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Galavant - Sundays at 8:00PM ET/PT on ABC
Premieres Sunday, January 4, 2015 at 8:00PM & 8:30PM ET/PT

by Vincent

Once upon a time, the dashing hero, Galavant (Joshua Sasse), lost the love of his life, Madalena (Mallory Jansen), to the evil King Richard (Timothy Omundson). Now, our fallen hero is ready to take revenge and restore his "happily ever after." But it won't be without a few twists and turns along the way. Galavant tells the story of the titular hero’s redemption, through sprawling fantasy and Broadway-esque showtunes.

Cast Details:

Joshua Sasse as Sir Galavant
Karen David as Isabella
Luke Youngblood as Sid
Mallory Jansen as Madalena
Timothy Omundson as King Richard
Vinnie Jones as Gareth

Joshua Sasse (Sir Galavant) is a British television and film actor. His previous work includes a guest role on The Neighbors and on the Canadian crime drama Rogue.

Karen David (Isabella) is a British television actress whose previous work includes guest roles on Castle and Touch, as well as roles in films such as Couples Retreat and The Color of Magic.

Luke Youngblood (Sid) is best known for his recurring role as Magnitude on Community. He also appeared in the Harry Potter films as the character of Lee Jordan.

Mallory Jansen (Madalena) is best known for recurring roles on ABC Family sitcoms Baby Daddy and Young & Hungry.

Timothy Omundson (King Richard) is known for his roles on shows such as Judging Amy, Xena: The Warrior Princess, and Psych. He also has an extensive list of guest credits on shows such as Seinfeld, Married...with Children, NYPD Blue, Deadwood, and The O.C.

Vinnie Jones (Gareth) is a British actor with an extensive list of credits, including appearances on Psych, Reaper, Elementary, Arrow, and Year One.

Pilot Plot:

We have watched the first 6 episodes for review and this review will take the first 6 episodes in consideration. Here is a description of the first two:

"Pilot/Joust Friends" (Airs January 4 from 8:00PM-9:00PM ET)

When heroic, charming and handsome Sir Galavant loses his true love, the beautiful Madalena, to evil King Richard's wealth and power, he falls into a deep and drunken despair. Just as our hero hits rock bottom, Princess Isabella shows up with a quest to save her kingdom, defeat the despicable King Richard, and provide an opportunity for Galavant to reclaim Madalena. Galavant is off to become a hero again and strike a blow for true love... but first, Galavant has to fit into his old hero pants. In the second half-hour, Galavant enters a jousting tournament against a boastful rival, Sir Jean Hamm (guest star John Stamos), to test his return to heroic form (and win some much-needed traveling money and a really nice rooster). But it quickly becomes clear that Galavant is a long shot to win. Meanwhile, King Richard asks Gareth to help him become a bit more macho so that Madalena won't despise him quite so much.

Analysis:

Okay, let's get the obvious of the way: Galavant is utterly ridiculous. It is a medieval musical comedy airing on a broadcast television network, which is a miracle in and of itself. Even if Galavant was terrible, I would have to give it props just for simply existing and allowing ABC to dedicate four hours of its broadcast time to it. The lunacy of Galavant is a lunacy that appeals to me, so I would likely be behind its existence no matter what. Luckily, Galavant is not terrible – it's amusing, handsomely produced, well-acted and occasionally very funny, with undeniably catchy show-tunes that have been stuck in my head all week. Galavant comes from creator Dan Fogelman, who tackled a similarly insane premise with his previous alien-based comedy series The Neighbors, a show that quietly became pretty good over the course of its run even as it was inevitably shedding viewers.

Fogelman seems to have a talent for making seemingly unthinkable premises into surprisingly good shows, and some of that is on display in Galavant, which I was expecting to be an amusing trainwreck but actually seems to know what it's doing most of the time. In fact, the biggest complaint I have about the show might be that it's a little too competent, in a way. I don't mean I want the show to be bad, but for a wildly outlandish premise, some of the story beats it hits are surprisingly rote. In fact, the least interesting thing about Galavant is its main story – Galavant's road to redemption feels like something we've seen plenty of times before, and it's when the show starts digging into smaller, stranger stories in its third and fourth episodes that it starts to really be the offbeat weirdo of a show that I really want it to be. I mean, ABC is treating this thing as a limited event (although I guess if it does well they'll find a way to bring it back next year), so why not use the time you know you have to really go big instead of attempting to stick to a by-the-numbers story? It seems like by the fourth episode, Galavant is starting to veer towards that side of the line, as it starts giving more screentime to the delightfully insane King Richard and begins focusing more on the quirky banter between Galavant and his assembled crew rather than their purpose. Galavant would improve if it would bring this sense of originality to its main storyline, which mostly feels like a drag whenever it's brought up. It's hard not to get past the sense that a show whose main storyline is so problematic is kind of fatally flawed, but there's enough else to like with Galavant that it ultimately doesn't really matter – this is a medieval musical comedy, and while that isn't going to be enough to last it forever, it's enough to make it interesting for now.

Conclusion:

Galavant, as you might expect, is a strange, flawed little show, but it's a show that brings something genuinely fresh to the network television landscape, something that's getting harder and harder to come by when it comes to the broadcast networks. It could stand to experiment with its stories as much as it experiments with its form, and its main story arc isn't much more than a generic bedpost to hang its silly songs and off-color jokes on. But despite all of that, it's hard not to at least appreciate whatever it is that Galavant is trying to do.

Final Numbers (out of 5 stars):

Watchability: 4/5
Funniness: 3/5
Overall: 3.5/5

Discuss the show after you watch it on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015 at 8:00PM ET/PT on our message board.

Related Links:

ABC.com Official Site

TV.com

epguides.com

Internet Movie Database

Wikipedia

Galavant Photo Gallery

Preview:

It's Friday, so it is time for "Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows" for the coming week. This is where we list what sitcom stars are appearing on talk shows for the coming week, the stars are both current and past sitcom stars, so this is for all sitcom fans of all eras!
For the week of Jan. 5-9, 2015, we have many current sitcom stars and past sitcom stars on TV talk shows! All times listed are Eastern. So get your DVRs (or whatever you use) ready! Ready? Here is all what you need to know for the coming week!


Monday, January 5, 2015

• Kathy Griffin (Suddenly Susan) - Watch Kathy on The Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS. She also talks about Fashion Police on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
• Drew Carey (The Drew Carey Show/The Good Life) - Drew guest co-hosts The Late Late Show all this week at 12:37am on CBS.
• Courteney Cox (Cougar Town/Friends) - Courteney stops by Conan at 11pm on TBS.
• Donald Faison (The Exes/Scrubs) - Donald visits Conan at 11pm on TBS.
• Ron Funches (Undateable) - Ron is a guest on @midnight on Comedy Central at midnight.
• Margaret Cho (All-American Girl) - Margaret chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT. She is a guest on HuffPost Live at 2pm. Finally, she will be on Watch What Happens: Live at 11pm on Bravo.
• Kirstie Alley (Kirstie/Veronica's Closet/Cheers) - Kirstie appears on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
• J.K. Simmons (Growing Up Fisher/Family Tools) - J.K. is a guest on HuffPost Live at 2:50pm.
• Wendell Pierce (The Michael J. Fox Show/The Weber Show/The Gregory Hines Show) - Wendell drops by The Real, so check your local listings.
• Mayim Bialik (The Big Bang Theory/Blossom and Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory) - Mayim and Melissa are guests on a repeat of Larry King Now at 2/5pm PT/ET on Ora.tv and Hulu.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

• Matt LeBlanc (Episodes/Friends) - Catch Matt on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
• Allison Williams (Girls) - Watch Allison on The Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS.
• Patton Oswalt (The Goldbergs/The King of Queens) - Patton visits The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
• Drew Carey (The Drew Carey Show/The Good Life) - Drew guest co-hosts The Late Late Show at 12:37am on CBS.
• Alyssa Milano (Who's the Boss?/Romantically Challenged) - Alyssa appears on The Late Late Show at 12:37am on CBS.
• Anna Faris (Mom) and Allison Janney (Mom/Mr. Sunshine) - Anna and Allison are guests on Conan at 11pm on TBS.
• Tom Lennon (The Odd Couple/Sean Saves the World/Reno 911!) - Tom is a guest on @midnight on Comedy Central at midnight.
• Paget Brewster (Andy Richter Controls the Universe/The Trouble with Normal) - Paget will be on @midnight on Comedy Central at midnight.
• Kathy Griffin (Suddenly Susan) - Kathy guest co-hosts The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
• Sophia Bush (Partners) - Sophia talks about Chicago P.D. on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am and in the 10am hour.
• Maya Rudolph (Up All Night) - Maya talks about Inherent Vice on NBC's Today in the 9am hour.
• Jenny McCarthy (Two and a Half Men/Jenny) - Jenny and Donnie Wahlberg talk about Donnie Loves Jenny on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
• Sarah Hyland (Modern Family) - Sarah appears on a repeat of The Better Show, so check your local listings.
• Dove Cameron (Liv and Maddie) - Dove is a guest on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
• Kirstie Alley (Kirstie/Veronica's Closet/Cheers) - Kirstie will be on Morning Joe on MSNBC sometime between 6-9am.
• The Cast of Silicon Valley) - Zach Woods,T.J. Miller, Kumail Nanjiani and Martin Starr are guests on a repeat of Larry King Now at 2/5pm PT/ET on Ora.tv and Hulu.

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

• Nick Kroll (The League/Cavemen) - Watch Nick on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
• Drew Carey (The Drew Carey Show/The Good Life) - Drew guest co-hosts The Late Late Show at 12:37am on CBS.
• Jessica St. Clair (Playing House/Best Friends Forever/In the Motherhood) - Jessica appears on The Late Late Show at 12:37am on CBS.
• Andy Daly (Eastbound & Down) - Andy is a guest on @midnight on Comedy Central at midnight.
• Paul Scheer (The League) - Paul will be on @midnight on Comedy Central at midnight.
• Joshua Sasse (Galavant) - Joshua chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
• J.K. Simmons (Growing Up Fisher/Family Tools) - J.K. talks about Whiplash on LIVE! with Kelly and Michael, so check your listings.
• Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation) - Chris visits The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
• Amanda Peet (Bent) - Amanda appears on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
• Lena Dunham (Girls) - Lena talks about Girls on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
• Kym Whitley (Young & Hungry/Animal Practice/Sparks) - Kym talks about Raising Whitley on NBC's Today in the 9am hour. She will also be on Steve Harvey, so check your local listings.
• Garret Dillahunt (Raising Hope) - Garret is a guest on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
• Patton Oswalt (The Goldbergs/The King of Queens) - Patton will be on CBS This Morning sometime between 7-9am.
• Rita Moreno (Happily Divorced) - Rita talks about Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Network's upcoming movie A Gift of Miracles on Access Hollywood Live, so check your local listings. A Gift of Miracles premieres on February 15.
• Jenny McCarthy (Two and a Half Men/Jenny) - Jenny and Donnie Wahlberg dish about their recent wedding and give a sneak peek at their new reality show Donnie Loves Jenny on The Wendy Williams Show at 12am on BET or on your local stations.
• Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men) - Jon is a guest on a repeat of Larry King Now at 2/5pm PT/ET on Ora.tv and Hulu.

Thursday, January 8, 2015

• Chelsea Peretti (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) - Catch Chelsea on The Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35pm on CBS.
• Lena Dunham (Girls) - Lena is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
• J.K. Simmons (Growing Up Fisher/Family Tools) - J.K. stops by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
• Drew Carey (The Drew Carey Show/The Good Life) - Drew guest co-hosts The Late Late Show at 12:37am on CBS.
• Matt LeBlanc (Episodes/Friends) - Matt appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He talks about Episodes on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am. He will also be on LIVE! with Kelly and Michael, so check your listings. He is a guest on HuffPost Live at 11am.
• Patton Oswalt (The Goldbergs/The King of Queens) - Patton visits Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He also talks about his new book (Silver Screen Fiend) on NBC's Today in the 9am hour. He will also be on HuffPost Live at 12pm.
• Allison Williams (Girls) - Allison will be on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart at 11pm. She also talks about Girls on NBC's Today sometime between 7-9am.
• Steve Agee and Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Program) - Steve and Sarah are guests on @midnight on Comedy Central at midnight.
• Kirstie Alley (Kirstie/Veronica's Closet/Cheers) - Kirstie chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
• Cristela Alonzo (Cristela) - Cristela guest co-hosts The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
• Mario Lopez (Saved by the Bell/Saved by the Bell: The College Years) - Mario is a guest on a repeat of The Queen Latifah Show on your local station or at 3am on BET.
• Kym Whitley (Young & Hungry/Animal Practice/Sparks) - Kym is hanging with Rach – and they're learning how their stilettos can scare off an attacker on Rachael Ray, so check your local listings.
• Kristin Chenoweth (Kristin) - Kristin appears on a repeat of The Better Show, so check your local listings.
• Melissa Joan Hart (Melissa & Joey/Sabrina, the Teenage Witch/Clarissa Explains It All) - Melissa will be on People Now.
• Rita Moreno (Happily Divorced) - Rita and Rachel Boston talk about Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Network's upcoming movie A Gift of Miracles on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT. A Gift of Miracles premieres on February 15.

Friday, January 9, 2015

• Kathy Griffin (Suddenly Susan) - Catch Kathy on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
• Don Cheadle (The Golden Palace) - Don appears on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:34pm on NBC.
• Drew Carey (The Drew Carey Show/The Good Life) - Drew guest co-hosts The Late Late Show at 12:37am on CBS.
• Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) - Amy is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
• Chelea Peretti (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) - Chelsea chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
• Cristela Alonzo (Cristela) - Cristela guest co-hosts The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
• Lena Dunham (Girls) - Lena visits LIVE! with Kelly and Michael, so check your listings.
• Carl Reiner (The Dick Van Dyke Show) - Carl is a guest on a repeat of The Queen Latifah Show on your local station or at 3am on BET.
• Judith Light (Who's the Boss?/Phenom) - Judith will be on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
• Kim Cattrall (Sex and the City) - Kim appears on a repeat of The Better Show, so check your local listings.
• Timothy Omundson (Galavant) - Timothy discusses his role in Galavant on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
• Kathleen Rose Perkins (Episodes) - Kathleen talks about Episodes on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
• The Cast of The Love Boat) - The cast discusses their show on Home & Family on Hallmark Channel at 10am ET/PT.
• Martha Plimpton (Raising Hope) - Martha talks about her Broadway show A Delicate Balance on New York Live on WNBC in New York at 12:30pm ET.
• Kirstie Alley (Kirstie/Veronica's Closet/Cheers) - Kirstie stops by The Wendy Williams Show at 12am on BET or on your local stations.
• The Cast of Girl Meets World) - Ben Savage, Danielle Fishel, and Rowan Blanchard are guests on a repeat of Larry King Now at 2/5pm PT/ET on Ora.tv and Hulu.
• Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent/Arrested Development/The Larry Sanders Show) - Jeffrey is a guest on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.

All listings are subject to change. Visit our blog and main site for daily updated listings. Leave us comments on our message board or Tweet/Facebook us to let us know what you think of this Friday feature! We do listen!