Just watching this again on Netflix I saw it first out of idle curiosity not knowing what to expect, and its actually really good.
This is actually the first time that I have seen Mat LeBlanc on anything and certainly never Friends, so I did not decide on it as a fan. But I was I have to say pleasantly surprised though for me its a shame about Friends, as his character relies entirely on that fame. And this makes it harder to really be able to properly appreciate his acting, so I will have to wait for a real acting part for that.
I know Tamsin Greig as a name and though I know her face haven't actually seen her any shows before, but enjoy her so much in Episodes that I'll have to watch her other stuff.
Stephen Mangan is someone I am more familiar with though not in a sitcom, and he is really great in Episodes. He and Tamsin Greig work well together as characters, and are a perfect fit as partners.
The characters I had to think about were the yanks, especially Merc Lapidus that I feel could be Lapenis as he is a prick. It's bad enough having to endure his Dick Van Dyke (Mary Poppins), impressions whenever he meets Sean and Beverly. But when he sits next to his blind wife at a function he actually does a noose charade of hanging himself, while his wife is giving a speech. Of course that's an integral aspect of the slime ball TV executive persona, which the actor embodied perfectly.
Kathleen Rose Perkins as Carol Rance grew on me as the programme progressed, she is perfectly cast for the part as Merc's P. A. Typically agreeing with anything he says as every other yank, on Pucks production team. She is ideally needy, neurotic and self obsessed, banging Merc and vainly hoping he will actually leave his wife.
Daisy Haggard as Myra Licht the TV Network Head of Comedy, has what I can't help feel is a strange characterisation. In the way she smiles screwing her face into more of a grimace, I've no idea how she managed to keep that up.
The other characters in the early programmes, Morney Randolph (Mircea Monroe) Andy Button (Joseph May) Jamie Lapidus (Genevieve O'Reilly) develop well as the story progresses. The actors grow into their roles helping to flesh out the parts for this viewer, enabling me to appreciate their parts in the show. As well as showing the show itself, to be more than merely one dimensional. Especially when the characters lives change, meeting new people and facing different situations.
For me it's different watching a TV show and seeing it deal with, the behind the scenes aspects of making TV especially American. Such as the inane stupidity of the whole process, Merc Lapidus the Exec with the attention span of a goldfish. No one daring to say boo to his goose or heaven forfend to have an original thought in his presence.
I have absolutely no way of knowing whether any of this is actually typical, of how American TV networks go about their business. If it is its absolutely insane, but it certainly makes for an entertaining TV programme.
This is actually the first time that I have seen Mat LeBlanc on anything and certainly never Friends, so I did not decide on it as a fan. But I was I have to say pleasantly surprised though for me its a shame about Friends, as his character relies entirely on that fame. And this makes it harder to really be able to properly appreciate his acting, so I will have to wait for a real acting part for that.
I know Tamsin Greig as a name and though I know her face haven't actually seen her any shows before, but enjoy her so much in Episodes that I'll have to watch her other stuff.
Stephen Mangan is someone I am more familiar with though not in a sitcom, and he is really great in Episodes. He and Tamsin Greig work well together as characters, and are a perfect fit as partners.
The characters I had to think about were the yanks, especially Merc Lapidus that I feel could be Lapenis as he is a prick. It's bad enough having to endure his Dick Van Dyke (Mary Poppins), impressions whenever he meets Sean and Beverly. But when he sits next to his blind wife at a function he actually does a noose charade of hanging himself, while his wife is giving a speech. Of course that's an integral aspect of the slime ball TV executive persona, which the actor embodied perfectly.
Kathleen Rose Perkins as Carol Rance grew on me as the programme progressed, she is perfectly cast for the part as Merc's P. A. Typically agreeing with anything he says as every other yank, on Pucks production team. She is ideally needy, neurotic and self obsessed, banging Merc and vainly hoping he will actually leave his wife.
Daisy Haggard as Myra Licht the TV Network Head of Comedy, has what I can't help feel is a strange characterisation. In the way she smiles screwing her face into more of a grimace, I've no idea how she managed to keep that up.
The other characters in the early programmes, Morney Randolph (Mircea Monroe) Andy Button (Joseph May) Jamie Lapidus (Genevieve O'Reilly) develop well as the story progresses. The actors grow into their roles helping to flesh out the parts for this viewer, enabling me to appreciate their parts in the show. As well as showing the show itself, to be more than merely one dimensional. Especially when the characters lives change, meeting new people and facing different situations.
For me it's different watching a TV show and seeing it deal with, the behind the scenes aspects of making TV especially American. Such as the inane stupidity of the whole process, Merc Lapidus the Exec with the attention span of a goldfish. No one daring to say boo to his goose or heaven forfend to have an original thought in his presence.
I have absolutely no way of knowing whether any of this is actually typical, of how American TV networks go about their business. If it is its absolutely insane, but it certainly makes for an entertaining TV programme.