628 replies to this topic

[Digital Am]

"The Unusuals" Premiers on April 8th, at 10pm ET on ABC, starring Amber Tamblyn (from "Joan of Arcadia," Adam Goldberg, and Harold Perrineau.
Here is the Blog.

[redrose101]

Well, I for one, think this could be worth checking out. I love the cast, and it looks funny in a dark/twisty sort of way and different from the usual police procedural show. I think I saw it described as sort of a modern day M*A*S*H for the homicidal NYPD unit; where the detectives are as crazy as the cases they cover.

[Snark Shark]

Amber Tamblyn has breasts? Wow. And showing them? Guess she's changing her fan demographic a bit.

10 episodes is a horribly small order though.

[Slade347]

I think I saw it described as sort of a modern day M*A*S*H for the homicidal NYPD unit; where the detectives are as crazy as the cases they cover.

A more dramatic Barney Miller is what came to mind when I first saw the ads. I can see the M*A*S*H comparisons as well. I'll definitely be checking it out. Hopefully it turns out good.

Edited by Slade347, Mar 31, 2009 @ 9:42 PM.

[Redtracer]

I will be watching this for Jeremy Renner. I hope this will be a good role for him, since it seemed like he was getting a little typecast as scum in movies (Dahmer, SWAT, North Country). Plus, he and Harold Perrineau on the same show = 28 Weeks Later reunion!

Edited by Redtracer, Apr 1, 2009 @ 2:43 PM.

[lilith1930]

The commercials have reeled me in, I'll be watching this, although I normally don't care for procedurals unless there's a hook such as an actor I love starring in it. But it looks very funny.

Jeremy Renner and Adam Goldberg look so familiar, but I don't know what I've seen them in.

[Wild Roses]

This really looks good so I'll be tuning in even though I'm weary it will get cancelled being that it is on ABC and that network has been driving me nuts with all the cancellations lately. (I still haven't forgiven 'Pushing Daisies' being cancelled.)

I've never seen an episode of MASH, so I have no comparison.

[Snark Shark]

I've never seen an episode of MASH, so I have no comparison.

Okay, I guess that establishes you as the younger demographic!

I don't think it has to get canceled with a mere 10 episode order. It just will play out and then never be heard from again. That's both the glory AND the pain of such a tiny order.

[bellN]

The commercials look fun, but I keep thinking the Amber Tamblyn is too young to pull off a cop. I mean Joan didn't even get to graduate from high school.
Adam Goldberg - was he ever on Saturday Night Live? He seems like a Ben Stiller Lite, and I think Ben Stiller is light enough as it is.

[Jr82]

Alot of shows only get a six episode agreement so ten episodes isn't bad at all.

Adam Goldberg was in Dazed and Confused, Saving Private Ryan, The Hebrew Hammer and most important tom me, he played the crazy roommate Chandler had when Joey moved out for a while on Friends.

I always try to give a new show a chance so I'm there for now. I've always had a big crush on Amber Tamblyn too. So that helps.

I remember there being a show on Bravo that followed young up and coming actors waiting for there big break and Renner was one of the actors featured. He got the role of Dahmer while that episode was filmed. For whatever reason, I've always been happy to see him getting work after watching that show.

The show also had a girl who was cast in a role for the Save the Last Dance pilot that never got picked up, the skinny guy in 8 Mile who was always trying the "inform" his Eminem and their friends and Lisa Raye before she was cast on All of Us if anyone was trying to remember the show I'm talking about.

[dubbel zout]

I don't think it has to get canceled with a mere 10 episode order.

All of the ABC midseason shows were given reduced episode orders—from 13 to 10, I believe—and it was for budgetary reasons only.

I love Amber Tamblyn, but I agree she's too young to play a detective. She's 25; is it even possible to become a detective at that age IRL?

[lilith1930]

I love Amber Tamblyn, but I agree she's too young to play a detective. She's 25; is it even possible to become a detective at that age IRL?

Department of Labor says most departments allow you to test for detective after 2-3 years on the job as a patrol officer. If she joined out of college, it's plausible, because she has just gotten promoted to detective as the show starts, right?

It's shitty to hear about reduced orders for all shows, but that's better than no shows at all.

[Danie84]

I'm so ectstatic for this show. I love everything Amber T. has been in since her General Hospital days. I've enjoyed the other actors roles too, so I know this will be great. Cross fingers that it doesn't get cancelled before it have legs.

Edited by Danie84, Apr 2, 2009 @ 2:37 PM.

[Teitr Styrr]

I am really looking forward to this too. I love quirky crap that is funny, with a side of drama every now and then. That's what I'm hoping this is.

[fastiller]

I'm also looking forward to this, for a couple of reasons. First, I love seeing NYC on screen (the real NYC, that is), whether the super-real of this program (based on the ads), or the hyper-real of Kings. Secondly, I loved Amber Tamblyn in Joan of Arcadia, so I'm glad she'll be back on the TV machine.

Regarding the M*A*S*H comparison that redrose101 noted: the Executive Producer/Writer Noah Hawley makes just that comparison in the March issue of the American Cinematographer. And Wild Roses (what's with all the roses around here?), I highly recommend that you shed your M*A*S*H-virginity. It really is groundbreaking TV.

Edited to note that you should scroll down on that link to get to the start of the piece about The Unusuals . The full article talks about the cinematography on four TV shows: Dexter, Life On Mars (US), True Blood and this program.

Edited by fastiller, Apr 3, 2009 @ 9:07 PM.

[Snark Shark]

I love Amber Tamblyn, but I agree she's too young to play a detective. She's 25; is it even possible to become a detective at that age IRL?

I bet she's playing older than she is.

There's a real rationale for this too. Think "21 Jump Street". There's a certain window of opportunity for babyfaced cops. Maybe that was her former assignment before this one. Based on the preview clips, we DO know she had been working Vice, and that's got to be one of the key areas that's necessary--"teen hookers" probably draw in more Johns than old dried up looking ones.

[Slade347]

I was a little surprised to find out that she was still only 25. I actually thought she was a little older.

[buzmeg]

I love Amber Tamblyn, but I agree she's too young to play a detective. She's 25; is it even possible to become a detective at that age IRL?

It's likely she's "playing older" just as many actors "play younger." Think 90210 (the original).

[taffyrose123]

Have no issues with any of the cast but do with a certain clip I saw of a dead cat and the plot used for humor- not cool at all for TPTB to do that kind of crap !!
Animal cruelty is not a funny matter but very tragic and heartbreaking and for any show to make light of a serious subject is not being creative but very cruel .

[ByTheWay]

Podcast > Amber Tamblyn Calls Into 104.7 KISS-FM - April 6, 2009

[Zach Oat]

I talked to Amber last week. I only had a few minutes, so we don't get too in-depth, but I learned she was once a backup dancer for Neil Young!

http://www.televisio...n_interview.php

I liked the first episode, it's fun. The dead cat is made light of by the homicide detectives, since it's not their department, and they deal with worse stuff every day, but when they catch the guy who's responsible, they do NOT go easy on him. I own four cats, and I'm satisfied with the results. And I'm curious to see how the secrets unfold.

[Digital Am]

Awesome! Thanks for posting!

[taffyrose123]

I liked the first episode, it's fun. The dead cat is made light of by the homicide detectives, since it's not their department, and they deal with worse stuff every day, but when they catch the guy who's responsible, they do NOT go easy on him. I own four cats, and I'm satisfied with the results. And I'm curious to see how the secrets unfold

Thank you for this welcome information since I was apprehensive about that clip from the show ! I do not own a cat but do a dog but am an animal lover so take offense when any animal cruelty is shown as funny since it is not a funny issue but very serious !

Edited by taffyrose123, Apr 8, 2009 @ 8:01 PM.

[Tanker]

I liked it. I agree with both the M*A*S*H and "dramatic Barney Miller" comparisons. The tone is certainly M*A*S*H-like, with some straight up drama, some exaggerated characters (Alvarez is obviously the "Frank Burns" of the show) and some parts verging on magical realism (the stuff with Goldberg's character). Anyway, I love Amber Tamblyn, and am looking forward to watching her uncover everyone's secret.

[maraleia]

I thought the opening episode showed promise. I like the fact that everyone has a secret and is quirky. Amber was believable as a detective and it was great to see so many character actors on this show. They used NYC really well and I liked the shoutout to Dalton which is a real tony private school in NYC.

[Lovecat]

I thought this was a lot of fun! It's got a great cast, and I'm intrigued by the whole "find out their secrets" hook, which I did not expect, not having read any press on the show. Definitely different than anything on right now. I'll be checking it out again.

[SanLynn]

I liked the shout out to Amber's former job on General Hospital in the squad room. Very nicely done.

I really enjoyed this. Unfortunately that means it'll probably be canceled in three weeks. For me this was just the right amount of conspiracy/drama/comedy and I even kept the episode on my DVR to re-watch.

I really hope ABC keeps this one around for a bit.

[Erratic]

I loved this show way more than I expected. It feels very much like 'Hill St. Blues' - a mix of dark drama and twisty humour. I am already hoping that this sticks around for next season as I need a new show to follow.

Amber was believable as a detective

This was the greatest surprise of the episode!

[useapostrophes]

I liked it. I didn't love it, but I liked it. I'll tune in next week and make a decision then about the week after.


I liked Jason as an overall character; he was intriguing without being annoying. Also, I'm getting a very subtle gay vibe from him and wonder if that could be his secret, or part of it. I'd be happy if they did NOT go the will-they-or-won't-they route with him and Casey.


I liked Harold P(whatever) and Adam Goldberg as well and I like that their quirkiness was naturally and not forced.

Also, the voiceovers were fantastic and I'll have to pay attention to them as we go on!


What was the deal with other female detective? Did she have a deal? She was not as well defined as the others, save that she seemed to enjoy arresting hot dog man. I loved watching the background in their precinct scenes!

[ratman]

I went into this show wanting to like it a lot, hoping for something quirky and fun, but I'm feeling very ambivalent. It just felt like there was too much packed into the episode, like it was trying too hard, and that it couldn't quite find its place. Is it supposed to be a quirky comedy? Police procedural? Dirty cop drama-mystery? Maybe the pilot was just saddled with the job of setting up the story, and regular episodes will allow the show to settle a bit more.

However, I almost might watch this show exclusively for the dispatcher and the background action in the precinct. Absolutely hilarious.