Test Pilot: Dirty Sexy Money

I was only a little bit excited about this show at first, but the draw of both Peter Krause and Samaire Armstrong has really gotten me looking forward to it. I loved Sports Night and even that mediocre Sci-Fi mini series he was in, The Lost Room. Samaire was great on Entourage and other small rolls I've seen her in.

James, Arrested Development is one of my favorite shows of all time, don't tempt me with comparisons that might stop at "a rich, dysfunctional family needs legal aide". That just wouldn't be fair.

Allow me to insert my own probably unwelcomed thoughts on this show as well.

I personally thought this was one of the more enjoyable pilots I watched so far. All of the actors, I thought, did a fine job in it. I am sort of shocked that James was "eh" up until the very end. Even without the mystery (which I think is a good addition, nonethless) I thought the show could still stand.

With the current love (or at least interested hate) of "celebrity" at an all-time high, this show seems to be landing at a good time. Look at Entourage. That show is all about celebrity. That show is about why it's so great and fun to be a celebrity. This show, meanwhile, focuses on the negative...which I think is much more interesting.

Additionally, I think we are in need of a good primetime soap. Something with some actual substance (that leaves you out, Grey's Anatomy), something that revels in its own filth (thereby filling a void something like Gilmore Girls could never do), and something with a cast that doesn't instantly fill me with hate (yes, I know that's a personal projection...but I needed something to dismiss Desperate Housewives).

I hope this one does well. I know I will be watching.

Wayne: It's funny, I didn't think that this Test Pilot came across as such a pan. There are good performances throughout, and nice touches like the programmed ringtones for each Darling, which handled the troublesome instant-exposition business deftly. I think part of the reason I didn't have that great an interest in seeing more until the mystery came up was that, until then, I didn't believe Krause's character had real, organic motivation to work for the family--it seemed to happen more because the pilot needed him to.

One of my favorite examples of this kind of show was Mike White's Pasadena from several years ago, which I loved. On the other hand, if I had to guess, I'd guess that this show will get better ratings.

Yeah, I can see that. He seemed pretty adamant about not working for the Darlings before that meeting with Tripp. He even promises his wife only to go ahead and make the decision to work for them on the spot without even discussing it with her.

But, its a minor point. So, I guess we are in agreement on this one.

I also loved the programmed ringtones. In fact, I think that's a good sign for this show. Seeinf a show like this for the first time, it is usually hard to elicit laughter like that bit did. With me, for a drama spiced with comedy, I usually need to get to know the characters a bit before I laugh. But, with that bit, I did laugh...which is a good sign.

*seeing, not seefing

*damn, I meant seeing not seeinf

Wonderfully shocking. Keeps me glued to the set. I haven't found anything so suspenseful since the X-Files. Glad the hub likes it too. It makes for a great date night. It's a great mix of comedy, compassion and suspense.

love it across the board!!! concept. writing. cast. incredible acting!!! sutherland, baldwin, clayburgh, krause - are you kidding!!! can't wait tosee what's in store for partick, karen, brian, trish, tripp & the whole cast of dysfunctional delights. what a delicious mess they seem to occupy.