Got ONE DOLLAR?

Article first published as TV Review: ONE DOLLAR on Seat42F.

CBS All Access, that extremely-overpriced streaming service with scant offerings, is very slowly adding to their catalogue. The newest drama to hit the service is ONE DOLLAR. The conceit is there is a dollar bill that changes hands between multiple characters, several people sharing ownership in the first hour alone. This happens in a small town, and not too far along in the pilot, a mysterious mass murder occurs there, too. Supposedly, this dollar bill will connect the strangers, but its not immediately apparent how.

The lead in the first hour seems to be Philip Ettinger, who plays Garrett Drimmer (Compliance). Garrett is a single father who is barely scraping by on his income from the local steel mill. He falls behind on his childcare payments, but suddenly becomes flush. Why? Well, one theory might be that he’s the murderer, but that seems way too obvious to be true. So that remains unrevealed for now.

ONE DOLLAR boasts a large ensemble cast, and given how far down the list Philip is on the official site, it seems the focus may jump around a bit. Other central figures in episode one include: Bud Carl (John Carroll Lynch, American Horror Story), the millowner; Wilson Furlbee (Greg Germann, Once Upon a Time), a developer; Dannie Furlbee (Kirrilee Berger, K.C. Undercover), Wilson’s daughter who will soon be off to college; and Jake Noveer (Nathaniel Martello-White, Collateral), a private investigator. The CBS site shows nine other main players, including Scandal’s Jeff Perry, so the story is likely to be winding.

The production has done a great job going for the gritty realism of a small town. A lot about it is authentic, and the direction plays well. Despite some obvious fake outs, the mystery is interesting and the story is intriguing. A number of talented, familiar faces mix well with the lesser-knowns. My overall impression of the drama is that I want to see more, and was disappointed that CBS All Access is only releasing installments weekly, on Thursdays, instead of all at once, so I could only see a single episode. That makes sense for a streamer with close connections to a broadcast network.

Something that makes ONE DOLLAR superior to other programs I’ve watched on All Access is that it isn’t beholden to the forty-two minute running time that most broadcast shows are. Whether that’s because CBS still hopes to cut Star Trek: Discovery and The Good Fight for regular broadcast at some point (minus a bit of language) and this show just wouldn’t work on the basic airwaves, or for some other reason, it’s not clear. But ONE DOLLAR is a well-developed, non-procedural that fits well with the All Access brand and is better than most (if not all) of what airs on the parent network.

So my only real complaint is how inaccessible the series is. By hiding it behind a pay wall most people won’t be interested in buying access to, few will see it. Unlike the two sister programs mentioned above, this one doesn’t already have a built-in audience, and I’m not sure those subscribing for The Good Fight or Star Trek will be that interested in this. I mean, I am, but I’m a reviewer who samples a wide variety of shows, and some people have more narrow tastes. Hopefully those who already subscribe will sample it, as I think it’s worth watching. I just wish CBS wouldn’t make such a bad service model.

Oh, and the title ONE DOLLAR and the thing with the dollar bill? So far, it doesn’t make much sense. Only time will tell if it pays off or not. Still, even if it doesn’t, I don’t think it’ll matter much to the quality of the show, which seems high.

ONE DOLLAR releases new episodes every Thursday, and is available exclusively on CBS All Access.

FRIENDS FROM COLLEGE

Article first published as TV Review: FRIENDS FROM COLLEGE on Seat42F.

First, there was Seinfeld. Then It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Happy Endings. Now, we have FRIENDS FROM COLLEGE, premiering tomorrow on Netflix.

FRIENDS FROM COLLEGE is another comedy about a group of pals who aren’t all that likeable, and yet, because of terrific actors and magnetic, entertaining personalities, we’ll want to keep watching them, if not rooting for them.

This series isn’t a retread, though; it’s the natural evolution of the trend. Seinfeld was a light, fun, nonsense sitcom, and proud of it. Sunny took it a bit dirtier, while Happy Endings matured the emotional heft. FRIENDS FROM COLLEGE deals with real issues and isn’t laugh-a-minute with one-liners, but it is amusing, and it does feel like a premium cable comedy, something that would also be at home on HBO, as well as its berth on Netflix.

We begin with Ethan (Keegan-Michael Key, Key and Peele) and Sam (Annie Parisse, Person of Interest), carrying on an affair they’ve been having since college. Both are married, but both unions have some serious problems, so they regularly hook up when they can. It’s that not often, since they live in different cities. As the pilot begins, Ethan announceshe’s moving back the Big Apple, restoring their friend group from their Harvard days, but complicating the tryst.

Ethan and Sam are the most central characters at first, so even though they may not be likeable, they need to be people we can relate to. And they are. Ethan loves his wife, but he doesn’t always want what she wants. He’s an author considering breaking into Young Adult fiction, tired of his award-winning novels not selling, but detests the genre for reasons that perfectly describe him. Sam thinks her husband is dumb, and is a little more desperate for escape, though she clearly likes her (rarely seen on screen) children.

Yes, these are people with arrested development, lacking the emotional maturity they need to progress. We all remember times like that, or may still be struggling with some of the emotions (although hopefully making different choices). I am eager for the affair to become public knowledge to see what happens, but at the same time, I worry what that would do to the friend group at the center of FRIENDS FROM COLLEGE.

The other four primary players are: Ethan’s wife, Lisa (Cobie Smulders, How I Met Your Mother), who has just taken a job at a horrible hedge fund; rich trust fund lothario Nick (Nat Faxon, Married); aspiring (and failing) actress Marianne (Jae Suh Park, The Big Short); and oft-overlooked book agent Max (Fred Savage, The Grinder, Wonder Years). Lisa has the most material of the four in the first half of the season, and Cobie excels at it, but Max has the funniest bits, and Marianne seems like a simmering cauldron ready to erupt.

Yes, they are all too involved in one another’s lives, and it’s not entirely realistic they are all still so close, but it’s a premise one can overlook to enjoy all of these great actors playing together. Toss in Max’s partner (Billy Eichner, Difficult People), who doesn’t like Max’s friends, and Sam’s husband (Greg Germann, Ally McBeal), who seems to have levels that haven’t yet been explored, and this is the makings for a long-term series I’d enjoy watching. I hope Eichner and Germann are promoted to series regular in season two, as I love how they are outsiders who don’t get the friend group, which is a valuable thing to have when telling this story.

While this may not be completely original territory, and as I’ve said, it’s hard to like most of the characters, I could not stop watching, plowing through half the season before pausing to write this review, and eager to watch the second half as soon as I’m done. This is a great cast, and the story, while at times frustrating, is compelling. I hope it runs a good, long time.

FRIENDS FROM COLLEGE will release all eight episodes of season one tomorrow exclusively on Netflix.

'The Mayan Apocalypse' almost devastates House of Lies

Showtime brings the first season of House of Lies to an end with a near-apocalyptic series of events in "The Mayan Apocalypse." Using a framework story set at the party celebrating the acquisition of the firm by MetroCapital, the episode flashes back to show how The Pod copes with events moving towards that moment. Greg Norbert (Greg Germann) leaks to the team that a massive, class action sexual harassment suit could bring down Marco (Griffin Dunne), the sneaky mastermind of the deal. They search in vain for a woman willing to step forward. That is, until Jeannie (Kristen Bell) herself fesses up, rallying others around her, and the merger is killed.

Jeannie has been an interesting character to watch this season. Played expertly by Bell, she begins as a tough, secretive person, and ends as one who will expose parts of herself for the right reasons. She is never going to be the typical girl, perhaps, feeling more comfortable in the boys' club. But by getting in touch with a shameful moment, one that bonds her to her "sisters," she saves the day. Then she breaks off her engagement because, well, accepting the truth about this makes her accept the truth about not being ready for marriage, too.

To celebrate, she goes shot for shot with Marty (Don Cheadle). Why does she do this? Could it be that she just needs to get drunk after a long, difficult evening? Could it be to wash away the embarrassment, even if only for one night? Or is it to prove to Marty, The Pod, and herself that she is still as strong as ever? That admitting a sexual affair does not weaken her or her ability to do her job? Whatever the reason, it's a moving scene that certainly conveys a message, even if it is one left open to interpretation. Awards bait for Bell, perhaps?

It's gratifying to see the merger killed. If this hadn't happened, there is no telling where season two might go. Much is still up in the air, but at least Marty's entire world isn't destroyed in a single episode.

That doesn't mean that he escapes "The Mayan Apocalypse" unscathed. In fact, Marty faces a very difficult decision in this episode. He must choose whether to spend his time looking for ways to stop the merger or help his son, Roscoe (Donis Leonard Jr.) with a school project. He picks work over family, naively believing that family will wait, as they always do. However, this time it's one push too many. Not only does an upset Roscoe choose to live with his mother, but Marty's father, Jeremiah (Glynn Turman), is so ashamed of Marty's actions, that he leaves, too, at least, for awhile. As Marty's work life rights itself, his personal world falls apart.

How long will it take Roscoe and Jeremiah to forgive Marty and return? They are certain to do so. Jeremiah just needs some time to cool down, understandably. Roscoe's mother, Monica (Dawn Olivieri), has shown no characteristics of being a decent mom. Even if Marty doesn't always give Roscoe the priority he deserves, Marty is a much better parent than Monica because he accepts Roscoe and loves him unconditionally, and is usually dedicated to doing right by him. Balance will be restored. It will just take some time.

House of Lies has more special effects than most of its peers, frequently doing a freeze frame that Marty will walk and talk through. "The Mayan Apocalypse" takes this technique to the next level. Not only does Marty go into the clouds to turn around a plane, he also stages an elaborate massacre, shooting down many of the party attendees. These fantasy sequences enhance the show, and seeing them ratcheted up into something so elaborate makes for a satisfying finale.

House of Lies airs on Showtime. If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

House of Lies - "Pilot"

     In Showtime's House of Lies "Pilot," Marty Kaan (Don Cheadle, Hotel Rwanda, Picket Fences) leads his team of consultants to New York City to retain a big client. However, upon arriving he realizes that the bank they work for has asked another consulting firm to pitch as well, and this one happens to be number one, while Marty's is number two. And Marty's ex-wife, Monica (Dawn Olivieri, The Vampire Diaries, Heroes), whom he recently had angry sex with, works for the competition. Marty almost screws things up when he takes a stripper (Megalyn Echikunwoke, Supernatural) to a business dinner with the client, Greg (Greg Germann, Ally McBeal), the stripper has sex with Greg's wife (Anna Camp, True Blood, The Good Wife) in the bathroom, and Marty gives Greg a black eye. But then he comes up with an ingenious pitch, and things work out... for now.

     It's hard to know what to make of House of Lies. Apparently viewers are expected to root for a consulting firm which, by their own admission, cares only about getting as much money as they can from the client. These trends are reinforced by Marty's confessions to the camera, which while done with really cool camera shots, do not make Marty likable. Then again, neither does anything Marty says or does. He's a pathetic, despicable individual who is not at all worthy of any affection. Yet, for some reason, there's an attraction towards him.

     The one thing Marty appears to care about is his son, Roscoe (Donis Leonard Jr.), who likes to cross dress, and who tries out for the part of Sandy in his school's production of Grease. But even that is cast in doubt when Marty stops fighting for Roscoe due to the fact that Roscoe's rival's mother (Daphne Duplaix, Passions, One Life to Live) is hot. In fact, Marty and said mother slip out of the production to have sex in a vehicle. So there's that.

     Of course, there is someone that cares for Marty. Marty's dad, Jeremiah (Glynn Turman, The Wire) criticizes Marty's parenting, but does stick around and help out with Roscoe. If Jeremiah, who seems like a pretty decent individual, can like Marty, then perhaps we can do. But what has damaged Marty so badly, and what exactly is he seeking to fill his void?

     Marty is the latest in a long line of flawed Showtime characters who audiences flock to when they should be fleeing. The difference here is, unlike the stars of Nurse Jackie and Weeds, Marty is a boy. And like other similar Showtime shows, it does seem fresh, and different from its peers. So while it's hard to see exactly where House of Lies may be going, there is something about it that makes one want to watch.

    The biggest shame in the "Pilot" is there is scant little to do for Marty's team, who are excellent actors, all around. There's Jeannie (Kristen Bell, Veronica Mars, Forgetting Sarah Marshall), whom Marty is convinced will eventually sleep with him, and whose secret he is always digging for. Doug (Josh Lawson, Chandon Pictures) is good with numbers, but not with manners. Clyde (Ben Schwartz, Parks and Recreation, The Other Guys) is just plain fun. Each of these three are interesting, and should have a larger role. Perhaps they will, now that Marty and the main story has been introduced. It's hard to imagine Bell, in particular, would have taken the role if it is destined to remain the bit part it is in the "Pilot."

     Watch House of Lies Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on Showtime.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!