We brought it up awhile ago when ABC Family changed the time from 8 pm to 7 pm/10 pm showings of The Middleman. Then Brenda Hampton's series, Secret Life of the American Teenager, got an additional order, ie: more episodes. Now, you're hearing it here first: Middleman has been terminated. Instead of the original 12 episodes, they will produce just 11. You only have 6 more episodes in which to say goodbye. Goodbye Middleman. Goodbye Wendy. Farewell and so long.
Manatee: Why?
Marmot: I just really like this show for some reason. It's light and fluffy and really silly.
Manatee: Who do you think watches this show? And/or who do you think is supposed to watch this show?
Marmot: I think it's supposed to appeal to teenagers, maybe tweeners? Nerds like me?
Manatee: You're not a nerd, Marmot. I was thinking tweens too. It is a silly show, and I like that about it, but it's sort of fading for me. The uniqueness isn't as interesting anymore. I would like to know where these stories come from? The graphic novel? Or new ideas? They are quite weird.
Marmot: Trout eating zombies? It's so bizarre, it’s comical. I really like the Middleman character. There hasn't been an actor this stiff on primetime television since Data.
Manatee: Does that make you wonder why he likes Wendy so much? She's the complete opposite.
Marmot: Opposites do attract. That cat that Paula Abdul used to dance with taught us that.
Manatee: Maybe he'll be loosening up soon. He seemed to be jealous of Wendy's freedom last episode.
Marmot: I think he's also jealous of her friends and life away from being a Middleman/person. Does he live at Middleman HQ?
Manatee: I get that sense. He's got everything he needs. The big question is when will he hook up with Lacey?
Marmot: I hope soon. That is going to be a great story arc, when Wendy wakes up to find her boss making eggs in her kitchen.
Manatee: You just wrote it! That's the scene!
Marmot: Better yet: if he's only wearing a towel.
Manatee: And he bends over.
Marmot: Then they get a call from that old lady robot in the office and have to talk in code in front of Lacey and she thinks they're having an affair.
Manatee: OMG! What could be better?
Monday, June 23rd, 2008 @ 8 PM
ABC Family
The Middleman - Season 1, Episode # 2- "The Accidental Occidental Conception"
A Terra Cotta Warrior is brought back to life, sending The Middleman and Wendy on a mission into the underworld to stop him before he can kidnap the last living heir of the Qin dynasty. Should they fail, fire will rain down on the Earth for a thousand years. (IMDB.com)
Manatee: Middleman – not great, but not the worst show I’ve seen. I’d rather watch this than Fear Itself
Marmot: I don't know what to make of it. This episode was much more focused than the pilot and way more coherent and it retained some of its charm, but for some reason, I liked it a lot less.
Manatee: I feel like Middleman has a little of that original Batman series feel. A little wacky, not taking itself too seriously, and it's fun. But even after episode #2 I want it to be better than it is.
Marmot: Which is so odd, because it's much improved over the episode. Yet I feel like it lost something. Like the crazy cutaway scenes. Where were those?
Manatee: They did lose a little silliness this week. I thought the two main characters still had good dialogue and a quick back and forth’s. But maybe it did lose some of its uniqueness, production wise.
Marmot: I do like the banter, but I feel like I can get that anywhere. If this is going to turn into Juno meets Men In Black, boredom will be imminent.
Manatee: I think ABC Family has lost interest. I'm positive it will not be renewed (the numbers were horrible for the pilot episode). All we have to look forward to on ABC Family is Brenda Hampton's (7th Heaven) The Secret Life on the American Teenager starting July 1st at 8 PM. And that is described as Juno for TV, not Juno meets anything.
Marmot: What is so secret about the life of an American teenager? I think there have been plenty of shows and movies exposing this seedy underworld.
Manatee: I don't think ABC Family does seedy or underworld. My bet is "secret" refers to the pregnancy, which could be an interesting plot for young female teens to watch. I usually don't condone teen pregnancy talk on TV, especially TV geared towards kids (i.e.: Nick and that Younger Spears girl), but we'll see how this is done.
Marmot: Oh, she's pregnant? Well, then that is something to keep secret. Actually, the one thing I really like about The Middleman is the fact that nothing is evil or dark. It's just silly, and I'm okay with that.
Manatee: Yeah, I like that too. Though why was it necessary to wear togas to go to the underworld last night? Don't they allow suits? The show seems to be geared more toward keeping it light.
Marmot: I didn't get that either. Considering the desk attendant was wearing a sweater-vest, you'd think that a military suit would be acceptable attire
Manatee: And the clay man stuck with his ancient Asian garb? Hmmm.... that costume change did jump out at me a little. Do you think Ms. Fashionista Succubus will become a recurring character as the international consultant?
Marmot: I hope not. I had my fill of her from that episode. Ship her to Ugly Betty to make her a foil to the pregnant Scottish wardrobess.
Manatee: That could work. Do I smell cross-over?
Marmot: It's all ABC. How hard could this be to do?
Monday, June 16th, 2008 @ 8 PM
ABC Family
The Middleman - Season 1, Pilot - "The Pilot episode Sanction"
Wendy Watson is a struggling artist who's resigned herself resigned herself to a life of redundant temp jobs - until a freak accident involving an angry genetic experiment introduces her to the world's most absurdly covert operative: the Middleman. (ABCFamily.com)
Manatee: I was very excited about a graphic novel turned TV series, though I had my hesitations since it was airing on ABC Family at 8 pm.
Marmot: I've never watched anything on ABC Family, so I didn't really know what to expect.
Manatee: Well, it has the word "family" in it so I figured it would be pretty tame.
Marmot: What did you think of this show? Did you like it? Did you think it was good?
Manatee: I like the concept behind it. I like the actors ok (at least they aren't some feature actors stinking up the small screen). I know it's a pretty low budget show, so I'll try not to be too harsh. But the visual effects in the pilot were terrible. I say if you don't have the money to do it right, then don't do it. Find a more creative solution. It came across as silly and immature (ie: for kids). Let's put it this way: I will watch it again next week to see if there are changes. The pilot shot in Vancouver and the series shoots here in Los Angeles. So there might be changes for the better (or worse). Right now I want it to be better than it is.
Marmot: I don't know how I felt about it. I agree, the effects were awful, but that didn't bother me so much. The thing is, the show's not good and it's not terrible, but it's also not mediocre, because that implies something more run-of-the-mill, middle-of-the-road, and this is definitely not that. It's an interesting show, and I agree, I want it to be better than it is. Both leads are very likeable, and I kind of dig the screwball-esque dialogue. I think my biggest problem with the show is that there's a lot of elements that don't all quite fit together. But for some reason, I don't mind.
Manatee: I was going to ask you if that dialogue reminded you of anything? Say a certain Academy Award winning movie?
Marmot: Schindler's List? Definitely You know, I hadn't made the Juno connection until you brought it up. Now I feel dirty.
Manatee: When there were lines like "Do me a solid" and "lickity split" Juno was the first thing that popped into my mind. Jumping on wacky dialogue bandwagon.
Marmot: I didn't like the banter between the guitar guy and the girl. What was her name? Dubby?
Manatee: I wasn't a fan of that chitchat either. I'm not even sure I understood what they were saying to one another
Marmot: She was naming songs with "Hungry" in the title at one point, that's all I remember. But then the titles - like her "illegal sublet that she shares with another photogenic artist" - I thought were brilliant.
Manatee: Really! At first I wasn't sure, but I guess it goes with the graphic novel thing
Marmot: And the fantasy, Hard Day's Night-esque sequence where she put the uniform on I thought was hilarious and so unique to a television show. I like that the show knows it’s a show, but the characters don't. It's interesting.
Manatee: And the idea of a Middleman is really funny. I don't think it takes itself too seriously. I thought it also had some fun and funky music.
Marmot: It's definitely worth another viewing. I'm interested to see what's going to happen in a few episodes down the line.
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