Thoughts on the Pilot? Anyone?
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A_New_Hope — 14 years ago(January 13, 2012 09:20 AM)
Tell me it isn't soo. i thought all Canadians we overly nice lol. But i watch alot of Canadian tv and i love it. This how ever i do not like. I will not be watching another episode. Why they canned Dan 4 mayor i will never know.
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shatteredcanadian — 14 years ago(January 17, 2012 10:00 PM)
I find the "Trying to be Ricky Gervais" line hilarious. Everything he does is closely modelled after his stand up routine that he's been doing for many years. So unless his extremely clean, family friendly (Not exactly screaming "Ricky Gervais") is also a sad and pathetic attempt to copy Ricky Gervais, you're just way off base.
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rchapman-1 — 14 years ago(January 18, 2012 12:51 PM)
Well, the British 'Office' is coming up on ten years ago. So, if Dee's routines pre-date that, you may have a point. Even Gervais could be accused of ripping off Steve Coogan. Regardless, the thing is, even if Gerry came up with this schtick first, sadly, a few people got to the post first, years before - not just Gervais, but Danny McBride, whose Kenny Powers is an R-rated version of Mr. D, and Kenny Powers is considerably more fleshed out as a character, and the writing is far more compelling, imo. I just found Mr. D uncomfortable to watch because it was so derivative. It doesn't mean Gerry isn't a good performer, or the show doesn't have some funny bits, it's just that the central conceit of the show doesn't have a smidgen of originality, and that kills a lot of the fun, for me. It's still early, and I'll keep watching as it may work itself out. It just feels that the higer-ups at CBC are going for the crowd that never watches pay-TV, so they are blissfully unaware of how dreadfully unimaginative the show is. It happened once before when Ken Finkelman decided that CBC would be willing to buy a shameless knock off of 'The Larry Sanders Show' called 'The Newsroom'. But if you do like Mr. D, then seek out 'I'm Alan Partridge', the original 'Office' and 'Eastbound And Down' - then you can defend Mr. D with some actual knowledge backing you up.
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ajackett — 14 years ago(January 14, 2012 10:28 AM)
I liked it. He's a troll, and some of the things he says are pretty darn funny even if they are rude, mean, cruel, etc. The thing is, he's not intending to be rude, mean or cruel. He's just speaking what's on his mind. The fact that nobody calls him out on his subconscious trolling is interesting, everybody just keeps quiet and lets him make an ass of himself.
What I like about it is that although it's not super original, as others have mentioned, it definitely breaks the mould of other more recent Canadian comedies. I loved Corner Gas. I was a fan of Hiccups and Dan for Mayor. Haven't actually seen Little Mosque, just didn't interest me, but I hear it's good. My point is, Corner Gas, Hiccups, Dan for Mayor, the comedy was generally a bunch of dimwits doing and saying silly things. Don't get me wrong, they were wonderful, but they all have this sense of innocence. Mr. D. does NOT have that innocence or that silliness. He's still clearly a dimwit, but he's a troll, and he's selfish, whether he knows it or not. And I think that's funny.
I have a feeling the show won't last because not enough people will get this type of humour. It's definitely not for everybody. I don't even want my kids watching it, but my wife and I both found it funny.
I'm also a big stand up comedy fan, and have been watching Gerry Dee for years. I'm glad he's got his own show, and I hope he does well. Curious where the show goes from here. -
r_ichh — 14 years ago(January 14, 2012 10:32 AM)
I like Gerry Dee as a comedian and a sports reporter. This show however doesn't do him justice. Same old cliches, awkward 'Michael Scott'-like mannerisms just no.
So many actors in Canadian commercials are in this show too it's weird. -
nlpnt — 14 years ago(January 16, 2012 05:44 PM)
At least it's shot in Halifax rather than in Toronto - if that were the case you'd see the same dozen Canadian teen actors that are in everything else shot in Toronto that calls for teenagers, and likely on the same sets as Degrassi to boot.
The only true currency in this world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool. -
Ro_DB2 — 14 years ago(January 18, 2012 12:45 PM)
Those who don't like Gerry Dee just don't get his schtick.
He's been doing this kind of routine for years, but UNLIKE guys like Steve Carell and Will Ferell, he used to interview athletes on TheScore. He was just the king of making people feel awkward, and it was always fun to watch because pro athletes are so used to giving the same boring interviews we always see pregame and postgame. He kind of just throws people off, and asks absurd questions, and also challenges whoever he's interacting with. Its funny to see him interview guys like Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan and hearing him say that he's better at hockey or basketball than they are.
Thats just his style. If you're not familiar with him, please look for his stuff on youtube. It sucks that people are saying he's copying guys like Will Ferell, this is his big break and I hope he succeeds because I really enjoy his style.
Haven't watched the show yet, but from the trailers I'm 100% sure I'll love it, and I just hope it's not a show that gets cancelled because no one can understand his gimmick. -
rchapman-1 — 14 years ago(January 18, 2012 01:00 PM)
I actually haven't read those comparisons to Will Ferrell, and I would say they are off-base. It's the concept and the execution of the show that, at least in this universe, doesn't have a trace of originality. Gerry, who is the creator, and lead, justifiably, is drawing criticism. Regardless of what he has done in the past. If you know the shows he is being accused of copying, you'd understand where the flak is coming from.
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Ro_DB2 — 14 years ago(January 20, 2012 04:04 AM)
I saw the first two episodes and I loved it.
I don't know, maybe it's my sense of humour. My favourite shows are Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia and the early seasons of The Office.
I think Gerry Dee is hilarious, and the side characters are pretty decent so far.
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ilBrutto — 14 years ago(January 23, 2012 08:35 PM)
Albeit they are making Mr. D with a budget, I think he and his writing crew are "lifting ideas" from this you tube video I wrote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXK_I_dx6Cg&feature=related
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUmugJdpKOc&feature=related
We sent those to CBC as a prospectus and were told Thanks, but no thanks. Look at the date stamp. -
carl_macqueen — 14 years ago(February 16, 2012 02:31 AM)
Of course the show is lacking in originality. Tell me what shows on television are entirely original. A few examples of the programs I like: Modern Family, which combines American Family from the 70s with The Office and basically every family sitcom ever made. Happy Endings is an evolved take on Friends. The Daily Show is one part newscast, two parts Weekend Update from SNL. It's what each show does on their own that matters.
Taking that into consideration, Mr. D is hilarious so far. The dialogue is strong, the characters are likable and I laughed several times during each episode so far, something I can't say for many "sitcoms" today.
No, it's not original, but give me any great show on the air today and I'll tell you how it's derived from a previous idea or show. It's reminiscent of the South Park episode a few years ago called "The Simpsons Already Did It". And that was back when The Simpsons was a few episodes south of 300, not pushing 500 like it is on Sunday. -
faustiel — 13 years ago(December 17, 2012 10:51 PM)
ok guys this show is actually based on a character on chris lilly's summer
heights high an AUSTRALIAN show so its clear now that both americans AND canadians
now have no new ideas and have to copy other countries shows and ideas
and more often than not they fu
get some new ideas you fat lazy bastards
if u cant sleep someone is dreaming you're awake