The Cleveland Show: Season 1

[J@3]

I watched it for the first time tonight, was pretty funny I thought. It's like Family Guy, not stuff to be analyzed and dissected, it's just toilet humour and something to laugh at every now and then.

[Andrew]

And there's nothing wrong with that per se, but they're really just doing the same jokes that have become tired and stale on Family Guy in the past two seasons. More miss than hit in the humour department for me.

[Andrew]

After watching the latest episode, I'd have to say that the show isn't doing too bad a job telling at least mildly interesting stories, but for me the humour is still lacking. I'm reminded of a standup comedian who once remarked on the trap of confusing observational humour with just talking as well as Letterman's "George W Bush That Isn't Really A Joke" bit from many years ago. There are lines that seem like they should be funny but to me they just fall flat.

[benji]

Best yet.

[JaoSming]

by far, it's the only episode so far that didnt make me embarrassed to have watched it

[Andrew]

The latest ep is probably my most liked one to date; episodes like the last two make me feel a bit better about sticking it out until the end of the first season as it's gradually becoming at least watchable. Perhaps it'll turn out to be worth giving a chance, though I can't see myself buying the DVDs.

[el badman]

That last one was the best too in my opinion, but considering what's been shown so far, it's not necessarily saying much. Well, that one was fairly enjoyable, I'll give them that.

[Andrew]

Not as big a fan of the last episode. It started out alright but overly long and ultimately unfunny non sequiturs and Cleveland making Peter look like a decent father derailed the episode. Not that I'm looking for them to be the Brady Bunch here - far from it - but fathers being dicks to their children on Seth's shows is beating a dead horse.

[Andrew]

Familiar reaction to the last episode: good story that's told well enough (subplot with Cleveland Jr, Roberta and Rallo was a waste of time though) but almost all of the jokes fell flat for me. I can't figure out whether they're trying too hard or they're not trying hard enough, but the humour still just isn't clicking in my opinion. Something jarring like Cleveland exclaiming "Makeover!" usually at least raises a smile, in no small part due to the voice but then they'll extend the joke with the jab at Sex and the City and nothing. Not that I care that they're taking a shot at Sex and the City, but there was nothing fresh, snappy or really anything funny at about it. Yeah, those actresses are in their forties except Kim Cattrall who's in her 50s now. No real joke there.

And that's how the humour of the Cleveland Show usually goes for me. If the voice is funny enough or something truly catches me off guard, it works. Most jokes that they set up, basically any kind of wit they're going for, conversely tanks.

[Phil89]

I tried watching this show when it first started here, but I didn't find it funny. I couldn't figure out why though.
Then I realised it was because Cleveland was sort of a 'straight man' compared to Peter's zaniness on FG. So on his own I don't find him funny.
Needless to say I stopped watching after a few episodes.

[Andrew]

Yeah, he's pretty hit and miss as a main character. Especially since they basically gave him a lot of Peter's traits in trying to flesh him out, which means we've seen it all before.

[Andrew]

Same as usual. Decent plot, 99.9% of the jokes fell flat.

[Andrew]

"Take the low road baby! *fart* It's so much more fun and profitable!" Cleveland's line, Seth's philosophy. I did like Quagmire's appearance though and the stuff back at Quahog was funny, Cleveland later acknowledging the joke having worn its welcome was cleverly done too. The episode was trying way too hard with the fart jokes though, I watch South Park so I can't say I don't laugh at that stuff but this was toilet humour done terribly. Story as usual was OK.

[Andrew]

I've got to hand it to them, that was alright...at least Rallo and Cleveland Jr's story. Cleveland had a couple of decent lines in the gas leak bit but he was the weak link otherwise.

[shadowgrin]

Why do you indulge in that torture Andrew? Masochism?

[Andrew]

Seeing it through to the end of the first season.

[Andrew]

I still wonder if this could grow the beard in its second season and beyond, but I'm still hesitant to find out. I've come this far so I'll see the first season through to the end, but I think that'll be it for me. As for the latest ep, decent enough story that's been done better before, couple of good moments but overall pretty bland.

[Andrew]

Not bad. They've got to cut back on Cleveland's rambling speeches though, they're very seldom funny.

[Andrew]

So, that's Season 1 of The Cleveland Show in the books. For those who've stayed with it all the way (or a considerable amount of the way), what are your thoughts?

I still think the show has the potential to grow the beard but after sticking with the first season all the way through, I'm not sure I'll have the patience or inclination to stick around longer to see it for myself. They do a pretty good job of telling a story but Cleveland is hit and miss at best as a lead character (he seemed to work a lot better back in a supporting role in Family Guy's "The Splendid Source"), too many of the jokes fall flat either trying too hard, relying too heavily on an approach of "Hey, Cleveland is black and is acting like (insert black celebrity here)! Get it?", being drawn out too long or just being plain unfunny, and a lot of the supporting characters are generally unappealing or a waste of space. When it's been good, it's been at least watchable. When it's been bad, it's been absolutely woeful.

That said, it hasn't been quite as bad as imagined it to be...but it's close. Like I said, I stuck with it all the way through Season 1 but I don't think I'll be back for Season 2.

[benji]

http://www.deadline.com/2010/06/foxs-cl ... -season-3/

Fox has picked up freshman animated comedy The Cleveland Show for a third season.

"Looks like somebody's gettin' some new rims for his Big Wheel! Many thanks to the handsome decision makers at FOX," said Rallo Tubbs.

[Andrew]

Perhaps by then, it will have grown the beard.