TV
Blog
“ Tube Talk ”
I'm not a carjacker. I'm the Devil.
Published Wednesday, Oct 10 2007, 23:41 BST | By Neil Wilkes | 14 comments
Earlier this week I raved about Chuck, a new US show that brings light relief to the world of espionage. Not a million miles away from this is Reaper, a series that aims to bring light relief to the underworld.
The comedy-drama - airing on The CW in the US and E4 in the UK from next year - follows Sam Oliver (Bret Harrison, The Loop), who turns 21 only to learn that his mum and dad sold his soul to the devil before he was born. Now the devil has come to collect.
More words are simply unnecessary, for you can watch the trailer right now:
Reaper was one of the most buzzed-about shows this year, but does it live up to the hype?
Unfortunately not, it disappoints me to report. The concept itself is fabulous: it's quirky, it's fun and it has all the hallmarks of a show we should be obsessing over. Alas it falls flat when it comes to the execution - and the main problem is with the casting. The lead isn't handsome enough to carry a show on The CW and is guilty of overplaying his part, while the "comic" sidekick just annoys. Other characters are merely accessories. The only worthy contender is The Devil himself, although his similarity to the late, great Bob Monkhouse is the most terrifying thing about the show.
What do you think? Have you seen the show yet? Click the link below to add your comments to this entry! If you have any questions for the column please use the link at the top of the page.
Don't forget to scroll down to read previous editions you may have missed!
More tomorrow!
The comedy-drama - airing on The CW in the US and E4 in the UK from next year - follows Sam Oliver (Bret Harrison, The Loop), who turns 21 only to learn that his mum and dad sold his soul to the devil before he was born. Now the devil has come to collect.
More words are simply unnecessary, for you can watch the trailer right now:
Reaper was one of the most buzzed-about shows this year, but does it live up to the hype?
Unfortunately not, it disappoints me to report. The concept itself is fabulous: it's quirky, it's fun and it has all the hallmarks of a show we should be obsessing over. Alas it falls flat when it comes to the execution - and the main problem is with the casting. The lead isn't handsome enough to carry a show on The CW and is guilty of overplaying his part, while the "comic" sidekick just annoys. Other characters are merely accessories. The only worthy contender is The Devil himself, although his similarity to the late, great Bob Monkhouse is the most terrifying thing about the show.
What do you think? Have you seen the show yet? Click the link below to add your comments to this entry! If you have any questions for the column please use the link at the top of the page.
Don't forget to scroll down to read previous editions you may have missed!
More tomorrow!
More: TV
Your Views
14 Comments
Your Responses
Vinny, Chesterfield , on April 19th, 2008
boy did you get that review wrong! i am one of many people i know of who watch reaper yet i havent heard one single negative comment about it, the lead actor is perfect he's someone who people can relate to and actually comes over as down to earth not the usual lead role as other shows have (i.e the knight rider remake with the good looking lead whos 1st scene is in bed with models and joined by more is just ridiculous) as for your comment about the annoying sidekick he's one of the best things in the show several female friends have remaked quite vocally that he's "someone you shouldnt but would". This show could with the right direction become a cult series but alas more likely end up being dropped for the usual mindless drivel i.e the remake of beverly hills 90210
boy did you get that review wrong! i am one of many people i know of who watch reaper yet i havent heard one single negative comment about it, the lead actor is perfect he's someone who people can relate to and actually comes over as down to earth not the usual lead role as other shows have (i.e the knight rider remake with the good looking lead whos 1st scene is in bed with models and joined by more is just ridiculous) as for your comment about the annoying sidekick he's one of the best things in the show several female friends have remaked quite vocally that he's "someone you shouldnt but would". This show could with the right direction become a cult series but alas more likely end up being dropped for the usual mindless drivel i.e the remake of beverly hills 90210
Matt, London, on October 13th, 2007
Personally I think the guy who plays Sam is smoking hot! Definitely not a problem for me.
Personally I think the guy who plays Sam is smoking hot! Definitely not a problem for me.
Julipblue, Midlands, on October 13th, 2007
Sorry Neil, but we're loving it, the only one of all the pilots that we've carried on with. Doesn't take itself seriously, has genuine laugh out loud moments and the casting is spot on. Sam is charming and cute and Sock is just perfect. Sorry you don't like, but we're finding much to enjoy.
Sorry Neil, but we're loving it, the only one of all the pilots that we've carried on with. Doesn't take itself seriously, has genuine laugh out loud moments and the casting is spot on. Sam is charming and cute and Sock is just perfect. Sorry you don't like, but we're finding much to enjoy.
Melanie, London, on October 12th, 2007
I agree actually, I've watched all the episodes thusfar and haven't been able to get into it. But I love Chuck, far better!
I agree actually, I've watched all the episodes thusfar and haven't been able to get into it. But I love Chuck, far better!
Gavin, Cardiff, on October 12th, 2007
Well I thought the pilot was extremely enjoyable, noticably directed by Kevin Smith. Episode 2, you could tell Kevin Smith was absent, but the episodes was still a great hour of tv. Check it out, MUCH better than Chuck.
Well I thought the pilot was extremely enjoyable, noticably directed by Kevin Smith. Episode 2, you could tell Kevin Smith was absent, but the episodes was still a great hour of tv. Check it out, MUCH better than Chuck.
Marge, Southampton, on October 12th, 2007
i do enjoy reaper, but feel its a comic version of 'Brimstone'
i do enjoy reaper, but feel its a comic version of 'Brimstone'
DavidB, London, on October 12th, 2007
I'd definitely have to disagree with you, and agree with most of what everyone else has said. Firstly I think the 'handsome' comment is ridiculous - I don't care what other leads are like on The CW, I'd like to think being 'handsome' isn't the reason for being a lead on a show. That's far too superficial, and it's been done so many times before. The show would have even less mileage if it was based around something like that. Why bother being the same as Gossip Girl or Smallville etc. It's pointless and unrealistic. I like that all the characters (and actors) are fairly 'normal' and not stylised or over-pretty. Even Missy who plays the love interest has a more natural beauty to her compared to girls on other CW shows, thankfully! I say embrace the normality of the world so we don't have to believe every 'lead' is 'handsome'. It's a very different show from Chuck, and there's room for both on my schedule. All the characters on both shows work very well, and the writing is solid. As we're only like 3 weeks into the season now, it's a tough place to judge them as they grow, but I'm just hoping they'll introduce stronger story arcs to carry them through the season.
I'd definitely have to disagree with you, and agree with most of what everyone else has said. Firstly I think the 'handsome' comment is ridiculous - I don't care what other leads are like on The CW, I'd like to think being 'handsome' isn't the reason for being a lead on a show. That's far too superficial, and it's been done so many times before. The show would have even less mileage if it was based around something like that. Why bother being the same as Gossip Girl or Smallville etc. It's pointless and unrealistic. I like that all the characters (and actors) are fairly 'normal' and not stylised or over-pretty. Even Missy who plays the love interest has a more natural beauty to her compared to girls on other CW shows, thankfully! I say embrace the normality of the world so we don't have to believe every 'lead' is 'handsome'. It's a very different show from Chuck, and there's room for both on my schedule. All the characters on both shows work very well, and the writing is solid. As we're only like 3 weeks into the season now, it's a tough place to judge them as they grow, but I'm just hoping they'll introduce stronger story arcs to carry them through the season.
Thomas, Chorleywood, on October 12th, 2007
I like both Chuck and Reaper but I hope Reaper survives, purely because I see it as having more mileage than Chuck. All the knowledge Chuck has is not going to stay relevant forever and it also seems a lot more unrealistic - if that makes any sense. Personally I think Reaper would benefit from being a bit more wacky, a bit more fast paced, just turn it up a notch, embrace the odd premise and run with it.
I like both Chuck and Reaper but I hope Reaper survives, purely because I see it as having more mileage than Chuck. All the knowledge Chuck has is not going to stay relevant forever and it also seems a lot more unrealistic - if that makes any sense. Personally I think Reaper would benefit from being a bit more wacky, a bit more fast paced, just turn it up a notch, embrace the odd premise and run with it.
Sean, Belfast, on October 12th, 2007
Have to disagree Neil. Far from being annoying, his "comic sidekick" is the best part of the show. He steals every scene. I think this show is fresh and funny. Like the other poster, I think they would probably have to introduce some sort of "big bad". I think the "monster of the week" type episodes are merely for introduction purposes. Hoping CW keep this past it's original 13 eps.
Have to disagree Neil. Far from being annoying, his "comic sidekick" is the best part of the show. He steals every scene. I think this show is fresh and funny. Like the other poster, I think they would probably have to introduce some sort of "big bad". I think the "monster of the week" type episodes are merely for introduction purposes. Hoping CW keep this past it's original 13 eps.
Lee, Teesside, on October 12th, 2007
I'm actually still enjoying Reaper. The lead character has an everyman quality and does a good job, as he did in another half-hour comedy The Loop. Having a male model in the role just wouldn't work for me. I agree, the Devil character is perfectly cast.
I'm actually still enjoying Reaper. The lead character has an everyman quality and does a good job, as he did in another half-hour comedy The Loop. Having a male model in the role just wouldn't work for me. I agree, the Devil character is perfectly cast.
Marcus Wolfe, Portsmouth, on October 12th, 2007
Saw the first episode and I quite enjoyed it. Has a similar sort of story as the recent film Ghostrider... beginning of a trend perhaps?
Saw the first episode and I quite enjoyed it. Has a similar sort of story as the recent film Ghostrider... beginning of a trend perhaps?
Lostbhoy, Glasgow, on October 12th, 2007
I have to disagree, I think it's actually one of the freshest shows I have seen in a while and that's partly down to the ensemble cast and sharp dialogue. The lead character Sam is a loveable charming slacker and his sidekick "Sock" is laugh out loud funny at times. My only concern is how they are going to do a whole series (or probably more if successful) based solely around capturing souls from hell. Which makes me think they may introduce a "big bad" a la buffy to make things more interesting. Definitely up there with the best new shows of the season and well worth repeated viewings.
I have to disagree, I think it's actually one of the freshest shows I have seen in a while and that's partly down to the ensemble cast and sharp dialogue. The lead character Sam is a loveable charming slacker and his sidekick "Sock" is laugh out loud funny at times. My only concern is how they are going to do a whole series (or probably more if successful) based solely around capturing souls from hell. Which makes me think they may introduce a "big bad" a la buffy to make things more interesting. Definitely up there with the best new shows of the season and well worth repeated viewings.
Calvin, Sheffield, on October 12th, 2007
all i can say is it is a enjoyable hour of tv to me but wont get a cult following and falls into a outline to every episode to quickly.
all i can say is it is a enjoyable hour of tv to me but wont get a cult following and falls into a outline to every episode to quickly.
Tube Talk
'Nighty Night': Tube Talk GoldWe remember the BBC's dark comedy Nighty Night in this week's Tube Talk Gold.
TV Interviews
'The Bachelor's Emily O'Brien - interviewPhD student failed to get a rose at this week's Rose Ceremony in Belize.
Reality Bites
'Big Fat Gypsy Weddings' returns: ReviewReality Bites's verdict on the return of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.
TV Ratings
'Celebrity Juice' drops to 1.5m on ITV2Channel 5 rises to third place last night in a quiet night for television.
yore talking crap its amazing!