Netflix Canada Discussion

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Pretty interesting that Norm's show is being torn apart by critics but received well by fans on both RT and Metacritic.

Just watched the first episode. It was hilarious, and I don't even like David Spade. What exactly were the critics expecting? The new Netflix show is exactly what Norm has been doing for years: Cutting off his guests, getting them to reveal their genuine sense of humour, pretending he's an idiot, ridiculing the traditional guest and host dynamic, telling terrible jokes in a way that makes them terribly funny. No doubt this style of anti-comedy has niche appeal. But for the people it's aimed at, it succeeds very well.

[jayswin]

Norm's incredible and this show is him sticking to exactly how he wants to be, which is excellent. I can see why it won't get picked up for a second season, but again, it's mostly Norm not selling out.

1. Half hour shows - 1 hour is the sweetspot for Norm interviews. He needs that time to allow his style with a guest to hit an amazing rhythm and produce some great laughs.

2. The guest line-up - For people that follow Norm, it was fine, but that line-up won't draw in the casual/new audience. Talkshows are cutthroat these days about getting the best and biggest draws and then producing quick hits/segments that go viral. This was Norm's friends for the most part.

3. The repeats from the podcast - Only ten episodes and he brought back two guests (maybe more) from his podcast that got him the show in the first place. Letterman went on originally to see all the hype, they had an incredible one hour interview, Letterman got him the gig, then they team up for a half hour, lesser quality interview.

[jayswin]

Again, don't hold those points against me, as I fully understand the genius of Norm Macdonald and love his style and this works for me. These points are only meant to illustrate why I think the mainstream audiences won't go for it and ultimately this will be it.

One great thing is that after losing everything twice to gambling and having to work constantly without being "celebrity rich", he can now go back to being a comfortable millionaire without the burden of a gambling addiction.

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Again, don't hold those points against me, as I fully understand the genius of Norm Macdonald and love his style and this works for me. These points are only meant to illustrate why I think the mainstream audiences won't go for it and ultimately this will be it.

One great thing is that after losing everything twice to gambling and having to work constantly without being "celebrity rich", he can now go back to being a comfortable millionaire without the burden of a gambling addiction.

I agree with you, and Netflix has been quick to cancel their talk shows so I wouldn't be shocked if he doesn't get a second season. I hope they give Norm a chance and go back to an hour-long show.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Just watched the first episode. It was hilarious, and I don't even like David Spade.

I've never really been a fan of Spade, but he came across more likeable than I typically remember him to be. Not sure if that's because of Norm (who actually kind of got in the way at times) or the lo-fi amateur-style setup, but it was an enjoyable episode (the only one I've seen so far).

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I've never really been a fan of Spade, but he came across more likeable than I typically remember him to be. Not sure if that's because of Norm (who actually kind of got in the way at times) or the lo-fi amateur-style setup, but it was an enjoyable episode (the only one I've seen so far).

Yep. I've always hated Spade's snarky smart-ass comedy persona. But in person, in this interview, he comes across as a pretty sharp and funny guy.

Hard to see this getting a second season. But then a Norm show that was accessible enough to get a second season wouldn't have been Norm. Given the political climate in the entertainment industry these days, it's probably a good idea to binge-watch all the shows in case it gets pulled.

[KTrain]

I never really liked Spade either until I watched the HBO special on Chris Farley. It's pretty incredible and his interviews really chipped away that snarky persona and seemed to show his real personality.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I've never really been a fan of Spade, but he came across more likeable than I typically remember him to be. Not sure if that's because of Norm (who actually kind of got in the way at times) or the lo-fi amateur-style setup, but it was an enjoyable episode (the only one I've seen so far).

David Spade has that weasel-like look and demeanor but he's actually a very decent guy if you here his interviews on Howard Stern. I think a lot of celebrities would be a bore to hang with in real life but he seems like he would be a great guy to sit and have a few beers with. The guy does stand up shows for feline adoption charities which isn't something you typically see from a name celebrity.

[bubbsy]

Any good Netflix movie recommendations for a family (wife and my mother)??

[AC]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

Any good Netflix movie recommendations for a family (wife and my mother)??

The Human Centipede.

[SportsJunky]

Throw Mama From the Train

[Locke]

Originally Posted by AC

The Human Centipede.

You are a horrible human being and I love it. Well done.

[woob]

Jeebus Black Mirror is freaking depressing sometimes. Ok, a lot of the time.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by woob

Jeebus Black Mirror is freaking depressing sometimes. Ok, a lot of the time.

The real issue IMO is that they're too close to the truth.

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

Any good Netflix movie recommendations for a family (wife and my mother)??

Touch Of Evil. It’s a classic.

[gottabekd]

Originally Posted by Locke

The real issue IMO is that they're too close to the truth.

In particular, the episode "Nosedive" has been referenced by countless news stories about anything related to social media and influence/rating.

For those that haven't seen it, essentially everyone is tracked in a social media system, and you have to rate everyone after every interaction with another human. And of course the higher your score, the more weight your own scores have, and anything but a 5 star rating is "poor".

I can't help but think of that episode every time a checkout attendant asks me to complete a survey "but you have to give a perfect score, because anything less is seen as a failure". Great, how incredibly useful those results will be.

Netflix...two more episodes of the latest BoJack Horseman season to go. Damn this is a quality show. Probably the most 'human' cartoon I've ever seen, which is find of ironic. I still find it weird the first season was so poorly reviewed, getting 59 on Metacritic. Whoops. Latest season critics figured it out and it has 92. You'd think it would be able to pick up at least an Emmy nomination for best animated series.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by gottabekd

In particular, the episode "Nosedive" has been referenced by countless news stories about anything related to social media and influence/rating.

For those that haven't seen it, essentially everyone is tracked in a social media system, and you have to rate everyone after every interaction with another human. And of course the higher your score, the more weight your own scores have, and anything but a 5 star rating is "poor".

I can't help but think of that episode every time a checkout attendant asks me to complete a survey "but you have to give a perfect score, because anything less is seen as a failure". Great, how incredibly useful those results will be.

Netflix...two more episodes of the latest BoJack Horseman season to go. Damn this is a quality show. Probably the most 'human' cartoon I've ever seen, which is find of ironic. I still find it weird the first season was so poorly reviewed, getting 59 on Metacritic. Whoops. Latest season critics figured it out and it has 92. You'd think it would be able to pick up at least an Emmy nomination for best animated series.

Yeah, that episode is terrifyingly on-the-nose.

[woob]

I found "Hated in the Nation" the nail on the head as far as how far hate can go on social media and a very cool concept about how they developed that story line.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by woob

I found "Hated in the Nation" the nail on the head as far as how far hate can go on social media and a very cool concept about how they developed that story line.

I thought the killer robot bees part was a bit dumb, but the premise itself was on the nose, as you say. I wonder how far as a society we're going to go with social media outrage.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by AC

The Human Centipede.

Did anyone ever watch the sequels? The first one was enough for me as I just can't imagine there are more stones left unturned for this concept.