MovieChat Forums > The Crazy Ones (2013) Discussion > HONESTLY, I tried...

HONESTLY, I tried...

posted 11 years ago by robjrob2
29 replies | jump to latest

I've watched all four episodes of this show and have come to the disappointing conclusion that this show is just awful. There are several major things that I think have already sunk this show:

1. The LACK of Comedy/Chemistry: The ONLY comedian on the show is Robin WIlliams. If you look at the best comedies on TV right now, (Modern Family, Veep, Parks & Rec) you can see that they are chalk full of actors with proven comedic ability and casts that share a lot of chemistry. Robin Williams being the only comedian on this show wouldn't be a problem if he had obvious chemistry with the rest of the cast. Unfortunately, I don't see anything even remotely close to chemistry amongst this cast. I don't have anything against SMG, but so far her interactions with Robin have been anything but funny or entertaining. However, I blame most of this on the writing. SMG hasn't really been given any funny lines and her character just seems like a wall for Robin to bounce his one-liners off of. This leads me to another problem I have with this show...Robin Williams himself.

2. Robin Williams going off Script/Rifting: There has been a lot of discussion in reviews of this show about how the producers essentially give Robin free range to ad-lib on the spot. This idea might actually work if Robin was surrounded by other comedians, but as I've already pointed out, he isn't. There have been so many scenes already in this show where Robin WIlliams is obviously off script and when he does do it, instead of it coming off as funny/entertaining, he comes off as MANIC and ridiculous. Every time he does it it's like 20 seconds of obnoxious drivel that I can't wait to end.

3. The WRITING: There is absolutely no depth/development for any of the characters. All we know about is that Robin WIlliam's character isn't a great father and that Zach (James Wolk) is some type of playboy, Sydney is desperate to please her father, and Hamish's character is a pushover whom is overly competitive with Zach.

[–] Raleigh_Antrobus 11 years ago

I'm with you... but it just got picked up for a full season, so people are definitely watching. Not quite sure what they see in it, but to each their own, I guess.

[–] aerosmith777 11 years ago

Eh, I enjoy it. I've always liked Robin Williams, and as far as the rest of the cast goes, this isn't Hamish Linklater's first foray into comedy, at least. And I think the chemistry between each of the characters, and in particular between Williams and the rest of the cast, has grown in each episode. It's really not uncommon for characters early in a series to lack chemistry. It takes time to develop. Compare Season 1 (and especially the pilot and the first few episodes) of Big Bang Theory to the episodes now. It's like night & day.

I think this show's on it's way. The ratings have evened out, and the characters are starting to develop a rapport imo. All of that continues and it could have a decent run. Already has a guarantee for 1 season, at least.

[–] OccamsBarber 11 years ago

It has become very rare to find shows on network TV that are comedies instead of sitcoms. I can't stand sitcoms, so I feel I have to give this show a certain amount of support. Beyond that I am on the fence, I like it but it needs a bit of fine tuning and character improvement that it will hopefully get.

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"It's like Die Hard in a building."

[–] miaangel345 11 years ago

The one actress who use to be on Gossip Girl has great comedie timing, so does James Wolk.

It's the first season we aren't going to learn all the little personality quirks and background of everyone yet.

All you need is love!

Come follow me: http://twitter.com/miaisawesome

[–] familygal1 11 years ago

I really don't want to get into a long reply but I think this post is so completely off base. In fact, I'm not sure you are even watching the program. The comedy is fantastic. The comedic talent is evident through out the entire cast and I definitely see a strong cohesiveness among all the cast members.

[–] Phylot 11 years ago

Such a studio shill.

[–] OccamsBarber 11 years ago

Took just over four hours for the troll to arrive. I'm beginning to suspect that you might actually be a computer program. This would explain why you never actually add more than a canned message to the thread and why your responses rarely reference whatever post you are replying to.
Whoever follows the logs reading this, I'm on to you.

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"It's like Die Hard in a building."

[–] kalika204 11 years ago

I thought it was stupid at first too, but last night, I actually laughed a little bit, and I thought that finally some chemistry between characters was coming out a little bit. James Wolk played off Robin very well last night, but....overall, it's pretty corny, and I don't know if corny can last.
I also agree about Robin coming off as Manic at times, and yeah, that's not what people are looking for from him in this show.
The time slot it currently has helps alot, I'll bet.

[–] aerosmith777 11 years ago

To each their own. I enjoy it, and think it's generally gotten better with each episode, with last night being the best so far. It did do a series low 2.3 in the 18-49 demo last night, but was still the most watched show in the time slot at about 8.75 million viewers. Seems like a lot of shows were down last night though, which leads me to believe it had something to do with the WS being on.

Also, I think Robin Williams being over-the-top and near-manic at times is exactly what people are looking for from him in this show. It's his schtick, and has been for a very long time. The creators just have to be sure not to rely on it too much, and so far I'd say they've managed.

[–] Oddjob22667 10 years ago

Who, me?

[–] OccamsBarber 10 years ago

Not unless you are yet another of Phylot's 800 aliases because that is who I was replying to.

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- I'm not sure if I should.
- Then you're not sure if you shouldn't.

[–] jordan2240 11 years ago

Agree with the OP. My wife and I watched the first three episodes, and sat in near silence for all three. I actually felt embarrased for the performers. Nice for all involved that it got picked up for the season, but I'd be very surprised to see it go beyond that. We won't be watching regardless.

[–] Phylot 11 years ago

Smart move, jordan2240. The Crappy Ones is trash, an unfunny "comedy", only managing to exist thanks to Big Bang. That can't last forever.

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[–] robjrob2 11 years ago

Well color me surprised but I REALLY liked the last episode. One thing I noticed is that I actually think James Wolk is the bright spot on this show. That episode was by far the best so far!

[–] Phylot 10 years ago

Color you a studio SHILL, actually!

BUSTED!

HAH!

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[–] robjrob2 10 years ago

I'm sorry but I have to ask: If you loathe this show so much, WHY IN THE HELL ARE YOU STILL ON THE MESSAGE BOARD?

I honestly didn't like the first few episodes, however I thought last week's episode was a vast improvement and genuinely liked it. According to you however, if I don't troll this board and leave malicious messages all over the place then I am a "Studio shill". WOW, what exemplary deductive reasoning there!!

[–] Phylot 10 years ago

It wasn't a vast improvement in the ratings, that's for sure!

This isn't a fan board, it's an open discussion board for all aspects of the topic. And who says I hate the Crappy ones, personally I think it's HILARIOUS! One of the best unintentional "comedies". I laugh out loud every week. Unintentional humor is the best kind, IMO. And the Crapp Ones leaves me pissing myself laughing every week. It richly deserves cancellation but I hope it won't be so I can keep busting a gut over how truly AWFUL it all is.

[–] uniweb 10 years ago

You need to get a life

[–] DisturbedPixie 10 years ago

I totally agree after just finishing every epsilon of the pilot season. I really did try. Though i know the first season of the office and parks & rec wasn't so great either, so I will probably clean my living room while watching ep 201.

[–] Phylot 10 years ago

HAH!

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[–] Slug-3 10 years ago

I'm a big Robin Williams fan, but it's been years since he's done anything that I thought was funny. So, I wasn't really expecting much from this show and the first half of the season seemed to be proving that guess accurate. However, the show, and it's characters, began growing on me during the second half and now I'm sorry that it's been canceled.