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Hercules Assails ABC’s New Nathan Fillion Dramedy CASTLE!!
I am – Hercules!!
The latest chunk of unfunny dramedy awfulness from ABC, “Castle” stars Nathan Fillion (“Slither,” “Desperate Housewives”) as a bestselling crime thriller novelist who starts (with he blessing of his fan and friend, the mayor of New York) hanging around a hot NYPD detective to help himself get over writer’s block. Screenwriter Andrew Marlowe (“Air Force One,” “Hollow Man”) is the show’s creator.
A predictable yawn-fest of a poor “Moonlighting” knockoff. “Castle” is no less riddled with clichés than “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Private Practice,” “Brothers & Sisters,” “Desperate Housewives” or “Ugly Betty.” Richard Castle is the kind of bore who thinks he made up this gag: “It’s not what you think. Okay, it’s exactly what you think.” He’s got a conservative teen daughter and a horny old mom. He’s irrepressible while the cop he’s shadowing is a scold. It’s all just too tired and mind-dulling.
While one hates to root for series to fail, let’s hope “CSI Miami” and “Medium” overrun “Castle” quickly so Fillion can move on to projects more worthy of him.
Entertainment Weekly says:
Nathan Fillion’s copious charm curdles in this cutesy series … “Castle” is just an implausible muddle.
The Los Angeles Times says:
… The problem is that in the pilot and an early episode, the crimes are nowhere as compelling as the characters. For a show like "Castle" that dares to launch a more classic version into an already saturated and tarted-up market, the murders have to be as complicated and compelling as the push-me-pull-you glances between the main characters, and so far, they just aren't.
The Chicago Tribune says:
… Nathan Fillion (“Desperate Housewives,” “Firefly”) is by far the best thing about “Castle,” ABC’s latest attempt to launch a procedural franchise. As mystery novelist Richard Castle, he brings frisky energy to the show, which almost makes up for the lack of chemistry between him and his co-star, Stana Katic, who plays detective Kate Beckett. Little about “Castle’s” lead characters will surprise you. … competent but mostly unexceptional …
The Washington Post says:
"Wildly famous mystery novelist Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) is bored with his own success," says ABC publicity for the new crime series "Castle." Bored with his success? Poor bay-beee. As it happens, he won't be the only one. Viewers who stumble into this misbegotten "Moonlighting" imitation will likely be bored, too, but not because of too much success. …
The San Francisco Chronicle says:
… The trouble with "Castle" is that it's just so completely fluffy - which is annoying. True, not everybody wants to watch a gritty cop series as they unwind in front of the television. But to think that Castle's theories about killers and crime and personal behavior would hold New York detectives in rapture is ludicrous. Nor would he be allowed to follow along so closely - and invariably involve himself in the capture of said killers. Everything in "Castle" happens conveniently and with rote dialogue. Yes, "The Wire" and "The Shield" have made the common cop show pointless, and "Castle" is the antidote to their respective bleakness, but who knew that after the cops-and-detectives trope played out at such heights, the industry would circle back to "Murder, She Wrote" levels?
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says:
There's nothing in ABC's "Castle" viewers haven't seen a million times before, but the cast elevates the pedestrian material. … It's a tired premise but if the writers can give Beckett more personality -- and if Katic can imbue the role with more dimensions -- "Castle" might be a palatable program …
The Boston Globe says:
… With "Moonlighting" and "Murder, She Wrote" as the dominant influences, "Castle" is predisposed to be formulaic and stale. The show tries to get by on charm, hoping that we'll enjoy Fillion as a bad boy enough to overlook the half-baked plots and thin characters. …
USA Today says:
… None of the episodes is likely to keep you up at night puzzling out the intricacies of the mystery, but they won't bore you or insult your intelligence. Castle exists to exploit the appeal of its stars and the amusing byplay between their characters, and it does that with admirable efficiency. Whether that's good enough is ultimately up to you.
Variety says:
… has a breezy ease but, as a whole, feels a tad underfurnished. …
The Hollywood Reporter says:
… What stifles "Castle" is its separation from the way real people speak and behave, its rat-a-tat dialogue more cartoon-y than enchanting. It's tough to build much of an affinity for characters who are so madly in love with the sound of their own voice as Castle or as self-consciously controlled as Detective Beckett. The primary selling point for the series is the magnetism of Fillion, who knows how to carry off the masculine allure thing big time. But again, you feel the sense while watching the show that you're being conned rather than entertained, and that's hardly the stuff of which appointment viewing is made. …
10 p.m. Monday. ABC.
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"I love love love DR. HORRIBLE’S SING-ALONG BLOG as much or more than just about anything I’ve seen this year." -- Harry Knowles
3-For-2 Blu-Ray Sale!!
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Probably not. It is good to see him on TV again. I hope this series lasts.
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Mar 09, 2009 2:16:22 AM CDT
What's the record for most one-season-then-cancelled shows?
by monkeybrains
O'l Nathans got to be in the running.
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but without a hot, faux-nerdy Deschanel sister to make it even remotely interesting.
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And, watching this - judging from the reviews above - is going to make me miss it even more.
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is all i could come up with.
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Mark my words, this show is going to be a big ass hit regardless of if it sucks or not.
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I ain't gonna make it to Paleyfest, so ABC needs to burn off the Daisies left in the can.
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Wow it has a Whedon alum in it and Herc doesn't like it. This must be the worst show in the history of shows.
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Sometimes your writing style changes. Makes me think you have someone ghost you sometimes? Sharing the name with a partner?
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I mean people still watch American Idol in droves, feeding at that trough every week (and multiple times to boot). Apparently the "average American" doesn't want to actually think while watching television.
Oh, New World Order, you've already won. -
unfortunately he's starting to make Ted McGinley look like a fucking ratings goldmine.
Maybe Fillion should be the patron saint of "not even getting the bike off the ramp." -
how unfunny this show will be. I agree, I like Nathan Fillion a lot, and want him to finally get a break-out role, but this one isn't going to be it. The lack of chemistry with his co-star, noted in one of the reviews above, is even evident in the commercials! Make Nathan Hal Jordan in the Green Lantern movie, and save him from bad series and cancellations!
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Even though we haven't seen the new cast yet, I think Fillion would have been a perfect fit.
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Other than Lost, ABC is a network of the vagina, for the vagina and by the vagina. It's all shitty chick shows, whether they be maudlin dramas like Greys or "sexy" soaps like Dirty Sexy Money, or just Sex and the City ripoffs. Even Lost sometimes veers too closely into the romantic drama territory
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is the bomb. Apart from Desperate Housewives I will watch anything he appears in. This guy deserves a big break.
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I thought that Fillion's work last season on Desperate Housewives showed that he is NOT a series killer. And I could see how tempting it would be to fashion a series that would center around his rougish charm. Too bad this doesn't look to be it.And Herc, you did the same for Mad Men. Could you please start a talkback for Breaking Bad? The second season started last night, just as strong as last.
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Funny how when Herc DOESN'T like the show he downplays the Whedon connections.
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Hey, remember George Clooney and how many failed series he had? Fillion is a way better actor and way hotter his break is just around the corner. Right?
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and maybe just needs a few episodes to get going properly. I will give it a shot because I like Fillion's work (mostly).
As for it being a 'moonlighting' ripoff...well that show was on when I was a little kid and I never saw it...so that won't bother me.
Whoever said it sounds like Bones, where do you get that from? Bones is loosely based on books that are loosely based on true cases. But the character of Bones is not going around with the FBI agent to get story ideas or anything...she is there because of her job. Usually she goes along to analyze something and, while there, ends up helping solve the case/catch the bad guy. -
No wonder I couldn't find it in the TV Guide.
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Although there is technically nothing wrong with being "just" a fan-favourite, I hope Nathan Fillion will seriously break into mainstream fame soon. I liked him since he became "that new castmember" in 'Two Guys, A Girl And A Pizza Place' (Not sure if the pizza place was already gone back then.).
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I will watch this because Fillion is the shit, but if it sucks, I will just die a little inside and go back to looking for Genie lamps on the beach. It seems that's the only way to get Firefly season 2 up and running. You'd think with that horrible shit Joss is putting out on FOX that he'd be more open to going back to Firefly. Non of the actors are doing anything they couldn't get out of. Alan Tudyk is doing a fucking commercial for god's sake. Not that Wash could be in season 2 anyway I guess. Gorram Frakkin piece a goosa.
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And all the "I am Bill Pardy" hilarity. No really, it is funny.
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Sounds a lot like Bones only reversed. I don't see it lasting very long since Fillion doesn't have the best track record. Remember Drive?
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I think it's a pen name used by someone like Quint or even Harry
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Anna Septik? Gee, this is fun. Firefly dude and ESL(English as a Slavic Language) NY coppette. Ack.
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I don't for the life of me understand your hatred of the show. I usually let that kind of subjective opinion go with you, but the DH hate mystifies me.
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And if you weren't so busy being a sexist douche, you'd have time to read that research. Women watch episodic drama more often than men. Advertisers like to appeal to the male 18-35 demo, but that's not who watches the shows. Also, you'll be interested to know that the CW ACTUALLY intends to shift its focus to become a female-centered network. So if you wanna throw around "vagina network", use it there.
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Really? You're actually holding out hope that it could happen? EVERYONE has moved on from that show. Christ, Inara was just cast in the V remake. No one watched it the first time around. Why would they try to put it on the air again? It was a great show but it's done. Move on. More importantly, let the cast move on.
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I was hoping Fillion would find a good niche, like Boreanaz did with Bones. I only watched Bones in the beginning for an Angel fix, but I stuck with it, because it was consistently entertaining with good cast chemistry. Not an amazing show, but a good one. I'm going to try this out for Capt. Tightpants, but he wasn't enough to get me to watch Desperate Housewives, so he might not be enough to keep me here if the show sucks.
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The dvd has sold millions and millions of copies , Firefly has 100 times as many fans now then it did when it was on the air. The movie is way in the black now as well with 3 different releases which all sold huge numbers..of course I do agree that its pointless to talk about another season..I could easily see a sci fi special or straight to dvd movie like Dead Like Me just had.
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optimus122--Please don't mention that fuckin' Dead Like Me movie. What a shame that sucked so bad.
As to this: Isn't it sad that lack all of those reviews basically come down to "Fillion's great; the show sucks"? This is a guy who desperately needs some good material, 'cause he should be a household name. -
The head of ABC who has been saying the network targets older women for years. RE: Necgray's comment, CW has said they will target younger women, so I guess for Jor-El there's an "old vagina" and a "young vagina" network.
Nonetheless, I think my mom may like CASTLE. And that's who they made this show for. -
because i doubt this turd will last long.
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But I also hope this bombs quickly so Nathan Fillion can find a worthy role
hmm, I wonder if the Stargate: Voyager folks approached him.
If it was good enough for Angus "Mac" MacGyver it's good enough for Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds -
But he deserves better than this tepid detective rehash.
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Brilliant writing. Anybody who rags on that show has no concept of quality TV writing. Seriously, let go of your penis for half a second, it'll still be there when you're done watching the show.
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HATE, HATE, HATE this series just from the promos.
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You call out SLITHER and DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES for Fillion but not his signature FIREFLY?
I guess you don't want the stink of THE CASTLE to get on one of your Whedon favorites. -
was fun! Castle already smells dated, and could possibly launch a sister channel to the Armed Forces Network - one that's piped exclusively into nursing homes (the ones roiling with VD). It could lead into the Merv Griffin vapid quiz show of the day. Sad.
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Herc's real.
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One or two likeable characters. The rest fuck up shitheads.
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He's either in good stuff that gets cancelled or crap (that sometimes gets cancelled too). Shit. BTW, what the fuck is ABC Family cancelling KYLE XY for? They already have my unending hate for cancelling Middleman, but now I think they're just saying "fuck you" to anyone who likes even a little sci-fi.
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focusing on the female demographic and driving away other viewers
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I know, it's a losing battle. Castle will get cancelled, it's only a matter of whether or not they air the entire season.The Castle promos were the worse part of watching Lost. A writer that's bored with his own success that uses cutesy one-liners? (gag!). It would have been better if Castle had tourettes, and if the hot cop was a closet nympho. Who wouldn't watch that?
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not 'worse part of watching Lost'. I'm sorry grammar police, it won't happen again.
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Say what you will about the quality of the show and its potential future, but that Stana Katic chick is DELICIOUS. Damn, that is one sexy broad.
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Why compare it to The Wire when clearly it's going for the audience that watches NCIS?
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"Castle" wasn't bad. It's got charm. I have a feeling "The Unusuals" is the show to watch, however.
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....but after reading your review I didn't expect much.
And the fact that most critics agree with you actually makes me like you less.
Nothing personal....I'm just sayin'. -
We'll be back next week.
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Hit the gym tubby. We can't have you getting too fat to play Hal Jordan.
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Are you disparaging NCIS?
If you are, I have disagree. It's a good show. -
I have to disagree.
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and he looked nice. Most TV shows are unwatchable but I managed to make it through this one.
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Nathan Fillion gotta eat.
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We don't need another freakin LAw and Order type show with rapes and no laughs. I would rather have some humor instead of all the super serious stuff. It was better then most of the crap out there. Fillion can do comedy as we know from Firefly. And that Stana chick is freakin sexy as hell.
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Typical buddy cop funny mystery stuff. Not bad. It's nice to watch a show that's not being kissed ass by the press a lot, or a show where you need a checklist for every episode.
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than any of us were led to imagine.
liked it fine, it easily could survive and improve.
it's old fashoined, but what the fuck, and the daughter character is a nice touch too.
maybe mommy will stop being such an annoying trollop, but not so bad... -
that is all
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This isn't meant to be NYPD BLUE, it's just a light detective show. I enjoyed the pilot for the sake of entertainment and yes there were some funny lines. It's cool to see Nathan back at work and I hope there will be enough people (women) out there to keep him employed.
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I knew I knew her from somewhere.
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..it's not a fanboy gulper like Buffy or Firefly doesn't mean the show doesn't merit a second or third look. True, these are characters we have seen before and plots we have seen, but....are there any characters or plots we haven't seen before? Critics have a fine line to walk. On one hand, they must refuse to pretend to like anything that doesn't have "meaning". They must rail on and on infinitum about how they are outraged by poor quality and ineffective plot and writing just to maintain there credibility. But, hey, guess what? This is a filler show, people, premiered in the middle of March to see if it flies. There have been worse and there will be better, but for now, this is not too bad, capturing the flavor of Moonlighting with a little Remington Steele and Bones thrown in. It will do, and if the writing doesn't get better, so what? I could stand a few weeks of just watching and not having to think too much.
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not at all, just got the same vibe off of castle
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of the greatness that is Nathan Fillian - it was predictable and pedestrian. However, Mal can live on by participating in NASA's contest to name the new International Space Station’s Node 3. One of the names in the running is Serenity. Given that the name of Node 1 is Unity and Node 2 is Harmony, Serenity seems a natural choice. Voting ends on March 20th!
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...as he thinks he is. This series is weak in the extreme, and his co-star is totally generic. This smells like awful "Journeyman"-type casting to me. I don't give a rat's ass about either of these people.
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...yeah - Fillion is a proven show-killer on par with the likes of Paula Marshall, Sarah Paulson, Claire Danes, Matthew Perry and (mercifully!) Dane Cook.
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that it looked like the beginning of every "CSI Miami" ep where fashion models on jet skis get murdered.
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