MovieChat Forums > The Forgotten (2009) Discussion > I dont say this lightly - THE stupidest ...

I dont say this lightly - THE stupidest show I can recall

posted 15 years ago by tjack10
43 replies | jump to latest

This show was absolutely THE stupidest piece of time-wasting excuse for entertainment I have seen in my recent recollection. What idiot thought of these characters? Where do I even begin? Let's start with the sculptor. If the condition of the body made it hard to identify, wouldn't the police HIRE an artist to help them? It's a MURDER! Something like this would receive national attention. Second, the FAT GUY is not the LEAST bit funny. (I'm blaming the writing not the acting)

Third, and most annoying, what the hell is with these hostile people who refuse to help? - particilarly the bouncer Quint...HE KNEW AND LIKED THE GIRL AND HE REFUSES TO HELP...PUNCHING PEOPLE AROUND???

I could go on and on, but I won't waste any more time.

The whole thing is just stupid...simply and just stupid.

[–] atrocityschild 15 years ago

Valid points but if this is the stupidest show you've seen then you clearly don't watch much television. I can think of a number of reality shows that would top this show in the stupidity department...

[–] tjack10 15 years ago

Ya might have a point. Its a personal thing. The reality shows don't bug me as much. I just expected far better writing, especially from a show starring christian slater produced by bruckheimer

[–] atrocityschild 15 years ago

I suggest you check out flash forward then. I watched it last night and it was really good.

[–] megawitch34 14 years ago

Well i think the show was good. Definitely better than any of the "reality" tv shows that are in such abunance. In my opinion if you don't like it-don't watch it! it's very simple. I think the new V is stupid and would rather have this show in it's place

[–] geekgirl76 15 years ago

I wouldn't go so far as to say THE stupidest, but it's in my top ten. I mean what exactly did the police do for a month, cause it's not like anyone did anything the cops wouldn't have already done. Fresh eyes is one thing, police incompentence is another. I agree about the people they interviewed too. I mean, okay the drug dealer is going to be skittish, but the bouncer ex? I mean who takes a swing at someone for trying to help? Do goths actually get hassled by anyone anymore? They're generally one of the most laid back, welcoming "groups" I've ever been around so why would everyone be so "oooh, people are asking questions... must be evaisve on priciple". It would be in the community's best interest to help.
I do disagree that a murder of a Jane Doe would get national attention. If they don't have video, or the victim isn't a child, none of the media outlets would give a crap. Stictly several pages in, local media only, if you have any info contact, blah, blah, blah....that's it. They would chalk her up as a runaway who should have stayed home.
Overall very disapointing. I really wish Christian Slater could catch a break cause I love having him on TV.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] Brunswick84 15 years ago

Well, Jerry Bruckheimer is behind this series. Blame him. I think he's done more to ruin Hollywood than anybody.

[–] suzanne-219 15 years ago

I think we're supposed to infer that the police are so busy that they can't get them all (or get to them very soon) especially in a big city like Chicago, especially if there is very little evidence, or if the person is unidentified.
Not to mention the recession causes even more cutbacks in the police.

The guy being hostile didn't really bother me, but I guess some explanation would have been good, like maybe even just an offhand comment that he has anger issues. It bothered be more than the cop, Alex, has these guys going around investigating, yet he didn't bother to make sure they have any kind of defensive- or hand-to-hand training? That, too, would have been easier if he had just said to the fat guy, "I told you to take those self-defense courses..."

I have a little trouble believing that the cops would be so okay with a civilian group investigating murders, even if it is headed up by an ex-cop.

In general, though, I like the characters, the writing, and the acting. It just needs a little work. Maybe it will get better in subsequent episodes.

Suzanne

[–] archgaull 15 years ago

I think that the show was okay, and alot of police use civilian groups for stuff like this, its just not bragged about because police want murderers to believe they will be caught. Also, alot of people wont cooperate with the police. in the town i live in alot of people would shut down to cops. its not really that special or anything. it happens all the time.

[–] exatera 15 years ago

I can't believe My Own Worst Enemy got canceled (while something like The Mentalist remained on TV), and now *this* is what Christian Slater is in!

[–] mojo2004 15 years ago

I kinda agree. Tonight when the woman saw the keyboard panicked and then made a stupid remark. Lame. I gave this 2 chances. I'm out.

"two things are infinite:the universe & human stupidity & I'm not sure about the universe"

[–] PizzaHips 15 years ago

ALL 3 of those shows mentioned should never be on air again!My Own Worst Enemy is actually BETTER than the Forgotten, THATS sad.

[–] mcblalb 15 years ago

I liked "Enemy" too. Not the gretaest show ever but better than this terrible show. I guess I missed the pilot but I saw tonight's episode about the Jane Doe who went missing from NY and they suspected the fiance at first.

Really bad writing, the whole premise for the show is ludicrous. Are we supposed to believe these people have other full time jobs but are also able to solve missing persons cases on the side?

The acting is spotty, the red haired girl is pretty bad. Christian Slater is solid as usual and the police detective is pretty good, but the rest of the cast is "whatever". The guest actor from "dawson's Creek" was ok but that final scene with the reunion with his father was cringe worthy, I actually felt bad for the actors.

The whole episode I kept thinking to myself 2 things:
1. The case isn't old enough to be 'forgotten" by the police, 2 months old if I'm remembering correctly. It may not be top priority since there was no body, which leads me to my next point...
2. Wouldn't the discovery of the body actively engage the police in investigating murder, instead of leaving it to one detective and a team of civilians? And since when do the police actually team up with civilians to solve homicides? I know Chicago is a big town but there can't be so many murders that the police can't investigate all of them. Why wouldn't the police just say "Thanks for finding the body, you've done your civic duty for the day, now leave it to the professionals."

I guess that would make it a 10 minute show, but maybe that would be a good thing. I don't see this show lasting a full season, much less get picked up for next year.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] mojo2004 15 years ago

The whole episode I kept thinking to myself 2 things:
1. The case isn't old enough to be 'forgotten" by the police, 2 months old if I'm remembering correctly. It may not be top priority since there was no body, which leads me to my next point...
2. Wouldn't the discovery of the body actively engage the police in investigating murder, instead of leaving it to one detective and a team of civilians? And since when do the police actually team up with civilians to solve homicides? I know Chicago is a big town but there can't be so many murders that the police can't investigate all of them. Why wouldn't the police just say "Thanks for finding the body, you've done your civic duty for the day, now leave it to the professionals."

You read my mind. You'd think they would be investigating very old cold cases.
The woman had a ticket in her pocket. Wouldn't the police investigate that initially?

"two things are infinite:the universe & human stupidity & I'm not sure about the universe"

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] secondeye 15 years ago

Something like the Mentalist? Are you mental? One of the best shows by far and the ratings agree.

I watched My Own Worst Enemy, but obviously no one else did.

[–] exatera 15 years ago

To me it's just a drama version of Monk, which somehow just doesn't work.

I totally don't "get" the ratings.

[–] Gin_Rummy 15 years ago

Actually it's a rip off of Psych. And popular doesn't mean quality. Remember the Macarena?

[–] uraniumicon 15 years ago

What's a rip off of Psych? The mentalist or the forgotten?

[–] AnnCognito 15 years ago

I wanted to like this show and I still kinda do, but it lacks realism. I know that people do all sorts of nice things without being paid, but these folks are risking their lives. There's a killer on the loose, who hasn't been caught, who probably doesn't want these people poking around in a case the cops left cold. So these people, some as young as their 20s, have no problem or fear investigating these cases without being paid? It just feels inauthentic. Plus, I'm getting a little sick of that whole touchy-feely "we're the only family they have" angle. And this week, with that fat guy's cheesy emotions, I dunno, I was just like BARF. I feel like the show has potential but it needs to change in some way, or pretty soon I'm taking it off my DVR. But I'll give it a few more episodes to grow on me.

--------
"Workin' on my night cheese!"

[–] exatera 15 years ago

The Mentalist. Secondeye called me "mental" because I don't like it.

Speaking of which, the show "Mental" didn't intrigue me either.

[–] insyder 15 years ago

I agree with you 200 percent.....

Would have to say though, that the PK kid episode wasnt that bad. Some members of the team didnt do squat... but I guess thats the case in real life.

Did they actually film anything in Chicago? or simply the preview shots of buildings and what not.

The show is not Dragnet or CSI, I wish they would change things once in awhile and have someone else do the speakover instead of the dead person.

NEXT week may bring more LIGHT into Slaters characters kidnapped daughter, I could be wrong.

ps.. MOWE was in a bad time slot... but I loved the show as well.

Sometimes like in other shows, it takes awhile for a show to develop an interest. Sure hope The Forgotten gets the chance for Jerry to develop it.

[–] efen 15 years ago

Any show with Christian Slater is a stupid show. Remember that crapfest on NBC last season? I wish I didn't....but that lame spy show was stupid!

[–] exatera 15 years ago

Are you referring to My Own Worst Enemy? At least it was highly entertaining.

[–] daniel-specht85 15 years ago

The reason why people refuse to help is because people don't HAVE to take orders from volunteers. People who don't have a police badge dont get the access that the police get. For all they know, these people might not even be volunteers, but be some crazy person or a reporter just looking to cause trouble.

[–] Funkilicious 15 years ago

And yet the police have manpower, technology, authority and gave up after 3 weeks (what kind of police force is it anyway) and a group of volunteers who seem to ask the right questions, more technology (they can search internatinal databases???), and have a bit of sensibility get it done in 5 days.

Something is just not gelling with me to make this a hit show.

[–] atrocityschild 15 years ago

Most shows on television require you to suspend belief in order to follow the story. This one is no different. Sure it has some problems but what show doesn't? Without a trace was a huge hit for seven years but despite the fact that there is no "missing persons unit" of the FBI (not to mention that many of the cases they investigated were of adults missing less than 24 hours) fans of the show tuned in week after week. The "science" on CSI is laughable at best and while I personally enjoy Bones it is far from realistic.

I'm not above suspending my belief so long as they right deep and interesting characters which the show is currently trying to establish. Lets give it some time...

[–] RuthieDear 15 years ago

I agree. Most crime TV shows do rely on suspension of disbelief. Do you know how boring CSI would be if it was purely realistic? No one would care. While I was disappointed by the premiere of The Forgotten, I don't agree that it was stupid. I just think the idea has been overdone. I was a huge fan of Without a Trace, and this show, while based on the same idea, just felt tedious and cliche in comparison.

I can't really provide a detailed review in comparison to other shows - I don't watch TV much - but I do think I will give The Forgotten another go.

And if you think this is the stupidest show ever, turn on MTV any time of the day.

"Virgin olive oil, extra virgin olive oil, olive oil with a questionable past..."

[–] atrocityschild 15 years ago

RithueDear I adore you! MTV is sad husk of what it once was. And Without a Trace was a damn fine show...