# The Orville-Seth McFarlane **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 17, 2017, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814 "2017-05-17T03:28:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/21 "2017-05-18T17:59:59Z")
I plan to watch. The premise seems better suited to a mini series format. I hope they can sustain the storyline & jokes throughout a long season. Their rip on Star Trek is very spot on. Seth dealing with his ex as first officer parodies Riker and Trio’s prior relationship. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/22 "2017-05-18T18:47:26Z")
I think that it will have enough material for about half a season, then it will die, unless they decide to find a serious approach to being funny. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/23 "2017-05-18T19:08:45Z")
I’m sure they’ll have at least a few funny scenes on interspecies mating. Oh no! My part doesn’t fit into your part. The ultimate frustration. LOL I always wanted to see a species invulnerable to hand phasers. They just yawn and look bemused as the crew fires at them. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/24 "2017-05-18T20:04:34Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The iupside of course is that the trailer can be interpreted as trying to cover the essential elements of the show’s premise, and in two minutes they tried to fit all that in: > > 1. It is a visually impressive science fiction series. > 2. The main character is a likable doofus who’s being given a dream job he’s terrified to screw up. That’s something the network would insist on to add comfort to the audience, because most comedies are anchored around a likable doofus. > 3. There’s a cool spaceship and the special effects are very good, so you’ll like the visuals of the show > 4. The central funny conflict is that the doofus captain’s first officer is his ex-wife, which promises tension and laughter and sarcasm. > 5. There are a number of amusing supporting characters: > > - A weird alien who deadpans every line > - A small woman who is superhumanly strong > - A drunk helmsman > - A wise cracking black guy > - A violent robot > > 1. There’a a funny alien blob thing with Norm MacDonald’s voice > 2. There’s action and shooting and stuff > > So it’s not so much that they covered all the jokes as they covered all the essential elements that make the show attractive. Well, nothing on that list makes it seem attractive, other than checking off the checklist of cliches. So: 1. That and a buck won’t even get you an item on the dollar menu. 2. I don’t see why he’s particularly likeable – he’s a moron. 3. This is a comedy. The special effects don’t make it funny. Actually, it would be funnier if the effects were cheesy. 4. Cliche. And his reaction to it wasn’t funny. 5. Cliche, cliche, cliche, BIG cliche, just a lame old switcheroo. 6. Having a recognizable voice does not improve a lame joke. 7. So? This is a comedy. For it to appeal it has to be funny. It wasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/25 "2017-05-18T20:32:48Z")
Looks mildly amusing. If it lasts three episodes I might check it out on Hulu. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2017, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/26 "2017-05-18T20:49:07Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Well, nothing on that list makes it seem attractive, other than checking off the checklist of cliches. Exactly. And I cannot disagree more with the notion that bad special effects would make it funnier. No, they’d make it worse. ---
**Author:** ![Miles\_Standoffish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/54ee81/32.png) [@Miles\_Standoffish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miles_Standoffish)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/27 "2017-05-19T01:45:30Z")
I’m leaning towards no. Also, T-Rex’s “Bang A Gong” sounds like the place holder song they were going to use until they found the real song. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/28 "2017-05-19T01:53:45Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > It looks better than the real one coming out soon. Which isn’t saying much. I suspect it will steal _Star Trek Discovery_’s thunder. Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/29 "2017-05-19T03:01:37Z")
It’s funny because “Orville” sounds like “awful”. So it’s like the ship is called The Awful, which means that awful things will happen on it and it will be awfully funny. If you’re 12 and have suffered head trauma, say. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/30 "2017-05-19T03:57:04Z")
It looks interesting. I’ll definitely check it out. It could easily be awful, but maybe not. “Last Man on Earth” is a “comedy” that frankly isn’t all that funny, but I still find it intriguing and enjoyable. ---
**Author:** ![Cayuga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Cayuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cayuga)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2017, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/31 "2017-05-19T18:09:48Z")
I laughed out loud several times. YMM(and clearly does)V ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/32 "2017-08-25T19:27:10Z")
I read a review today (can’t link at the moment) that said that while Fox is trying to promote this as a joke filled parody, the actual show is more straight sci fi with comedic moments. That actually makes it more interesting to me. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/33 "2017-08-25T19:56:27Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > I read a review today (can’t link at the moment) that said that while Fox is trying to promote this as a joke filled parody, the actual show is more straight sci fi with comedic moments. That actually makes it more interesting to me. That’s exactly what I was expecting. Network TV has been getting a little loose with their labels lately. I believe they have “This is Us” labeled as a Comedy-drama. Which seems rather dubious to me. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/34 "2017-08-25T20:09:46Z")
I’ll only watch it if they turn it into a live action Tripping the Rift. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/35 "2017-08-25T21:12:05Z")
As a longtime Trekker (as is MacFarlane: [Rivers | Memory Alpha | Fandom](http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Rivers)) and someone who really enjoyed _Galaxy Quest_, I’ll definitely check it out. Looks like it has potential. ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/36 "2017-08-25T21:27:20Z")
So from the episode list on Wikipedia: [The Orville - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Orville#Episodes) Hrm … Farveru directed the pilot. Seth McFarlane did one. Braga. Johnathan Frakes. A number of notable directors. Hey, the sets are built, the jokes are written, the effects budget was planned. And they got good directors. I’m pretty excited to see Seth McFarlane acting IRL. At the very least, I hope it lasts the season. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/37 "2017-08-25T21:34:57Z")
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll watch, if only because Babu from Seinfeld is in it. ---
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/38 "2017-08-25T21:44:44Z")
My expectations are low but I’ll be giving it a shot. I won’t be surprised if it feels more Trek than the new _Star Trek: Discovery_ will. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/39 "2017-08-25T22:44:35Z")
> [@Quimby](#): > > I read a review today (can’t link at the moment) that said that while Fox is trying to promote this as a joke filled parody, the actual show is more straight sci fi with comedic moments. That actually makes it more interesting to me. I read an interview with McFarlane and he said it will be the Star Trek show we wish we’d gotten instead of Discovery. He’s a big Trek fan. I’m hopeful and looking forward to it. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814/40 "2017-08-25T23:25:12Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Thanks for the heads up. I’ll watch, if only because Babu from Seinfeld is in it. I believe you mean Dr. Bashir’s dad from DS9 is in it. 🆒 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-orville-seth-mcfarlane/786814.md?page=3)