John From Cincinnati

[rthomas]

I switched over from the NBA game Sunday night to watch Entourage and found John From Cincinnati instead. It reminded me a little of 6 feet under gone surfing. Not sure what it was about but I watched it anyway, with some channel surfing back to the blow out NBA game.

Did you watch and did you understand what is was about? The floating? And John From Cincinnati who seems maybe Asperger's and can surf?

I'm not sure if I'll watch more. Thoughts?

[jimsumner]

It struck me that none of these people were even in the same zip code as normal. Having established that, it will be interesting to see how this show develops.

HBO really needs this to be a hit.

[mapei]

I'll be surprised if it is. I just couldn't relate at all, though if Rebecca DeMornay is in more scenes I might watch after all.

[Mal]

Agreed. If it's well-received, I could see JFC carving out a nice niche for itself, but I don't see it pulling in serious numbers. Sort of like Six Feet Under, which was critically lauded, but too out of the mainstream to be a "hit" in terms of adding subscribers.

Had there been a show similar in style and sensibility to The Sopranos, but set in a milieu other than the mafia, would it have achieved the culture-infecting weight it did? I don't know.

Would we consider Deadwood to have been a hit? If so, then I guess JFC has a chance. But on the Sopranos, Sex and The City level? No way.

I liked it - I think the kid needs some acting lessons (if I've read correctly, he's actually the grandson in the real life surfing family the Yosts are based on); the fringe characters need some smoothing out, as there's a total lack of "normal" people to ground it right now; and the treatment of John in future episodes will be tricky - is he just a gimmick or a real person? Does he evolve or just keep spouting prophetic sounding one-liners?

Hammer those things out and it should be good. The basic characters are interesting enough, and the whole "something big is going to happen to make them re-evaluate everything in their lives" angle is always a good one.

[Exiled_Devil]

I'm curious. I'll bide my time. I think that it is in the 'mystery-driven plot' genre a la Lost and Heroes. As such, I don't give it more than 2 seasons of decent shows. I hope they do a good job - I am curious about the characters and could see myself growing to appreciate them.

Relatedly, does anyone have an opinion on Big Love? I keep catching episodes and wonder if it is worthwhile.


Exiled

[DevilAlumna]

Relatedly, does anyone have an opinion on Big Love? I keep catching episodes and wonder if it is worthwhile.


I watched all of Season One, saying, "I'll give it one more chance" after each episode; and I made sure I caught the premier of Season 2. I'm still not sold on it being a great show, but there seems to be a dearth of other decent entertainment right now, so it will stay in the list.

My reasons for staying with it:

* it's an interesting story line/family concept (a reason I watch "The Riches" as well);
* I like each of the main actors, both from the show, and from non-Big Love projects;
* Each episode usually ends with enough intrigue that I want to know what happens next.

My reasons for being otherwise 'eh' about it:

* Otherwise can't relate to the characters (I'm not LDS or LDS-related, don't live in Utah, etc.);
* Not that much action or humor, so it does get dull sometimes.

I find it's a little too complicated to follow while doing something else (like play online Sudoku), but not interesting enough to hold my full attention.

How's that for a mixed review?

[mapei]

Big Love doesn't do it for me. Bring back Curb Your Enthusiasm! And that show with Lisa Kudrow that was like watching a train wreck in slow motion, yet I couldn't take my eyes off it. Of course, I also liked K Street, making me a member of the tiniest minority of all.

Most of all (after the Sopranos), I miss Carnivale. Amazing show.

[DevilAlumna]

Of course, I also liked K Street, making me a member of the tiniest minority of all.

I held a small viewing party for the opening of that show, I was so into it. I don't think it lived up to the hype.

Plus, Carville's just a freak.

[captmojo]

[QUOTE=Mal;25631]

Would we consider Deadwood to have been a hit? If so, then I guess JFC has a chance. But on the Sopranos, Sex and The City level? No way.



I would consider "Deadwood " a hit. I much enjoyed it. These were real life characters, living in real life situations, albeit with plenty of poetic license. The dirt, mud and blood, excrement and lawlessness were also very real. I eagerly await it's return.

I have yet to give "John" a chance. I was too blown away at the "Sopranos" ending. I had to get up and away from the tv for a while after the credits rolled.

[mapei]

I held a small viewing party for the opening of that show, I was so into it. I don't think it lived up to the hype.

Plus, Carville's just a freak.

But that was a benefit to the show, not a drawback! ;)

I live in DC and have seen him on the street. He doesn't look quite as weird in person, in part because he's rather tall. Of course, I couldn't hear him speak, which is a big part of his freakness.

I also saw one of the actors (good looking ethnic type guy) at a bike race. That show really didn't last long.

[jimbonelson]

i thought deadwood was a awsome show,i also liked rome

[alteran]

I switched over from the NBA game Sunday night to watch Entourage and found John From Cincinnati instead. It reminded me a little of 6 feet under gone surfing. Not sure what it was about but I watched it anyway, with some channel surfing back to the blow out NBA game.

Did you watch and did you understand what is was about? The floating? And John From Cincinnati who seems maybe Asperger's and can surf?

I read a quote from one of the creators/writers. And can't remember it exactly, but the comment was something along the lines of, "imagine if God became a little more desperate to get a message out." Which I think explains the floating and the JfC character. (Hey, JfC-- JC, get it?)

Probably a stretch, but I hold doctorates in both Advanced Conspiracy Theory AND Media Over-Analysis.

[alteran]

I liked it - I think the kid needs some acting lessons (if I've read correctly, he's actually the grandson in the real life surfing family the Yosts are based on); the fringe characters need some smoothing out, as there's a total lack of "normal" people to ground it right now; and the treatment of John in future episodes will be tricky - is he just a gimmick or a real person? Does he evolve or just keep spouting prophetic sounding one-liners?

Hammer those things out and it should be good. The basic characters are interesting enough, and the whole "something big is going to happen to make them re-evaluate everything in their lives" angle is always a good one.

I agree with most of this. It's an interesting show so far and I'll watch, but it's not something I'd subscribe to HBO for.

[DevilAlumna]

Okay, after watching the second JfC episode, I'm totally intrigued. It was the final scene that did it. And the question mark of 'What just happened?" and wanting to know the answer overrides my feelings of angst/indifference to the fact that I otherwise have no clue as to what is the point of this show.

But, it doesn't hurt that the acting's pretty decent (surfer kid aside), and I really like Greenwood, O'Neill and Willie Garson.


Oh, and Big Love is much better this season than last, IMO.

[Exiled_Devil]

I agree that episode two has me pretty well hooked. It doesn't hurt that it is on when I am waiting for the new entourage to show up on my tv screen.

Exiled

[A-Tex Devil]

Now, I'll admit to never EVER reading any Faulkner. But my wife is from Oxford MS and an English major from Ole Miss. We've been watching this show and love the characters. But there seems like there is a lot of plot that is not connected.

She said it's like reading a Faulkner novel. Lots of pieces that don't quite make sense at the time that come together over the course of the novel. I dunno, but people out there may know what she's talking about.

I told her it sounds like The Wire to me. Still, enjoying this show.

[Mal]

I like the call on Faulkner - this seems like something he would have written in his brief adventures as a screenwriter. In many of his novels (I'm thinking especially of The Sound and Fury and As I Lay Dying), the plot is generally sketched out up front or not really all that important anyway. The psychology underlying the bizarre behavior of some of the characters is more important, and is revealed like the peeling of an onion as the book moves along, oftentimes through flashback or varying narrators.

There are a number of rather odd characters on this show, as well as self-centered and/or self-destructive ones, and I sense we'll learn a lot more about their psychoses as we go along. I'm not sure about the vehicle for that, though, as flashback and POV changes haven't been offered up yet (at least through the first 2 episodes).

I find the scenes with Ed O'Neill the most interesting so far. What traumatic event happened in Bill's life, to lead to him so removing himself from any normal community, to avoid elevators, to talk to birds? Is John there to heal his psyche? Ditto with the guy who bought the motel, and the reasons for Butchie's inability to get clean despite being obviously self-aware of his problems.

[Cavlaw]

I just got cable hooked up at my new house this past weekend, maybe I'll have to give the show a try. Ed O'Neil is one of my favorite non-blockbuster actors (especially from 'Dutch'), so if he has an interesting character I'm inclined to see it at least once.

[DevilAlumna]

Is anyone still watching this show, and if so, can someone please explain to me the big, group BBQ scene towards the end of this most recent episode? I was more than a bit confused by it all, and I'm sure I missed most, if not all, of the symbolism and such.

Even a link to some site that discusses the show in nauseating detail would be good.

I still think it's a good bit of TV, but I somehow feel that I'm unable to appreciate it fully, because I'm not a critical TV viewer (I tend to be doing about 3 other things while the boobtube is on.)

[A-Tex Devil]

Is anyone still watching this show, and if so, can someone please explain to me the big, group BBQ scene towards the end of this most recent episode? I was more than a bit confused by it all, and I'm sure I missed most, if not all, of the symbolism and such.

Even a link to some site that discusses the show in nauseating detail would be good.

I still think it's a good bit of TV, but I somehow feel that I'm unable to appreciate it fully, because I'm not a critical TV viewer (I tend to be doing about 3 other things while the boobtube is on.)

The HBO site has some pretty good stuff. A "behind Episode 6" blog. mattzollerseitz.blogspot.com also has some good info, but his recap of yesterday was a little too awestruck for me. sepinwall.blogspot.com also has good recaps, but he isn't sold on the show yet.

My basic impression was that JFC sort of laid everything out that is bad and then said something to the effect of "in Cass' camera" everything is right. Not sure we are really supposed to know EVERYTHING yet.

I like it and feel there will be SOME payoff. If there isn't, there won't be a season 2 (there may not be anyway).

There are some plot points that we are SUPPOSED to know now based on previous dialogue (these aren't spoilers) -- Barry was molested in the "haunted" hotel room and it was an effect of whatever it was Butchie did to him when they were kids. Bill's wife died because Bill knocked himself out on his stairs when he was supposed to help her or something (hence the bubble wrap about head high on his stairs). Butchie used to surf with horns implanted on his head. The dialogue is so dense, though, that it's like The Wire in that EVERY line means something. But it may not mean anything for a few episodes.

Still think it's the 12 disciples or something gathering, but not sure how to put it together yet.

John's "pitch" to Cissy was one of the best scenes I've seen on TV recently. "Baptize that &^(*^ pistol, Cissy!"

[Exiled_Devil]

I liken this movie to riding a wave - not really sure how it will move, a general idea of where it is going, and a good time throughout.

I have a vague idea of what was going on at the BBQ - one thing to note is that John, Bill, the Yosts (minus Butchie), the nam vet (I forget his name) - all of them were physically somewhere else when that took place.

I have heard that JFC is a coming of Jesus. I keep counting the other characters, but I can't find a concise 12 to be disciples...

Still, this show deserves watching and re-watching. It is dense in the dialog, but also very very interesting. For me the show has moved from 'super-dysfunctional family with odd dude" to "allegory in the making with an odd collection of people"

Exiled

[Schwarz]

I think I decided to cancel my season pass when the Hawaiian tough guy pulled out the saxophone. The show moved from intriguing to bizarre to ridiculous without giving me a reason to understand what is going on.

The levitating "Mitch Yost needs to get back in the game", but I don't think he was even in the latest episode.

[Mal]

Seemed like a pretty straight up messiah allegory to me, with the multiple references to "my father" by John. I haven't rewatched the barbeque scene, but the first time I had no idea what was going on. My general impression is that we're veering a little too close to David Lynch territory for my tastes. Any time there's a dead guy with a hole in his head sitting on a lawn chair while a middle-aged hoodlum plays saxophone at a cookout, you lose me just a little bit.

I like the disciples idea someone mentioned. The doctor's actions have foreshadowed the possibility of John convincing a bunch of people to stop what they're doing and move into his orbit. Butchie's on that path, too, it would seem.

Agreed on the scene with Sissy and John. Again, if this is religious allegory, the idea of "here's our pitch" with John's monologue as basically a radio ad for a carpet store, as the way religion needs to function to get a foothold in modern society, was spot on. I think the actor who plays John was right on target in that scene, too. It's tough to say whether he's doing a good job from scene to scene because the character is so unknowable and bizarre at this point, but he had me pulled in on that one.

[A-Tex Devil]

I think I decided to cancel my season pass when the Hawaiian tough guy pulled out the saxophone. The show moved from intriguing to bizarre to ridiculous without giving me a reason to understand what is going on.

The levitating "Mitch Yost needs to get back in the game", but I don't think he was even in the latest episode.

This is completely reasonable and is why this show probably won't get a second season without some kind of payoff. My wife gave up on it after episode 2 (but she hates Milch-speak, too, which may have been a larger factor than the bizarre storyline).

Too many pseudo-intellectual HBO.com fanboys will tell people that don't enjoy the show that "they just don't get it," but I'm not sure there is anything to get -- yet. It either entertains you or it doesn't. No judgment. I, personally, am watching this and enjoying it without being able to really explain why. This either means I'm too easily entertained (highly possible, I don't watch TV with a very critical eye -- I leave that for work), or that this show is providing something worth waiting on. It's got me hooked, and I enjoyed that last scene even without really understanding what the heck it meant.

By the way -- Mitch Yost was in the "family portrait" with the dead guy, standing in upper left (his right) in a black wetsuit.