"Running Wilde" ran hysterically wild in our house last night! Who knew Keri Russell could carry off such quick, yet dim, witted ripostes to Will Arnett's naturally sardonic but quickly contrite remarks towards her. Again and again, she surprised me. And the little girl, Puddle (Stephania Owen), only ever seen before in "The Lovely Bones", is a scene-stealer. This child doesn't have to use words to communicate her opinions in order to garner our laughs. Mel Rodgriguez, as Wildes hired best friend/paid slave has been around for a while, but I have a feeling he will make his mark for his comedic chops in this series. His character has experienced the rich and crazy life of the Wilde family since he was very young which, in turn, has influenced his own very unique disposition. The writers, Arnett among them, have done a brilliant job with cast and script. I will look forward to this program each week and hopefully for seasons to come. 10/06/2010
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zaenkney6 October 2010
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inkblot112 April 2012Steven Wilde (Will Arnett) would seem to have every advantage in this world. Very wealthy, he lives in a posh mansion, has a friendly servant at his beck and call at all times, drives a knockout car and does very little work. A figurehead, mostly, at his father's oil company, Stevie is out drinking and partying a good deal of the time. But, ho, ho! Back into his life comes Emmy (Keri Russell), a childhood pal. She grew up in the mansion, being the daughter of the live-in housekeeper, before going to college and never looking back. Now, Emmy is an ecologist, with a young daughter nicknamed Puddle and a scientist beau. She has returned to try to persuade Steve's firm NOT to drill for petroleum in the habitat of the native South American tribe she has been aiding. Secretly, these two, Steve and Emmy, were once in young love, making this return a head-turning event for both of them. Steve asks for time and cajoles Emmy into working at the firm, where they can untangle the problems together. Against her better judgment, Emmy accepts. She and Puddle even move into the elaborate treehouse on the property. But, all too soon, Emmy's left-behind-guy shows up, wanting the score, along with other various issues. Can the egocentric playboy and the pretty ecologist rekindle a love fire and help save the world? Maybe! This viewer wanted to see this series when it was broadcast but work conflicts put a damper on it. Now, its on one disk, joy of joys, to entertain its target audience, women. No, its storyline and scripts aren't the greatest but Arnett and Russell are pure joys in their roles and the supporting cast is quite nice. Also, the sets and costumes are wonderful while the passionate tug-of-war between Steve and Emmy are just what the love doctor ordered for those yearning for on-screen romantic comedy. Why not run wild tonight, females, and buy this DVD, with sides of pizza and popcorn?
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crystalballer786 September 2011"Running Wilde" is not, and will not ever be groundbreaking television.
That said, it was a funny show with heartwarming moments and some good how-did-they- get-that-past-the-censors gags. Its story showed promise, and while the opposites-attract idea is an overused trope, the idea of a wealthy oil heir who's infatuated with a dyed in the wool environmental activist is a very relevant concept.
Except, you wouldn't know any of this if I hadn't just told you, because Fox did a horrific job of advertising this show.
I am an avid television viewer, and I watch many shows on the Fox channel. How is it then, that I had zero idea as to what this show was actually about? All I knew was that it starred Will Arnett and Keri Russell. That's it. The advertisements for this show never gave me a reason to tune in. Fox showers GOOD ads on "Glee" and "American Idol," but the fact of the matter is that those two have solid fan bases. I mean, really, is Fox THAT worried about "American Idol" losing viewership? They've completely retooled the show twice now, and they still have viewerships in the teens-to-twenties million. Everyone already knows what those shows are about--they are, frankly, overexposed.
Just like with "Arrested Development," which is widely regarded as one of the best shows in television history, Fox screwed the ad pooch and basically condemned its own to eternal damnation in Cancellation Land. To boot, of all the new comedies that debuted last season and were subsequently cancelled, e.g. "Outsourced," "$#*! My Dad Says," "Perfect Couples," et al., this show was actually tolerable. In fact, compared to those listed above, it was Shakespearean.
So do not judge this show based on Fox's egregiously subpar treatment of a decent program. See for yourself and be pleasantly surprised. -
Sylviastel2 October 2010I love Will Arnett who is fabulous as the wealthy guy whose love of his life is played by Keri Russell. Arnett is fabulous as the wealthy but lonely billionaire who lives well-off on a fabulous estate. Emmy is the love of his life played by Keri Russell who lives in the jungle and tries to improve the world with her daughter, Puddle, what a name. Her daughter does a very good job as somebody who wants to escape the jungle and live in civilization. So Emmy reluctantly accepts an invitation where Arnett's character is throwing a party for himself as humanitarian of the year by his own company. Anyway, there are moments when Arnett has what it takes to be a big television star in his own right. Keri Russell is fine as Emmy and the supporting cast does a fine job which includes a neighboring Arab billionaire who has must time and money on his hands as Arnett's character and his assistant and chauffeur as well.
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emckinney36 October 2010This show comes very close to pure gold in terms of its premise and casting. Unfortunately it is lacking in fulfilling its own promise. The characters are interesting and well-acted.
The most conspicuously absent part of the show is an anchoring "straight man" a la Jack Lemon or Dean Martin. The zany characters are no good without an accomplished and mature actor capable of acting as a stand-in for the audience. My guess is that the writers intended for this to be Puddle, and while Stefania LaVie Owen is a good child actress, she has not yet developed the nuance and complexity of facial expression and voice intonation to make her more than the show's cute kid.
Another problem that will eventually become evident is that the show can only do so many episodes before its audience loses interest in whether or not Emmy and Steve sack out together. There is only so far that this show can go, and I'm not certain that it will get there.
I love Will Arnett, and really want him to have a stellar show, and maybe if there is room for a sympathetic character along the lines of Michael Bluth in Arrested Development, then these lovable (though not likable) characters will shine and the audience will gain an appreciation for their quirks and a sense of familiarity that is currently lacking. In the meantime, though, I feel like some writers and producers just tried to cram a bunch of far out characters into one show without any hope of development or perspective. -
ekimap22 September 2010Both me and my husband loved it! Laughed out loud and giggled all the way through! It is odd, silly and sharp. I sincerely hope this one makes it. I need a show that makes me laugh right now, and this one made me laugh a Lot! Loved Fa'ad and his absurd tiny horses. $50 pop. And the bleeped word was priceless. Clean but just on the edge. Something that is hard to find. And, Don't over analyze this show, just have fun watching the absurdity of it, the rest will come. There is so much room for character development here, with the "Nanny" and Driver too. I am looking forward to seeing more of them. The trailer made it look much more serious than it was, so don't let that fool you. It has so many backhanded jokes, you almost have to watch it twice to catch them all. Please watch and give this one a chance!
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SnoopyStyle9 September 2013Steven Wilde (Will Arnett) is incredibly rich, but he earned none of it. All he knows is how to squander it. Emmy Kadubic (Keri Russell) is an environmentalist and a mother to Puddle (Stefania Owen). Emmy is coming back from living in the jungle. Puddle is tired of it all so she's scheming to keep them from going back.
Will Arnett is good as wacky guy. Keri Russell is lovely as a frustrated environmentalist. For a wacky sitcom, they've got pretty good chemistry. The little girl is cute and expressive. I think they were just missing 1 or 2 needed characters. It just feels underdeveloped. -
phillmidwinter29 September 2010I love Running Wilde, it's certainly not Arrested Development but I don't mean that in any slight. Both are brilliant but Running Wilde's humour has a slightly softer edge but leads to no less mirth.
For me, the hit character is Wilde's best friend Fa'ad, played by Peter Serafinowicz. He's also seen in the brilliant 'Look Around You' and brings his brand of no-nonsense nonsensical humour as a brilliant foil to Will Arnett's already well honed portrayal of a richly detached nice guy.
Arrested Development fans should be chuffed with the jokes in jokes in jokes that characterised much of its intelligently paced humour, as well as the return of David Cross - though I can only say I'd like to see more of him.
Puddle is no Maybe, but that role's portrayal also grew as time went on and I'm expecting the same here. -
toaduser20 October 2010When Arrested Development was pulled off the air, fans sat in bated excitement, groping for anything Hurwitz-flavored they could find while anxiously awaiting the mythical Arrested Development movie. First was Juno, but Michael and George Michael never crossed paths. Cut forward to Sit Down, Shut Up, the first reunion of Hurwitz and Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Henry Winkler - personally I enjoyed it, but it was a ratings bomb and it was destroyed. Now we have Running Wilde.
So much of this show reeks of Arrested Development (cast aside) - a corporate family, rich, arrogant people, exploited servants, constant narration... it's reminiscent of the scene in Groundhog Day where Phil attempts to find just the right pose that won Rita over the first time, but can't quite make it work again. It's hilarious to watch, but keep in mind, we're Andie McDowell.
Which shortcoming to begin with? The most obvious one is the narration.
In Ron Howard, AD found a way to cut past the setup and guide the feeble-minded audience in the show's intricate plot and jokes. With RW, it has become a crutch to bypass characterization - we are told right out that Migo, while playing the part of the servant with attitude (a la Arthur's Hobson), actually cares deeply for his boss, then we cut to a scene that also depicts this sentiment. Neither are necessary. Can't the audience figure that out for themselves? Can't Migo show us that through his own actions and interactions? The narration also becomes somewhat unsettling as the show's narrator is also a major character in the show, discussing events she was not present for, and in cases, are deliberately happening behind her back and it doesn't feel right... In film, they say that voice-over should be used sparingly. It's a seasoning, it shouldn't be necessary to understand the plot. Here, it seems more like a desperate attempt to find something that captivated its audience in another iteration of itself.
Next we have the cast - here we reunite two of the biggest laughter magnets of Arrested Development, collectively known as GOBIAS. Unfortunately they were also the most one-dimensional bit characters of their former series and are not given much more here. Add in the required love interest and we have little more than a curved line. Maybe it was luck or better writing or a phenomenal cast, but the power and charisma just isn't played out here. It's just too artificial. The Felicity/GOB relationship is the root of the show, and we never feel it because it is either a.) simply a device for the episode's plot b.) glossed over by cheap jokes, or c.) TOLD TO US by the show's 12 year old narrator.
I should add that the actor playing Fa'ad, Peter Serafinowicz, is an AMAZING British comedian and impersonator and manages to pull off one of the greatest moments on the show (his tough New York accent).
Other standard AD techniques include the quick cut flashbacks and meanwhiles, over-the-top situations, double/triple entendres, and Andy Richter. Effective in their own ways and sometimes matching the quality we expect, but not at the rate we would wish.
While the show does have its shining moments, it is far from the smart, absurd, poignant, and expertly-woven tapestry that was Arrested Development. If you're expecting some grand reunion show that continues a lot of the same elements as before, watch Archer on FX (and pretend Jon Benjamin is Will Arnett). If you want to watch an uneven, saccharine sitcom that's still better than 80% of the rest of television, watch this. -
huwbutts5 December 2010If you like 30 Rock, you'll like Running Wilde - simple! Will Arnett is superb in his niche role of wealthy fop, delivering some laugh-out-loud lines; Keri Russell is a Cutey McFeisty providing banter between the two main characters. Peter Serafinowicz is absolutely hilarious too, and every one of the cast is very funny in their own way. The only gripe is that the story lines follow very similar paths week-to-week, being Emmy and Steve trying to out-bluff each other - but hey, it works for House, right? This is the type of show that is perhaps too subtle for the masses to enjoy and thus gets cancelled - so in a time when clever comedies are few and far between, I would urge you to watch it! Highly recommended.
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Dexter_prog14 October 2010... that's what Mitchell Hurwitz will be saying if this show doesn't evolve.
I had big expectations for this as I am a big fan of Arrested Development, but I have to say I am disappointed. I tried waiting as long as I could before writing a negative review of this show because I thought it could get better, as it happens with some other shows, but it's just stuck in the same mistakes. Here are what I consider the main flaws of this show: - Bad writing / silly, boring jokes: they REALLY need to work on the scrips, unless the show is aimed for children. I think I laughed, no, chuckled, once or twice in so far four episodes. - The woman and the little girl are terrible actors: yes, specially the woman, whose name I don't know. She is such an over-actor and her character is just stupid. I also hate the little girl, but I'd rather she stayed than her mother. Also, the child doing the narrations is quite annoying. Maybe it's not that they are bad actresses but that their characters are poorly written. Who knows? - Bad use of GREAT actors: I just hate the way they waste good actors as Will Arnett, Peter Serafinowicz and the butler, who is quite new to me, but seems to be very good. I was surprised when I found out that Peter was in this show, I love his UK show, but I think he is not well exploited here. I still think he brings the show up a little bit. Maybe they should let him write some stuff.
In conclusion, I hope this show gets better. It desperately needs the scrips to be re-written, the characters need to be "polished", they need to get more aggressive and less cheesy, and the show has to be less predictable (that's what made Arrested Development such a great show), unless they want the show to be canceled before the first season ends. -
dlscott111113 October 2010"Can't hear very well under that tree house".... and last night's scene where the butler is looking out at the guys "washing the car" and the butler says "Don't you do a bleeping thing". Hilarious!! I have watched every show and find myself chuckling the next day while I think about a funny line or 2. Give the offbeat humor a chance and don't take it too serious. Great show!!
The butler and the driver are great characters who I hope to see more of. And Fa'ad is priceless. His very presence and accent makes you laugh.
I had never been a huge Will Arnett fan until now. He and Keri Russell have a very unexpected bit of chemistry that really seems to work.
If you are interested in a show that's quirky, offbeat, and will make you laugh the next day, check this one out! -
vod_kao6 October 2010It is the story of the life of an eccentric son of a rich man, and also the story for his hippie girlfriend. They didn't see each other for quite a while and in the mean time the girl has a daughter called puddle and they were living in the rain forest trying to save it and it inhabitants, until the day she moves back to her old town. She is engaged to a homeless hippie, and her daughter refuses to speak, because she wants to live a normal life. Then she meets with the young Mr. Wilde and she is disgusted by the fact that his father's company is destroying the jungle, she tried to save. But he tells her that his friend Fahad, who is also his competitor in everything, is a doctor, and that he can cure Puddle, so she could talk again. All of that of course was planned by the little girl. The storyline is funny, it is well written, well structured and has the funny outlook of arrested development. Gives me hope about TV!
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lkn4jpc29 May 2011Unfortunately, this was a pretty pathetic attempt at the "Cinderella story" as far as I could tell. It was obvious where the story was going, but it was so drawn out that I was unable to keep up. I love Will and Keri - but not together. The entire premise of the show was very odd - Mother and daughter come from the Peace Core to live with a clueless millionaire who can barely think for himself? (Although I must admit that I've met a few of those folks). Can't wait to see Will's new venture with Christina Applegate - "Up All Night" looks fun and I would like to think that they're both bringing that new parent mentality to the show. I would love to see Keri in a role that highlights her range as a dramatic actress.
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tj03312 November 2010I will admit that I had to re watch the first episode again to really get into it but I think the comedic timing is pretty dead on. The plot seems to fall secondary to the jokes which does not really work against enjoying the show. I think if you are not into it right away give it a second chance. Each episode seems to the top the one before. I was really shocked by the actor they chose for the neighbor, but he is really amazing! I never knew how versatile he could be as a comedic actor. I will be looking for whatever he does next. If you like Will Arnett in anything this show is for you. He is a great comedic presence and I hope that he is allowed to helm more projects.
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I love this show! the combination of wit and charm on arnett's behalf is wonderful along with the whole cast. this show out-did my original opinion. Sadly shows like Running Wilde and Arrested Development are not nearly as popular as they should be and I blame advertising. With great shows like this you splurge on advertising and this show evidently did not. a small downfall leads to big regret, sadly this show has been cancelled. I just need to repeat. WILL ARNETT: your shows are hilarious! give them a chance and advertise! I didn't even know about this until hulu showed it on my recommendations list and i regret not watching it sooner!!!
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gophererica22 October 2010This show has to stick around. I love how it rewards the viewer for paying attention by referencing small things from within the episode(s) as opposed to making huge, blatantly obvious references like other sitcoms. The entire cast is great in this show. The episode with Andy Richter has been my favorite so far. And David Cross is great too. Will Arnett plays this character to perfection. It's like Gob Bluth, reincarnate! Keri Russell is probably the only one I'd say needs to improve...she comes across as a little stiff still (like she's still getting used to a comedic role)--but it does fit her character. Hidden gem: Peter Serafinowicz. His Alan Alda impersonation was IMPECCABLE! I'd hate to see it get canceled because of poor ratings. Don't drop this show, FOX! Redeem yourself for canceling "Arrested Development" by saving "Running Wilde!"
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lizardgw5 September 2012More shows should have this no nonsense feel to them. I love the lack of over thought funniness and forced comedy you see in almost EVERY new (and) old shows...absolutely love the unexpected corkiness & stupidness of this show. It should have gone on for way more seasons. Why is it that every new show has to do with 'Reality TV'? I doubt that when I say that I HATE reality TV that i'm the only one...there HAS to be more people...normal people out there that see life in its true light. Come on...no one wants, REALLY wants to watch those kinds of TV shows, right?!?
Keep it real, Good friggin work!!!
Cheers, Lizard -
Silly funny. great acting. hard to find . if it keep that way it will be a great12x20min! too bad only one season but it also doesn't overcome it stay.