7 Critics Speak about The Return of Jezebel James Pilot

Wed, 06/06/2007 - 5:25pm

Submitted by TimK

Since the Fox upfronts, a number of critics have given their views on the pilot of The Return of Jezebel James. I have my own thoughts, and—sight unseen—I disagree with some of the critics on some pretty fundamental points. I very much want to write about these issues. But for now, I’ll just pass along the reviews.

Note that these reviews are of the pre-release pilot. This pilot is likely very different from what will air next Spring. Because they’ll fine-tune and tweak the production values of the series between now and then.

In chronological order:

“Jace,” a TV-exec Televisionary, is heartbroken, because he really hated the multi-camera comedy format.
CastingKat thought Jezebel James is a “strange concept, but Parker Posey can make anything funny.” In real-life, she works in the casting department of a major cable network.
Daniel Fienberg also disliked the multi-camera comedy format. (You have to scroll down to see the part about Jezebel James.) But he found himself laughing and enjoying himself anyhow. This is IMO the most balanced and promising review of the bunch.
Matthew at The Isle didn’t see the pilot, but he put The Return of Jezebel James in the “winner” category. Because, hey, it’s Amy Sherman-Palladino.
Jason the BeaverGuy (at BlogSpot) on Jezebel James—and I quote, in full: “Parker Posey! The writer from Gilmore Girls! Lauren Ambrose! This show could be about two girls reading the phone book and I would still watch, is what I’m saying.”
Aleks Chan from Watch with Intelligence fears the Jezebel James won’t be the runaway hit they hoped. (You have to scroll down to find the part about Jezebel James.)
Lastly, the BuzzSugar reviewer also hated the multi-camera format, and said that the show has to change a lot before he/she/it will watch. (Note if you’re a blogger or columnist, writing under a name, any name, even a pseudonym, does a lot to enhance your credibility.)

So, as I said, I have my own thoughts. I particularly disagree with the critiques of the multi-camera format. I don’t think single-camera is better for the story or material, and Jezebel James works just fine as a multi-camera comedy. If anything, multi-camera is better. And I hope to explain exactly why it’s better in a future posting.

-TimK

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Re: 7 Critics Speak about The Return of Jezebel James Pilot

Fri, 06/08/2007 - 2:17pm

Jace (not verified)

Tim, I’m a little confused by your disagreenment with my critique of the pilot for The Return of Jezebel James if you haven’t actually seen the pilot in question. I had been a huge supporter of the series throughout the development process and spoke glowingly about the script, casting, etc. over the past 6 months or so. (http://televisionary.blogspot.com/search/label/Return%20of%20Jezebel%20James).

The multi-camera format simply does not work for this series as the joke, pause, laugh structure doesn’t fit with Sherman-Palladino’s trademark mile-a-minute banter.

Hopefully the midseason launch of the series will allow time for Sherman-Palladino and the network to retool the show slightly.

Re: 7 Critics Speak about The Return of Jezebel James Pilot

Fri, 06/08/2007 - 11:18pm

TimK

Hi, Jace. Thanks for writing. As I said, I hope to write about my thoughts. It’s true I haven’t seen the whole pilot— Though that is not by my choice: I’m simply not connected enough at this time…

Hey, can you connect me with someone who can get me a copy of the pilot?

I disagree on a more fundamental level, not just with your review, but with many of the criticisms that I’ve encountered. And I might be wrong. But I know what I like, and what you’re proposing just doesn’t sound like what I like. Maybe that makes me selfish and egotistical. And I know it makes me different than many TV viewers, but hopefully not too different from other Jezebel James fans.

I should also add that I loved your review, despite the fact that it made my blood boil a little. In it, you talked about reshooting the pilot, or at least parts of it. If I told any of the filmmakers I know that they should “reshoot” the script, I don’t think they’d think of it as a “minor retooling.” And if you’re right that the show needs major retooling, then something less is not going cut it.

I can’t write any more right now without springing into another blog post. So I’m going to stop.

Again, thanks for writing. I love to get comments on all of my blogs. And I’m glad you found this post.

-TimK