Hidden Gem: UnReal
I thought I would step back and talk about a show that has recently launched on air. Typically I review shows months before the launch, but every now and then when I don't feel there is enough buzz, i think to expose a hidden gem.
In this case, I'm talking about Lifetime's new dramedy UnReal. Starring Constance Zimmer as Quinn King(known for her role as Dana Gordon on Entourage) and Shiri Appleby playing Rachel Goldberg as producers for a reality dating show much like The Bachelor. The action takes place behind the camera as you get a first hand look at the manipulation that occurs in scripted reality.
Watching all the contestants being shaped to tell a story is a lot of fun. The acting is sold and both Appleby and Gordon share a great dynamic.
The story is mainly focussed around Rachel as she battles with the ethics of manipulating people for entertainment. She is the ringer and is known as the best in the business at stirring the pot with contestants. But, deep down she is a nice girl and you can see she is tired of the "bullshit".
I don't see too much reason for giving away plot lines, considering you should just tune in and watch the drama unfold on Lifetime, Mondays at 10pm.
ZOO
Premiering June 30th 2015 on CBS, Zoo poses the following question: What if all of a sudden all the animals in the world decided it was time for them to take control?
Based on the novel of the same name by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge, this pilot almost has a Jurassic Park feeling on a worldwide level.
The story centers around a character names Jackson Oz, who is a young American zoologist spending his days running African safaris when he starts to notices strange occurrences that culminate in a safari tour being ravaged by a pack of lions. What seems even more strange is the lions seem to be hunting in a coordinated manner.
Oz begins to link what he has just seen with a wild theory that his late father developed whereby animals will one day be a threat to the human race. As he begins to link what he has just witnessed with similar attacks across the globe, he must set out to uncover the real truth and solution in order to save the world!
This pilot had some great pacing and suspense with a great ensemble cast compromising of James Wolk (Political Animals, The Crazy Ones), Kristen Connolly (House of Cards), Billy Burke (Twilight), Nonso Anozie and Nora Arnezeden.
Animals once ruled the Earth. What if they decided to take it back? This summer, a mystery will unfold. From international best-selling author James Patterson, the new CBS event series Zoo premieres Tuesday June 30 9/8c. Only CBS!
CW's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
The title says it all. And some of us even had one!
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend stars Rachel Bloom as Rebecca Bunch a successful, ambitious lawyer who is set to make partner in her law firm, when she throws it all away to move to California to chase down an old ex from summer camp 10 years earlier.
Be warned, this is not your average comedy. For the most part its funny, witty and well written. Bloom plays the perfect crazy girl, as she breaks out into broadway musical style numbers to help tell the story from her perspective as she hunts down the man of her dreams.
The pilot I did see was commissioned for pay tv before moving to network so it will be interesting to see how much raunchiness they keep in. Its great to see networks experimenting with musicals. Earlier this year we saw ABC's Galavant which was renewed for a second season. Now CW takes its turn at this long forgotten, but modernize format.
Tune into the CW, Mondays at 8pm this fall!
Rachel Bloom is Rebecca Bunch, a successful driven, and possibly crazy young woman who impulsively gives up everything in a desperate attempt to find love and happiness...in suburban West Covina, CA. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is coming to The CW this fall on Mondays at 8/7c.