Outsourced

TarfHead

Didn't see an existing thread ..

Scores on metacritic weren't encouraging but the 2 reviews that rated it highest were the ones I usually pay attention to, i.e. NY Times & LA Times.

Anyway, not great. Reminded me of how I felt after watching the first episode of Community. Doesn't stink, but not a keeper.

Better than Running Wilde, not as good as Raising Hope.

Conor108

Looks very meh from the trailer.......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e7DndFck-k

Basq

TarfHead wrote: »

Anyway, not great. Reminded me of how I felt after watching the first episode of Community. Doesn't stink, but not a keeper.

Yeah.. but 'Community' became one of the finest comedies of last year. I gave up on it early on.. but once it found it's feet, it was superb!

I think any comedy pilot with any sliver of promise should be stuck with for a couple of episodes. It's the trash with zero redeeming qualities that should be completely ignored!

Gonna watch it over the weekend.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Didn't leave me with the feeling Raising Hope did, but think it has a lot of potential, so will be sticking with it - could be the next Community.

Basq

To be fair, this was very promising. Similar to 'Raising Hope', not all jokes hit but there was a couple of cracking jokes in there.

It's a little 'Office Space' mixed with 'The Office'.. but I like the potential for running jokes (the guy who kept walking away looking offended, and the guy who kept talking, and the girl who was barely audible).

My girlfriend was in India working for an outsourced call-center company this summer for a fortnight.. and she said it's more accurate than some may think - the quiet meek call-center girl, the cafeteria food was basically various shades of green and yellow.

I'll keep watching definitely!

expectationlost

alot of those indians callcenter workers have degrees and are overqualified for their jobs but i guess that wouldn't be funnny

FreudianSlippers

Just watched the pilot now and a few things strike me:
This seems like a total "The Office" spinoff.
Rajiiv is like a Dwight character, Manmeet reminds me of Jim (PS: how racist is that stupid joke... old already) etc.

Also, Alan Sepinwall's review in which he called the show "cheap, lazy, unfunny mess" that squanders much of what NBC has done with South Asian actors in other shows may be slightly unfair, but it does have a point.
The gags of the girl who is very quiet, the Manmeet thing (as previously mentioned), the thing about food (seriously, who doesn't love Indian food?!), the guy who walks away, etc. all funny for this episode, but how many episodes will it take for them to be totally annoying. I'm guessing 5.

The show has potential, but if it keeps going for cheap racist laughs then I will check out of this quickly.

On the whole, I liked Ben Rappaport as Todd Dempsy and Sacha Dhawan and Rebecca Hazlewood were very good. I also thought the part about the cheese hat and "you have some pretty strange headgear" was funny.

allanb49

It was mediocre i thought but there is something there that could take off and be very good. Will probably watch this season.

Basq

Thought the second episode has some great bits too..

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The moose scene with the practically-silent scream

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The head bobble (girlfriend found that absolutely hilarious.. as she met people in a call centre in India who do exactly that)

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"I can't have a cute bear say that... that's absolutely filthy!"

I think it definitely has a lot of promise.. the cast all seem very comfortably comedically, there's not one weak link persé.

Definitely one to keep watching for me.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Still see promise with this one, but because I'm being extra critical this year in an attempt to cut down on shows, I'm still not sure. Will give it 3 more episodes anyway, which is more of a chance than I've given other new shows.

Ludo

It isn't the funniest thing around but it isn't bad either. As I like to have a few short comedies available as filler for when I don't have time for a full 40 min episode of something, I will keep going with it for now.

jor el

I think it's pretty good. A mix of good and poor jokes, but no real stinker moments, and no characters that you'd be happier without. A lot funnier than S#!t My Dad Says anyway.

Boom_Bap

After the pilot, i thought this could go really bad or really good. It appear to be going in the direction of good.

After working with Indian's and having alot of dealings with a customer base in India, the head bobble had me confused for a long time. So i can relate

looking forward to seeing how this progresses

Richard Dower

Offensive, racist and stereotyping has this show been described as.

Boom_Bap

Richard Dower wrote: »

Offensive, racist and stereotyping has this show been described as.

it works in both ways on the show and it doesnt offend me

Basq

Racist and offensive it may be... but isn't it NBC's biggest new show? I think it's average ratings have been pretty decent.

I think it's very funny so far.. this and 'Raising Hope' are the only worthwhile comedies this year.

Basq

It's been picked up for a full season by NBC..

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – October 18, 2010 – NBC has given full-season pickups to three of its new Fall 2010-11 series, “The Event,” “Law & Order: Los Angeles” and “Outsourced.” The announcement was made by Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios.

FreudianSlippers

I actually quite enjoy this show. It's mild - a bit racist, but I think they're trying to fix that. Seriously though, who doesn't like Indian food? lol

Basq

As I said already.. very solid writing and not one link in the cast!

But Gupta can be especially hilarious!

JP Liz V1

Pippa Black from Neighbours plays Tonya on the show (another Oz actor doing well in USA)

Was I imaging things when, on a recent episode of 30 Rock, somebody picks up a guitar and sings with one of the lyrics being, "Outsourced is the new Friends"?

Boom_Bap

Deleted User wrote: »

Was I imaging things when, on a recent episode of 30 Rock, somebody picks up a guitar and sings with one of the lyrics being, "Outsourced is the new Friends"?

Nope, seen/heard that myself.

Boom_Bap

Boom_Bap wrote: »

Nope, seen/heard that myself.

Phew. It seemed like they were jumping the gun a little with that comment, or I wonder if that's what the Network themselves are hoping it would be?

Basq

Deleted User wrote: »

Phew. It seemed like they were jumping the gun a little with that comment, or I wonder if that's what the Network themselves are hoping it would be?

Nah.. it was the recent episode that was chock full of NBC references.

There was also a nod to Community as well asking what the name of the guy who plays Troy.

Boom_Bap

basquille wrote: »

Nah.. it was the recent episode that was chock full of NBC references.

There was also a nod to Community as well asking what the name of the guy who plays Troy.

there was something else as well....just cant remember.

Anyway, Happy Vindaloo Day.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Just caught up with all the episodes. Show gets stronger by the week. Definitely up there with Community and Modern Family.

I wouldn't say this is up there with Modern Family at all. That's a whole new level.

FreudianSlippers

IMO Community > Modern Family

But I agree, Outsourced is up there.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

OisinT wrote: »

IMO Community > Modern Family

But I agree, Outsourced is up there.

I agree.

bigneacy

I started watching this randomly - its actually a great wee show. Can't wait for the next one on today.

I am gonna start watching community too, I've heard its good?

pickarooney

I just watched the first 5 eps back to back and it flew by, which I suppose is a good thing. It hasn't really taken off yet, but it's entertaining so far, although it's a bit weird how much like Michael Owen the main actor looks.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

Latest episode wasn't great at all. Hope its just a once off fluke and not a sign of things to come.

pickarooney

Has everyone given up on Outsourced? I find myself watching it just because it's part of the Thursday comedy package deal but it's not really getting any better. There was one reasonably funny episode recently on a train, but with such a lousy lead actor and a non-existent plot I can't see it going anywhere but axeville.

Basq

I'm still watching it, and quite like it. It's non-demanding comedy for a Thursday night and gives me a couple of giggles.

I preferred it in it's earlier episodes, but it's still funny enough. Gupta, Rajiv and Manmeet are certainly the strongest characters comedically, and I'm really tiring of Diedrich Bader's "schtick" and I do agree Ben Rappaport (Todd) is terrible.

There's certainly far worse comedies on.. but don't get me wrong - if NBC are stuck between renewing this and 'Community', axe it immediately!

Also Starring LeVar Burton

I still watch it every Thursday - still think its one of the stronger US comedies out there at the moment. After Community and Raising Hope its probably the best comedy at the moment.

pleasant Co.

I watched up until the 10th episode, at that point I'd had my fill. I can't really distinguish between episodes, but it did have it's moments.