Let me begin by saying that this is an insightful show, which is very very rare nowadays!
You'll have a lot about the show business from the real guys. For instance, it was firstly here where I knew, from (Clint Eastwood) as a guest, that the top 10 box office list is an utter baloney, since in the end these allegedly high movies would not collect the money collected by shy movie in the 11th rank, which could stay in its position for longer. You'll have deep questions and answers; so forget about trivialities like: "and how's your dog?" (Letterman stuff!). And, unfortunately, you'll have some suffering due to its format!
It's buddy show in its core. There are the "I've been around" guy (Peter Guber) and the "bookstore" guy (Peter Bart). They are different in shape; one is athletic, stylish, handsome with nice hair, and one is chubby, casual clothes, everyday man with no hair. One looks like a carefree playboy, and one looks like careworn father. A cool billionaire, and a geeky clerk if you well. It's supposedly productive. However, I used to refer to the show not as Peter & Peter, or The Hollywood Peters, but as Good Peter & Bad Peter!
The thing is (Peter Bart) doesn't have it. And when it comes to "it"; then it's many things related to be a TV show host. (Bart) has a little bit of charisma, fitting to play the lead's grandfather, in a wedding scene as an extra! He has that sleepy one-note tone which agonizingly doesn't change. He's nearly incapable of laughing, or throwing one successful gag. And - this is yet the hardest - doesn't hold a candle to his fellow (Guber).
OK, they are both intellectual, having very interesting things to say. There is at least initial appeal based on the previous ironies. But (Bart) as if plays his role of the equation too much. He's the calm guy, the theoretical witness in front of (Guber). Nevertheless, I can't compare their on-screen buddyness to the one between (Michael Knight) and (K.I.T.T) in (Knight Rider - 1982: 1986). Simply (K.I.T.T), as a car, is way cool than (Bart)!
Actually (Bart) puzzles me, since his performance and low practical chemistry with his partner couldn't be compared to anyone of his antecedents. Dr. (Emmett Brown) from (Back to the Future - 1985: 1990) is more lively. (Sergeant Murtaugh) from (Lethal Weapon (1987: 1998) is more witty. Well, he could apply to Officer (Haven), a character played by (Michael Shannon), in an old TV show named (Future Cop - 1977), being an android cop that teams up with veteran street cop. P.S: that show lasted for only 8 episodes!
Look at him, or don't, while saying something like: "We'll come back after this" Ahh, it's completely ominous! I loved when (Denzel Washington) noticed that once, and made joke out of it. You can't be a host with this stiffness. I don't want anyone to be something other than himself, but honestly (Bart) being himself is bad enough. Being competent in the field of journalism, or any other filed, doesn't naturally mean being qualified for hosting TV shows, not to mention with someone who obviously can. Putting those 2 bigwigs together is great showbiz knowledge, but not a great showbiz at all!
It works just in terms of having a cinema lessons, especially about the backstage of producing. But as a show with catchy chemistry or actual interplay between its hosts, FORGET IT. Can you imagine a show co-presented by (Robocop)?! Although he's sweet talking smiley (Robocop), but still deathly monotonous!
Great talk show, bad buddy show for sure. It can join (Hollywood Homicide), (2 Fast 2 Furious), (Bad Boys II), and (National Security) for my list of the worst Buddy-works done in 2003.
