Episodes (TV series)

Episodes
Genre Comedy
Created by David Crane
Jeffrey Klarik
Written by David Crane
Jeffrey Klarik
Directed by James Griffiths
Jim Field Smith
Iain B. MacDonald
Starring
Composer(s) Mark Thomas
Country of origin United Kingdom
United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 4
No. of episodes 34 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) David Crane
Jeffrey Klarik
Jimmy Mulville
Location(s) Hollywood
Windlesham
Cinematography Rob Kitzmann
Editor(s) Nigel Williams
Camera setup Single camera
Running time 27 minutes
Production company(s) Hat Trick Productions
Crane/Klarik Productions
Showtime Networks
Release
Original network Showtime (US)
BBC Two/BBC Two HD (UK)
Original release January 9, 2011 (2011-01-09) – present
External links
Website
Production website

Episodes is a American/British television comedy series created by David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik and produced by Hat Trick Productions.[1] It premiered on Showtime in the United States on 9 January 2011[2] and on BBC Two in the United Kingdom on 10 January 2011.[1] The show is about a British husband-and-wife comedy writing team who travel to Hollywood to remake their successful British TV series, with unexpected results. It stars Matt LeBlanc, who previously collaborated with Crane in the series Friends, which Crane co-created.

On June 10, 2015, it was announced that Showtime had renewed Episodes for a nine-episode fifth season, which is due to begin filming in London in 2016.[3] On April 11, 2016, season five was confirmed to be the show's last; it will consist of seven episodes and is slated to conclude in 2017.[4]

Episodes has received positive reviews by critics,[5][6] with specific praise being given to the performances of stars Stephen Mangan, Tamsin Greig, and LeBlanc.[7] For his performance in the series Matt LeBlanc won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy and has been nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards.

Premise

After happily married couple Sean (Stephen Mangan) and Beverly (Tamsin Greig) Lincoln win yet another BAFTA Award for their successful British sitcom, Lyman's Boys, they are persuaded to move to Hollywood and remake their series for an American audience. Unfortunately, the network starts to make changes and pressures the couple into casting Matt LeBlanc in the lead role.

A complicated triangle ensues, in which Sean becomes friends with Matt, while Beverly is less impressed. Continuing changes to the scripts threaten to damage the show, and other pressures result in difficulties in Sean and Beverly's marriage.[1]

Development and production

In May 2010, the BBC announced that seven episodes had been ordered and that filming had begun, with James Griffiths directing.[8] Sean and Beverly Lincoln are played by Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig, who previously co-starred in the British sitcom Green Wing (2004–2007).

Beverly was originally to be portrayed by Claire Forlani, but she left the cast in April 2010 when the series was in pre-production.[9] LeBlanc was to play a "larger than life version of himself" as character Matt LeBlanc.[8] Thomas Haden Church was also to have a role in the series as Merc Lapidus, the American television executive who commissions the remake, but he left due to scheduling conflicts,[9] and was replaced by John Pankow.

Although the majority of the show was set in Los Angeles, it was mainly filmed in the UK, including the £35 million mansion Updown Court as the house of Beverley and Sean Lincoln, with inserts shot on location in LA.[10]

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally airedUK air date
First airedLast airedFirst airedLast aired
17January 9, 2011 (2011-01-09)February 20, 2011 (2011-02-20)January 10, 2011 (2011-01-10)February 21, 2011 (2011-02-21)
29July 1, 2012 (2012-07-01)August 26, 2012 (2012-08-26)May 11, 2012 (2012-05-11)July 6, 2012 (2012-07-06)
39January 12, 2014 (2014-01-12)March 16, 2014 (2014-03-16)May 14, 2014 (2014-05-14)July 9, 2014 (2014-07-09)
49January 11, 2015 (2015-01-11)March 15, 2015 (2015-03-15)May 11, 2015 (2015-05-11)July 6, 2015 (2015-07-06)
572017 (2017)2017 (2017)2017 (2017)2017 (2017)

Cast and characters

Main cast

Recurring cast

Reception

The response of American critics was positive.[13] Robert Bianco of USA Today called the show "easily the best new sitcom of the season"[14] and The Boston Globe's Matthew Gilbert said that "Each of the season's seven half-hours is a little sliver of pleasure."[15] A Boston Herald review by Mark A. Perigard was lukewarm; he said he feared that the show would never achieve a broad audience[16] and David Wiegand from the San Francisco Chronicle praised the performances of the actors but felt that the series simply was not funny.[17] Alan Sepinwall of HitFix went further declaring the show to be one of the worst TV moments of 2011.[18] The UK critics' response to the first episode was broadly lukewarm while remaining optimistic.[19][20] More screentime for Matt LeBlanc was eagerly anticipated by some,[21] with The Independent's Brian Viner believing that this might improve the series.[22]

The second season received positive reviews from critics.[23][24] Henry Goldblatt of Entertainment Weekly called the second season "[A] terrific second season of this industry-set sitcom".[25] USA Today said of the show "As smartly written as it is played, Episodes offers the comic pleasures, not just of clashing cultures, but of contrasting comic styles. On one side you have LeBlanc, who handles the big laughs and the broader humor, and does it so well, it serves as a reminder that he was under-appreciated during his years on Friends." Ed Bark of Uncle Barky praised the season saying it was "a thoroughly entertaining romp, with the television industry as a combination Tilt-A-Whirl/merry-go-round.[26][27] On the Firewall & Iceberg podcast Alan Sepinwall and Dan Fienberg commented on the second season, saying that the "self-congratulatory, obvious" show that is "oddly tone-deaf about the business that it was trying to satirize" is "not about anything" and "as a result is better for it", but is still "groaningly unfunny".[28]

The third season received mixed reviews from critics.[23][29] Emily Nussbaum of The New Yorker gave the season a positive review, saying "It seemed doubtful that the show’s creators could keep those plates spinning for another round, but the third season introduces a fantastic new contrivance: a psychotic new network head, played by Chris Diamantopoulos."[30] Brian Lowry of Variety gave the season a lukewarm review, praising Matt LeBlanc's performance, writing: "Episodes remains distinguished, mostly, by Matt LeBlanc's gameness in playing a jaundiced, utterly self-absorbed version of himself, the classic stereotype of a sitcom star with an oversized ego.".[31] Phil Dyess-Nugent of The A.V. Club gave the season a "C+" grade and a mixed review, writing: "It's turned out to be a fairly tired satire of Hollywood, one that's stayed yoked to its dubious premise."[32]

In the UK, episode one of the series premiered with an audience of 1.86 million, an audience share of 8.5%.[33] Episode two received 1.53 million viewers (7.4%), and by episode four viewing numbers were down to 1.09 million (5.3%). Episode five saw a slight rise in viewers to 1.33 million (6.6%), but numbers once again fell for episode six to 1.12 million (5.5%), and the season ended with the lowest number of viewers, 1.06 million (5.1%), tuning in for the final episode.[34] The second series in the UK began with 1.34 million, audience share of 6.8%, but by episode seven had steadily declined to 0.68 million viewers and an audience share of 3.3%.[35] As in the US, the UK's reception to the second series was positive with The Arts Desk saying "There were some very funny industry-related gags, not least network boss Merc (John Pankow) and his PA-cum-mistress Carol (Kathleen Rose Perkins) having sex on his desk while roaring the ratings figures back at one another. The cast are excellent value but at the moment only Greig seems to be playing for genuine emotional stakes. Portraying an exaggerated version of his on-screen persona, LeBlanc’s sweet, sex-obsessed shallowness is all that's required, but Mangan – a terrific comic actor - seems constantly to be toying with a smirk, devaluing some of the emotional currency you sense Episodes is striving for. Together, they've proved they can make us laugh."[36]

Broadcast

The series premiered in Australia on Nine on July 3, 2012,[37] with season two returning on September 4, 2012.[38] The first two seasons were replayed by subscription television network BBC UKTV (as opposed to Nine which is a free-to-air network), premiering January 28, 2014.[39][40] Unlike the first two seasons which premiered in Australia on Nine, season three premiered on pay TV. Although originally set to air on BBC UKTV,[41] the series premiered on BBC First on September 12, 2014,[42] and returned for season four on September 7, 2015.[43] On 14 November 2016, it was reported that the fifth and final season would have its premiere on streaming provider Stan in 2017. This move is believed to be the result of BBC no longer being a co-producer of the series, and that Stan have an output agreement with Showtime.[44]

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations for Episodes
Year Association Category Recipients Result
2011 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Matt LeBlanc (Episode: "The Fight") Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series David Crane & Jeffrey Klarik (Episode: "The Fight") Nominated
Outstanding Main Title Theme Music Mark Thomas Nominated
Satellite Award Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy Matt LeBlanc Nominated
Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy Nominated
2012 Golden Globe Award Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy Matt LeBlanc Won
Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy Nominated
Writers Guild of America Award Television:New Series David Crane & Jeffrey Klarik Nominated
2013 BAFTA Award Best Situation Comedy David Crane, Jeffrey Klarik & Jimmy Mulville Nominated
Golden Globe Award Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy Matt LeBlanc Nominated
Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy Nominated
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Matt LeBlanc (Episode: "The Affair") Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series David Crane & Jeffrey Klarik (Episode: "The Award") Nominated
Writers Guild of America Award Television: Episodic Comedy David Crane & Jeffrey Klarik (For "The Award") Nominated
2014 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Matt LeBlanc (Episode: "Episode Six") Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series David Crane & Jeffrey Klarik (Episode: "Episode Five") Nominated
Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series Iain B. MacDonald (Episode: "Episode Nine") Nominated
2015 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Matt LeBlanc (Episode: "Episode Five") Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series David Crane & Jeffrey Klarik (Episode: "Episode Nine") Nominated

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Press Packs: Episodes". BBC. 17 December 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2010.
  2. "Biggest Sunday Ever on Showtime! Shameless, Episodes & Californication to Premiere 9th January", Showtime press release, 22nd September 2010, via FutonCritic.com. Retrieved 3rd November 2010.
  3. "'Episodes' Renewed for Nine Episode Season Five by Showtime". TV by the Numbers. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  4. Harp, Justin (April 11, 2016). "Episodes is axed: Matt LeBlanc's sitcom is ending with season 5". Digital Spy. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  5. "Episodes Review Season 2". metacritic.com. CBS Interactive INC. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  6. "Episodes Season 1 Metacritic Reviews". CBS. Interactive Inc. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  7. Gay, Verne. "'Episodes' review: Matt LeBlanc's a star". Newsday. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  8. 1 2 "Matt LeBlanc, Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig star in David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik's Episodes" (Press release). BBC. May 13, 2010.
  9. 1 2 Wightman, Catriona (April 29, 2010). "Church, Forlani quit Matt LeBlanc show". Digitalspy.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-01-10.
  10. "LeBlanc's 'brave' move on to British TV", BBC News, January 10, 2011
  11. Episodes Season 1: Everyone's Best Friend - Kathleen Rose Perkins
  12. "Andrea Savage Joins Showtime Comedy 'Episodes'". Deadline.com. 18 August 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  13. "Episodes Season 1 Reviews". metacritic.com. CBS Interactive INC. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  14. Robert Bianco (January 6, 2011). "Experience great 'Episodes' of laughter, thanks to LeBlanc". USA Today. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  15. Matthew Gilbert (January 7, 2011). "A clever satire about the travails of adaptation". Boston Globe. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  16. Mark A. Perigard (January 6, 2011). "Big names, little roles". Boston Herald. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  17. David Wiegand (January 6, 2011). "'Episodes' review: High on ego, low on laughs". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  18. Sepinwall, Alan (December 26, 2011). "Lumps of coal: The worst TV I watched in 2011". HitFix.com. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
  19. Sam Wollaston (January 10, 2011). "TV review: Episodes". The Guardian. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  20. Jane Simon (January 10, 2011). "Episodes - BBC2, 10pm". The Mirror. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  21. Keith Watson (January 10, 2011). "Episodes is a sharp and slick take on Britain's inferiority complex". Metro. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  22. Brian Viner (January 11, 2011). "Last Night's TV - Episodes, BBC2; Shameless, Channel 4; Baking Made Easy, BBC2". The Independent. Retrieved January 14, 2011.
  23. 1 2 "Episodes (US): Season 2 (2012)". rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  24. "Metacritic: Episodes (US): Season 2".
  25. Goldblatt, Henry (Aug 2012). "Episodes Season 2 Review". Entertainment Weekly.
  26. Bark, Ed. "Showtime's Episodes ups its game in Season 2". unclebarky.com. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  27. Bianco, Robert (June 28, 2012). "Showtime's 'Episodes' mocks TV marvelously –". USA Today. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
  28. "Firewall & Iceberg Podcast Episode 136 - "Episodes" (00:40:10 - 00:53:00)". 2012-06-25. Retrieved 2012-08-21.
  29. "Episodes (US): Season 3 (2014)". rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  30. Nussbaum, Emily. "On Television". newyorker.com. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  31. Lowry, Brian. "TV Review: 'Episodes'". variety.com. Variety Media. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  32. Dyess-Nuget, Phil. "In its third lackluster season, Episodes becomes its own target". avclub.com. The A.V. Club. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  33. "Episode 1.1". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved February 20, 2011.
  34. "Episode 1.7". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
  35. "Episode 2.7". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  36. Graeme Thomson (2012-05-12). "Episodes, Series 2, BBC Two | TV reviews, news & interviews". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  37. Knox, David (June 23, 2012). "Airdate: Episodes". TV Tonight. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  38. Knox, David (August 28, 2012). "Returning: Episodes". TV Tonight. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  39. UKTV Australia (January 28, 2014). "Twitter/UKTVausttalia". Twitter. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  40. Newsome, Brad (January 23, 2014). "Episodes". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  41. Knox, David (March 6, 2014). "Season 3 Episodes to air on UKTV". TV Tonight. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  42. Knox, David (July 14, 2014). "Returning: Episodes". TV Tonight. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  43. Knox, David (August 18, 2015). "Returning: Episodes". TV Tonight. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  44. Knox, David (14 November 2016). "Stan, ABC pick up final season of Episodes.". TV Tonight. Retrieved 14 November 2016.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/2/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.