Tuesday, September 18, 2018
NBC Fall Pilot Review: I Feel Bad - Premieres Wednesday (Sept. 19); 70th Annual Primetime Emmy Award Winners
I Feel Bad - Thursdays at 9:30PM ET/PT on NBC
Special Preview Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at 10:00PM & 10:30PM ET/PT
Timeslot Premiere Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 9:30PM ET/PT
by Vincent
Emet is the perfect mom, boss, wife, friend and daughter. OK, she's not perfect. In fact, she's just figuring it out like the rest of us. Sure, she feels bad when she has a sexy dream about someone other than her husband, or when she pretends not to know her kids when they misbehave in public, or when she uses her staff to help solve personal problems. But that's OK, right? Nobody can have it all and do it perfectly. From executive producer Amy Poehler comes a modern comedy about being perfectly OK with being imperfect.
Cast Details:
Sarayu Blue as Emet
Paul Adelstein as David
Zach Cherry as Norman
James Buckley as Chewy
Johnny Pemberton as Cliff
Sarayu Blue (Emet) is an actress best known for her recurring role as Angela on the Fox sitcom Sons of Tucson, as well as Dr. Sydney Napur on David E. Kelley's Monday Mornings on TNT. She has also guest starred in a number of notable television series, such as Agents of SHIELD, Two and a Half Men and Grey's Anatomy.
Paul Adelstein (David) is an actor known for the role of Agent Paul Kellerman on Prison Break and his role as pediatrician Cooper Freedman on the medical drama Private Practice. He is also known for his recurring role as Leo Bergen on ABC's Scandal and as Jake Novak in the Bravo television series Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce.
Zach Cherry (Norman) is a comedic actor who has appeared in various comedic shorts and guest roles on shows such as Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Search Party and Crashing. I Feel Bad will be his first starring role.
James Buckley (Chewy) is an English stand-up comedian, actor, musician, and YouTuber. He is best known for playing foul-mouthed Jay Cartwright in the UK sitcom The Inbetweeners.
Johnny Pemberton (Cliff) is an American actor known for his role on Fox's Son of Zorn and his recurring role on NBC's Superstore.
Pilot Plot:
"I Don't Want to Turn Into My Mother" (Airs Wednesday, Sep. 19 at 10:00PM ET)
Emet is concerned that her daughter's new dance club's routine may be a bit too risque, but fears that discouraging her from joining the dance team will turn her into her mother. With the help of her co-workers at her job designing video games, Emet tries to come up with a way to get her daughter to quit the dance team - without shattering her dreams.
Analysis:
I Feel Bad feels a bit like a mediocre network sitcom being lifted incredibly by its lead talent. The show's premise itself is not particularly unique and feels similar to the trend of family sitcoms within the past few years ("mother balances her quirky family and dream job"), and the show's joke writing is pretty weak, even for a sitcom in its early stages (to be fair, the "funny" part of a sitcom rarely clicks into place until about five or six episodes in, when the cast has developed some chemistry and the writers have figured out the characters' comic personas.) However, there is something compulsively watchable about the show, even if it, on paper, it seems fairly mediocre - and that "something" is its excellent lead actress, Sarayu Blue. Blue does an absolutely incredible job here, completing elevating the series from "generic network sitcom" to something that seems like it could be more. The show is clearly meant to be a starring vehicle for Blue, and she absolutely steps up to the plate. Blue is one of those actors brimming with potential who has mostly popped up on the sidelines through-out her career, and she takes her first opportunity as a show's star and knocks it out of the park.
Unfortunately, the rest of the show is not operating on the same level, at least not yet. The weakest part of the series is easily the show's workplace scenes, which are somehow both incredibly generic and incredibly annoying. Blue's video game designing workplace feels like a caricature of a "millennial" office, and her millennial male co-workers similarly seem like unlikable caricatures of "nerdy" men, who are extremely unpleasant to watch, even though the show seems to think their antics are funny and cute. They're not, and I would be surprised if the workplace scenes weren't either eliminated completely or extensively retooled by the halfway point of the show's 13-episode order. They just don't work, and it's hard to see a version of them that does. The other half of the show's scenes - focusing on Emet's family life - are also not particularly impressive, but more in just a "generic, early episodes of a sitcom" way than a truly troubling way. The archetypes here - ditzy father, mean grandmother, busy mother trying to keep it all together - are pretty rote, but the characters themselves are at least somewhat likable and endearing, and if the show can figure out more creative personalities for them (again, I've only seen the first three episodes, and it's rare that a sitcom has its characters completely figured out by that point), it's not hard to see them becoming something worthwhile. As of now, though, the only reason to really stick around is Blue - but she might just be good enough to make it worthwhile.
Conclusion:
I Feel Bad is a pretty ho-hum sitcom elevated by its lead actress Sarayu Blue, with glimmers of potential that aren't being fulfilled yet. There are parts of the show that feel like they could eventually click and becoming something worthwhile, but there are also parts that just don't work, and need to be either removed or changed drastically to avoid sinking the show. It's not a waste of time, and Blue is fantastic, but this is more of a "wait and see if it'll get better" situation than anything worth putting stock in at the moment.
Final Numbers (out of 5 stars):
Watchability: 3.5/5
Funniness: 2/5
Overall: 3/5
Discuss the show after you watch it on Wednesday, September 19, 2018 at 10:00PM & 10:30PM ET/PT on our message board.
Related Links:
Preview:
The 70th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards aired last night on NBC. Here are the winners!
OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
Atlanta (FX)
Barry (HBO)
black-ish (ABC)
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
GLOW (Netflix)
Silicon Valley (HBO)
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)
WINNER: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)
OUTSTANDING LEAD COMEDY ACTOR
Donald Glover, Atlanta (FX)
Bill Hader, Barry (HBO)
Anthony Anderson, black-ish (ABC)
Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
William H. Macy, Shameless (Showtime)
Ted Danson, The Good Place (NBC)
WINNER: Bill Hader, Barry (HBO)
OUTSTANDING LEAD COMEDY ACTRESS
Pamela Adlon, Better Things (FX)
Tracee Ellis Ross, black-ish (ABC)
Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie (Netflix)
Issa Rae, Insecure (HBO)
Allison Janney, Mom (CBS)
Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)
WINNER: Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING COMEDY ACTOR
Brian Tyree Henry, Atlanta (FX)
Henry Winkler, Barry (HBO)
Louie Anderson, Baskets (HBO)
Kenan Thompson, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Alec Baldwin, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)
Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)
WINNER: Henry Winkler, Barry (HBO)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING COMEDY ACTRESS
Zazie Beetz, Atlanta (FX)
Betty Gilpin, GLOW (Netflix)
Laurie Metcalf, Roseanne (ABC)
Leslie Jones, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Aidy Bryant, Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)
Megan Mullally, Will & Grace (NBC)
WINNER: Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
Game of Thrones (HBO)
Stranger Things (Netflix)
The Americans (FX)
The Crown (Netflix)
The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
This Is Us (NBC)
Westworld (HBO)
WINNER: Game of Thrones (HBO)
OUTSTANDING LEAD DRAMA ACTOR
Jason Bateman, Ozark (Netflix)
Matthew Rhys, The Americans (FX)
Milo Ventimiglia, This Is Us (NBC)
Sterling K. Brown, This Is Us (NBC)
Ed Harris, Westworld (HBO)
Jeffrey Wright, Westworld (HBO)
WINNER: Matthew Rhys, The Americans (FX)
OUTSTANDING LEAD DRAMA ACTRESS
Sandra Oh, Killing Eve (BBC America)
Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black (BBC America)
Keri Russell, The Americans (FX)
Claire Foy, The Crown (Netflix)
Elisabeth Moss, The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
Evan Rachel Wood, Westworld (HBO)
WINNER: Claire Foy, The Crown (Netflix)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING DRAMA ACTOR
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Game of Thrones (HBO)
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones (HBO)
Mandy Patinkin, Homeland (Showtime)
David Harbour, Stranger Things (Netflix)
Matt Smith, The Crown (Netflix)
Joseph Fiennes, The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
WINNER: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones (HBO)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING DRAMA ACTRESS
Lena Headey, Game of Thrones (HB)
Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things (Netflix)
Vanessa Kirby, The Crown (Netflix)
Alexis Bledel, The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
Ann Dowd, The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
Yvonne Strahovski, The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu)
Thandie Newton, Westworld (HBO)
WINNER: Thandie Newton, Westworld (HBO)
OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES
Genius: Picasso (National Geographic)
Godless (Netflix)
Patrick Melrose (Showtime)
The Alienist (TNT)
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)
WINNER: The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)
OUTSTANDING LEAD LIMITED SERIES/MOVIE ACTOR
Antonio Banderas, Genius: Picasso (National Geographic)
John Legend, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (NBC)
Benedict Cumberbatch, Patrick Melrose (Showtime)
Darren Criss, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)
Jeff Daniels, The Looming Tower (Hulu)
Jesse Plemons, Black Mirror (Netflix)
WINNER: Darren Criss, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)
OUTSTANDING LEAD LIMITED SERIES/MOVIE ACTRESS
Sarah Paulson, American Horror Story: Cult (FX)
Michelle Dockery, Godless (Netflix)
Edie Falco, Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders (NBC)
Regina King, Seven Seconds (Netflix)
Jessica Biel, The Sinner (USA Network)
Laura Dern, The Tale (HBO)
WINNER: Regina King, Seven Seconds (Netflix)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING LIMITED SERIES/MOVIE ACTOR
Jeff Daniels, Godless (HBO)
Brandon Victor, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (NBC)
Ricky Martin, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)
Édgar Ramírez, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)
Fitt Wittrock, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)
Michael Stuhlbarg, The Looming Tower (Hulu)
John Leguizamo, Waco (Paramount Network)
WINNER: Jeff Daniels, Godless (HBO)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING LIMITED SERIES/MOVIE ACTRESS
Adina Porter, American Horror Story: Cult (FX)
Letitia Wright, Black Mirror (Netflix)
Merritt Wever, Godless (Netflix)
Sara Bareilles, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (NBC)
Penélope Cruz, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)
Judith Light, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)
WINNER: Merritt Wever, Godless (Netflix)
View the full list of winners.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight
Thursday, May 26
Young Sheldon - "The Grand Chancellor and a Den of Sin" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Sheldon battles President Hagemeyer’s (Wendie Malick) mysterious boss over the university’s science requirements. Also, Mary discovers that Georgie is working at Meemaw’s illegal gambling room.
United States of Al - "College / Pohantoon" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Al struggles with the college class he is taking, Riley takes it upon himself to speak to his professor. Also, Art’s confidence is shaken when he learns Lois (Rachel Bay Jones) used to be married to a professional football star.
Ghosts - "Ghostwriter" (CBS, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Sasappis offers to help Sam complete the B&B website so they can start taking reservations, they butt heads over the creative direction. Also, Pete bonds with Jay over basketball until Jay makes a new living friend, and Flower attempts to be Pete’s new basketball buddy. Gregory Zaragoza, father of series regular Román Zaragoza, guest stars as Sasappis’ father, Naxasi.
B Positive - "" (CBS, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
A therapist and newly divorced dad is looking for a kidney donor when he runs into a rough-around-the-edges woman from his past who offers her own kidney.
Welcome to Flatch - "Pyramid Schemme" / "Merry Flatchmas" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Kelly accidentally gets involved in a green juice pyramid scheme; Father Joe helps Shrub get into college; Kelly's father puts her in charge of the Flatch Christmas celebration, and disaster ensues.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of May 23)
Thursday, May 26
- Rose Byrne (Physical) - Catch Rose on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Jon Hamm (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) - Jon appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC. He will also be on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, so check your listings.
- Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Are We There Yet?/Everybody Hates Chris) - Terry is a guest on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- June Diane Raphael (Grace and Frankie/New Girl/Burning Love/Players) - June will be on The Late Late Show with James Corden at 12:37am on CBS.
- Glen Powell (Scream Queens) - Glen appears on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
- Jennifer Aniston (Friends/Muddling Through/Ferris Bueller/Molloy) - Jennifer is a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, so check your local listings.
- Sherri Shepherd (Mr. Iglesias/Trial & Error/Sherri/Less Than Perfect/Suddenly Susan) - Sherri guest hosts The Wendy Williams Show, so check your local listings.
- Jenna Fischer (The Office/Splitting Up Together) and Angela Kinsey (The Office/The Hotwives of Orlando) - Jenna and Angela talk about their new book, The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There, on People in 10 at 8am.
New on DVD/Blu-ray (February-May)
02/08 - Last Man Standing - The Complete Ninth Season
02/22 - Everybody Hates Chris - The Complete Series (2022 Release)
02/22 - Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. - The Complete Series (2022 Release)
03/08 - Brooklyn Nine-Nine - Season Eight
03/08 - Brooklyn Nine-Nine - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (DVD)
03/15 - Head of the Class - The Complete Fourth Season
03/15 - The Proud Family - The Complete Original Series - Anniversary Collection
03/22 - The Honeymooners Specials - The Complete Collection
03/29 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-5 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
03/29 - Young Rock - Season One
04/05 - Up All Night - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
04/26 - The Danny Thomas Show (aka Make Room for Daddy) - The Complete Fourth Season
04/26 - Jackie Gleason TV Treasures - 70th Anniversary Collection (including Honeymooners Rarities)
05/03 - No Activity - Season Three
05/31 - Becker - The Complete Series (2022 Release)
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