When I first heard of this show, I sort of shrugged it off, more excited for the new season of 'Big Love' and the new mini-series 'The Pacific' that HBO had to offer me. And then, one day, I started to watch. This show is absolutely hilarious and well done. Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson, and Zach Galifianakis are all amazing here. It takes the classic detective story, puts it in a martini shaker with modern day, and serves you one satisfying experience. Each characters antics and flaws are hilarious and endearing, and as messed up as they each are, you can't help but adore them. Hopefully, HBO will renew it for a second season, as I was left impressed with the first. This is definitely not a show to miss.
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goldfished20 June 2010
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lfernyhough7 November 2009I've only seen 4 episodes, but think the show is excellent. The subtle and not-so-subtle lines are hysterical. I love the humor in "Flight of the Concords" but think that this show will be more accessible to a larger audience.
All of the actors, Ted Danson in particular, give depth and nuance to the characters they play. The entire cast use their bodies, from face to feet, to express their over-the-top characters. The script is intelligent, farcical and just plain fun and all of it is enhanced by the camera work and direction.
I am rationing the remaining episodes or I'll devour them in one day and have to wait for HBO's interminable next season! -
mad_man_moon30 November 2009I truly think that this is very much a good representative of the term "all things to all people".
This has the hoity pretension of the Wes Anderson (et al) movies, endearing observation of 90s (popular) stand-up, and a delivery that is just straight up charming. Plus an accessibility that even an Airplane fan like me would be able to click in to (if that were the only style I were in to).
Whilst it could very easily veer in to the pretentious crowd (and with Schwartzman that's sometimes difficult to tell, because of his on-screen manner), it always stays on song. It's very accessible, and hilarious. It's not just the clever jokes, the in jokes and the observations (woven in to the characters) there's also a health dose of (very) old school slapstick I think. Hell, it even manages to catch the stoner crowd.
It could be thought of as being too male centric, well, apart from that being slightly the point it's never testosterone city, and it might feel token if a female point of view were added. But if it were, what a view it might be. -
olga140325 November 2009This show is probably the best thing on American TV right now, it doesn't try to be in your face unusual but it just is because of its slow burning pace, great offbeat sense of humor, while you won't catch yourself bursting with laughter at cheap humor that many shows rely on, BTD has some of the funniest and most SUBTLE written dialog that seems to be a privilege of British shows. Its a brilliantly written show with characters and story lines that are painfully endearing. And if you like me haven't been entirely convinced in the first episode, please don't give up on it, it's one of those shows that grow on you and you catch yourself watching BTD again and again. It did seem at first as something specifically catered for Brooklyn hipsters, but it gives a great background for the stories and if you live in Brooklyn you'll appreciate glimpses of your neighborhood (especially Williamsburg). All around a funny and pleasant way to spend half an hour!
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I've got to say, I'm loving this show so far.
I've never seen a TV comedy show with this sort of sense of humour before, it reminds me, as my title suggests, of a Wes Anderson movie but with a pinch of Kevin Smith.
Imagine if "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zisou" was about a young writer-turned-unlicensed-private-detective instead of an over-the-hill documentary-maker, and throw in a scene from "Mallrats" every now and again and you get close to the feel of "Bored To Tears".
Jason Schwartzman is, IMO, the perfect choice for the lead role - he's almost reprising his "I (Heart) Huckabees" character.
Keep an eye out for little details - objects on screen, reactions of "extras", the lyrics in whatever song is playing in the background... there's alsorts of really funny things you might miss if you're only half paying attention.
I can't wait for the next episode! -
greerjohnston24 November 2010The funniest thing on TV since "Seinfeld". In fact, when I describe "Bored to Death", I tell people it's the modern Seinfeld, re-conceived as a drama in which people actually have sex and smoke dope like normal folks.
Who the hell knew Ted Danson was so funny? Best role of his career. Everyone in this series is fantastic: Jason Schwartzman as the new Jerry Seinfeld, Zach Galifianakis as a seedier, dirtier and, yes, sexier version of George. I think this comedy is aimed squarely at the contingent of New Yorkers (and wannabees) who love reading "The New Yorker" while regretting their fondness for its pretensions. It's the perfect blend of high and low-brow NY sensibilities.
Due to the representation of cheerful, harmless drug and alcohol consumption, and all the many references to male genitalia, it would be impossible for this show to air anywhere other than on cable TV. For that reason alone, "Bored to Death" will never be the smash with the masses that Seinfeld was, but still, those of us who love cable and who are always waiting for the next best series will continue to be delighted with it -- and we'll tell our friends. Keep it coming! -
bowier174 November 2011Bored to Death is completely unlike any other programs on at the moment, and its unique qualities, well-played characters and sometimes ridiculous plots have completely absorbed me ever since the first series. Jonathan Ames, played by Jason Schwartzman, is a heartbroken and muse-less novelist who decides to become a private investigator. His "cases" are more often than not seemingly run-of-the-mill, but when the bumbling pothead cartoonist Ray Hueston and the sartorial silver fox George Christopher become involved the plots rapidly become bizarre and hilarious.
The highlight of the show is the well-crafted and aptly played characters facing these absurd situations. Ted Danson excels in playing George Christopher, creating an insightful and comic guide for Jonathan Ames. Many of my favourite moments and lines involve George and his insatiable desire for weed, liquor and beautiful women. Ray Hueston is Jonathan Ames' "side-kick" - a down-and-out cartoonist trying to succeed with his comics about "Super-Ray"; a superhero costumed version of himself equipped with a 9-foot long penis. Madly in love with his girlfriend, his rather cringe failings as a boyfriend are very funny. I am not so impressed by Jonathan Ames as a character though, as he is quite vapid and not often particularly funny. On the other hand, this absence of a fleshed-out subconscious to Jonathan is possibly the director's choice to push more focus on the other characters.
The writing is also incredible. Dialogue isn't exactly believable, as these caricatures are all overly witty, cultured and dramatic, but it makes me laugh all the more. The deep friendship between Jonathan and George seems to be based on a father-figure relationship that is strange, funny and at times heart warming as the characters go through slightly more serious times in the 2nd and 3rd series. Most of all, a show about 3 fully grown adults in the cultural sector smoking weed, drinking all the time and going on some crazy adventures just sounds awesome. -
leesimon-263574 November 2021The story is very straight forward from the beginning, and has elements of a "fish out of water" character trying to be something he is not.
It would be close to impossible not to love the cast, and they do a great job with what they are given. By that, I mean that the jokes that fall flat are not due to poor acting, they were lazy, stereotypical jokes to begin with.
Still, I enjoyed this, and re-watch it every few years for a chuckle. I'd recommend it if you like the Woody Allen, fumbling, New York kind of comedy, so it's not for everyone. -
Grizz-1422 November 2010Very funny,smartly written,with superb acting. This is the kind of dark comedy that network shows can only aspire to be.
Jason,Zack and Ted are all simply fabulous in their roles. The very idea of a struggling writer using Craigslist to get jobs as an unlicensed private detective is pure brilliance.
The story lines are consistently hilarious and the dialogue is smart and a real treat to a comedy snob like myself. This makes most network shows look like the tripe it usually is..
My only caveat is that there are but 8 shows per season.....and now the long wait till Season 3 :( -
SnoopyStyle12 November 2013Jonathan Ames (Jason Schwartzman) is an aimless writer inspired to become a private investigator. The stories center around him and his two friends bumbling around. Ray Hueston (Zach Galifianakis) is a pot smoking cartoonist with a ever frustrated overbearing girlfriend Leah (Heather Burns). George Christopher (Ted Danson) is the 'wise' older editor.
This is an absurdist comedy. Ames is pathetic and only out-pathetic by Zach Galifianakis' antics. Ted Danson gives a crazy performance from a different perspective. It's a crazy wacky world of over drinking pot haze. While I love the guys, the comedy is a bit dark and definitely not your average sitcom. It's not to everyone's taste and a bit of hit and miss. Luckily it's more hit than miss. Sometimes I winces at their pitifulness. Mostly we're allow to laugh at them. It's certainly not your average comedy. -
Jonathan Ames is a one novel writer and a his Second novel is refused, a 447,000 rating on Amazon. He writes the occasional article for his friend George Christopher (Ted Danson, in a funny role as usual), the editor of an Esquire-type magazine. Meanwhile, his friend Ray (Zak Galifianakis)is a comic novelist who is always frustrated, his Girl friend Leah controls his moves and makes his life a misery. Jonathan's girlfriend moves out after he refuses to clean up his act according to her wishes (no drinking, no pot smoking).
After losing his roommate/lover, Jonathan is unable to write, and suffers from a serious case of the doldrums. He mopes around his apartment, doing very little but reading Raymond Chandler novels and getting smoked up. Schwartzman is very good at conveying this bright-guy-turning-into-a-loser character. Apparently inspired by the Chandler novels, he decides to try his hand at being a private eye himself. Despite having no background whatsoever in police work, he figures he has nothing to lose and advertises on craigslist as an "unlicensed" private detective. He hopes that by doing this he will pad his bank account, as well as find inspiration for his writing. Thus, the hilarity ensues.
The series is stylish, with lots of allusions to Raymond Chandler potboilers, complete with gorgeous, troubled dames, topcoats, hats, and all the Chandler-esquire parafernalia. Jonathan hasn't a clue as to what he's doing, but somehow his escapades all work out, with George and Ray as his Keystone cops sidekicks. Each episode is done tongue-in-cheek, requiring a large dose of literary license from the viewer. If the viewer has a sense of fun and enjoys a well-crafted farce, this isn't hard to do. I hope this series catches on, because in my household, this is half an hour of very entertaining television. All the actors do a fine job, my favorite being Ted Danson, who seems to thoroughly enjoy acting a fool and probably getting paid enormous amounts of money to do so. Some of the scenes are sidesplittingly funny; others have a Woody Allen-ish charm, as Schwartzman is exactly the kind of appealing nebbish that Allen always played. Season 2 started very nicely and is continuing the awesomeness of Season 1. -
jonathanruano5 February 2010I never thought that Jason Schwartzman could be good in any film after witnessing his performance in "Marie Antoinette." But after watching this series, I stand corrected. Screenplay writer Jonathan Ames knows how to make the most of Jason Schwartzman's acting skills, because the latter seems so natural in the role of the free lance detective (who strangely enough also happens to named Jonathan Ames).
I do not want to oversell this series though. There are some episodes that people are going to dislike, if not hate. For me, the real downers include a story about a kid and his skateboard and another about a lesbian couple accepting a sperm donation. I do not know why Mr. Ames thought that either story was a good idea for a series. Perhaps, he had a off-day or the pressure undermined his creative powers. But on the other side of the coin, there are episodes that are written intelligently, show originality and can be hilarious. In short, this series is really a strange jumble of brilliant and terrible episodes.
"Bored to Death" also stars Ted Danson, famous for his role in the Cheers series, who consistently gives a wonderful performance as Jonathan Ames' boss, George. Zack Galifianakis gives an OK performance for an OK role. Then there is Oliver Platt who gives a far superior performance as George's eccentric nemesis. -
Johnny_West10 August 2021Jason Schwartzman reads all his lines in slow motion, like he is channeling Woody Allen waking up from a coma.
Really ponderous stuff. Hard to watch. Even harder to listen to. Totally unfunny, and not humorous in any funny way. -
bobbyxie198411 June 2012This show was just awesome. I'll start out by saying that if you know Steven Chow and like his work, you'll really enjoy this show. It's the closest thing to a Steven Chow film Hollywood has had to offer to date.
I can't believe this show wasn't picked up for at least another 2 or 3 seasons. Too bad. This style of comedy is never seen on T.V.(not this caliber) and it's going to be a while until something like it comes around again.
I'll admit the first season was a little rough around the edges but it had some of the most memorable scenes (LMAO the skateboard stealing scene when Galifinakis reacts to Shwartzman not being able to get into the car HAHAHA GENIUS).
The writers are very creative in their story lines. I loved seeing the always elegant Isla Fischer guest staring in the third season. She fit right in. All 3 of the leads are brilliant. Every episode is a howl and if you enjoy a little 420, this show is right up your alley.
Pot or not, Bored to Death has got to be the most under rated comedy this decade. No jokes.
Watch it, you'll zip through 3 seasons before the end of the week. -
virtualxi18 December 2010Note from the author: this review has been written after watching two seasons. Bored to death is a TV show whose charm relies heavily in its three leads Jason Schwartzman, Zack Galifianakis and Ted Danson. The main problem that I found is that during the first season Schwartzman's character is given the most weight out of the three leaving Danson and Galifianakis as secondary characters that have mini-subplots around the main cases - as the story revolves around a writer drawn to be a detective to solve it's financial difficulties -. Thankfully this has been solved in the second season with an even repartition of plot for the three and consequently has improved the stories, the cast and the overall dynamic of the show. Throughout the two seasons I felt that the show gradually turns from a solve-the-case of the week show to a hang-out-with-us show while the story flows...and boy what a blast it is to hang out with this cast. Danson's hedonistic charm is suave, subtle -and even slightly touching in some episodes with a cancer subplot- with the best laughs when his facade of elegance is down due to his drug use. Galifianakis is perhaps the geek hero (but not a geek himself) as the comic-book writer in a dysfunctional relationship with his girlfriend played by Heather Burns - who's first in the list of recurring character's of the show, also including Oliver Platt and Kristen Wiig-. Finally Schwartzman's character is a struggling writer with relationship problem's and a tendency for solving weird-cases in a very unprofessional way - high point for me is the first episode in season 2 when he has to go into a fetish dungeon-. To sum things up. Bored to death was a slow burner for me, by the end of season 1 I was ready to give up but, with season 2, it pulls out a "The Office" and gets much better. Each season has eight episodes which leads to very cohesive stories and arcs but then again the charm relies on the cast which are great if you like these type of characters. Thanks for reading.
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Season 1 of 'Bored to Death' has been accused of being too slow; and it does indeed creep slovenly towards fruition. Inertia hangs about the first 2 or 3 episodes like a threatening elephant in the room as we begin to wonder if the whole thing is some sort of clever post-modern parody – is 'Bored to Death' supposed to be actually boring? The immediately apparent lack of plot depth and character development seems intentionally aimed at not engaging its audience into finding sympathy with its characters. The opening sequence of events sees the main protagonist, Jonathon Ames, being left by his girlfriend (she is literally in the moving truck) claiming she feels he drinks too much and smokes too much pot. The sequence feels almost rushed and we are left vaguely suspecting we might need more context; if this is a dark comedy sparked by a break-up, shouldn't the particulars of this be given more weight? In fact we soon find out the gritty reality of Ames' life, his failed relationship and his ex-girlfriend are relatively unimportant both to himself and to the series; the real depth of the drama emanates from the virtual reality world he subsequently creates for himself when he posts an ad listing himself as a private detective on Craigslist. The first episode sees him get his first case which he fumbles his way through as cluelessly and aimlessly as he appears to complete anything else he attempts. He is, in reality, a writer struggling to get started on his second novel, and in this vein, pretty much all of the plot action derives from the central characters creating deliberate distractions from their mundane or 'real' everyday lives. Ames' best friend Ray is played effortlessly from the off by The Hangover's Zack Galifianakis, a struggling animator/cartoonist always trying to distract himself from the miserable reality of his girlfriend, and her children, and her endless 'intimacy exercises' and her withholding of sex. It is worth noting here that not only are all the main characters men, but all the supporting female characters are deliberately underdeveloped and marginalised. This is comedy exploring the inner working minds of men, who seem to need to escape from the tedious reality of the idiosyncratic, nagging behaviour of their female counter parts. However, whilst there is no room for female narrative here, men are ultimately at the butt end of the jokes.
There is however enough real life, every day concern in here to just about anchor the series in the observational comedy arena, as the various complaints of the women are undoubtedly common ones we can all relate to. Despite the obvious inadequacies of our protagonist, Ames is affable and likable. He is polite almost to a fault and has a formality about him that both helps and hinders him in equal measure in his various encounters with the broad ranging characters he meets whilst conducting his detective work (he says he in unlicensed, so he rationalises this is fairer and 'more legal') For the most part, the men are generally insensitive and selfish towards the women in their lives and cut humorously pathetic figures in any of their attempts at reconciliation with them. In the opening episode we see Ames attempt to win his girlfriend back by bemoaning, 'I am living like a pig...I have no toilet paper; no milk!'. Their inadequacies as men in relationships are obvious, but instead of trying harder to fix their problems, they retreat further into a fantasy world now largely facilitated by Ames' detective work. By far the most intriguing and fabulously colourful character is eccentric magazine editor George Christopher played magnificently by a rather dashing looking Ted Danson. Foppish but with an irresistible boyish charm, George is enigmatically enthusiastic about everything and anything that comes his way. Unlike Jonathon and Ray, George is sophisticated and wealthy, but despite having the enthusiasm, drive & romantic sensibilities that the other two lack, even he has been alluded by a meaningful relationship with the opposite sex, leaving him cynical and bored enough to want to constantly smoke pot and invite himself along to whatever Jonathon is doing.
Cannabis is a prevalent element as both a plot device and a central theme, but this is more than just a stoner comedy. 'Bored to Death' is effortlessly stylish; the tone is often flat and inert leaving room for the most subtle of nuances. The laughs often come from the smallest of charming details - an earnest look from Jonathon, the childish enthusiasm from George or a miserable and defeatist remark from the down trodden and vulnerable Ray. They all genuinely have the best of intentions here, but the humour derives from their constant refusal to live in the real world, the world in this case, represented by women. 'Bored to Death' is by no means laugh a minute, but if you scratch just underneath the off-beat sensibility of the humour, you find something all together more interesting. Couple this with the fact that its writer/creator, Jonathon Ames bases the protagonist loosely on himself and we have some interesting musings on the artistic mentality, relationships, drugs and escapism. All in all the series reminds us in charming and subtle detail that men never really grow up. -
timcurryisgod25 May 2020Really cute series and Danson is entertaining in it. I don't understand why no one has made a movie about Keith Moon just so Jason Schwartzman could star in it. That would have been so great.
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If Woody Allen were to make a show I would imagine it to be a little like this, extremely witty, the main character 'struggling', New York, trouble/somehow good with women and the many references of literature. Mix that with the quirky characters of a Wes Andersen film add a lot of marijuana and you have Bored To Death. The characters are amazingly written, Ted Danson as the weed addicted playboy boss, Zach Galifianakis as the weird friend and perhaps the most entertaining character John Hodgmanas Jonathan's rival Except it's not quite as funny as one would have hoped. The characters are great, the plot is almost always brilliant, the script is excellent.
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meganrogers-4311526 October 2020I was pumped to have stumbled upon this and thought "Wow! What an unexpected trio of pretty solid comedians. Love Schwartzman, certainly like Galifianakis most of the time, and Danson doesn't absolutely blow that often!" Unfortunately, I'm 5 episodes in and still struggling...The issue for me is most likely Ted Danson's tendency to try a little too hard in every role he has played since he became a silver fox , but it could also be the fact that there seems to lack a cohesive tone thus far. I think it just wasn't edited for the audience as much as it was to the writer's vision. I think it's going to get better, but it's taking some time to come together for me. 7.5/10
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jackwriter-8263319 November 2021Thirty-minute episodes, 8 episodes per each of 3 season, 24 episodes in all. Three likable comic stars. Served with a box of grigio, a bag of smoke and assorted snax. Sit back & enjoy.
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tiberiuchiriac198710 November 2011i work from home, so i see a lot of TV... i probably watch 25-35 TV shows per year. I watch all genres and while i watch them i don't take into consideration a lot of things because I'm usually concentrated on something else. As a low concentration need show(and funny) this is the best. This show has the span to make me laugh and still be concentrated at something else. One of the best light shows for me.
This show is much better than so many "medium" budgeted movies...it just purely has its own way of doing things which is very fresh from my perspective... It's very hard to do something new(creative) nowadays but this show brings that. -
UtopianUK26 June 2011I must say this show isn't like Seinfeld - and it's definitely not as funny and brilliant as that show. BTD is a much more downbeat show, with subtle comedy. It also has pot smoking characters( the characters go on and on about it in every episode *YAWN* ) ... but that doesn't mean it's really adult, as teen comedies are often fixated on pot smoking. Most adults wouldn't make such a big deal out of it - like they've just discovered the drug.
Jason Schwartzman is by far the star of the show - and I enjoy his character, although he's a bit two-dimensional. Zach Galifianakis plays a strange sort of character - who comes across as quite troubled and quirky at times, but he's not funny enough. Ted Danson is perfectly suited to his role - and his character is OK, but not that interesting really.
The show feels like it's written by writers who've just graduated college, rather than mature people who have mastered the art of writing comedy. The quality of the writing is very mixed, so some of it is really good, and some quite weak. The comedy only really reaches a high on the odd occasion - and those moments make the show worth watching.
I like what the show delivers overall, but I won't be shouting its praises from the rooftops. It's interesting, with an unusual atmosphere and characters that are watchable. 7/10 -
Tronic219 November 2010The main character Jason in an emo guy and his best friend Zach is a social loser. Every episode seems to repeat the exact same story: the recently- separated protagonist meets with some extremely sexy lady while playing private detective but then that never leads to anything. Solving a case consists of (1) answer the telephone, (2) meet the caller in person, (3) look in the place suggested by the caller and find the missing person there.
Meanwhile Jason's boss harasses him with some very personal issues, leading to tacky situations. The loser friend's issues get ignored while Jason keeps going on about how bad it is that his girlfriend left him and how he maybe should be drinking less white wine or smoking less pot to win her back.
At the end of each episode the situation resets back to normal: there is no character development and the the next episode is going to have an even sillier story than the one you just watched. Watching this crap makes you dull and I had to give up during the fifth episode of the first season as my brain just could not take this anymore.
The title sequence is nice and the music and directing are OK, so 4/10 for that. -
mrronocon9 August 2013I really loved this show. I would highly recommend anyone reading this to give it a try. The only regret you will have is that this series was canceled way to soon. It really should have been given the ending it deserved. Ted Danson is hilarious. If you like film noir or old detective movies then add an extra point to the score. Some of the set pieces are excellently executed and it has a continuing set of recurring characters throughout the three series. If I did have to point at a fault I would say the acting could be better in places and it's the main character is most at fault for this. Otherwise great show. Enjoy.