lending legitimacy to this wonderful project.  Also, it would be smart to cast Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld, Family Guy) as Johnny Snow, to further connect the two, since Haile came across as a young Warburton.  You can watch the entire Horrible Turn for free online.

Foreclosure on the Dollhouse

    Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly) and Eliza Dushku's (Tru Calling) Dollhouse went off the air for good this past Friday night, proving once again what a jerk Fox can be, especially to Whedon.  After a rocky start to the first season, where the show was mostly serial, with a different mission each week, it found it's footing midway through the spring and delivered some brilliant twists.  The show had already been pegged as canceled, but a last minute miracle save earned them a second thirteen episode season this fall.  In the second round, Joss didn't attempt to tone down his plot, and went full blown into a conspiracy and technology war.  Friday night's finale was a fairly appropriate closer, that left fans somewhat satisfied.

     The final episode was called "Epitaph Two: Return", a follow up to the first season, unaired, lost episode called "Epitaph One".  Set ten years after the majority of the series, and starring Felicia Day (The Guild, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog), it showed a post-apocalyptic world.  This was a logical step, considering that the plot of the two seasons was fairly well tied up in the penultimate episode, when the Dollhouse staff discovered the man behind the curtain was their friend Boyd (Harry Lennix, 24, Commander in Chief).  It was a fantastic episode, and Boyd's comeupance was wonderfully done.  However, fans who bought the first season DVD last summer would have felt a little cheated had they not followed up "Epitaph" and Day's character.

     Rewatching "Epitaph One", there were a couple of possible plot holes with the way season two played out, however, those could have been explained away had the show been given a third season.  Instead, there is much missing that viewers would have liked to see.  For instance, how did Alpha (Alan Tudyk, Serenity, V) end up a good guy, working with the resistance?  And why was Whiskey (Amy Acker, Angel, Alias) in the abandoned house in "One", but had disappeared by "Two"?  A television movie should be made to fill in the gap.  If a feature film is eventually commissioned, a la Serenity's begot from the canceled Firefly, it would likely go to the world after the end, but could reveal some of those things through flashbacks.  Honestly, there probably just wasn't time for Alpha's story in the one hour closer, and it was unlikely Acker was available, as she now stars in a new show.  "Two" combined the main cast with the characters we had met in "One", and did it's best to wrap it all up.  There was even a surprise cameo by Summer Glau, (Firefly, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles) whose character had previously been killed.

     The series was, overall, a work of genius, and a credit to each of the principal and recurring cast members, as well as the storytellers.  It was innovative and dealt with real issues of our day.  It was canceled well before it's time, and yet it presents almost a complete story, with a nifty ending.  Most characters had a cap.  Echo / Caroline (Dushku) got to (briefly) deal with pain of losing Paul (Tahmoh Penikett, Battlestar Galactica).  Victor / Tony (Enver Gjokaj) and Sierra / Priya (Dichen Lachman, Neighbours) were together with their son.  Adelle (Olivia Williams) was playing mother hen to a whole new flock.  And Topher (Fran Kranz) gave himself up in a self-sacrificial move, guilted by the knowledge he had caused the whole mess.

Felicia Day can Lie to Me anytime

     Is this the beginning of a larger arc for Felicia Day (Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog) on a major network program?  It is unknown for sure how much Day may play a part of Fox's Lie To Me, but after their recent season finale in which she was clearly very smitten with Eli (Brendan Hines), the door is certainly open for her to come back.  The question is, will the show even come back?  After a popular thirteen episode first season, premiering in January last year, the show was only picked up for ten episodes this fall, the last of which was the episode Day appeared in.  While Fox has announced that it wants an additional nine episodes, a return date has not been announced.

     Day, creator and star of the very popular web show, The Guild, could do better, certainly.  The show is a formula crime drama, the twist being that the team the show centers on can read faces.  Sure, that part is different from most other shows, and formula dramas certainly have their place in American culture.  But I prefer something more consistently original, different, that keeps you guessing.  Lie To Me does not do that.  I watched this week's episode, the first I'd seen since early in the first season, and it was entertaining.  They certainly deliver that basic framework in a compelling way.  I just could not stay entertained week after week by the same thing.  And Felicia Day is a great actress, worthy of a show that gives her a chance to show her talent.  I mean, have you seen her web music video hit, "Do You Want to Date My Avatar"???

     In this week's episode, Day played a schoolteacher who brought her children to the building where Dr. Lightman's (Tim Roth) team works.  Because of a bomb threat right outside, she and her charges are placed in a conference room, and the teacher and Eli have to keep them entertained.  The series did right by Felicia by giving her a charming duet to sing with Eli, the highlight of the episode.  Day was, as usual, sweet, adorable, and very talented.  She conveyed fear without panic, and emotion without a lot of dialogue.  It wasn't a huge role, but she played it well.  If she were hired on a recurring basis, as a steady love interest, it might be enough to get me to watch the show.  Or at least TiVo it and fast forward to any scene with Felicia Day in it.

     Full disclosure: I do not know Felicia and no one has paid me or even asked me to write this article, other than my normal examiner.com royalties.  I, like most other even remotely geeky men in the world in their twenty's, am just smitten with her.