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ianungstad wrote:I just watched the first couple episodes of Vice Principals. Awful show. Walter Goggins deserves much better.

I can't really imagine that there's anything on this forum I disagree with more than this. I think Vice Principals might be my favorite thing on TV right now - well, certainly right now, but in the last several years. Jody Hill and Danny McBride imbue the series with an almost Herzog-ian "ecstatic truth," showing us situations and characters that are heightened to the point of unmistakable satire, but are somehow made even more achingly real in the process. As was the case to a certain extent with Eastbound and Down (though I would say this is the more consistently great piece of work, where that had its ups and downs), the pair are unafraid to portray the ugliest side of human nature, and pull out the strangest facets of their characters to lay them bare for the sake of the viewer. It is not always easy to watch this show - LQ had her eyes covered yesterday during a particularly well staged bit of cringe dialogue - but what it has to say about the state of mean-spirited "Trump's America" is really quite a feat. Sure, you could take it all at face value, but it isn't difficult to see the spirit of McBride and Goggins' two lead characters in the comments of news articles or behind a particularly baffling Twitter account. The "good" characters don't get off entirely scot-free either, as the actors (particularly Kimberly Hebert Gregory) portraying them manage to find their warts with exacting precision. I can't recommend this damn show enough. I'm obsessed with it.

Without even trying to this show has become, for me at least, a perfect allegory for our current political climate. I've not seen one episode of Eastbound and Down but I knew I'd be on this right away when it was first announced. Because of Goggins, but more because I'm a fan of high school satire.

And thankfully, that's just an undercurrent - but it's such a rarity to see a red state realistically (even if it's exaggerated realism) portrayed on screen without the creator either finger-wagging or apologizing for the characters therein. That this sort of concentrated ugliness manages to also be uproariously funny (really, McBride and Goggins might be the most effortlessly funny people alive, and they're both on this show) is a heck of a feat.

mfunk9786 wrote:And thankfully, that's just an undercurrent - but it's such a rarity to see a red state realistically (even if it's exaggerated realism) portrayed on screen without the creator either finger-wagging or apologizing for the characters therein. That this sort of concentrated ugliness manages to also be uproariously funny (really, McBride and Goggins might be the most effortlessly funny people alive, and they're both on this show) is a heck of a feat.

I also agree that the political connections are a happy coincidence--especially given that Veep airs on the same network. Like the other Hill/McBride stories, this concerns a more general grunt-n-grab approach to power and masculinity that, though also absolutely applicable to contemporary politics, deserves a more nuanced reading.

A few of my friends can't stand this show, and it's been fascinating to talk about why they find it so unappealing. Listening to them articulate their thoughts regarding the aptly-termed "concentrated ugliness" and relate them to their thoughts about comedy in a broader sense makes for really interesting conversation. The comedy (and the sadness and anxiety it's laced with) works for me, but I also like that it's striking some particular nerves.

The end of last night's episode was legitimately moving. Seeing the cracks in Gamby's armor is kind of beautiful.

I finally caught up on this and it's easily the funniest show on tv. I love the chemistry between McBride and Coggins, they act like they've been doing this for years. Just everything Coggins says is funny; and McBride is better here, his character is deeper than anything else he's played.

Just so you know whilst moving through this life: It's Goggins.

Coggins is better

Whoops.

The way the first season ended tonight was pretty astonishing and one gets the impression that Hill and McBride relish the placement of the cut to the credits each and every time out, but especially this time. I'm always foolish to think that this show couldn't possibly get more dark, it always manages to outdo itself.

Spoiler

Does anyone NOT think that Russell is behind the shooting?

This show certainly exceeded my expectations and seemed to be an increasingly rare instance of a show improving as the season passed. The main cast all deserve praise for their performances, with McBride really surprising me with a slight variation of his usual shtick, but my favorite performance was actually Shea Whigham's amazingly reserved and calm work as Ray.

I loved the final episode. The train tracks scene had the weight of the entire season on it and they pulled it off masterfully. The ending came out of nowhere and worked.

Spoiler

As for possible guesses, Russell seems obvious. But my 2nd choice is Ms. Abbott.

If I have to hear about shooting someone in the dick one more time while waiting for Game of Thrones to start...

Nuclear take: Vice Principals is a better show than Game of Thrones

mfunk9786 wrote:Nuclear take: Vice Principals is a better show than Game of Thrones

There are some fine people on both shows.

I had to watch that trailer twice to see if I missed someone saying something about shooting someone in the dick the first time...but nope, still didn't catch it. So: either I'm slow, or the viewing of this trailer is safe to watch for everyone afraid to hear about shooting someone in the dick.

It's from the ad that has been running for the past month on HBO, didn't bother to watch the new trailer