new show review: Carpoolers
October 2nd, 2007 by screenwriterguy
In both my first sketch comedy group and the new one, when it comes time to consider our work for production, we find it helpful to vote for each script in one of three categories: “yes,” “no,” or “meh.” A vote of “meh” means that you don’t really have any problems with the script. It’s generally well constructed, and for the most part it’s funny. But, for whatever reason, it fails to excite.
“Meh” sums up Carpoolers.
The first thing to know is that it doesn’t all happen in a car. Early promotional material in May implied that the show revolved around the drive to work. Really, the drive is the reason these four men know each other. Each has his own family and job. (They seem to work in an office complex, allowing for various occupations.) We spend less than ten percent of the time in the car. The characters are all pretty distinct and interesting enough. The main story line, in which one of the carpoolers worries that both his wife and his son make more money than he does, was technically well executed. Still… no spark.
The comments on my recent post, “How Pepsi and Nike Destroyed Western Culture” touch on the fact that a sitcom doesn’t have time to flesh out characters any more. The result, in my opinion, is rushed, pat stories that feel like they’re trying too hard. Carpoolers fits that bill. I’m not saying six more minutes would have helped them make a good show, but it would have been better than this pilot. This story seemed to work really hard to introduce us to everyone and set up the problem, then solved it moments afterwards. It’s hard to offer much catharsis in such constraints.
Best Aspect: The man-child son of one of the carpoolers, whom we never see wearing bottoms beyond tightie-whities.
Worst Aspect: This will make me seem like a geek, but… editing. I noticed it. And that means it isn’t doing its job. The pacing just felt off on this one, in a few places.
Verdict: If I’m one day vegging and flipping channels, I might try another episode, but I won’t actively pursue this show.
Odds of Success: Small. The Cavemen lead-in might have been big tonight, out of morbid curiosity, but whatever numbers they got to stick around were no doubt underwhelmed.
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