House of Lies Review: "Our Descent Into Los Angeles" (Episode 1.06)
Let’s check in again on what’s destined to be one of the more embarrassing IMDB entries for almost everybody involved. It’s probably too late for House of Lies to turn itself around. “Our Descent Into Los Angeles" is the halfway point for the first season, and even though it wasn’t as actively obnoxious as last week’s episode, it’s still a deeply conflicted half hour of television that tried both my patience and intelligence. The writers don’t seem to understand the show’s strength, which is the great cast, and instead of ever finding an authentic voice they defer to “outrageous” situations... read more
Found in: TV, ReviewsHouse of Lies Review: "Utah" (Episode 1.05)
Every episode of House of Lies ends with an ad for mobile apps that let you watch upcoming scenes on your tablet or cellphone. Who likes this show enough to download something like that? That’s more embarrassing than downloading one of those fart sound or zit-popping apps.... read more
Found in: TV, ReviewsHouse of Lies Review: "Mini-Mogul" (Episode 1.04)
Maybe there’s hope for House of Lies yet. “Mini-Mogul” isn’t great TV, but it’s also not nearly as embarrassing as last week’s “Microphallus”. It’s still incredibly smug, but “Mini-Mogul” is the first episode to offer more than a fleeting glimpse of recognizable and sympathetic humans, and this time those moments aren’t entirely due to a ten-year-old cross-dresser.... read more
Found in: TV, ReviewsHouse of Lies Review: "Microphallus" (Episode 1.03)
“Microphallus” destroys the meager goodwill House of Lies earned from last week’s slight improvement. It’s an ugly, sordid, crass, cynical and entirely unlikable half-hour. The only two scenes that didn’t make me cringe involve characters angrily (and perceptively) telling the lead character off. That doesn’t bode well for the rest of the season.... read more
Found in: TV, ReviewsHouse of Lies Review: "Amsterdam" (Episode 1.02)
I still feel dirty from last week’s House of Lies. Beyond the gratuitous nudity and sit-com coincidences, the biggest problem with the pilot was its immense self-satisfaction. I’m sure nobody without confidence has ever sold a show to a network, but even with a great cast and a timely hook that first episode felt overly proud of itself. Maybe it’s an intentional reflection of how vital image is to the show’s obscenely expensive management consultants, but the pilot was insufferably smug. This slightly more relaxed second episode is an improvement, but for a show with such a charismatic cast, House... read more
Found in: TV, ReviewsHouse of Lies Review: "The Gods of Dangerous Financial Instruments" (Episode 1.01)
House of Lies wants to be as smart and smooth as its characters but comes off like a pay cable Three's Company, with unlikely coincidences, comical mix-ups and a fixation on sex. It plays down to 99% populism while salivating over the riches of the 1%. It's a smug half-hour made bearable by a strong cast and a willingness to address the economic issues that most shows (other than "Work It") ignore. It handles those issues so cynically that many might be offended, but how many pay cable protagonists are admirable or respectable, anyway? read more
Found in: TV, Reviews10 TV Shows We're Looking Forward To in January
2012 has a lot to offer—a presidential election, the end of the world, and so many new television seasons and series that will consume you, you’ll forget all about those vying political parties and doomsday. Lucky for us we don’t even have to wait long, as a bunch start in January. read more
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