Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news.

Herc Finds Himself At Odds With
NBC’s MY OWN WORST ENEMY!!

First by odo19	Oct 13th, 2008 03:06:06 AM

I'm going to check it out by Bloo	Oct 13th, 2008 03:13:01 AM
based on the premise which sounds good, sorry to hear the final project isn't as good what's going on over at NBC, chuck is at the moment, the only standout good show right now
Saw an early screener by Cash907	Oct 13th, 2008 03:16:00 AM
and this show just plain sucks. I wanted to like it because I was happy for Slater to land something like this given his recent acting drought, but there just isn't anything redeeming about the premise or the execution. The original pilot of Bionic Woman was more believable then this show, and thats saying something as that show featured freakin' cyborgs and hot chicks banging nerdy professors. Hopefully this show will bomb miserably, and NBC will move Life back to Monday nights.
It's up on Hulu and yahoo already by textual	Oct 13th, 2008 03:49:58 AM
Not very compelling, especially since they dodge all of the interesting complexities of having a life of fake memories, knowing you'll cheat on your wife and kill people. It would have been more interesting if the two personalities were at odds. Have the secret persona go rogue and start assassinating people while his other self keeps taking over to sabotage his plans, and vice versa. Sorta like Fight Club.
didn't they learn from Alias by punto	Oct 13th, 2008 06:22:07 AM
that we don't give a shit about Sidney's suburban life?
I'll watch just for Slater by IAmMrMonkey!	Oct 13th, 2008 06:34:52 AM
Anyone see that movie recently where he played a downtrodden office worker who wanted to shoot everyone in his office dead? I love me a bit of Slater and so I'll tune in just for him. He's a good actor and, if this show works at all, it'll probably be because of him.
FIRST? by Pancho Straight	Oct 13th, 2008 06:35:20 AM
...to mention that this is a rip-off of the Geena Davis movie the Long Kiss Goodnight in this talkback? How did it take so long?
What else is there to watch at 10? by j2talk	Oct 13th, 2008 06:41:24 AM
for no other reason this could be a hit.....
No references at all to True Lies?... by Alifemde	Oct 13th, 2008 08:05:35 AM
Honestly that's all I could think of when I first heard the premise. Didn't even think of Bourn or Alias. Still looks like it'll suck though.
I Liked The Premise Until I Read All This by cowboyone	Oct 13th, 2008 08:21:54 AM
I'll check it out, but I'm suddenly very skeptical. The joyride in the Chevy Camaro scene sounds cringe-able. To devote an entire scene to GM product placement shows you where the Network's priorities are. Yuck.
Every time someone says 'derring-do' by smackfu	Oct 13th, 2008 08:51:32 AM
I die a little on the inside...
Is it as good... by Pancho Straight	Oct 13th, 2008 09:34:47 AM
as She Spies?
Hey Cohagen, giff de pepul deh aih! by Christopher3	Oct 13th, 2008 10:02:01 AM
You ah nod you - youah me!
Total Recall.. by AnakinsDiapers	Oct 13th, 2008 10:33:34 AM
...don't forget Total Recall, cause that's what i thought of when i saw the premise.
The power of Herc !! by spyro	Oct 13th, 2008 10:36:25 AM
I was quite keen to see this until I read the article. Not so keen now but will try it anyway.
Fuck NBC. by DarthCorleone	Oct 13th, 2008 10:37:02 AM
As I said during the user-unfriendly Olympics coverage that NBC visited upon us in the midst of ad after ad for this show ad nauseam, no way in hell am I watching this or any NBC series this season. Try again in 2012.
My So Called Own Worst Enemy. by Himbo	Oct 13th, 2008 10:43:21 AM
I'd watch this if Clare Danes was in it. Sounds less like Jekyll and Hide, more like bizzaro Fight Club. Instead of anarchist Tyler Durden, you get government agent while other personality sleeps. I wasn't wildly enthusiastic about this show before this article, and less so now. I'm sure there will be something else on the tivo.
That blown-out Samantha Who ad... by Nasty In The Pasty	Oct 13th, 2008 11:06:07 AM
...looks like it's hiding Kelly Bundy's wrinkles...
Since Fringe and Life on Mars have been highly praised letdowns. by Shermdawg	Oct 13th, 2008 11:08:59 AM
I've got my fingers crossed critics are wrong about this one too.
Himbo by Unnatural	Oct 13th, 2008 12:56:51 PM
Thanks a lot for spoiling Fight Club! I have been avoiding spoilers and now you just ruined it for me. Thanks. I will watch MOWE simply for Slater. I like him as an actor, so I will tune in to see what he does with this. It seems like a vehicle for him like SHARK is for James Woods -- you don't watch it for the old plots, but to see a good actor chew on scripts.
Sounds ridiculous and nonsensical by JonQuixote	Oct 13th, 2008 01:30:14 PM
But of course, so is CHUCK. Everything involving the intersect and the handling of Chuck makes no goddamned sense once you think about it beyond "these things exist." And yet, CHUCK is one of the most consistently engaging and entertaining shows on network television.
looks pretty bad by geraldbeans	Oct 13th, 2008 02:17:54 PM
I actually felt sorry for everyone involved when I first saw these promos. They just look...bad. bad idea, bad casting, wrong look, wrong everything. but I guess once you've put so much money into something, you have to promote the hell out of it. which is why we're seeing more and more of these awful commercials. oh well. at least we'll probably only have to deal with them for a couple of weeks.
JonQ by skimn	Oct 13th, 2008 02:33:51 PM
But Chuck doesn't take itself seriously, whereas this looks like it's trying to be "gritty and edgy". I think Slater's agent said, "Hey you've sunk to direct-to-DVD, so why not series television?
"Daddy's home!" by LarryTate	Oct 13th, 2008 02:47:03 PM
or whatever he says in the teaser instantly turned me off. I usually like Slater, but just the way he said it made do a Will Smith "Awww Hell no!"
Another spy show aired on same network. by Roketopunch	Oct 13th, 2008 04:36:23 PM
I just hope this one is good. Because fuck, Chuck sucks ducks.
sorry Roketopunch by j2talk	Oct 13th, 2008 05:19:59 PM
but at 8pm on monday night Chuck is the best thing on TV......
I AM TWO PEOPLE!! by polyh3dron	Oct 13th, 2008 06:20:54 PM
The delivery of this line on all the promos makes me want to hate this show already. Hopefully this sentiment isn't shared by others.
Too bad by Charlie_Allnut	Oct 13th, 2008 07:08:23 PM
I always kind of like Slater.
RE: j2talk (what else to watch) by Incomplete Gamer	Oct 13th, 2008 07:31:20 PM
How about Boston Legal?
isn't the complaint... by D_T	Oct 13th, 2008 07:34:18 PM
...that having him go into a "no nothing" cover mode makes no sense explained like so: If he's in operative mode and captured he's basically toast anyway. When he's not in operative mode he still poses a threat to security (if he were bagged) so why not just turn him off? Then if he is ID'ed on the street and picked up he can't damage the company [?] Or is there something I'm missing? Definitely going to tune in tonight - nothing on at 10 and I've always liked Slater.
For God's sake by D_T	Oct 13th, 2008 07:35:25 PM
Hahaha, making shrimp and pecking out a talkback doesn't work - I of course meant KNOW. Ya know?
Boston Legal-that STILL on? by j2talk	Oct 13th, 2008 07:54:57 PM

J2 by D_T	Oct 13th, 2008 09:02:14 PM
I thought the exact same thing when I was looking at the guide tonight - you don't hear much about it, but I guess it's still chugging along (Shatner and Spader still on it?)
Yep, three for three. by Shermdawg	Oct 13th, 2008 10:07:42 PM
I likey.
Ben-EH! Vhere ah yuoh Ben-EH?! by Nasty In The Pasty	Oct 13th, 2008 10:11:37 PM
SCREW YOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!
It has elements that would by veritasses	Oct 13th, 2008 10:12:37 PM
do well in a high budget movie. Unfortunately, it looks, feels and plays like a slightly better than average network TV series. Just another show that doesn't live up to the premise. And yeah, there were far better ways they could have approached the competing personalities issue. I'll probably give it a few more episodes though.
If this does get canned, 24 should nab Slater. by Shermdawg	Oct 13th, 2008 10:17:49 PM
And groom him as a replacement for Kiefer.
Didn't think it was that bad by tiredpm	Oct 14th, 2008 12:06:10 AM
Quick answer to the "why would a government agency bother to spend so much time, money and effort to create for a top asset like Edward Albright an alter ego that would leave Edward’s body so vulnerable to enemies?" question: he was never meant to come home and live in this country. Edward was always meant to be overseas and Henry would be an instantly activated identity in the event of capture. He would pass any polygraph and have a plausible cover in the US. Something screwed that plan up, maybe Henry meeting someone that couldn't be erased. That's how I'd approach the answer, anyway. I agree that the product placement was obnoxious, but no more so than 24 or Terminator. However, again, as an answer to why Henry was put in Edward's apartment, maybe Mavis just felt like fucking with Edward. All in all, I'm intrigued enough to come back next week, although, like everything else this season, I'm not hooked. Fringe bored me quickly (3 episodes on DVR and counting), Terminator seems interminable and the shows I have enjoyed in the long term are not making for must see TV. I think the strike did more damage than the networks realized.
Shermdawg... by tiredpm	Oct 14th, 2008 12:08:03 AM
...no. When Kiefer leaves 24 should stop. No follow up, no prequel, no agent-in-training. Jack's gone? So is the show.
RE: D_T by Incomplete Gamer	Oct 14th, 2008 12:14:04 AM
Yes. Both people are still on it. The writing is still sharp and the stories are well worth it. Apparently it must not be your thing, but as far as I'm concerned Boston Legal is much better than this piece of garbage.
Now that I've watched it... by polyh3dron	Oct 14th, 2008 01:03:52 AM
I enjoyed it immensely, despite its ridiculous premise. Of course this means it will be cancelled forthwith.
er... that was just the first hour. by ulcer	Oct 14th, 2008 08:05:04 AM
of course it didn't do and explain everything and deal with "all the complexities of dual personalities" in those 40 minutes. Crazy how people take any show and move the goal post until it's far enough that it can't be reached. If it did all of that, you'd complain that there was too much stuff crammed in an hour (which some critics apparently did say)
wasnt bad, I'll watch it again by j2talk	Oct 14th, 2008 09:04:22 AM
'course seeing the Giants loose was better...........
It was aight by mistergreen	Oct 14th, 2008 09:04:48 AM
some parts of it was good. Nothing horrible.
Adding on to my earlier comment by veritasses	Oct 14th, 2008 11:02:01 AM
The acting was good here and there but in general, it was too… cavalier for material that begs for something more polished and serious. Slater in particular was hit and miss. I’m not certain he’s quite grasped the dual characters and how each character is wrestling and dealing with the issue of the other personality. A much stronger contrast is warranted. Whatever the case, he needs to bring a lot more to the role. Without Slater nailing this, the whole premise (and thus the show) falls apart. Though to be fair, he’s pretty good at times and it’s a tough role for network TV so he deserves a few more episodes to settle in to character. Alfree Woodard isn’t bringing enough gravitas to her role which is important to counterbalance the issues of instability to Slater’s character. She’s a good actor but I think she’s miscast here. The bald, middle aged spy also plays an important role to reinforce the dual role of Slater’s characters, and he’s not bad, but he and Slater could do a bit more. Kids shouldn’t be in the show period. Mostly because it’s hard to find great kid actors and they almost always ruin credibility. As far as the writing goes, there were parts which were well written but I think the acting, lighting, directing missed the mood/tone/feel Smilovic was going for, which is a shame. The lighting, while professional, didn’t achieve the effect that was needed for Smilovic’s material. The directing was good, but like the lighting, didn’t achieve what it needed to do. While I’m critical of the people involved, I think the show deserves a few more viewings and I can’t really place blame and say anyone was really at fault. This is the type of show that would fair far better when the artists aren’t constrained by the time, budget and censorship of network TV.
i didn't hate it by Charlie Murphy	Oct 14th, 2008 11:43:49 AM
i might watch next week with the new showrunner
C'MON QUAID!!! by turketron	Oct 14th, 2008 01:24:39 PM
I'M GONNA DRILL YOU SUCKA!!! I'M GONNA GRIIIND YOU UP!!!!
Agree with Shermdawg by Serious Black	Oct 14th, 2008 02:09:18 PM
Fringe and Life on Mars got lots of praise, but they were both really lame. It's hard to know how this show will turn out, but the pilot was interesting. I disagree with whatever reviewer said this was all cliche or whatever. Sure we've had split personality characters before, but not done quite like this. I LOVE the scene where Henry notices the message that Edward left on his palm. As for why would the government go to all of this trouble, isn't that part of the mystery of the show, Herc? Would you have preferred it if they gave up all of the Lost islands' mysteries in the pilot episode?
Not to gripe Herc,but your facts are wrong by Grammaton Cleric Binks	Oct 14th, 2008 06:38:03 PM
"An existential-crisis tale about a fellow who comes to learn he doesn’t really exist, “My Own Worst Enemy” stars Christian Slater as a superagent given a government-engineered split personality. Henry (Spivey, not Jekyll) is the happily married suburban dad who sometimes “dreams” of being a secret agent. Edward (Albright, not Hyde) is a womanizing spy-assassin who uses Spivey’s body to perform derring-do on behalf of the U.S. government." Edward doesn't use Henry's body. Edward is the original owner of the body, Henry is the new personality construct. That was a MAJOR point in the first episode. I don't know if you just misspoke or arent' paying attention. Everyone has there days, and I appreciate your reviews, even though AICN has wussied out on SAMCRO, but you need to keep your eyes open on this stuff.
And as far as the quality, I disagree with the by Grammaton Cleric Binks	Oct 14th, 2008 06:39:18 PM
media reviews. I really like the show. But, I don't know how they can keep up the pace. I guess I'll wait and see.
about CHUCK by slkboxrman	Oct 14th, 2008 07:28:03 PM
the nerve and absolute stupidity a person would have to have to say chuck "is the best thing on TV" at any hour of any day....stop doin drugs..if all u losers that like chuck took your hands off your dicks watchin the blonde and actually watched an episode u would see how retarded a show it is...ill take back journeyman or for that matter surface any day over chuck.....btw ENEMY was a great season premiere...why do i say that ? because i was able to get thru the whole hour without changing the channel...couldnt make it past 30 min with chuck...
Ya know what I enjoyed out of it? by digitalcos	Oct 14th, 2008 10:26:52 PM
The hell. Yep, I enjoyed the hell out of it, and I don't care who knows.
Split Personality by NeoAngelus	Oct 15th, 2008 12:08:33 AM
Why would they need to create a split personality in the first place? Mike O'Malley's character has a dual role as regular guy and spy guy without the need of chip in his head, or whatever. That scene where they show him talking on the phone to his wife while loading his gun just shows how flawed the concept is. The show would be more interesting if it was about one man balancing his spy life with his cover life, except its the same person, not one guy with two personalities.
The so-called mysteries by NeoAngelus	Oct 15th, 2008 12:12:21 AM
Don't seem like mysteries. Leaving Henry in Edward's apartment was reckless on the agency's part and not realistic. Having a supporting character who leads two lives without the aid of a split personality while the lead does so with a separate personality is lame.
Raymond/Tom by Playhouse	Oct 15th, 2008 04:17:08 AM
NeoAngelus makes a good point. I enjoy the show despite some glaring flaws. One of the biggest, though, was the character of Raymond/Tom. My impression going into the show was that Edward/Henry was part of a large program with a number of operatives undergoing the same split personality thing. And that Raymond/Tom was one of them. I think that would've been a stronger choice. Instead, by having Raymond only faking to be Tom, it really kind of dragged you out of the premise. I was still entertained, though. I'll give it some more chances to see where it goes.
Raymond/Tom is one of Edward's handlers by digitalcos	Oct 15th, 2008 08:58:04 AM
It would be pretty impractical if everybody in the orginization were like Edward wouldn't it? I doubt Raymond is normally sent into the field, but in this case the agent he was assigned to was abducted.
Everybody Loves Raymond by Grammaton Cleric Binks	Oct 15th, 2008 11:51:06 AM
except for the Russian guys he just blew away.

Talkbacks

Herc Finds Himself At Odds With
NBC’s MY OWN WORST ENEMY!!

User login

Quick Talkback

Talkbacks

Talkbacks

Herc Finds Himself At Odds With NBC’s MY OWN WORST ENEMY!!

User login

Quick Talkback

Talkbacks

Herc Finds Himself At Odds With
NBC’s MY OWN WORST ENEMY!!