These low-key commentaries run along the lines of commercialism, capitalism, the beauty industry, and social norms. While ridiculous on the surface, some of the riotous punch lines and banter-dialog speak much deeper. I’ve definitely thought about it a lot trying to figure out what I liked about the low budget show so much, and I’m pretty sure that’s it. If that isn’t beautiful, nothing is.ĭeadbeat is about loving people, helping people, all while providing some excellent social commentary, if you think about it. And ultimately, he wants everyone to live a life to their fullest extent with no regrets and without unfinished business so they can be at peace. He wants people to like him to the point that he blunders into horrible social faux pas. He wants everyone to love himself, respect herself, and everyone to get along. While he wastes his time and talent, he thinks that helping people should be the norm. He wants to do good and barely gets by doing it. Kevin is a guy who can help everyone but himself. While the characters aren’t incredibly deep, the subtext of the show is. It’s a twist on Phineas and Ferb, taking a child’s plot device and tuning it to adults. I could go on in details, but for time’s sake, let’s just roll it all into the simple phrase “It’s a reality Pinky and The Brain.” You have to think about it, but that’s totally right. Then my friend explained it to me: it’s a real life kids cartoon for adults. The “hero” isn’t heroic, the “villian” isn’t all that evil (well…), and the budget for the show isn’t there. I was trying to figure out what I liked about Deadbeat so much while watching it. However, the show certainly wouldn’t be what it is without such a despicable character as Camomile. Her assistant Sue, played by Lucy DeVito (yep, that DeVito), bends over backwards for Camomile, and she doesn’t even like her. The only person who likes her is Kevin, and he doesn’t even know why he likes her. Roofie is the one person in the world who gives Kevin a break and tries to get him work as a Medium and help him make next month’s rent without cutting him any favors.Ĭamomile White, played by Cat Deeley, is 100% unlikable. Jackson, who plays his drug dealing friend Roofie, is a perfect counterpoint to Kevin: he’s put together, smooth, business savvy, and sophisticated. His acting is spot on, his line delivery is the best, and his look is perfect. Tyler Labine does an incredible job at Kevin making him likable, pathetic, and the underdog all at the same time. His heart is in the right place, and you feel bad that things just barely work out for him. He’s genuine, sincerely wants to help people–but only really seems to manage it with the dead ones–and tries to do right. Kevin, while a pathetic excuse for a human being on paper, turns out to be a super likable guy. Deadbeat had me moving on to the next episode before I realized what I was doing.ĭeadbeat is worth the 10 episodes of your time. Regardless of how popular a show is, if something else sounds remotely more fun, like reading a book, I’ll read a book. I’m super snobby with my TV time, so if the first few episodes don’t hook me (never judge a TV show based on it’s pilot, you should give it at least 2 more tries), I’ll stop watching. But bear with me here! Stay on for just a little bit longer! Now that I’m actually explaining it, it sounds totally terrible. Kevin is always on the verge of not paying his rent, dresses like The Dude from The Big Lebowski, tends to make up words that sound real but definitely aren’t (so don’t quote him), and his only friend in the world also happens to be his drug dealer, Roofie. Camomile White is beautiful, popular, rich, has an assistant who will do anything for her, and Kevin Pac is…well, a deadbeat. The entire premise of the show is about two Mediums who butt heads constantly: Kevin Pacalioglu, a deadbeat who can talk to ghosts, and Camomile White, a crypto-erotica author. Luckily, there isn’t the biggest plot line to Deadbeat, which actually maintains part of the charm. It’s always a challenge to write editorial pieces about TV shows because it can be hard to not ruin the plot line. Deadbeat on HuluPlus takes a fresh stab at a classic plot line. Think ghost stories are overdone? Think again.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |