Blah blah blah, does anyone actually like this? - Scoundrels (2010) Discussion

[–] DonnyTurtle 14 years ago

I like it too. But wait - get this - I'm a Kiwi.

I'm just logical and realize that despite this being a remake which is arguably inferior to the original, I still have 'Outrageous Fortune' regardless. No matter how bad this version may or may not be, it doesn't (and shouldn't) have any effect on the quality of 'Outrageous Fortune'. If anything, it should only have us appreciate it more.

Does 'Scoundrels' capture the entire essence which makes 'Outrageous Fortune' so special? By no means, no. Does it still work as a harmless piece of entertainment? In my opinion, yes.

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[–] frankstallone1 14 years ago

I'm not a Kiwi, I am American, but having seen every episode of the the original (that has aired), I totally dislike Scoundrels. Why?
First, the acting. None of these actors make the characters believable. This Wolf seems like a pussy, and don't get me started on the guy who plays Sparky. These guys are supposed to be scary and intimidating, and it's just not there. Also, none of the actors, including Virginia Madsen who I like, has the range to pull off what would be required of their characters as they progressed through the seasons in the original...guaranteed.
Which leads me to point two. The U.S. version will certainly not carry on with the story lines as they went in the original, which is part of why Outrageous Fortune was great. They would be too afraid to upset peoples' delicate sensibilities over here. They have already started straying, and would probably have gone into the same old contrived American Dramedy plotlines and ruined it anyway.
Thirdly, the production. This is supposed to be a struggling (at this point), white trash, criminal family. The lower production value of the original helped this come across tremendously. In the first season, you could hear crickets loudly interfering with the dialogue in outdoor scenes, and I loved that. I get none of that feeling with Scoundrels.
The writing, the production, the actors, all made Outrageous Fortune great, and all ruin Scoundrels. I don't know anything else they've done, but Robyn Malcolm, Grant Bowler, Antonia Prebble, Antony Starr, and Frank Whitten, in particular, were made to play those roles (and I've really come around to Kirk Torrance and Tammy Davis over the run of the show)and these Scoundrels actors just don't cut the mustard in my opinion.

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[–] medicfl1 13 years ago

Where were you when shows like "Terriers", "Men in Trees", "October Road" got canceled ? This show is what it is, a quaint little comedy. Good God man, Humans watch shows like "The Simpson's", "Wilfred", "Sunny in Phil", In fact these mindless shows take up air space being renewed for years; You probably watch at least one of them, yet you tear this one apart - WOW

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[–] koruchick 14 years ago

another Kiwi here...and I also like the show. To those Kiwis bagging it - FFS give it a rest!! it's getting old! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Outrageous Fortune like the rest you and find it hard to beat, but just cos this version has been 'watered down' doesn't mean it can't be enjoyable. I get why they chose to remake it, however am bemused by the fact they find it less tolerable than all the violence and coarse language etc they had on the likes of "The Sopranos" (which btw, I never really watched). I actually find some of the characters less painful/cringeworthy to watch than some of their kiwi counterparts. I'll be looking forward to seeing who their "Hayden" (possibly Jason Priestley) and "Falani" is, and would be interested to hear what the American fans think of OF itself and our kiwi characters.

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[–] maedelaine 14 years ago

I like it too.
It probably would fare better on a Friday night rather than a Sunday night.

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[–] forevainnocent 14 years ago

Yeah i like it and think it is really funny.
Longevity may be an issue as the plot is basically a family turning legit while the dad serves a 5 year sentence. So unless the dad gets released early or something happens each episode might be similar with no story progression.

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[–] gohmifune 14 years ago

If it is anything like the original, the father may not be in the picture long, though the show really peaked about two or three seasons in at that, so...

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[–] DonnyTurtle 14 years ago

The show has to become its own show eventually. And I think that if Grant Bowler hadn't moved to the States, Outrageous would've kept him.

I doubt Jason Priestly plays Hayden or the U.S. version of him. I think he'll play that guy Pascalle cheats with on his wife and they're photographed by the paparazzi. I forget his name but the actor was blonde and played Logan on Shortland Street a few years back. It was only a guest role anyway.

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[–] StormShadow420 14 years ago

I hate it, but it's already ruined for me because I'm a fan of the original version.

But I suppose it could work if it's kept strictly as a summer series and not up against 'real' shows. Bring it back in the off season for 18 or 20 episodes a year and it could be a hit.

--
R.I.P. America, 1776 - 2008
Bring back Scott & Charlene to Neighbours

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[–] koruchick 14 years ago

Yeah Donny...I think you're right - you're thinking of Peter Muller, the character was "Grant Wilkes", and Sally Stockwell (who played Lucy Swinton in SS) played his wife.

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[–] AtheistRevolution 14 years ago

I think the problem is nobody on this show is actually funny.They should have brought in some funny actors or something.Its not funny and the drama is boring. So you have nothing left.

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.

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[–] 14 years ago

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[–] mar-36 14 years ago

I do!

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[–] coco_la_nata 14 years ago

I love this show. Especialy I would prefer Cheryl chooses Mack rather than Wolf.

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[–] lametz 14 years ago

Cheryl doesn't deserve Wolf. Mack planted evidence so that her husband would go to jail and he could get to Cheryl. Mack is as much a criminal in my book as Wolf is. I loved Logan and Wolf's reunion.

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[–] frankstallone1 14 years ago

Lametz, download Outrageous Fortune. Trust me, you will love it.

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[–] unitedpaperperson_2006 13 years ago

I think the actresses who play the Loretta and Pascalle characters have played it well, but in my opinion, Cheryl has to be a much stronger character than this version has portrayed. I don't think any of the male actors measure up to their NZ counterparts. In all fairness, I have only seen the first episode, but like most television remakes, it's never going to have that 'Outrageous Fortune' charm.

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[–] Ysquare 12 years ago

I liked it. Maybe that's because I have never heard of the original ...

"It's always so much easier to believe what you need than what you know"

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