Did you ever see a trailer for an up coming new TV show and decide it just wasn't for you? Usually I'll give it a try but sometimes am not the least interested. That is what happened to me with the new show this past season, "United States of Al."
The clips they decided to use to entice us were of this little angry man with snarky and sarcastic comebacks. It just looked like a real downer so I passed it by when it premiered.
Then the summer doldrums with reruns took over. I have never been one to re-watch a show I had recently seen so I scanned the menu for something first run for me. Thus I gave Al a look.
I was really surprised to find he was not an angry, snarky man but actually a sweet caring one. I would never have guessed that from the clips.
Al was an interpreter for the US troops in Afghanistan. Riley, a US Marine that Al had helped many times, decided to make it possible for Al to safely come to the US. He does and puts Al up in the garage as he joins Riley's family.
Does all this sound familiar with today's headlines? I have recently seen clips of actual Marines trying to get their translators out of Afghanistan.
In the series Riley, who is suffering from PTSD and a failed marriage, are Al's mission. He tries to fix both. This is a Chuck Lorrie production so the humor is there. I think I am more taken with the sweetness though.
With all that is going on in Afghanistan now, the show is totally relevant and puts a face to those who risked their lives to help us and are trying so hard to leave the country. I hope we do succeed in getting them to safety along with our citizens.
I think there is only one rerun left that will run on Monday the 30th. The second season starts up on CBS the first part of Oct. There may be more reruns on another channel I don't get. If you get a chance----give it a try. It surprised me.
"Mom, Schitt's Creek, and Big Bang Theory" are rerun finds for me. Now United States of Al joins the group. I'm a little slow but I get there.
Have you ever ignored a new show for some reason only to "discover" it later in reruns?
Never watched it! But of course, I DO LIKE the name of that program you listed..."schitt's creek". Just pronouncing it in my head makes me giggle.
ReplyDeleteWe used to watch reruns of M*A*S*H.
Anni,
DeleteThat title amused me too. I can remember a few times being up that creek with out a paddle:)
I hadn't even heard of that show but it sounds interesting. I didn't watch The Big Bang Theory because of the trailer but then got into it for a while. I watched an episode and a half of Schitt's Creek and never went back, although I have heard it got better and the trick is to stick it out.
ReplyDeleteOlga,
DeleteMe too on Big Bang but it became a favorite. Schitt's Creek took a few episodes to get the hang of the characters. It got so many awards so I hung in.
The Big Band is a major favorite of mine and I didn't watch when it first started. You've baited my curiosity on the U.S. of Al. Hope to find it tonight.
ReplyDeleteJean,
DeleteHope you can find it for the rerun season is winding down. Me too on Big Bang.
There is so much to watch it's hard to make decisions on which one. I'll look for this one. I loved Schitt's Creek!
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteI only get the networks shows so I am don't have that many choices. The reruns for Schitt's creek came on network so I could see them. That is quite a funny family.
I appreciate you sharing this Patti, I could very much go for a 'feel good' comedy about now and this sounds like just the ticket. It's funny, there was 2 shows recommended to me, both in their first season that I had no intention of watching. "Big Bang Theory" and "Breaking Bad". They both wound up becoming my all-time favorites! (Well, in my Top Ten at least.) Patti if you get more, please share 'em! :^)
ReplyDeleteDoug,
DeleteWish I could have watched Breaking Bad but will only be able to if the networks start showing the reruns. BBT is also in my top ten, well maybe top 5.
Yes, I didn't wish to watch Mom or Mike and Molly. Yet I have now seen every single episode and love them both. I thought M & Molly was only abut fat people and I thought it would be one fat joke after another. Not funny to me. But it's not that at all. The two main characters are big but it's not any different that any other show or real life where there is a bigger person in your friend group. The love and the sweetest comes through the humor which i find great. Same with Mom - gosh I love those ladies and their friendships. So I understand how you felt about US of Al.
ReplyDeletePeg,
DeleteYou know I stayed away from Mike and M for the same reasons. Will give it a shot now. Sweetness will always win me over. Thanks. Love Mom and the girls and hate that it has ended. I now watch the old reruns.
It's a Chuck Lorre so the same kind of irreverent comedy like Mom. I love how they all love one another on M & M and the family dynamic. No one is mean, it's just funny and family. Even the cranky old mom of Mike's is funny to me. They met at a overeaters Anonymous program but after a few episodes it's not a big topic.
DeletePeg,
DeleteYou have sold me. I just found two reruns and have them set to record. I'll give it a shot.
Typo in your post: Interpreter not interrupter. I shall tell David to read your post about this particular series. He will definitely be interested, I am sure. Thanks so much for the heads up about it.
ReplyDeletegigi,
DeleteNice catch and thanks. Though he might have interrupted when he interpreted:)
Hope David likes it.
I tend not to watch comedy very often, I prefer dramas but I did eventually watch Big Bang Theory, and have watched some episodes of Mom. Did you know that the theme song is by the Barenaked Ladies - a Canadian band?
ReplyDeleteEileen,
DeleteThanks, did not know that about the BNL and the theme. Sadly my station seems to put the song on full blast--much higher than the rest of the show and I have started muting it. Wish they wouldn't do that.
I've never heard of the show, so I'm going to take a look and see if we can watch it. We don't have Cable TV, so it may take us a while to find it somewhere. It's always good to have something new to watch and take our mind off of these times we're living in.
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteIt is seen on CBS. I don't have all the fun channels either. Hope you can find it. It gives us an inside look at the Afghanistan situation.
I ignore many shows because I watch a couple episodes and they don't draw me in or I don't like the characters. It was like that for Schitts Creek and Arrested Development. I never got into Big Bang Theory. I mainly stick with British mysteries which I find (nearly always) compelling.
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteI did have a grand time with the British comedy, As Time Goes By with Judy Dench. I really miss that show.
Thank you, Patti. I'll check that out. I didn't watch Downton Abbey for the longest time and then loved it. I'm watching The Crown now. It's OK. We're also watching Modern Love on Amazon Prime. It's based on a New York Times column. Some of the stories are good, some are so so.
ReplyDeleteKay,
DeleteThere are some good shows on Amazon Prime. I just don't have it. May have to cave.
Patti, we love/loved Big Bang from the beginning... especially Sheldon. But Schitt's Creek didn't lure us in until after several episodes. But I will check out United States of Al. Have you ever watched Bob loves Abishola?
ReplyDeleteRian,
DeleteI enjoyed the humor of Bob loves Abishola but I had to watch it closed captioned for I couldn't understand the heavy accent. Finally gave up.
I watch everything closed caption...
DeleteRian,
DeleteSorry but glad you have the option.
I actuallyy cancelled my TV subscription because I watched it so little. Now I'm having fun discovering all sorts of old and new TV shows on my Kindle Fire.
ReplyDeleteInger,
DeleteI have watched TV more since I have basically been a shut in with Covid. Did not know you could watch shows on Kindle Fire. May have to check into one.
We have Australian soldiers trying to get their translators out of Afghanistan too.
ReplyDeleteI've ignored many TV series in the past, when the kids were younger and watching them, I'd bee too busy to be focused on them, so I'm catching up now.
River,
DeleteI sometimes forget just how many countries are also in Afghanistan. May all yours come home safely also.
At least now with reruns, you can catch up on what you missed.
Modern Family and The Office. It took me years to discover them.
ReplyDeleteSue,
DeleteCan't tell you how long I have fought watching The Office and can't really say why. Thanks, think I'll correct that.
Thanks for the Info Patti. I do watch the news to stay caught up but it's been years since I've actually watched any of the night time shows. I'm glad you (and others) have ones you enjoy but I am an avid reader and I prefer books to tv.
ReplyDeleteGinnie,
DeleteThe news is hard to deal with these days. I too am a reader but sometimes I like to take my mind out of gear.
I have a problem with both TV or a Movie that if it is over hyped I can't watch it because it couldn't possibly live up to my expectations. So I have seen several series that were over and done before I watched them. Sometimes I wonder why they did't keep a good thing going and other times I've wondered why they wasted their money. I really love it when I find that hidden gem.
ReplyDeleteBarbara,
DeleteKnow what you mean by the good and bad. When it is good we are lucky for usually there is an unlimited supply of the reruns.
We have been watching things like "NORTHWOODS LAW" and all the variations. Now even that has grown reruns and we joined Netflix.
ReplyDeleteMage,
DeleteIf I didn't have summer baseball to watch I'd probably do something like Netflix too.