The Black Donnellys

Mr E

Just to preempt the inevitable "Episode 1 poll" thread (you know who you are!), I thought I'd kick this one off.

When I saw the pilot all those months ago, I really really liked this show and it showed great promise.

The problem is that early reviews are very mixed, so I don't hold out much hope for the longevity of this show.

Pity.

Its on tonight on NBC in the US.

The Sparrow

Now is the pilot the first episode or is there a brand new first episode tonight? I would love to see the pilot after the reaction it has got here!

Mr E

Tonight is the pilot (I imagine its more or less the same, with a few tweaks and an intro credit sequence).

TarfHead

TmB wrote:

When I saw the pilot all those months ago, I really really liked this show and it showed great promise.

The problem is that early reviews are very mixed, so I don't hold out much hope for the longevity of this show.

Kinda like Studio 60 - ironic ?
So if this tanks, will the network air the remaining episodes of Studio 60 in the same slot ?

tvnutz

stupid americans with their top rated shows being american idol and other such reality tripe.

Mossy Monk

just like this part of the world

Jesus Wept

TarfHead wrote:

Kinda like Studio 60 - ironic ?
So if this tanks, will the network air the remaining episodes of Studio 60 in the same slot ?

watched episode 1 a couple of months ago, couldn't really get into it, can't say why for sure, too long since I saw it. Just didn't grab me.

Dont be at yourself

My favourite pilot of the year. I really hope this show takes off, it could replace Sopranos for me!

Tristram

Just watched the pilot and must say I enjoyed it. Nothing to rave about but I'll be giving it a go. Would be nice to have a decent character-driven series.

Smurfpiss

hmmm.
Ok i only watched the bits that had soundtrack, as ive seen it a dozen times before and i have to say im pretty disappointed with their choices..
snow patrol was about s bad as i expected but come on, they got rid of nuttin but stringz?? that music was amazing.
and the opening credits is awful, just awful.
still i have high hopes for the rest of the show. will kick ass i expect!

tvnutz

ratings were crap. typical americans. watch crap shows and let the good ones go to waste.

Tristram

Too early to know whether or not this will even be good. People watch crap shows everywhere, not just America.

Tristram

Smurfpiss wrote:

snow patrol was about s bad as i expected

I cringed

Basq

Better make my obligatory post praising this show... and as has been said, it's a shame this didn't get the ratings in The States.

As it was a very impressive stylish pilot and really left me wanting more - the best pilot of the year by a mile. Also an outrage they replaced The Arcade Fire's 'Rebellion' with the over-used Snow Patrol choon 'Open Your Eyes'.

Eagerly awaiting episode 2.

EDIT: Just watched the scene with Snow Patrol as it aired... does not suit the scene at all. Not a bit happy with that music choice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ACjZfazxjY

And as a contrast.. The Arcade Fire version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xVosCosnFk

Smurfpiss

So episode 2..

It kind of ended a bit suddenly didnt it? Overall a decent episode, Tommy sure has balls, but I'm wondering which direction they're going to take this.
The way joey keeps on appearing and disappearing kind of unsettles me, and makes me wonder what's he making up and what's he telling truthfully. I have a horrible feeling there'll be a big reveal and it was all joey or some crap like that...ala that really famous heist movie that im not gonna say incase some people still havent seen it

btw (semi off topic) Basquille: I met Win from the arcade fire last night :P

ixoy

Hmm the ratings were very poor for Ep2 - lower than "Studio 60...". It's not looking good already. Not sure if it's worth watching now with an already bleak future...

Basq

Smurfpiss wrote:

btw (semi off topic) Basquille: I met Win from the arcade fire last night :P

You're a lucky bitch to get to the gig alone.. tried and failed miserably to get any tickets!

Haven't seen episode 2 yet as i forgot about it and only started acquiring it early this morning. Will probably comment on it later tonight.

Will not be happy if it's axed as i really like the general premise of the show and it could be great. But in saying that, i'll reserve any further judgement until after i've seen episode 2.

Smurfpiss

heh hmm what gig *cough*
he also eh...opened up the door to my friend jill.
lovely fella.
anyway looking forward to eppy 3. shall fill the void of heroes nicely.

IrishBeauty

Smurfpiss wrote:

So episode 2..

It kind of ended a bit suddenly didnt it? Overall a decent episode, Tommy sure has balls, but I'm wondering which direction they're going to take this.
The way joey keeps on appearing and disappearing kind of unsettles me, and makes me wonder what's he making up and what's he telling truthfully. I have a horrible feeling there'll be a big reveal and it was all joey or some crap like that...ala that really famous heist movie that im not gonna say incase some people still havent seen it

btw (semi off topic) Basquille: I met Win from the arcade fire last night :P

That's a good theory. I don't know what's going to happen and I kind of like it that way. In my opinion the Joey Ice Cream thing was pretty funny. I'm liking the show so far. It has things I haven't seen before. The story is being told by a pathological liar in prison. And I love the fact it's actually shot in NY. Not some Hollywood set.

kaisersose77

Saw this on the nbc black donnellys site:

Online Only Episode
This full episode is too explosive for network TV. Experience this "missing" episode. ONLY on NBC.com WATCH

Anyone know what the story is with this?

Smurfpiss

from Wikipedia

Trivia

* In early drafts, the show was originally titled "The Truth According To Joey Ice Cream."
* The episode called "God Is A Comedian" was originally slated to be the 3rd episode to air, but NBC decided to make it an online-only episode because the content was too violent and graphic for network television. It is currently viewable only on the official Black Donnellys website.

I'm confused. I just went onto the NBC site and they're playing that Nuttin but stringz piece. even though the pulled it from the pilot.
bah.

Will do my best to get cousins to send me the episode in some form.
This seems kind of stupid though, won't it affect the whole continuity of the show? Very rash move to have it as an online only episode, unless they mash it together with another episode minus the violent bits.

Basq

I really REALLY enjoyed episode 2.

Had some great lines / moments - the suggestions between Tommy and Kevin regarding how to dispose of the body in their dumpster, both appearances of Joey 'Ice Cream', shooting the barrel ("we needed holes in the barrel anyways"), "if you go near that money, i'll bite your two thumbs off!"

Also some great music in this episode too - namely two songs from Damien Rice and some Aimee Mann.

I really hope this does well and NBC doesn't pull it (at least until we get a full season out of it). Has the potential to be great - the dynamic between the cast is fantastic and Jonathon Tucker is great in the main role (though he walks around with a grimace on his face the whole episode).

Had a mixed reaction about the title credits - i dislike the "diddly-ee-di" music but like the quick flash of names (too quick probably) - had a cinematic stylish look to it.

Think i'll try a US proxy to watch the online-only episode. Found the sledgehammer to the ankles scene in this quite tough to watch.. even from the camera far away - the noise, the blood spatter.

PS - completely forgot Miguel Sanchez from 'Oz' was in this!

Smurfpiss

aha! my cousin (who's a bt of a junkie) sent me the web episode there.
shall watch it soon.

Trippie

watched episode 3 there yesterday and it has maintained the same standard of what has come before it.

now that they told dokey that they killed louis downtown i suspect he will leave them alone for a while and perhaps even offer protection for when alverez comes after jimmy for the funeral stunt.and after watchin next weeks preview it looks like jimmy id going to try and muscle in on louis' book

valor

just watched 2 and 3, pretty good but i thought the pilot was alot better

JPA

Watched up to the 5th episode now. I have to say it's not that good.
I find the plot a bit boring and the characters dull.
I might just stop watching it.

tvnutz

5th episode was very good,I think the only average episode has been episode 2. Really enjoying this show,pity it won't last though.

corblimey

I liked the latest ep, but f**k me if Jimmy isn't the most ignorant and coarse character on tv at the moment, he doesn't appear to have any redeeming characteristics and a volume control permanently set to "shout". Every time he's on, I'm pretty much grimacing throughout the scene. I like Kevin though, for me, he's a saving character.

Has it been officially cancelled yet, or what's the story?

Basq

Not a real shocker.. we all expected it...

It's been axed!

It was a Bloody Monday in TV land as the nets delivered bad news to the casts and crews of several skeins, including "The Wedding Bells," "Six Degrees," "7th Heaven" and "The Black Donnellys."

..

Over at NBC, net will yank Paul Haggis-Bobby Moresco drama "The Black Donnellys" from its posh Monday-night perch in order to make room for its new reality take on "Wedding Crashers."

"Donnellys" had been slated to air most of its 13-seg run at 10 p.m. Mondays. Assuming NBC doesn't pull the plug sooner, "Donnellys" will end April 16, getting to air just eight episodes on Mondays -- with only two of those segs airing behind original episodes of "Heroes."

Drama hasn't fared well in the ratings recently. Despite a solid "Deal or No Deal" lead-in, last week's seg sank to third place in the 10 p.m. hour, losing even to the season finale of "What About Brian."

Mossy Monk

FFS. Not that it is surprising or anything but ****ing hell :mad: :mad:.

It's a shame that they don't show it in the middle of the night or something so it can get it's full run (and so I can see it all lol).

Basq

Mossy Monk wrote:

It's a shame that they don't show it in the middle of the night or something so it can get it's full run (and so I can see it all lol).

It's possible ITV2 (or something similar) might get it and air it's entire run!

Mossy Monk

Maybe TV3 will pick it up. I saw an ad on TV3 last night for Saved. Good to see someone has picked that up.

corblimey

basquille wrote:

Not a real shocker.. we all expected it...

It's been axed!

Oh good, they've axed a quality show to make way for yet more sodding reality tv.