It Could Be Worse

...unless you happen to be a gay, Jewish "actor" living in LA or NYC...then this is the series for YOU! If there were ever any doubt the "velvet mafia" exists, the fact this got "green lighted" with cameos from gay icons from TV and theater put that to rest. This series is very self-indulgent and clearly a demo reel for the Writer, director, star of the series as is so often the case. Unfortunately, said "demo reel" does not show a lot of versatility in acting (but plenty of close-ups and shirtless scenes as if that will make up for it). Frankly, this is just a bunch of David Schwimmers trying to convince us they are really hot and interesting instead of boring and homely. The writing is pretty much every cliché you can imagine on the subject of acting/theater (lots of drug references...because you know...acting) and of course the obligatory morality play of "lessons learned" at the end, make this as predictable as it is unremarkable.

I sit here trying to get through this interminable nineteen-minute episode and I am thinking, could it be worse? I am not sure it could.

The main guy? Cute as hell. But there are no Emmys or Oscars waiting in the near wings for him. He isn't terrible—like every other actor on the show—but a few acting lessons wouldn't hurt. I've seen some horrible actors turn around and blow me away a few years later. The boyfriend, Philip, is terrible (I hope he's not your boyfriend in real life, Mr. Taylor and I am hurting your feelings). I mean the boyfriend is really, really terrible. The mother barely tolerable. The therapist so bad I am quite simply shocked.

I am sorry if you are reading this Mr. Taylor. It is not my purpose to hurt your feelings. I feel bad. I really do. I mean the show looks like a labor of love. Looks like a heck of a lot of people helped make this happen. And here I am, who will never make his own show, putting it down? I'm an ass, right? I wouldn't want someone to say that about what I do. But....

The sound is bad. The soundtrack is bad. The cinematography is bad—all glaring out of focus garish colors. It is like I am watching an old video tape that has gone bad through the years.

I don't care about any of the characters. The star is a cheater, his boyfriend is whiny and kinda creepy. I don't care about any of them.

There. I finally finished watching it. I doubt I will ever watch the second episode or any others.

Main character so cute. Hawt even!

But the first episode gives me no reason to think about watching another. Of course I gave "Grace and Frankie" three episodes (because the first two were only so-so). Maybe I should try. But not tonight!

I think I will go to bed now.

At least I am sleepy now!