House of Lies on Showtime

Tell us if you found a gem or a piece of shit, and who peddled it

Moderator: Dux

User avatar

Topic author
baffled
Sergeant Commanding
Posts: 8873
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:56 pm

House of Lies on Showtime

Post by baffled »

New show on Showtime. Don Cheadle as the head of a Management Consulting team or something like that. Kristen Bell is the female co-lead. I like her well enough.

He breaks the "4th wall" or whatever that is, when he starts talking into the camera. That's annoying and I think if they tossed that, the show would be 50% better in an instant, but....

A couple hot chicks with their titties out. I think a total of 6 boobs were seen in the first 1/2 hour alone.

It actually has the feel of a show that doesn't really know what it's supposed to be yet. I got that feeling about Entourage during the last 3 or 4 years of the show. Hopefully this one will do it right and settle into something that can be entertaining and worth 30 minutes on a Sunday night.

Not really my kind of show, but I will probably continue watching.
"Gentle in what you do, Firm in how you do it"
- Buck Brannaman

User avatar

Bram
Sergeant Commanding
Posts: 6486
Joined: Sat Apr 01, 2006 11:38 am

Re: House of Lies on Showtime

Post by Bram »

That's a good review, definitely agree with the show grasping for a purpose.

Cheadle seems a bit unbelievable as the super-player -- but it does lead to lots of boobs, -- It felt that the audience was supposed to think everyone is very cool and witty --- like they shove it down the throat to believe it. Sort of how Californication has become vs. actually being that way.

I'll give it another try or two
“If it won't matter in a year, don't spend more than a day stressing about it."

User avatar

Topic author
baffled
Sergeant Commanding
Posts: 8873
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:56 pm

Re: House of Lies on Showtime

Post by baffled »

Bram wrote:That's a good review, definitely agree with the show grasping for a purpose.

Cheadle seems a bit unbelievable as the super-player -- but it does lead to lots of boobs, -- It felt that the audience was supposed to think everyone is very cool and witty --- like they shove it down the throat to believe it. Sort of how Californication has become vs. actually being that way.

I'll give it another try or two
I actually like Cheadle and think that he pulls his role off pretty well. Actually, I like the characters on his team and think the vibe between them is fairly strong.

It's the snazzy "data dump" and 4th wall thing that are stuck in my craw today. I'll have to reexamine your points on Sunday to see after the second episode what's up.

A couple reviews I read said that the show hits its stride in the 3rd or 4th episode I think.
"Gentle in what you do, Firm in how you do it"
- Buck Brannaman

User avatar

Pinky
Sergeant Commanding
Posts: 7100
Joined: Mon Jan 03, 2005 9:09 pm

Re: House of Lies on Showtime

Post by Pinky »

Does Bell get naked?
"The biggest problems that we’re facing right now have to do with George Bush trying to bring more and more power into the executive branch and not go through Congress at all."

User avatar

Topic author
baffled
Sergeant Commanding
Posts: 8873
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:56 pm

Re: House of Lies on Showtime

Post by baffled »

Not yet, but I'm holding out hope. Even if the show takes a serious dive into the shit, I'll probably hang out the whole season on the chance she flashes some skin.
"Gentle in what you do, Firm in how you do it"
- Buck Brannaman

User avatar

Topic author
baffled
Sergeant Commanding
Posts: 8873
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:56 pm

Re: House of Lies on Showtime

Post by baffled »

Getting better.
"Gentle in what you do, Firm in how you do it"
- Buck Brannaman

User avatar

Bram
Sergeant Commanding
Posts: 6486
Joined: Sat Apr 01, 2006 11:38 am

Re: House of Lies on Showtime

Post by Bram »

I like it, Californication was good this week too
“If it won't matter in a year, don't spend more than a day stressing about it."

User avatar

Topic author
baffled
Sergeant Commanding
Posts: 8873
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:56 pm

Re: House of Lies on Showtime

Post by baffled »

Yeah, I think it's settled down a little and started to find it's direction.

I could still do without the breaking the 4th wall thing, or whatever it's called.

Californication, oddly enough, was weakest in its 2nd season, IMO. I've loved every other season but season 2.
"Gentle in what you do, Firm in how you do it"
- Buck Brannaman

User avatar

Bram
Sergeant Commanding
Posts: 6486
Joined: Sat Apr 01, 2006 11:38 am

Re: House of Lies on Showtime

Post by Bram »

I thought C was good until maybe season 3 (can't remember), it seems like they keep Hank and his wife apart simply to have more boobs appear -- and I like boobs, but plot wise it seems forced
“If it won't matter in a year, don't spend more than a day stressing about it."

User avatar

Topic author
baffled
Sergeant Commanding
Posts: 8873
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:56 pm

Re: House of Lies on Showtime

Post by baffled »

I'm interested in this Samurai Apocalypse storyline. And I thought taking a shit on the car last year (was it last year?) was hilarious

Let's not argue about plot lines that produce such a bounty of boobs.
"Gentle in what you do, Firm in how you do it"
- Buck Brannaman


TerryB
Sergeant Commanding
Posts: 9697
Joined: Fri Jun 06, 2008 1:17 pm

Re: House of Lies on Showtime

Post by TerryB »

Kristen Bell was in one of my favorite shows

I can't remember the name of it

She was a high school kid whose dad was a detective
"Know that! & Know it deep you fucking loser!"

Image

User avatar

Topic author
baffled
Sergeant Commanding
Posts: 8873
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:56 pm

Re: House of Lies on Showtime

Post by baffled »

protobuilder wrote:Kristen Bell was in one of my favorite shows

I can't remember the name of it

She was a high school kid whose dad was a detective
I didn't know who she was until that movie with Mila Kunis in Hawaii and the guy who married Katy Perry.

I think this show is starting to hit its stride. Still not a fan of this 4th wall thing, but I think the cast fits together well and it's a pretty decent setup.
"Gentle in what you do, Firm in how you do it"
- Buck Brannaman


Shapecharge
Sergeant Commanding
Posts: 8498
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2005 11:59 pm

Re: House of Lies on Showtime

Post by Shapecharge »

We're three episodes in and we'll stick with it and see how it goes.

User avatar

Topic author
baffled
Sergeant Commanding
Posts: 8873
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:56 pm

Re: House of Lies on Showtime

Post by baffled »

I think it's good enough for 30 minutes on Sunday when nothing else is on, but I wouldn't give up Justified for it. Or if Homeland were on HBO and up against House of Lies.... HOMELAND.

You get to see some titties though, and it's got a rhythm to it that I think is evening out a little. Seriously though, that 4th wall thing isn't doing anything for the show.

Have I mentioned that yet?
"Gentle in what you do, Firm in how you do it"
- Buck Brannaman


Shapecharge
Sergeant Commanding
Posts: 8498
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2005 11:59 pm

Re: House of Lies on Showtime

Post by Shapecharge »

Agreed. That gimick in one form or another is too overplayed in scripted product today. It doesn't need it.

User avatar

Topic author
baffled
Sergeant Commanding
Posts: 8873
Joined: Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:56 pm

Re: House of Lies on Showtime

Post by baffled »

They can hit the pause, put the flashy text up to explain what's happening, and not make it seem like some smug overproduction like it does now.

I think it can be used at times pretty well, but it's a bit like overkill with this show.
"Gentle in what you do, Firm in how you do it"
- Buck Brannaman

Post Reply