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Post by afropig on Nov 6, 2015 10:58:25 GMT -5
Just finished the series (binge-watching yay) and it's quite good. Still weirded out that Eric from Tim and Eric is in this. I found the series a little personally painful since the last few episodes echo my current relationship and I'm not sure I want TV to point out my life-concerns. It's escapism for a reason!
I wish I could write more but I have work to do. Woops. I'd like to hear other people's thoughts on it.
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Invisible Goat
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Post by Invisible Goat on Nov 6, 2015 11:12:26 GMT -5
Damn, that's impressive bingeing. I'm really excited to watch but can't until late tonight and it will probably take me until next weekend to finish.
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Post by Douay-Rheims-Challoner on Nov 6, 2015 17:41:05 GMT -5
As I said in Shoutbox, a lot of this material will be familiar to those who watched Aziz's standup specials (and I've seen all the ones on Netflix) but in a good way - this is a damn fine show.
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Post by Lady Bones on Nov 6, 2015 20:16:02 GMT -5
As I said in Shoutbox, a lot of this material will be familiar to those who watched Aziz's standup specials (and I've seen all the ones on Netflix.) but in a good way - this is a damn fine show. Does 50 Cent show up? |
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Post by Douay-Rheims-Challoner on Nov 6, 2015 21:38:41 GMT -5
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Post by The Larch on Nov 6, 2015 23:41:30 GMT -5
So in one episode Dev goes out with Nina Arianda, who played Molly Graham in Hannibal. In the next he's with Claire Danes. Does Aziz Ansari think he's Hugh Dancy?
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moimoi
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Post by moimoi on Nov 7, 2015 23:13:57 GMT -5
Just watched the first episode:
I let out a whoop when he name-checked Martinelli's apple juice (and then poured myself a glass). The cinematography is really good - reminded me of Girls in a lot of ways, only with a far more likable protagonist. It's like Girls for the (slightly) older generation that I inhabit.
Just watched second episode:
This show kicks Girls' ass. Aziz's parents aren't great actors, but I can see why he used them--though my dad is more like Brian's dad. Also, Brian should have tried the papadum!
More trite observations to come...
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Post by MrsLangdonAlger on Nov 8, 2015 0:10:43 GMT -5
Episodes 7 and 9 were my favorites.
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Post by songstarliner on Nov 8, 2015 0:25:26 GMT -5
Oof, dad is in town for a visit and I said, hey let's watch this new comedy show! Sex before the credits and a never-ending barrage of off-color jokes ... luckily my dad is cool: I think he was trying to stifle his inappropriate laughter more than me. Still. I was embarrassed. Good first episode though, and I look forward to the rest after he leaves.
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Post by kitchin on Nov 8, 2015 10:59:42 GMT -5
This show kicks Girls' ass. Aziz's parents aren't great actors, but I can see why he used them--though my dad is more like Brian's dad. Also, Brian should have tried the papadum! That episode 2 - about first gen kids finally recognizing their parents worked hard - got a lot of critical attention, I hear. And it has plenty going for it: when do you ever see two straight guys invite their parents out for dinner at a restaurant on teevee? "Just eating the rice" is a thing, so they got that. Father issues, check and well done. But the humor was dorkified. I guess if you like Tom Haverford in Parks it will do. Episode one seemed better to me... but episode two crawls up and sticks with you even if annoying while on the couch. Remember that sanctified Louie episode with the "fat girl rant" by Sarah Baker? Not profound, and overrated, and tedious, but ultimately transcendent, oh well! Another cool thing about the fathers episode was that (of course) it's not limited to immigrants. Lots of couch surfers come from hard working families whose breadwinners did not major in the arts. And here is the rub, do you get your justification & false redemption of an overblown, self-aggrandizing sentimental guilt so easily, without doing anything, just from using their Netflix account to watch this comedy, and do you also admire StoryCorps on NPR greatly without donating to your local NPR station? Perhaps, perhaps you do, Tom Haverford. |
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moimoi
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Post by moimoi on Nov 8, 2015 14:37:40 GMT -5
Yeah, I do think episode 2 was a bit clunky and heavy-handed with the 2nd gen kid guilt trip, though I'm glad the show even took it on, since it is a rare TV occurrence.
For episode 3:
First bit of profundity comes from Denise: "People aren't always going to be magical right away. Maybe they'll become magical; maybe they'll become garbage..." Brian is adorable and the cinematography is still great. Anybody remember Stephen Merchant's show "Hello Ladies"? I think they were going for a similar vibe, but the show was maudlin more than it was funny. This episode was funny! And it featured "Return of the Mack", which is one of the greatest songs ever.
For episode 4:
That opening montage really angries up the blood - especially Ashton-Fucking-Kutcher-fuckface-please-die-immediately. I love Dev's agent and I look forward to seeing more of her. I also like the actor playing Ravi and I hope he gets some work off of this. If it's any sign of progress, my architect is named Pradeep and one of my cousins is an Indian cop.
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Post by Powerthirteen on Nov 8, 2015 16:42:13 GMT -5
Three episodes in I'm amused by the way the tone has varied from ep to ep. Sure the first episode was pretty blue, with folks taking about dicks and cum and all sorts of fun things, but the show itself isn't dirty - it doesn't just go gross in every episode, just when that's the topic at hand. That does a lot for its realism, because while people do talk about sex in real life, it's not the only thing they talk about the way some "racy" sitcoms make it seem.
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moimoi
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Post by moimoi on Nov 11, 2015 22:45:27 GMT -5
Episode 5: I didn't really like this one. It was uneven and contrived. It had some moments - like the dominoes - and the last 5-6 minutes were funny, but the rest was all over the place.
Episode 6: Cute! I like Aziz's koala voice.
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Post by Jean-Luc Lemur on Nov 12, 2015 0:51:04 GMT -5
I’m considering getting Netflix just for this show.
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moimoi
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Post by moimoi on Nov 12, 2015 1:43:40 GMT -5
I’m considering getting Netflix just for this show. Plus new Mr. Show w/ Bob & David!!! |
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Post by The Stuffingtacular She-Hulk on Nov 12, 2015 10:00:56 GMT -5
I watched the first two episodes last night and really enjoyed them. I found the Ansaris to be incredibly charming in the second episode. It was a trifle heavy-handed, but I'll take that over the way 99% of other media totally ignores the subject.
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Post by Jean-Luc Lemur on Nov 12, 2015 12:47:31 GMT -5
I’m considering getting Netflix just for this show. Plus new Mr. Show w/ Bob & David!!! I still haven’t seen the original! |
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moimoi
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Post by moimoi on Nov 12, 2015 16:58:52 GMT -5
Episode 7: I liked this one - especially the bits with Rachel and Dev's friend Arnold couch-shopping. Like pretty much every woman, I can confirm that getting followed and accosted by guys jerking off happens way more than it should. Also, I'd like to let it be known that any man that thinks nothing of letting a woman walk alone after 11pm does not deserve to have sex with women.
Episode 8: Well this one hit home. I felt like the direction was a little too fast-paced, though. I want a robot seal so bad! Though I'll settle for a DJ Roomba.
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Post by Burp King of Westchester on Nov 13, 2015 13:06:04 GMT -5
Oh man. I fell so hard for this show. Already waiting for season 2.
Top 3 for me:
3) Old People
2) Ladies and Gentlemen
1) Indians on TV
"Parents" is a close fourth, and is amazing, but at that point the show is still getting momentum and doesn't launch into the stratosphere until "Indians on TV". I also liked "Mornings" and "The Other Man" but they can't hold a candle by comparison.
What strikes me about this show is the casting. Perfect, all over, no complaints. And Aziz's parents are SO ADORABLE
Probably the least favorite thing for me is that the finale escalates too hard at the end and doesn't feel organic to me. I don't want to spoil too much for anyone who's not finished yet though, but that's how I feel about it. Still, my body is ready for S2.
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Smacks
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Post by Smacks on Nov 13, 2015 13:21:51 GMT -5
I kinda skipped through this thread for fear of spoilers, but I just started watching this week. I love Aziz so of course I love this show. His parents are amazing. Holy shit, I love them. I'll probably binge the rest Monday night.
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Invisible Goat
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Post by Invisible Goat on Nov 13, 2015 14:07:04 GMT -5
This show was great. Like maybe my favorite of the year after Nathan for You great. Father John Misty. Robotic seals. Relevant discussions of race and gender. And funny!
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moimoi
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Post by moimoi on Nov 13, 2015 14:43:21 GMT -5
Episode 9: Okay, as some of you may have gathered, I have a very similar background to Aziz Ansari - we're both assimilated Indian-American children of doctors of roughly the same age. I first noticed Aziz from Human Giant and as the racist fruit vendor in FOTC, whereupon I remarked that he reminded me of my cousins (for all I know, we could be distant relatives through marriage, since the South Indian Muslim community in the U.S. started out small). On top of that, he bears a more than passing resemblance to a certain ex-boyfriend of mine--to the point that when we broke up, I couldn't watch Parks & Rec for months. So this episode about what it's like to be in a relationship with a guy like Aziz/Dev conjured up a lot of memories. It also made me realize that I must be well and truly over my ex (considered at one point to be the 'love of my life') because I do not envy Rachel for a moment. Guys like that are exhausting. And Dev is a total punk for not telling his parents about his girlfriend. I've had to console too many friends when it turned out that their South Asian boyfriend was using them for 'practice'. It's completely spineless, and I don't think those guys deserve a 'suitable' Indian girl any more than they deserve the white girls they're screwing. Also, Dev doesn't have any papad or mitai in his house?! He lives in NYC! What the fuck kind of 'coconut' is he?! If your parents are coming to visit, the least you can do is make them chai and put out some biscoot!
Episode 10: I like the Woody Allen feel of this episode - very Stardust Memories. I observed from the last episode that Dev and Rachel really don't communicate well - at least, not from what we've seen. But clearly they are the same type of person, which might be their problem. And his dad quotes Sylvia Plath! That's awesome. Also, I'd like to hug Dule Hill. He looks nice. I give this episode an A- and the whole series a B+.
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Post by Powerthirteen on Nov 13, 2015 16:05:12 GMT -5
"Mornings" is my favorite episode of the whole run. You could never do that on a traditional sitcom - it's too shapeless, and for crying out loud it takes place over months and months. Perfect.
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moimoi
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Post by moimoi on Nov 13, 2015 16:48:26 GMT -5
Oh man. I fell so hard for this show. Already waiting for season 2. Top 3 for me: 3) Old People 2) Ladies and Gentlemen 1) Indians on TV "Parents" is a close fourth, and is amazing, but at that point the show is still getting momentum and doesn't launch into the stratosphere until "Indians on TV". I also liked "Mornings" and "The Other Man" but they can't hold a candle by comparison. My top 3: 1) Hot Ticket (ep. 3) - Funny, first and foremost, and conveys a message about how we treat people, but with a light touch. 2) Ladies & Gentleman (ep. 7) - Again, FUNNY and poignant. 3) Finale (ep. 10) - This show is really honest and unexpected, which are good things. Honorable mentions to Indians on TV (ep. 4) and Parents (ep. 2). The other episodes are all pretty strong, except some are a little more sitcom-y. |
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Post by trodiz on Nov 16, 2015 8:52:26 GMT -5
I really enjoyed watching this show, but something about it feels off to me. Like it's trying a bit too hard to be relevant and political, but without much to say on the subject that feels original.
Like Ladies and Gentlemen, for example. I really like that the show tackled how hard it is to be a woman, not just in show business, but even walking down the street or on the subway. But the conversations come off as preachy, and things like the music direction at the beginning of the episode (cheerful music for the guys walking at night, tense music for the girl) feels a bit too on the nose to me. Maybe it's because many of my friends are deeply feminist and this is a viewpoint I already share, so the episode might have had a bigger impact to people not already involved in the feminist viewpoint.
I'm focusing on this episode because I can more easily nitpick it, but I had this feeling throughout, that the show was really trying to say something deeper, but it missed just below target very often. That said, I felt the show mostly nailed the discussion on relationships, and Indians on TV was very successful at what it was trying to accomplish.
So, top 3 episodes:
1. Mornings
2. Hot Ticket (because I thought it was the funniest episode of the season)
3. Indians on TV/Old People (can't decide)
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Smacks
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Post by Smacks on Nov 17, 2015 11:02:44 GMT -5
Just got through 'Ladies & Gentleman' which I loved just for attempting that subject matter and successfully having that episode turn out so funny and sweet. Although 'Nashville' is still my favorite so far just for the adorable chemistry between Dev & Rachel. Also, it's where I finally warmed up to Denise. I didn't like her character that much up til then and founnd the friendship vibe between her and Dev a little unbelievable. But when they were dancing at the dinner table together after they established the Nashville date idea, she felt more real to me.
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Post by rimjobflashmob on Nov 18, 2015 0:41:49 GMT -5
Just finished this show, nothing really to add other than what's already been said. It's a small treasure, feats of inexplicable wealth notwithstanding - hot damn, I want that late 20's lifestyle. Very affectingly written and performed. I was surprised by how much I liked it by the end.
Top 5:
1. Mornings
2. Finale
3. Indians on TV
4. Parents
5. Ladies and Gentlemen
Least favorite episode was probably the entirety of "Hot Ticket" up until the point that Rachel shows up, then all is forgiven. Honestly, everything between Dev and Rachel was so well-written and true to a lot of relationships I've had, it was almost uncomfortable. Great stuff.
Addendum: Eric Wareheim is a national treasure.
Additional addendum: shameless plug for the fact that Lynn Shelton (who directed "Ladies and Gentlemen," "Old People," and "Indians on TV") is a former professor of mine from film school! Crazy seeing her name in the opening credits, thrilled she's getting more consistent work outside of the indie feature circuit.
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Post by odnetnin on Nov 19, 2015 4:26:40 GMT -5
@rimjobflashbruh Which film school did you go to, and when? A follow-up question: what are you doing now? Sincerely, a preemptively regretful freshman production major...
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Post by rimjobflashmob on Nov 19, 2015 10:14:46 GMT -5
@rimjobflashbruh Which film school did you go to, and when? A follow-up question: what are you doing now? Sincerely, a preemptively regretful freshman production major... I went to the Art Institute of Seattle. Now I'm a barista. Joking aside, I worked at KEXP for over a year shooting and writing about live music (in-studio and gigs) before I decided film wasn't really my field, and dropped it. Conversely, my SO also studied film (Seattle University), and now PAs for a local film/photo/audio production group for well above minimum wage. |
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Post by Lady Bones on Nov 21, 2015 1:29:24 GMT -5
Watched the first two episodes with my parents, greatly enjoying it so far. Would like to provide more thoughts, but I'm tired and want to watch more TV before bed.
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