Bored to Death

Note from the author: this review has been written after watching two seasons. Bored to death is a TV show whose charm relies heavily in its three leads Jason Schwartzman, Zack Galifianakis and Ted Danson. The main problem that I found is that during the first season Schwartzman's character is given the most weight out of the three leaving Danson and Galifianakis as secondary characters that have mini-subplots around the main cases - as the story revolves around a writer drawn to be a detective to solve it's financial difficulties -. Thankfully this has been solved in the second season with an even repartition of plot for the three and consequently has improved the stories, the cast and the overall dynamic of the show. Throughout the two seasons I felt that the show gradually turns from a solve-the-case of the week show to a hang-out-with-us show while the story flows...and boy what a blast it is to hang out with this cast. Danson's hedonistic charm is suave, subtle -and even slightly touching in some episodes with a cancer subplot- with the best laughs when his facade of elegance is down due to his drug use. Galifianakis is perhaps the geek hero (but not a geek himself) as the comic-book writer in a dysfunctional relationship with his girlfriend played by Heather Burns - who's first in the list of recurring character's of the show, also including Oliver Platt and Kristen Wiig-. Finally Schwartzman's character is a struggling writer with relationship problem's and a tendency for solving weird-cases in a very unprofessional way - high point for me is the first episode in season 2 when he has to go into a fetish dungeon-. To sum things up. Bored to death was a slow burner for me, by the end of season 1 I was ready to give up but, with season 2, it pulls out a "The Office" and gets much better. Each season has eight episodes which leads to very cohesive stories and arcs but then again the charm relies on the cast which are great if you like these type of characters. Thanks for reading.

Bored to Death is completely unlike any other programs on at the moment, and its unique qualities, well-played characters and sometimes ridiculous plots have completely absorbed me ever since the first series. Jonathan Ames, played by Jason Schwartzman, is a heartbroken and muse-less novelist who decides to become a private investigator. His "cases" are more often than not seemingly run-of-the-mill, but when the bumbling pothead cartoonist Ray Hueston and the sartorial silver fox George Christopher become involved the plots rapidly become bizarre and hilarious.

The highlight of the show is the well-crafted and aptly played characters facing these absurd situations. Ted Danson excels in playing George Christopher, creating an insightful and comic guide for Jonathan Ames. Many of my favourite moments and lines involve George and his insatiable desire for weed, liquor and beautiful women. Ray Hueston is Jonathan Ames' "side-kick" - a down-and-out cartoonist trying to succeed with his comics about "Super-Ray"; a superhero costumed version of himself equipped with a 9-foot long penis. Madly in love with his girlfriend, his rather cringe failings as a boyfriend are very funny. I am not so impressed by Jonathan Ames as a character though, as he is quite vapid and not often particularly funny. On the other hand, this absence of a fleshed-out subconscious to Jonathan is possibly the director's choice to push more focus on the other characters.

The writing is also incredible. Dialogue isn't exactly believable, as these caricatures are all overly witty, cultured and dramatic, but it makes me laugh all the more. The deep friendship between Jonathan and George seems to be based on a father-figure relationship that is strange, funny and at times heart warming as the characters go through slightly more serious times in the 2nd and 3rd series. Most of all, a show about 3 fully grown adults in the cultural sector smoking weed, drinking all the time and going on some crazy adventures just sounds awesome.

I've got to say, I'm loving this show so far.

I've never seen a TV comedy show with this sort of sense of humour before, it reminds me, as my title suggests, of a Wes Anderson movie but with a pinch of Kevin Smith.

Imagine if "The Life Aquatic With Steve Zisou" was about a young writer-turned-unlicensed-private-detective instead of an over-the-hill documentary-maker, and throw in a scene from "Mallrats" every now and again and you get close to the feel of "Bored To Tears".

Jason Schwartzman is, IMO, the perfect choice for the lead role - he's almost reprising his "I (Heart) Huckabees" character.

Keep an eye out for little details - objects on screen, reactions of "extras", the lyrics in whatever song is playing in the background... there's alsorts of really funny things you might miss if you're only half paying attention.

I can't wait for the next episode!

Really cute series and Danson is entertaining in it. I don't understand why no one has made a movie about Keith Moon just so Jason Schwartzman could star in it. That would have been so great.

I truly think that this is very much a good representative of the term "all things to all people".

This has the hoity pretension of the Wes Anderson (et al) movies, endearing observation of 90s (popular) stand-up, and a delivery that is just straight up charming. Plus an accessibility that even an Airplane fan like me would be able to click in to (if that were the only style I were in to).

Whilst it could very easily veer in to the pretentious crowd (and with Schwartzman that's sometimes difficult to tell, because of his on-screen manner), it always stays on song. It's very accessible, and hilarious. It's not just the clever jokes, the in jokes and the observations (woven in to the characters) there's also a health dose of (very) old school slapstick I think. Hell, it even manages to catch the stoner crowd.

It could be thought of as being too male centric, well, apart from that being slightly the point it's never testosterone city, and it might feel token if a female point of view were added. But if it were, what a view it might be.