The Gamers Arms

Space Force

A slightly tricky one this, as it's hard to categorise. I would say that you could either call it a comedy that isn't terribly concerned with being funny, or a drama that doesn't take itself seriously. It puts me in mind of something like the first season of Veep, or that it's a comedy in the same way as something like the Orville is ostensibly a comedy in that sometimes the stuff that happens is amusing, but for the most part it isn't the focus.

I know that sounds kinda terrible, but it's not. At least, I enjoyed it, once my expectations were reset that it's not intended to be a laugh-riot. It's not that jokes fall flat, often there aren't jokes at all and scenes are played out as human drama or character development. I guess most of the comedy comes from the characters and the way they react to situations, rather than traditional jokes in the sense of setup->punchline.

I found it very watchable. It's well made and has some fairly big name actors like John Malkovich and Steve Carrell, but it's a hard one to recommend if people go in expecting an overt comedy.

Funnily enough I've just watched the first episode and a half over lunch. I broadly agree - it's not great comedy (I did laugh a few times) and it's not great drama so far, but it is enjoyable. I'll stick with it because Greg Daniels never seems to nail his first season (Parks and Rec and the US Office being prime examples where season 1 was bad and further seasons were great).

In a way it's ideal for the lockdown mood, because at the moment I find myself drawn towards 'fluff' TV and films - things that don't require a huge amount of investment or engagement and don't provoke strong reactions. Space Force is the TV equivalent of a nice cup of tea.

Wrathbone wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 03, 2020 12:08 pm

Funnily enough I've just watched the first episode and a half over lunch. I broadly agree - it's not great comedy (I did laugh a few times) and it's not great drama so far, but it is enjoyable. I'll stick with it because Greg Daniels never seems to nail his first season (Parks and Rec and the US Office being prime examples where season 1 was bad and further seasons were great).

In a way it's ideal for the lockdown mood, because at the moment I find myself drawn towards 'fluff' TV and films - things that don't require a huge amount of investment or engagement and don't provoke strong reactions. Space Force is the TV equivalent of a nice cup of tea.

Exactly this

And good point on Daniels - I tend to enjoy his stuff, but agree that they often take a little while to properly find their feet.

Red Dwarf: The Promised Land

I enjoyed that, they seem to be gelling better with the new series the more it goes on.

The Deuce - season 1. Found on SKY

I heard a lot of good things about this (it is HBO after all) and as someone who likes 70s porn (must be the hair) I found this show really compelling. The set design is just amazing, it is like watching a show actually made at that time but in HD. Acting, story and direction are all strong.
9/10

On to season 2

Finishing off season 2 of F is for Family on Netflix. Swearing and domestic strife taken to an art form

Shame its Hulu, this looks alright

I don't know if anyone is watching or has watched Mythic Quest, the new show by two of the Always Sunny guys, but just watched episode 5 (A Dark Quiet Death) and it's probably up there as one of the best episodes of something I've seen, certainly for a long time.

I’d never heard of it, but given that it has Danny Pudi and Ashly Burch in it, I’m steaming in.

Where's it available?

Looks like Apple TV. Luckily I still have a free trial.

Interesting. From the clips they put out to promote it I just assumed it was a steamer.

Alan wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 19, 2020 7:44 am

Interesting. From the clips they put out to promote it I just assumed it was a steamer.

The first four were moderately enjoyable if not outstanding, then in the fifth episode they do something without any of the main cast and it's excellent.

Just watched the first episode. That was really good!

Wrathbone wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 19, 2020 8:13 am

Just watched the first episode. That was really good!

Yeah, it was a nice surprise actually. I mainly watched it because I like Always Sunny, but it's a very different beast. You can actually tell the creators play videogames and know about the industry and culture.