I just finished watching the pilot episode and thought that it was pretty good. It wasn’t a frenetic, laugh-a-minute show like the teaser suggested, but it was good enough so that I’ll continue to watch. I thought Socks was a funny stoner sidekick and Ray Wise makes a really smooth Devil. If anyone else would like to offer commentary, here’s the thread. I can’t believe I’m the first one to start a thread on a new show!
Well, the fact Kevin Smith directed the pilot drew me to it, and I can’t say it disappointed in that respect - though from what I’ve read, the script was not “doctored” much at all, as the creators (Tara Butters and Michele Fazekas) were adamant about wanting Smith primarily to direct (he also got an executive producer credit, no idea if that’s for the series as a whole or just this episode), not write. But anyway, I thought the humor worked, and agree Ray Wise fits the role - he seems to be enjoying himself immensely, too. “Socks” can go either way - the character strikes me as “Jack Black lite” and a little of that goes a long way.
I thought they set up the group of friends pretty well, and it looks like the “soul a week” format might be interesting. I’ll keep watching.
ETA: Oh, I especially liked the “hell on earth” depots (DMV, of course!).
I thought it was really good. The pilot set up things nicely, and I think it will be an entertaining show. And considering that it’s on the CW and the lower standards that channel has for ratings, it’s more likely to last longer than some of the other new shows. So I’ll definitely be watching.
I recorded it. I’ll have a watch on Saturday.
Smith was heavily involved with casting, and when you direct the pilot of a series you’re really setting the tone and style for how the show is going to continue after you’ve had your way with it. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Exec Producer credit sticks around.
Really well done for a Buffy-like blend of humor, danger and a Scooby gang. The Sock character does stand out as his own kind of Jack Black. The heavy-cutsey thing between the main character and the Missy Perygrym character was spooned on too thick…
I’m running in with my fingers in my ears and my eyes shut to mention that it’s replaying on Thursday night, so I’ll be back after that.
I watched and liked it very much, but then again I am a sucker for Kevin Smith and his work.
This week’s demon? Totally HOT in both incarnation…
I liked it. It’s been added to the DVR queue.
I definitely liked it. I really enjoyed Socks, and generally I hate that type of character. I also think that the lead character is too, well not too cute, but too clean to be the slacker/drop-out he is supposed to be, if that makes sense, but I liked him anyway.
I’m going to keep watching.
Trivia question: I recall a show from 20 years ago or so that had a similar theme (dude forced by the devil to capture escaped souls). Anyone remember what it was called?
Sua
I found about 10 minutes was bearable to good. That left 50 minutes of really painful-to-watch stuff. This is really just a half hour show padded out.
Way too much of the background music was standard TV filler noise. A song near the end was nice though. So inconsistent there too. KS usually does a good job with musical selections in his movies. Wonder what’s going on here.
No one in real life would be friends with Socks. Or keep him on as an employee. Or take him along on a demon hunt. The sooner that character goes away, the better. Yeah, they need a “in” with the DAs office charcter to help with info and such. But making her Socks’ ex is not buyable.
[Prof. Jennings]
The most intriguing character, as we all know from our reading, was…Satan.
[/Prof. Jennings]
I was surprised, late in the show, to a quite explicit threat to do serious harm to a sensitive part of the male anatomy. TV has changed point #4391.
I watched it. Found it sufficiently enjoyable, but I’m not sure I’ll be making a point of catching it regularly. It’s just that all things being equal, I tend to prefer turning off the TV rather than getting “attached” to a new show.
Coupla points - I thought I remembered the sidekick’s nick as “Sock” (singular) short for Wysocki or somesuch.
The main character apologized to Sock calling himself an “asshat” - just yesterday in the Pit I read someone asking that we retire that term as lame.
Loved it when Sock threw stuff at the main guy, expecting him to move it with his mind.
Thought the parents handled their explanation a tad prefunctorily. I guess they wanted to get it established in the pilot, but I think I’d take a bit more time to get around to it than, “I was sick, we sold your soul to the devil. Terribly sorry!”
I also recall getting the vibe that it was a 1/2 hour show stretched.
I’m sure my TV-addict youngest child will be tuned in as long as it lasts.
Of course the “I’m Jewish, you jerk!” (paraphrased) line was not only written by Smith, it was SPOKEN by Smith! Fangirl woot! 
I liked it. I, also, said “Poor man’s Jack Black” about Sock, although for me it was more a reference to the actor, who’s played roughly the same character in, what, three shows now? (X-files, *Invasion *and Reaper) He’s more dickish in this one, and a bit more manic, but still the same character.
I know exactly what you mean. I think it was a conscious choice, though. He started out grungy enough, but then became literally too clean as the episode went on. I think it was supposed to be a subconscious cue to us that he’s “cleaning up his act”. Har-har. Not exactly Darren Brown subtle.
But I did like it, and I’ll watch it and we’ll probably compare it to *Chuck *every week until one or both is canceled. I expect *Chuck *will go first.
Sua, are you thinking of Brimstone from the late '90s?
I liked Reaper. So far, so good.
Wow, it was that recent? I think I thought it was twenty years old because I wanted to bury memories of it as deeply as possible.
Sua
I watched it mostly because the local TV critic hailed it as “the best new show of the season.” Well, maybe he’s seen more than just the pilot because, like others have said, it seemed like a half-hour show stretched out to an hour. But still, interesting enough that I’ll probably watch for a while and see if it gets better. Like Quixotic says, the “soul of the week” format could get interesting, and I’m also looking forward to the “container of the week”.
For what it is worth I enjoyed it completely. I liked the acting, the writing and the premise. I’ll be watching every week until it is cancelled.
Pretty damn good. Too much of “Socks”: the obligatory slacker/annoying sidekick. But his idea for the suits was fantastic. The Devil is very well cast.
Thumbs up from me.
I liked the “He gives you the vessel you can handle” line, with all its theogistic connotations.
Funny how everyone is comparing Sock to Jack Black. I though he was ripping off Seth Rogan, and although it seems necessary for them to work at a Home Depot clone, I was getting a 40 Year Old Virgin vibe as well.
That being said, I enjoyed it. I’ll probably add it to DVR and check them out when nothing else is on. I have admired Ray Wise for a long time, (Robocop? Before that? Can’t remember) so I’m happy to see him in a meaty role. (I wonder if hr got the part due to his recurring role in Charmed?)