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Herc Must Admit His Stand On HBO’s JOHN FROM CINCINNATI!!
SPOILER ALERT !!
I am – Hercules!!
With the first four episodes of “John From Cincinnati” behind us, we’re about one third of the season in. It is time to check in with viewers.
What did the talkbackers say beneath our last JfC post? The reaction to the first episode was not overwhelmingly positive!
“eppdude” said:
FUCK this show. and fuck David Milch - the cocksucker. Choosing to go with a surfing show over DEADWOOD? It's fucking unforgivable.
“Mel Garga” said:
… sometimes a turd is just a turd no matter whose overrated ass it came from. We're expected to have patience enough to wait for this show to find itself?
“fiester” said:
… I won't watch this crap. Fuck surfers, who gives a shit? I am all for letting creatives do their thing with minimal or no intrusion, but this seems like an bad idea from the get go.
“Add to Friends” said:
… Milch/John from Cinn = Sorkin/Studio 60. Every great is allowed one or two phuck ups in his career.
“jocutus” said:
After the first fifteen minutes I was already sick of hearing the name "Butchy". Can I possibly stand a whole series of that?
“bacci40” said:
ummm....what the fuck was that???? im serious...milch dumped deadwood to create....that???
“Dr Hemlock” said:
I gave up on it after 25 minutes. Cleaning the dinner dishes was more interesting.
“WONKABAR” said:
Uh, that was retarded.
“memento108” said:
What is it with Milch and the F word? I don't mind a FUCK here and there in my television or movies, but Christ, he uses the word more than excessively in this and Deadwood. Why is that? It's actually kinda annoying and distracting.
“Neo Zeed” said:
This show was shitty. The dysfuctional family stuff was pretty mundane and unoriginal. I don't really care to see how the mystical stuff pays off, since the main plot is soooo boring. …
Making a show in which a man floats and no one cares is not automatically deep. It's just lazy writing. It's just easier not deal with it and claim to be Twin Peaks-ish. If a man floated that would be the main topic of conversation for the rest of the century, not if some little kid should or should not surf! Who cares about a Family Channel plot like that anyway?
“SkidMarkedUndies” said:
WTF was that?
“grendel69” said:
Fuck John and the commitee that receives em.
“Hercules” said:
… based on the premise and pedigree and the promos, I sense this series could attract a rabid and vocal cult following by the time its first season concludes.
I wrote that before I saw it. Four episodes in, I am riveted by “John From Cincinnati.” Of all the shows arriving this summer, it is easily the one I’m most excited about.
I love Ramon Gaviota (Luis Guzman) and Meyer Dickstein (Willie Garson). I find hilarious their tireless, deadpan accommodations of the bizarre goings-on. I love the Yosts’ neighbor, the bird-hoarding retired cop Bill Jacks (Ed O’Neill), who thinks John Monad may be a sexual predator. I love Kai (real-life champion surfer Keala Kennelly), who demonstrates a hilarious talent for appraising nonsense. I love the doctor (Garret Dillahunt) who throws away his medical career when he witnesses a resurrection. And I love more than all of them John Monad (Austin Nichols), who owns a handsome pair of Automatic Teller Pants.
If you’ve not seen “Cincinnati,” it’s about residents of Imperial Beach, Calif., the one spot on the map where the United States, Mexico and the Pacific Ocean all converge.
One day, a guy named John Monad appears right on that convergence point. Monad may be an extraterrestrial. He acts just like a R-rated version of the title character from “Starman.” Everything he says is something another character has said since John beamed down to Imperial Beach. John Nomad ... er, Monad still doesn’t seem to know how to use a toilet.
Monad can perform Starman-like miracles, Jenny Hayden. If you ask for $2,800, it magically appears in his Monad’s pocket. (Same with anything else that can fit in Monad’s pants pocket, like a high-limit credit card or a cell phone; you ask for it, Monad’s pants can produce.)
Monad can also make any metal in everybody’s body – metal skull plates, nipple rings, etc. – get really hot. To activate this superpower, Monad need only say, “See God.” Which is supercool.
Once Monad arrives in Imperial Beach, more Jesus-y miracles occur:
* A famous ex-pro surfer named Mitch Yost discovers he can sometimes levitate himself several inches above the ground.
* The famous surfer’s son discovers he can quit heroin without enduring any withdrawal symptoms.
* The famous surfer’s grandson resurrects his neighbor’s parrot.
* When a horrifying surfing mishap turns the grandson into a brain-dead quadriplegic, the same parrot heals that grandson fully.
* When John himself is stabbed nearly to death by half-wit gangsters, a codger named Vietnam Joe – who makes his living helping illegal immigrants over the border – fully heals John.
One hopes David Milch, who created the series, is going somewhere with all this. Even if he’s not, I’m hopeful at least a few talkbackers who bailed a few minutes into the opening episode give it another look.
9 p.m. Sunday. HBO.
49% Off Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows!! 
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Making a show in which a man floats and no one cares is not automatically deep. It's just lazy writing. It's just easier not deal with it and claim to be Twin Peaks-ish. If a man floated that would be the main topic of conversation for the rest of the century, not if some little kid should or should not surf! Who cares about a Family Channel plot like that anyway?
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...Will have to give this a look....
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HBO has been solid gold and continues its streak.
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Give it a few more weeks, perhaps. But it really is too obtuse to be loved by most.
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Also hoping that it's going somewhere.
I do have problems with the weirdly written and delivered dialogue(kinda like I felt while watching David Mamet's "Edmond") and the excesive cursing. It all worked in "Deadwood", but not so much here. -
An idiot with bad taste. This show is terrible. Bad dialogue, horrible wooden acting, not funny, and it's fucking stupid. Each character is ridiculous and unbelievable. That kid has to be the worst actor I've ever seen. And I watch the movies on BET. Everything about him is awkward, from the delivery of his lines to the movements he makes. deMornay overacts terribly, and by the looks of the this week's preview, we're in for a helluva lot more annoying screaming from her. That girl working with Luke Perry is awful as well. Which brings me to a scary point. Luke Perry is the best thing about this show. I *never* thought I'd ever be saying that in my life. Honestly, what attracts you to this show? Because I can't see how it'd be the characters. The title character's annoying repetition of others' lines. Or maybe it's Ed O'Neill's standoffish and somewhat insane character who talks to his birds. Oh, yeah, that's funny, haha! I watched this show and gave it a chance hoping for something, but after four episodes, it didn't deliver. And sorry, Herc, you're not an idiot. That was harsh. Just an "attention grabber."
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I would have never thought I'd enjoy it to be honest. I mean it is a sufer show with fairly short and rigid dialogue. This is the top of my favorites at the moment, put simply the show is AMAZING for reasons I can't even explain. Just watch.
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But don't know if I like it. I am intrigued by it, wondering where it is going. But if it go pulled tomorrow, I wouldn't be as upset as when they canceled Day Break and Studio 60.
BTW, you should check out the rest f the season of Day Break on abc.com if you haven't already. I really liked that show, Taye (sp) Diggs and all. -
Please. For the first episode I couldn't figure out why I was watching, then I watched the second due to having too much free time and actually became quite interested in what was happening in their world.
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I got my eyes on YOU!!
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I hated this show at first but now must admit I am captivated by it. Thank God Herc is sticking up for it. It's like The Wire in which there's a bigger story going on the whole time but you're not sure what it is yet.
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...It's weird and quirky and by no means anywhere even approaching mainstream accessible enough to be loved by most, but if you can slot into it's particular groove then I find it hugely entertaining. Of course if you can't slot into that groove then all it's going to do is piss you off and annoy you, so I'm hardly surprised at the amount of backlash that this show has recieved, made even worse by being seen as "the show that killed Deadwood".Now of course Deadwood is a better show, but then Deadwood was better than pretty much anything on tv during the past few years, but right now after Rescue Me this is my fave show currently airing. It's not gonna last long, and I'd be surprised to see a second season (but with cable that's always hard to predict), but so far I'm enjoying the ride personally.
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By the way, Ed O'Neil is the shit. His character and interactions with who appears to be his polar opposite are priceless.
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granted, i surf and have been educated in theology, so i am a bit biased... but so far so good... first couple episodes were a bit boring, but i can definitely tell that this is panning out to be one of those shows that becomes more and more engrossing as the overall story is fleshed out.
watch it! -
I read somewhere that the metal plates in Butchie's head are actually implants he used to screw devil horns into to piss of the older surfing crowd. Can't remember where I read it though.
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I have loved this show from minute one. I am so freaking glad someone else out there "gets" it. This show is as much about surfers as Deadwood was about cowboys. Love the opening theme, too. Now, how's about covering this show weekly for the rest of the season?
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Good show, looking forward to seeing where it goes. Reminds me of good ol' twin peaks.
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Take your eyes off of me, you creepy bastard. But yeah, while I may be extra harsh on this show(it's just not up to HBO quality), I probably am going to keep on watching, if only because maybe once the story makes more sense, I might like it a little bit.
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But strangely unmissable,well its not as if theres anything else worth watching on US TV during the summer its fucking worse than the shit here in the UK and we have a lot of crap on at the moment
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I'm liable to fuck a nigga up.
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Help me out - how many Deadwood actors have appeared in John From Cincy so far? I think there are five. 1. John 2. Freddie 3. Vietnam Joe 4. Doctor 5. Legal paper pusher dude (smelled like cat piss on Deadwood). Any others? I hear Trixie will join the show soon.
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says that they bailed out on this show with in the first 20 minutes. So why would I watch this show which is destined to go the way of Carnavale and Deadwood with no real resolution. Why invest the time in the characters or the show which will likely be a one or two season flame out.
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I hear that HBO shortened the season to ten episodes and didn't order any more.
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Fuck paying thirteen bucks a month for the channel. Fuck paying 50-80 bucks for the dvds. I'll gladly hold out 5-10 years for expertly dubbed "bloodsuckers" and "freakins" on Bravo or A&E! ;)
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...Deadwood hitting basic cable anytime soon? Maybe the Hallmark channel? ;)
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My wife and I walk around doing John's lines to one another all the time. I'm not sure that's the mark of a great show, but it's definitely affecting us. I like it. It's not boring, it's better than shit treacle like Jericho and the cast is fucking awesome. I think Milch has the market cornered on kick ass bald character actors all in one show. I'm in this one for the long haul even though I harbor resentment about Milch abandoning Deadwood like he did. I still think it's a good show -- not great yet -- but good and showing some potential.
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You create the most divisive series finale in the history of television, and you follow it up with a weird ass show. The deck was stacked against it from that cut to black on.
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They crapped out on Carnivalle, without a proper ending. I loved that sow. Then Deadwood gets sent away without a true conclusion. After that I canceled. I'll watch The Sopranos and anything else on DVD once it appears they will give proper endings and not dismiss them uncerimoniously. What happened? Did FOX executives get ahold of the network or something?
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The opening credits song is Johnny Appleseed by Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros.
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Its a great show. Different than anything else. People think they know everything about film and tv just because they watch films and tv. The criticisms thus far are just as ridiculous as the ones given for STUDIO 60; "Its not funny!", "Everyone talks the same!". Those are not good reasons, idiots. It doesn't have to be fuuny. People don't have to talk different. You just made up your minds about something and are grasping for excuses that sound smart (even though they're not). Go watch THE SHIELD and 24 and shut the fuck up. Stop wishing the worst for everything like you have some right to. I don't care if you do pay for cable (I'm pretty sure its one of your parents, though), you've got no right to wish ill on anyone or thing. Know why? Because you aren't doing shit. You're just sitting you're lazy asses down and watching tv and typing on the computer. Go make your OWN shows. Go through the crap that comes along with producing movies and/or tv shows. THEN, you have a right to act like you know what you're talking about. Until then, take out all your fustration you have about getting beat up in highschool out on something else.
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John is annoying as shit and i'm not sure where they're going with him, but Ed O'Neill is practically keeping me watching the show, not to mention Bruce Greenwood is just a damn good actor. It's a weird ass show, and it's probably the hardest i've ever had to try to stick with a show, but i'm hoping it'll be worth it.
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but I don't think it's a matter of "getting it." You either like or you don't. As soon as Charlie Utter showed up, the show started getting great.
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They are actually surfers, that is why their acting skills are lacking. Not an excuse, but there is a reason for the poor acting. And honestly I can't see this show getting more than one season either, just not enough viewers. I am already planning a sand attack at the networks though. Truckloads of sand to save the show! But I am still enjoying it while it lasts, it is much different than anything out there currently. Has gotten much better with every episode, it grows on you like the song in the opening credits does.
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When Scorsese makes The Age Of Innocence or Kundun, everyone complains, yet the same jackasses bitch whenever he makes another gangster film. When The Coen Bros. Big Lebowski came out EVERYONE whined about how it wasn't as good as Fargo. Now does Fargo have it's own convention? JFC is the least predictable show on any net and I've loved it from hour one.
Ed O'Neill is at the top of his game! The dialog is un-cut, prime-time Milch! I miss Deadwood too, but I ain't flipping... -
Wrote "They crapped out on Carnivalle, without a proper ending. I loved that sow." Larry, that has to be the most fortuitous dropping of the letter "h" to ever occur in a Talkback.
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I love this show. I'm still not completely convinced that it is or will be a great show, but I have looked forward to each week because I am totally intrigued by it and curious to see what happens next. Each week has gotten better and better. The cast is superb and colorful without anyone ever going too over the top, especially considering all the crazy things the characters experience. I love O'Neill and Guzman and Garson. There seems to be a lot of indifference and hate for this show. Don't know if HBO will give it a second season. But in the meantime, I'm looking forward to it every sunday night.
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I took a dump a man can be proud of...I dont know butchie instead..If you are not paying attention to "J from C" you aint cool..It has already grabbed me like "heroes" and "Lost" before it. Captivating characters, great acting and enough geeky storylines that may or may not be tied together to keep me riveted to my seat. i dont care if this ends sooner or later. i just want MORE..UGLY
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based on that description alone, i'm gonna watch the first few episodes. Not because it necessarily sounds good, but because it sounds David-Lynch-style-weird, and i miss David-Lynch-weirdness on my television something fierce.
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Does anyone know the English translation of what she said to Rebecca De Mornay when they shared the Jail cell in the first episode?
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I keep waiting for her exorcism with bated breath...
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I love when large groups of the cast get together at random points, it creates weird funniness for a long period of time. I also really like that no one questions the happenings like John showing up or the levitation, they all have a laid back attitude. If the show is only 10 episodes, at least it will be a good 10 episodes hopefully getting better and better as they have been.
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This may be complete BS but I read somewhere a report from a crew member who said that Milch had revealed to them his plan for the season finale (right before they filmed it) and it was his opinion that it was genius. No idea whether it's true or not. I find the show intriguing but wearying, I'm not sure I can handle 9 episodes for a finale pay-off.
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Behold the most original show on television. You've never seen anything like it. The dialogue often veers towards monologue (all of Ed O'Neil's stuff pretty much is) and often it sounds like complete gibberish (which I'm told will all make sense soon). But you're left with this feeling you can't explain at the end of each episode, much like the characters on the show. You feel completely at peace, with no discernable reason for why.
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I love this show. The plotline with the gay man & Luis Guzman and the guy from 'Sex and the City' doesn't really click. But the Yost family are fascinating people. As a 'Lords of Dogtown' fan, I love seeing Rebecca De Mornay as a surfer matriarch. And I hope any myspace users reading this will join my 'John Fron Cincinnatti': Group URL: http://groups.myspace.com/johnfromcincinnatigroup
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First John can say things other than what he hears.
In the first episode he makes predictions, Shawn won't be with us very long, and the line about Hectors people building a shrine to Mitch Yost. John also repeats what people say at a distance, kind of a telepathy.
The heating thing is a side effect of allowing Kai to "see god". Essnetially he made her "one" with the universe.
And the Yost family is magic. Shawn healed Zippy, Mitch floats, Butchie hasn't shown anything yet.
A big fuck you all to those who ragged on the show. I understand it followed the Sopranos finale and many couldn't get the heads around the originality.
Will we see the re-use of ALL Deadwood actors?
Possibly this show will use Dillahunt to his full potential. Deadwood used him well, but all to short.
Dillahunt seems to get associated with miracle shows and addiction. He did play Jesus to the drug abusing minister. -
(and it is, I'm not arguing the point), why is this like only the 2nd talkback for it?
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There are times when I think I am not going to watch it, then suddenly it becomes riveting. It really is a strong show. I don't know that Bruce Greenwood has ever given a bad performance
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I was very surprised to see all the negativity about this show. All the down-loaders in the UK I've spoken to (me and my girlfriend included) love it. Is this one of those shows that has greater Euro-appeal than for people in the US?
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Flight of the Conchords is blowing me away every week. So, so funny.
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That's all.
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The first two episodes were much better than the second two.
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Why? Because this show has probably costs probably a 10th of what those two shows costs. They don't have to worry about period sets or period costumes for many extras or horses or vehicles all in period settings. Hell, they don't even have to travel far to get to location...it's right there in Southern California.
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and I love them. Didn't know where it was going, still don't, don't care. On the nose about everything, Herc.
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But Conchords IS GOD DAMNED HILARIOUS!!!
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Looking forward to yet another episode tonight. It's a shame it's not followed by Big Love.
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I'm HipHop-apotamus, my lyrics are bottomless.................................................................
BRILLIANT! -
Is there no room for slightly more substantial artistic expression on TV? Does everything have to be spoonfed and instantaneously explained in order to be metabolized easily for the viewing audience. I find this show so refreshing in many aspects from form, story, character, direction and most of the acting. (Ed O'neil will be nominated for an emmy)
Milch has created a universe where the fatastical is questioned, tolerated, but not necessarilly feared and it seems to be set in a perfect home among the surf culture (which I know little about, but is clearly defined at least in the show's universe).
In terms of language use, I honestly never noticed an abundant use of profanity (unlike in deadwood where it was artfully anachronistic) as it melds into the envronment, as good acting and storytelling should allow it to.
My only concern is will the show continue to be so effective once the supernatural machinations are revealed? -
Hey Herc,
I wouldn't read too much into that anagram. I think Milch is a baseball fan, because the dude's name also unscrambles into John DAMON, former Red Sock, present Yankee... Despite how good this show may or may not be (have not and will not watch it), I hope it tanks and gets shit canned. Sorry, fans, but it's what Milch deserves for abandoning Deadwood without finishing it. CONCHORDS, however, is hysterical! "Ain't no tea party like my Nana's tea party! Hey! Ho!" -
this show is amazing! I felt shitty when I heard he was dropping deadwood for a surfing show. This show is perfect. Milch is a hell of a writer. I love the word FUCK. I love how he has been able to successfully recycle actors from his other shows. The acting is great. I also believe Butchy had implants for horns in his head, because he quit surfing because of drugs and being a dick not from an injury, remember he pulled out his left nut and got DQ'd. I am really curious what other new summer show these negative folks watch instead of this. HERC please start a weekly talkback for this show, I have been waiting for that. Keep it up HERC and monad rules!
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im convinced that john is the 2nd coming of christ in the body of a crazy homeless dude from nasty-cincinati
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You are hyping this overly ballyhooed (and soon to be short-lived) shove over the awesomeness of Jemaine and Bret? Really? SHAME ON YOU HERC! SHAME ON YOU! May your tan not even out correctly in the future.
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The characters from JFC walk into the Gem Saloon. After about 20 min, Swearengen understands the whole JFC premise and testifies that he doesn't "give a flying fuck about the water-logged cocksuckers." Butchy Yost makes the first foul, having pickpocketed SIlas Adams for a little tail and a lotta dope. This leads Mitch into a quarrel with Al, who after having secured a wagon for the safe deploment of the Surf-Loving Family of Miscreants out of Deadwood, doubles back on his promise and has Dan Dority take out Butchy and caps Mitch in the knee.
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NICE. But I digress: WTF was that?
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as a thank you to Herc, I will give this another chance.
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is "johnny appleseed" by joe strummer & the mescaleros (sp?). i love this show. the first episode left me a little unimpressed, but it's really grown on me. it has obvious parallels to "deadwood" (perhaps one of my favorite shows ever), and milch & co. are the best at creating a sense of place, which any truly great show really needs. i really hope this series lasts more than the 10 episodes a previous talkbacker referred to. but i'm well aware of how most viewers might be turned off by this show. it sure isn't everyone's cup of tea. i wish there was a network out there that catered to non-mainstream viewers, though. isn't that what hbo used to be?
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...I was hooked. This show has real humanity, without being maudlin or cloying. Of course, when you start me off with a little Joe Strummer, you have engaged me. I don't think the kid playing Sean is a very good actor either, but he's still very appealing. The character is such a good kid, and a genius at his game on top of that. He easily transcends his thespian short-comings and totally sells the whole "divine surfing-lineage golden-child" thing. I hate all the Twin Peaks comparisons. Anytime something plays a little obtuse, people start comparing it to Twin Peaks: an overrated scam of a show that was ONLY ever obtuse, because it didn't have a grand plan. It became uncomfortably , boringly obvious that they were making it up as they went along. Especially by the time season two and the crap "TV-show-but-with-tits" movie came out. At his best, I am a big Lynch fan, and Peaks started off great when it was all set-up, but Lynch doesn't really care about payoff; he is all about tonal juxtaposition and manipulation of an audience using the conventions of "mystery" storytelling. That is the end product for him. If he were a magician, he would set his audience up for a rabbit-out-of-a-hat type gag, but then just have his assistant look into the hat and scream for ten minutes. He's not interested in giving people puzzles to put together, so much as he wants to make them think they are putting together a puzzle, or that the completion of the puzzle is an ambiguously terrifying inevitablilty. JFC seems like it's going somewhere. I hope it stays that way. I love the Yost family.
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is the former boyfriend of beth ostrosky (i.e., howard stern's fiancee). doubt too many of you will care, though, as "john from cincinatti" and the howard stern show are polar opposites in terms of sensibilities, but i just found that funny when howard mentioned a few weeks back that he tried watching the show, but thinks he hates it, if only because his girlfriend's hunky former boyfriend is on it.
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is seeign all the former Deadwood stars. Wolcott/Cuntface as the doctor; Charlie Utter as the aging drug dealing biker thug, Ellsworth as the van driving transient. It's great. Now we just need mute Sofia to show up as Shawn's girlfriend.
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and if I am cryin..it's not because of you, it's because I'm thinking about a friend that you don't know...that's dyin.
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Emily Rose is freaking HOT!
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Sorry.
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Herc how can you not mention the acting from the kid who plays Shawn?Its fucking terrible.He brings the show to a halt everytime he speaks.And yeah I know he was hired because of his surfing skills but still.He has no sense of timing which is needed with Milch's dialogue and looks very uncomfortable acting.Milch shouldv'e hired an actor and used him as a surfing body double.
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Some of the best and sharpest dialogue I've seen in ages (it's Milch, so what do you expect) and John is as interesting a character as there has been on TV in a long time. O'Neill steals almost every scene he's in, BTW. They still have 6 episodes to tell this deep story, and I think Milch and Co. can pull it off. I'm still wondering who that hot chick in the Corvette was.
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He can surf and skate, and he can do them well, and I suspect they wanted/needed someone who could pull that off, given the premise of the show. It's a tradeoff, and maybe they're hoping his acting chops will progress as the show goes on. Plus, his scenes are pretty few and far between, likely for just that reason...
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not watching, nor caring. i dont pay for HBO to get in touch with my emotions.
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At first, it was Kiwi Tenacious D. But after a second look, I am hooked. "She's so hot she's making me sixist. Bitch!" Oh and John from Cinci... We passed a point in the last Ep where the vibe began to wear off. If the next Ep is about someone getting injured and healed I think I might have to go read a book.
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I do.
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...and this is supposed to make me watch the show? LOST has maybe 3 miracle healings, all off-screen, in 3 seasons, and that's pleeeenty.
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I LOVE Deadwood. I find JFC to be extremely uneven. The kid and kai are TERRIBLE actors that pull me out of the show with their woodenness. I have no interest in the family members. I don't really care why the grandad levitates. I don't give a shit if butchy ever gets clean. I have a slight interest in finding out what John really is. I'll keep an eye on the show, but I'm certainly not going to resubscribe to HBO for it. I'll probably wait until they complete Deadwood.
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It isn't a reference to "nomad" (or at least not primarily). And it isn't about Johnny Damon! (heh). A philosopher in the 1600s named Leibniz (he was also a diplomat who invented a lot of the principles of calculus) based his theory of existence around "monads," which he thought were the tiniest particles in existence. For him, each and every Monad acted kind of like a mirror; each contains the essence of the universe within, and they reflect all things. As you can see, much like John. Being a philosopher pays off sometimes.....oh, and if you don't like this show, it is ok....you just don't have very good taste. It is so magnificent; I'm already dreadding its early demise.
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I think this is a good -- potentially great -- show. It still suffers from the structural spottiness that killed Deadwood (why is Milch so fascinated with the 1 day = 1 episode format?) but it still has sharp dialogue and a great cast to make up for the shortcomings. And seriously -- there is NO actor on the planet better suited to Milch-speak than Al Bundy. End of story. That alone makes it worth watching.
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Butchy and Johnny together are an amazing duo. I love the chemistry they have. I love the direction its forcing Butchy's character to go. I haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate the mother. She needs to get beamed up and away and mother fucking quick. And the kid, for a pro surfer, has a-okay acting chops. KEEP THIS TALKBACK UP! LOVE JOHNNY!
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That ol' Herc is a superfan of juvenile crap like Buffy the Vampire Slayer. His opinion on what makes good television, in my eyes, is pretty much invalid.
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It's grown on me...along with Flight of the Conchords. Of course, I dug their One Night Stand, but I wasn't too sure about the structure of the actual show at first...but I'm hooked now. Entourage rocks. I'll be keeping HBO for awhile.
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hey - fried samurai - he isn't a bad actor. Look at the shit happening in his life. His mom and dad are split up, his dad is an H junkie, his grandparents that bring him up fight all of the time and cheat on each other, he simply acts like a normal teen would under those circumstances, it is actually GOOD ACTING, he is just totally subdued because of what has gone on for his entire life. When his main life influence is a kooky retired cop who speaks w/ birds - you should be able to see why he just wants a normal life and doesn't want to act like dickhead because everyone else around him already does.
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Enjoy it while it lasts Herc, because John From Cinncinnati is about to get its plug pulled, just like Andy Richter's lame comedy did earlier this year. I just can't believe they cancelled Deadwood for this crap.
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But I can't commit myself to this show on a weekly basis.
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the two playing shawn and kai are really, really bad. totally pulls me out of the moment. and, while i'm no thespian, i can tell you it's mostly because of their eyes. both of them need to watch that michael caine instructional video, where he looks at the camera for like five straight minutes without even blinking. great stuff.
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Oh wait. I'm not American and I like this show.
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Someone pointed out above that you need to watch at least two episodes before you can give a credible review. My point, though taken slightly out of context, was that in today's media-soaked pastiche of a culture, a show needs to, excuse the expression, shit or get off the pot. I stand by my statement that sometimes a turd is just a turd. Not every show can be great, even if it comes from HBO. (Nor does it have to be. Remember, this is the network that gave us nearly a decade of Dream On.) Now, does this mean that I will never watch JfC? Not necessarily. I've been reading excellent reviews of The Wire on this site for years now without commenting because I hadn't seen the show. The difference between the two is that The Wire is universally respected while nearly every critic whose opinions I happen to respect and actually bother to read rate the show as barely average. It's okay to be undecided on JfC just as long as you ask yourself this question, "Would my time be better served studying my map of Beleriand that came with my copy of The Children of Hurin?"
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Stop making excuses for the kid's bad acting.I know what your trying to say though.Yes the kid's family life is fucked up and I would expect one to act accordingly.Being nothing more than a blank void is expected.But this isnt a reality show its a made up show with a script.Sorry but the kid looks out of place and not in a good way.FWIW I enjoy the show but I cringe when the kid speaks.
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The first episode didn't hook me, but I still came back, then the second episode didn't hook me... but I came back. And as I was watching the third I realized it hooked me from the beginning. I will say that the ONLY reason this show is working for me is that I want to know what the hell is going on. I will get sick of the show if I don't get any answers. But, that doesn't seem like a problem. We git peeks at larger happenings as each show goes by... and Milch isn't really one to leave you with the figurative TV blue balls as you wait for anything to happen.
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The eye level is all wrong with the kid.It totally takes me out of the scene.
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I definitely understand your point of view. He does seem detached. I just feel it plays well for the show, to me he seems like he needs to act in such a way. I think it will play out later in the season. Maybe he is just being asked to act this way. I do get what u r saying though. I do love seeing actors other than Haley Joe Osment in roles - maybe they should have cast a true actor, but I think if we give this show a chance - it will pay off. Milch doesn't seem to be dragging on the character development. Maybe things will change for lil Shawnee. I cant help but think that he is playing the part well. I actually enjoy his mellow, melancholy look at things.
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eye level? come on fried samurai. you gotta have a better point to bitch about. What eye level would suit you?
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This series is like a novel. Let its drama unfold with each coming episode. I love it.
Some are off put by the limited skills of the "real life" surfers turned actors. I say that they are part of an ensemble and they serve the story well. Greyson Fletcher is a joy to watch whenever we are treated to his performance on the waves or half-pipe. And Keala Kennelly does have a certain vulnerability that she conveys. Both are helped by the presence of other, more experienced players in the cast. They work for me.
Does anyone else expect to see the vato in the van return? I hope they do. There is a serious need for them to receive the meting out of poetic justice.
Jim Beaver is wonderful as Vietnam Joe. That scene in the van with the wounded John was awesome. The look on the face when he heals John and later when John reminds him that he "did not leave me behind" were awesome.
The first episode did not grab me by the throat. But I have been drawn in with each succeeding episode. This is must see television.
For those who hate the show, well, I don't know Butchie, instead. -
I really liked the surfer/skateboarder doc 'Lords of Dogtown' . . not so much the movie of it though. . . . .Well, it strikes me every week that Milch or someone has been heavily influenced by the story told in this documentary as one of the skater kids was a blond skater prodegy who got swayed away by the promoters etc and ended up a druggy. You could say that Butchy is the older version of that kid while his son is the 'yet uncorrupted' version'. Butchies kid even looks like the real life kid from the docu. . . . . . Anyway, i know it's not Deadwood but I really like the show. It's fun spotting the Deadwood alums, man it was a joy to see DW's Charlie Utter turn up as a low life drug pusher. I was annoyed by all the bickering in the first couple of episodes but by the third i was tuned in and really liking it. I don't actually care about the story much, i just enjoy the characterisations.
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I can't believe people don't like this show. Even if you don't fully get it, which I don't, it's still a great show. I sit there watching, much like I did with Deadwood, having no idea what anyone is talking about half the time. At least with Deadwood they were speaking in a somewhat obsolete vernacular. Here they're just regular people living in So Cal and I still have no idea what they're saying. But I still love it, I'm totally engrossed in this show.
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is that we wont be able to truly judge it untill the season finishes. these hbo shows are like long movies, and you need to judge it as the sum of its parts, so far i like it, but i know if it doesnt pay off, im gonna fucking hate it
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I have this to say to all of the nay-sayers who bitched and complained and bailed after the first episode. It's also for all fucking developmentally arrested babies who threw a tantrum because their rattle (DEADWOOD) was taken away. It's the same thing I tell those fucking retards who continually ask inane questions("Well....why is he doing that?"), and won't shut the fuck up during a movie. My response is always...: "Hey, I have an idea. Why don't we turn the TV off right now and I'll just explain to you everything that fucking happens. That way I can fit this whole TV show/movie into a 3-second explanation and you can get on with your day."
You people need to grow up. -
No wait, we make the best shows and movies in the world, we just happen to make a whole lot of extra shit for dumb people. Get over it.
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When I saw the negative reaction to this show I was shocked I tell you - SHOCKED! This show is excellent. The magic pants, John, the hottest grandma EVER. I don't know from surfing but the pure FUN of this show is exciting. It is a very funny show. I first thought it was a drama now I'm thinking comedy.
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I have no fucking clue if I like it or not. I watch it weekly but when the credits roll I feel complete apathy towards the show. I mean, I don't feel like I wasted an hour, but I don't feel like I had a good time, either. The whole God/Jesus/surfing angle is interesting and all, but for everywhere cool or quirky moment there's ten minutes of just, well, nothingness. It's like the good and the bad is creating an equilibrium of indifference. And for anyone whose seen the kid who plays Shaunie in anything else, is he really THAT bad an actor?
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Should get back in the game.
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But I love John as well. I just realy hope they make the Deadwood films soon because it hurts to see so many familiar faces show up in John, knowing they could have been playing in that other Milch show.
Other then that the show got me hooked from the very first moments of the opening credits. The Joe Strummer song combined with the Super 8 footage immediately establishes an almost extraterrestrial reality to the arena. Setting up the fun and surreal setting in which the characters reside. It's a great portrayal of a town resambling a lot of our own familiarities yet because of the many different nationalities is just this tad bit out of this world. Adding a bit of untouchable mistery to spice it up. Combined with Milch's engagingly written dialogue John is one of the most original and unconventional pieces of television ever created. I for one look forward for more John but please, don't give up on Deadwood as well! -
As quoted by Herc, I was not a fan of the show. Yep, I stopped watching after the first episode. It just seemed to me that the family drama was dull. (should he surf or not) Then it's tries to grab your attention with the occasional supernatural occurence (floating, healing). The occurence is quickly acknowledged and then dismissed in a few seconds. Then it's back to the boring, disjointed storyline. Also, nearly every character acts in this exaggeragated manner...so I can't even take the drama seriously. So if that was the M.O. for future episodes, I wasn't having it.
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two people is the smallest gang you can have... seriously flight of the conchords just blew my mind with its cleverness. The psycho-chick? so funny tears are streaming down my face.
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I was wondering why there was no talkback for this show here. I'm hooked. People are right when they say the acting ain't all that, but the story, the writing, the characters and the mysteriousness of the show are amazing. Keep these comin', Herc.
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And her getting worked up about prison sex with jemaine was too much. God bless those guys. And as per the reccomendations listed here about JFC I'll give it a second shot. It was a screechy Rebecca Demornay that put me off.
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Ed O'Neil and Dayton Callie are wonderful. They are being paired off against one another and I am expecting great things.
Garret Dillahunt delivers a nice turn as "the physician," Dr Smith. I like how we can have a man of both science and faith.
I cannot say enough good things about Bruce Greenwood. Many find Mitch Yost annoying and narcissitic. Which is kind of the point. He is so wrapped up in the religious experience of surfing that he has failed to recognize that he has become a pharisee.
Which brings us to Luke Perry as Linc. Is he the devil? He sure is working overtime on his hard sell of the glamours of surfing. Or is he another Saul of Tarsus from whose eyes the scales will fall. Perry's is, perhaps, the most nuanced performance.
There is some fine acting on display in John of Cincinatti, as I hope my list will prove. -
Well? Well? WELL?!?!?!?!?
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its tv for intelligent people, not watered down network crap...give it a chance
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...and God, it pains me to rag on kid actors...but Greyson Fletcher is absolutely killing every scene he's in. And not "killing" in the good way that's popular slang these days.
But he's not at fault. The people who cast him and direct (a term I use incredibly loosely) him are just losing defiantly. I was so pissed off when he didn't die in the second episode. He takes me out of the story every time he opens his mouth. Poor kid. Anyway, someone has to have brought this up before, but I didn't want to read through 130 posts. If it looks like I just plagiarized you I apologize.
That said, everyone else - especially Ed O'Neill and Jim Beaver - is killing it (in the good way). And I don't know where Emily Rose came from, but Christ, I'm glad she did.
I really don't have any clue where the show is going but I will follow it to the end. I just can't find a way to stop being interested. -
The best stuff gets canceled because the mass audience is functionally retarded. Your not-so-abject patriotism and defensiveness is a nice example of that.
Hence: Ugly Betty is a hit. -
Parts of it are really good. Every time Luke Perry or Bruce Davidson have a scene, but those are too few so far. What overpower them with awfulness are that Cass chick, who's pretty bad, and Rebecca deMornay. She's so godawful. I actually liked tonight's episode, but her character is such a stupid bitch. It makes me just want to beat the living shit out of her, and I'm a pacifist. She's so awful. And the kid is still bad.
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but I'm enjoying the hell out of the show anyway. Since John from Cincinnati and Flight of the Conchords both were pleasant surprises, I will be keeping HBO through the summer, but since I've never been able to get into Curb your Enthusiasm, and the whiney yuppies in therapy show dosen't look at all interesting to me I think I'll be dropping HBO come September
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tv.com posted a list of some of the emmy finalists ( http://www.tv.com/story/9829.html?tag=gumballs;img;2 ). The Wire, Deadwood, The Shield & Galactica did not make the final 10 for best drama, but Boston Legal, Grey's Anatomy & 24 did. I am now more convinced then ever that the people in charge of the emmys don't even watch television.
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Are like the Grammies of TV.
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The first week was messy but now it makes sense... kind of.
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I love it so far- especially Ed O neil. Keala Kennelly is definitely a professional surfer and not a pro actor- she and the kid detract a little. I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes and, much like LOST, am in it to the end. I already have way too many questions but love it.
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.sig material, this. Problem is that 24 submitted its first 4 episodes, which before its self-immolation were good. Emmys should be based on body of work throughout a season. Not just one episode.
Confirmed drama semifinalists as of 7/3/07: http://tinyurl.com/2a2vol
Confirmed comedy semifinalists as of 7/3/07: http://tinyurl.com/2x4nbz -
Fucking towelheads are gonna get eradicated. LMAO!!!!!!!!
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OK, I went back and read a lot of the posts. Glad to see that I'm clearly not the only one who has a problem with the kid.
Mr. Banner...my only guess is that you know the kid and somehow want to stick up for him. I suppose that's noble in some way, but if you're really trying to pass off some of the worst acting any of us have ever seen as "authentic", you must never have been around another person - especially someone who's potentially depressed.
You can excuse the kid; IMDb lists this as his first credit. But you can't excuse the people who decided to put him in a fucking HBO drama series and then realized they weren't good enough to direct him. It's unconscionable because he's TERRIBLE, and there's really no way to justify it. It's not even a matter of opinion at this point. That's how bad it is. -
I was skeptical about this show. The ads and previews were not all that interesting to me, but I stuck around for the first episode after the Sopranos finale.
I'm sold. I haven't missed an episode yet, and frankly, I think it's one of the most refreshing shows on TV. Next to Heroes, this is the best TV I've seen in a few years. -
Jesus Fucking Christ????
BTW I like this show a lot. I think Milch and the producers do recognize the limitations of their professional surfers as actors, and they're writing those roles pretty much within the surfers' acting capabilities. -
of being told that certain shows are for "intelligent" people, which makes the rest of us unintelligent by implication? JFC is not really a good show, although they have me as a viewer for the season hoping it will get better. The only one who has had anywhere near a normal reaction to all of the strange shit going on is Dr. Smith.
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...or at least his character does, that SOMETHING is happening (hence his agreement with John in the beginning regarding The End being Near, and his non-chalance with Mitch's levitation happenings).
Hardcore Deadwood fan here, who was just as pissed as the rest of you - and completely unwilling to give this show a fair shake - but watched the first four anyway just to thumb my nose. That is, UNTIL:
- the brilliant performances from the Deadwood alumni, and Ed 'Jesus Christ you've got an erection' O'Niell
- the realization that the 'stilted' dialogue reminded me of something...the film BRICK...which itself was an homage to NOIR...which Milch had said that this show possessed shades of...VOILA!
- the understanding of what a Monad is. The key's right there!
- the frustration with...and now appreciation of...the motel's 'Greek Chorus' of Guzman and Co....brilliant!
- the acceptance of Shawnie's wooden acting when compared to Northern Exposure's 'Ed'...the character is MEANT to be a stiff, stunted, near-retarded child - look what his family's like...and look how vaccuously HOT his 'real mom' (mustang sally) turned out to be!
- the effortlessly indomitable Bruce Greenwood!!!
Most importantly, the characters are evolving so QUICKLY...events are AFFECTING them so measureably...that how can we not be pulled into John's spiritual gravity.
Fucking kudos, Milch-man.
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I agree with almost every point you made...except the thing about BRICK. Please, God, don't compare this show - which I quite like - to one of the smarmiest, most affected movies I've ever seen. I don't want this ruined for me.
Also, there's a lot of bitching on here about DEADWOOD, which I happened to like quite a bit, but...
Didn't HBO can that because it was just too expensive to produce? I don't think it was a lack of faith in the material, but rather that it's hard to draw new viewers in a Western theme. Hell, if you look at ratings for THE WIRE, which might be one of the best-written shows ever...they suck. But they'll keep it going because it's not as costly to shoot. I'm just not sure what all the crying is about. -
I've been hooked on JFC from Day one, it's official, I'm a Cinner. It's I coin I termed, so start using it.
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Love it. even it's flaws- although I HAVE TO admit- De Mornay overracted just a touch in last night's episode. I remember an interview with Milch saying that her character on the show (Cissie) holds the family together- which is something I've been trying to see but can't. Her character is probably the nuttiest on the show. Did she honestly think that Sean's porn star mom intended to or legally could just waltz in and take Sean back? Cissie holding the gun and totally freaking seemed a bit much- especially for someone who's supposed to be sane enough to be the stabilizing glue for the Yosts. That point aside- I love the show. My favorite is Bill and Freddy drinking coffee together at the end of the previous episode- "I've got a lizard at home- changes shapes..." "Chameleons... they call them..."
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I agree with Mr. Winston-
BRICK sucked wild ass. One of AICN's biggest celebrated letdowns. -
Yeah, given the choice between Deadwood and John (at least they have at least 4 formers acors from the former) anyone would take Deadwood. That's because it was unbelievably great. That doesn't make John a bad show. Get over Deadwood, and enjoy the show.
And also don't blame Milch- this was HBO's decision to cancel Deadwood so he could focus on this. -
I'll say this for "Studio 60," which I loved, critically opinion seems to wave like a traffic pattern. Everyone loved it then it didn't connect with audiences and then everyone hated it. It didn't connect with audiences because people don't have the patience or interest in the 'behind the scene' TV thing (see the other great Sorkin show "Sport's Night") Critics these days are less people of taste who love the many genres of film and more just people who watch a lot of TV I guess.. Like the difference between a cultured person and an MBA.. John Sayles and Robert Zemeckis.. Al Green and Micheal Bolton.. anything else and Nascar.. Bill Clinton and George W.. I loved Heroes, but was it really well written and wasn't it like one extremely dilluted and slowed down X-Men comic? Lost is the only hope I have that TV is still an innovate form. So I will watch this HBO show and I hope it helps me get over the end of the Sopranos just a little... I'm still getting over Homicide: Life on The Street being gone.. and that was a decade ago. I hate watching a show and really liking it and then realizing that if I really liked it that much, it must not have enough "Key Demographic" appeal to stick around for a second season. I sound like a snob huh? Then Piss off and go back to your CSI/Law & Order procedural hell and reality TV. It's just a bit sad that at a time when TV is better than it has ever been, so much prime time air time is filled with unwatchable trash.
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Sometimes, the show is a little too slow and seems to meander off-story too much. So far, the best moments are when all the characters converge at Butchie's hotel and then it gets really, really interesting.
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Rocks!!!!!!!!
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This along with that Traveler show is my favorite of the summer. I wish they would put the next weeks episode on the next day ON Demand like they did with The Wire though. The kid in the show needs to be smacked around though. He is 12 and already a skateboarding/surfer punk stoner.
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Someone else mentioned the movie Lords of Dogtown which seemed to have no problem casting actors who could not only skate and surf but who also look like the real people but these wooden acting fucks are the best Milch could find??? Also I've watched 5 episodes now and there have been a total of about 3 minutes of surfing in them half of which has been Bruce Greeenwood who is a great actor so why exactly did he need to cast surfers?
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... that I can't stop watching. It seems pointless and trivial and lame. But my wife is utterly hooked (she's much more into the life of the mind than I am) and she's never forgiven me for not getting on-board with CARNIVALE from the start, so I'm sticking with JOHN FROM CINCY. And I can't help but think Milch might actually pull an astonishing fast one and turn this strange tapestry of oddball characters and inexplicable happenings into something amazing. Here's hoping...
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No way this show gets renewed for a second season
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I hated the show after 1st episode but got hooked after channel surfing past it the next week. I gave it a minute...then two..then more.
It seems they've toned down the swearing which was way excessive. It's no where as good as Deadwood but I am curious...but still wary. -
cekma is not lying.. They rock hard!
Like Tenacious D, but with subtlety and they parody music I actually like. -
Jul 09, 2007 10:10:22 AM CDT
I'm loving John From Cinncinati easily the most fasci
by crichtonastronut
nating show on television. Like a modern Carnival with Deadwood like characters and dialogue.
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Deadwood died for the same reason Rome and Carnivale died. They required period sets and HBO couldn't afford to support those costs fr more than a few seaons.
It's no accident that The Sopranos and The Wire, both set in the contemporary U.S. have been their longest running original serieses.
I'm amazed they were able to keep Carnivale, Deadwood, and Rome as for as long as they did. -
I have a feeling we're all gonna love JFC by the time this season concludes (at least everyone still watching). And I'm hoping that the kid gets better as this season (and next) progress. The chick skater doesn't bother me because I know people who act like that but the kid!? Yeah, he just sucks, giving possibly the worst acting performance I've ever seen.
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sorry.
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Glad to hear others coming forward. HBO has my 3 favorite shows right now: Big Love, John From Cincinatti, and Flight of the Conchords.
And regarding the John character... there is a parallel also to the phenomenon that occurred in WWII when South Pacific Islanders began to idolize someone they called "John Frum", which may have been an American named John who was "from" the U.S.. Because he brought all sorts of cool shit with him to the island, they thought he was a god... instead he was just a human like them from an advanced civilization, and who couldn't quite speak their language. Perhaps John isn't an alien or an angel, but rather a human from the future.. way in the future. Eh? How about them apples? -
FANTASTIC!! Truly. Harvey, M NIGHT!!, Ari back in badass glory, a car full of dildo's and Lloyd in pyjamas!
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...had a few good things, but if you look at it as a follow up to this talkback (yes, I know it's not that), it wasn't exactly an episode to hook people in. However, the line Luke told Tina Brady about why he didn't watch porn was classic....even if I' can't remember exactly what he said.
Come on. How much money would you spend if she was in porn? -
I love this show. I mean, I LOVE this show. It has my heart. There's this sweetness at its center (John) which permeates through every character. Has any show recently created so many instant catchphrases (this post's subject line, "I don't know Butchie instead", "I got my eye on YOU". I don't fast forward through the opening credits like I do even the shows I most love. I love that song with its visuals. I don't mind Kai and Shawnie's bad acting, they both have such wonderful qualities. The magic realism doesn't put me off at all. Butchie's and Cass's redemption? Beautiful. Sissy's tirades? Love 'em. Zippy, the chatty resurrected parrot? Very cool. Bill and Freddie and Ramon and Vietname Joe...wonderful. I'm so glad Herc posted this talkback. I felt sorta alone in my adoration of JFC. Now I see that there are fans out there as zealous over this truly original piece of television art as I am!
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... from the delivery of his lines to the movements he makes." You must not know many teenagers, Deadite, ha. But seriously, folks, I was the first to pan this series upon first watch, but having kept with it, I have to admit this is the only show I watch when it comes on (everything else is DVR'd.) The thing about Milch is his writing has a very different cadence than that of most television shows. It actually helps to make JFC the first thing you watch after being away from television for a while. It particularly suffered from first being broadcast after the Sopranos finale, a show that has a considerably different rhythm. Anyway, I'm liking it now. Idon'tknowButchieinstead.
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I don't know why I watch it but I do. I still haven't figured out what brings me back each week because like others have stated I get annoyed at bits of it and yet I find myself tuning in every week.
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I really hope they don't cancel this because it definitely takes a commitment to understand and stick it out. I love it so far and am in for the long run since it's the only interesting thing on tv these days.
That having been said, last night was my least favorite episode so far. Yeah, we got the backstory but this seemed quite disjointed. And cripes, I gotta agree with the Cissy hate. Mitch may be a dick but at least he doesn't make me cringe every time he's on screen in fear of an impending screech-fest. I'd be curious to know how much of that character is written and how much is DeMornay's interpretation. -
own Tenacious D. Tenacious D sucks.
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Ok i hate tv and ive never seen it...but why the hell do we use cincinnati as the pop culutre reference place to denote obscure origins, fuck this show,,,where is Douchebag from Pittsburgh?
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Flight of the Conchords is awesome. Kind of like a musical take on the UK version of The Office. The humor is nice and subtle too, which I like a lot. Best new comedy I've seen in a while.
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All dumped out.
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Oh, it's finally here. And everyone agrees that the show sucks. Glad we waited.
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Steady Freddy is the man.
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on about Carnivale and Deadwood. Both of those shows were only adequate in comparison to the magnificense and scope of THE WIRE! Oh, and btw, Fuck The Sopranos, that show for the most part was an exercise in mediocrity and pseaudo-psycho-metaphorical bullshit. Just give me my fifth and final season of The Wire so I can finally put HBO to sleep.
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I hope a surfboard disembowels David in a surfing accident and sharks come and slowly eat away at his bile coated entrials and bleeds out like he made me do after setting through this piece of shit of a so called show.
Cause this is the way i felt after "trying" to watch this travisty. I just wonder who he blew at HBO to make them think this was a good idea. This show is the equivalent of Gigli for HBO... too bad they dont cancel these shows 3 shows in like they do on NBC. -
...I was saying it was 'NOIR'. Desperately noir. Whereas JFC is subtly noir...it's all in the phrasings and delivery...just like Deadwood good make profanity sound Shakespearian. Listen to Ed O'Niell's speech again for Ep4...that's the ticket.
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...seriously, things have been sloooooow around here for the last couple of weeks.
Even Eli Roth has been kicked to the curb.
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then got somewhat interesting then it became extremely tedious and just dull. During the last episode I kept zoning out because of all the drawn out pointless dialogue. Seriously...isn't it about time we got someone with actual taste to write Coaxial?
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Solomon Grundy want kill John From Cincinnati!
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The storyline was still boring. DeMornay's acting was horrid, and that kid was embarrasingly bad. And did someone say Brick sucked? Sorry lil' fella. Brick had a compelling mystery (not some show still wingin' it 5 episodes in), unique dialogue that matched it's noir feel (not just inane back and forth banter), good acting, and was excellently shot. Oh well...at least HBO has a winner in Flight of The Conchords.
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Probably the most original in a while, too. Most people don't seem to like it just because they need instant gratification and have no sense of attention span. It's just like Deadwood, but with surfers, which is cool.
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Except that I haven't heard the term "cocksucker" yet. Cocksuckers.
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That was easily the funniest episode of Entourage in a long time.
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I am a teenager. Apparently *you* don't know any teenagers.
And I agree, Entourage was pretty great last night. -
I kind of dig this show and I'm going to stick with it. I just hope it's going somewhere. If it just dangles for 10 or 13 episodes I won't watch it if season 2 comes around.
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Gimmeemoe John, please.
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quick before it turns everyone off
and how long can they keep up this Monad guy acting like a retard? for how many seasons? will he actually become a real person? -
Cost is a excuse. They couldnt afford the Deadwood set, but they can afford to create 7 new shows?? Some with known veteran actors(Anna Paquin, Gabrielle Byrne, Lily Tomlin,etc), who Im sure will cost a few bucks. How about holding off on the new crap and finishing what they started. There is NO GOOD reason why Deadwood needed to die. And Milch started Deadwood with 5 seasons in mind, ending the show with the fire that burnt down Bullcok and Starrs store. He later changed his mind and said Im outta here at 4. No way they were gonna continue the show without him. Milch and HBO should have finished what they started. If I wanted to watch shows that get cancelled Id watch Fox. You expect HBO to finish what they start. Thats the whole point - to NOT be like network TV.Fuck Milch, fuck HBO and fuck John. Anyone who disagrees... sucks cock by choice.
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Look at all the fuckin' lazy talkbackers...its so easy to like silly or misanthropic or semi-misogynistic HBO shows (Entourage, Flight of the Chonchords) but deal with some real magic, real sweetness, complete originality they have to hate like their cred is based on it. Boy, how nerds love to hate strong women ... (Sissy) but love stupid geeks singing. Why do you watch? Why do I continue to come here?
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I did say Brick sucked- and I'm still saying it. No need to apologize. Compelling and unique to you maybe- Eyeball glazingly bad and trying too hard for me. Nothing unique about any of it other than it being placed in a contemporary setting and it isn't like we haven't seen that before. Funny how you talk about "unique dialogue" and then start trashing Milch's- as even the most casual JFC viewer may note- people just don't talk that way. Never did- never will- and for a viewer like me bored to death of the same old stale shit- that's a good thing.
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Tapping The Source is my favorite beach book.Though its closer to Point Break than JFC.I actually read it because I love Point Break and heard Nunn wanted to sue the writers of Point Break for plagerism.Not sure what came of that but there are alot of similarities.
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I wonder if this show has legs. How long will the audience sit through John's antics before just becoming annoyed with the character? I love Ed Oniells character, but why was he absent in the last episode? The entire motel crew seems like they could be a show on their own but are also curiously underused. But unfortunatly for HBO, I have to say that Shotime currently has the best premium network show on TV right now, with Dexter. How did they let that one slip through their fingers? They should be wrapping up filming the final epsiode of JFC by now, so we should be hearing about the Deadwood finale in short order, right???
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Milch is trying to finish Deadwood by reincarnating the Deadwood characters in the JfC universe.
I can't wait for the episode when Swearengen shows up as a strip club owner getting a bj from some surfer chic (head bobbing in the lower part of the frame) in his back office while he waxes philosophic to the dried up head of a Bloods gang leader he keeps in his credenza about bribing representatives from Sacramento to pass legislation allowing liquor to be sold in a full-nudity strip joint and plotting how to run the neighboring medical marijuana clinic out of business since they're cutting into his pot-selling profits... or something like that.
God I miss Deadwood.
San Francisco Cocksucker!! -
I am nervous about watching new shows on HBO that have no promise of closure or resolution if the show is canceled. The deadwood finale was pointless like the carnivale finale. I'm getting pissed at HBO!
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I've been right there for the first 4 but now they are starting to try my patience. Sissy behaved as if she needed to be locked up. Kai freaking out for no good reason. I was more frustrated than entertained by this latest episode.
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Well, looks like HBO is going to own my Sunday nights. And I don't even like watching series. But right now HBO is working it pretty good. Even Entourage I have been watching, and it seems much better then the first episodes I was watching. Flight of the Conchords though, is friggin hilarious. That's the show right there.
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Gotta agree, the network seems very very fickle. So far the only outstanding series finale I have seen has been Six Feet Under. Having this show debut after the disastrous Sopranos finale has impaired this show. But I do wonder "Does this show have a point?" HBO needs to get its act together. Showtime is kicking its ass with Dexter. How can a company with this much money screw up so often???
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Jul 12, 2007 3:09:38 AM CDT
"Care to leave a message...on my face...with your ass."
by southside_2010
And that's no bullshit either. It's feels so good to see Ed O'Neill on television again. It's got a fantastic cast, smart-assed dialogue, and intriguing plot points. Shit, that one chick that played Shawnie's biological mother (The Porn Queen) was fuckin' smoking hot!!! And where else are you gonna hear some dialogue like "Care to leave a message...on my face...with your ass." I like this show and I can't wait to see what happens next week. I'm a fan...
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Shwotime = Dexter,Masters Of Horror,Brotherhood coming back, and I have hopes for David Ds Californication. HBOs future lineup involves people in retaionships and in therapy. Who gives a shit. The onyl interesting thing they have coming up is Anna Paquins show and Pacific but the guys who did Band Of Brothers. Id cancel HBO if it wasnt for boxing.
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Not even close.
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How did you like an episode without any crazy stuff happening. Lots of good character development, but a kinda lax episode.
If that is what the show will be like I could see people leaving. -
viewers want smart tv, when it's given to them they cry for stupid tv, when they get stupid tv they suddenly want smart tv. pretty convinced most of you are stupid and would prefer stupid tv, cancel HBO, move along
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I watch JfC because I can't climb outta the hole left from Sopranos & Deadwood on the Sunday nite lineup. So, I figure what the eff, since I'm down here I'll just watch some dude that doesn't know how to take a deuce.
I'd also like to give a shout-out to Flight of the Conchords! Funny, funny show!! I can't tell if they're supposed to be gay for each other and not know it or something. The first ep. where they were all singing and crying for each other in the rain with split-screen face closeups, tears flowing, glistening saliva strands, and erections (off frame) was getting a bit too gay for me, albeit still funny.
My wife loves their NZ accents and compulsively repeats words and dialog (Breeet) just to practice using it. It's driving me insane. I'm afraid she's going to turn into that stalking, lisping, married gal who is their only fan.
Loopy cunt!! -
First off, I personally grew up a skater and lived in a family that makes this one look like the Cleavers or Bradys. Rebecca Demorney's performance seems quiet and understated for instance. The part with the freaking out and the gun brought back fond childhood memories. The real surfers, Kai and Shawn, seem more real to me then most actual actors, because I knew people like them most of my life. Obviously their performances aren't on par, but I connect with them. Considering where I believe the show is going, I actually think Sean/Shawn/Shaun's 'performance' is one of the best bits of direction ever. Don't get sucked in thinking John is Jesus cuz he's John the fucking baptist, the harbringer of the second coming, which is of course Shawn, and messiahs don't go around emoting and spouting clever dialouge. Either that or John is a total rip of of Valentine Michael Smith, oh well. I like it and hope in works out for Milch.
Oh and I totally missed the Monad reference, nice work on that. Is Flight of the Conchords a comedy? I tried to watch it and saw where the jokes were supposed to be in the bit I saw, but wow, it sucked. -
Alright, I'm no expert on this show, and I've probably missed lots of bits and pieces that totally invalidate my theory, but here it is anyway.
First of all, if you read interviews with David Milch, he talks about "the body of Christ" and how Saint Paul said the hand may not realize it's the hand, etc. He refers to this concept primarily with Deadwood, but seems to touch on the same basic idea when talking about John From Cincinatti.
If you also pay attention to the way he describes it, cuss words not withstanding, he seems to truly believe in a concept of God, in the Christian sense: "Well, I think we all are vessels of God, you know. As Saint Paul says, if the hand doesn't know, that doesn't mean it's not part of the body, that just means it doesn't know. And that's why, when I'm able to be of service to the characters, I experience God's presence more acutely than I do when I'm not working. So I try to work as much as I can."
Anyway, if that is the case, and he is going for that concept here, I would have to guess that John is supposed to the second coming of Christ. While I understand the theory why Shaun would be Christ, that just doesn't seem right in my mind.
Anyway, in this past episode, John mentions the date 9-11-14. As everyone I'm sure recalls, he also starts off the series by saying "The End Is Near." I'm not exactly sure when the series is supposed to be happening, but assuming it's about right now, 9-11-07 will approximately be around the time the last episode of the season airs. Which is exactly seven years before 9-11-14. Seven years, which I'm sure you're all familar with the meaning in that number... which does heavily indicate an end of the world type scenario.
There are also approximately (depending on who you count) 12 main characters aside from John. New disciplies? A purpose to their lives that they don't see yet? To spread the word of God before the world ends?
That's my theory, anyway.
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And in this last episode, John constantly refers to "his Father", which we can assume is God. He also says "his Father" is the father of other characters, but then he states "My Father and I have the same birthday", which would again lead me to believe John is supposed to be Jesus, and not Shaun.
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I gave it a hearty try to episode 4. The storyline is somewhat intriguing but more or less full of itself. Honestly the show would be a lot cooler if it was just about the surfing family and John was a normal dude from Cincinnati trying to get in with the Yosts.
But the thing that is making me stop watching it is the acting. I cannot continue to watch Kai and that child ruin another show. What were the casters thinking??? The guy who plays Butch does well on screen with seasoned talented actors but he is not strong enough to pull his scenes out with the kid or Kai. It's so disappointing b/c everyone else is good (for the most part) but these 3 weak links make it unwatchable: particularly b/c they are my 3 favorite character portraits on the show.
It has made me appreciate good actors, that's for sure. But I'm severly disappointed in HBO and the quality of their cast.
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