User reviews

My initial impression of Powerless was that it was cute, innocuous and funny enough to keep watching. It had an interesting premise and some solid actors. At times it seemed rather generic, but there were also moments of cleverness and wit.

Those moments of cleverness increased as the show progressed. By the halfway mark the series was much funnier and cleverer, and towards the end there were things like the brilliant No Consequences episode.

Alas, by that time the series had been cancelled. This is the problem with a slow start. It's a shame; I think season 2 could have been really great.

I feel this show is not something to go out of your way to watch, but if you're looking for a show to eat some time and not hit you emotionally, this is perfect.

The show definitely gets better after the first two episodes (thus far), and it has some jokes that land surprisingly well, but don't have high expectations for it. Obviously the three big actors are often the best part of the show.

I've watched every episode (mostly because I have insomnia), and I have never felt annoyed or even disappointed after watching an episode.

I strongly believe my rating will increase to a 7 by the end of the first season. If they add new writers (and possibly directors), this show has the potential to be an 8.

I really liked this show. For the simple fact that it did not take itself seriously and had a really nice twist on the genre. This is just the kind of thing that I can relax to in a see full of copies and rip-offs. But it has just enough heart to it. I liked how they played around with the heroes and villains as well.

I was really trying, until the "that was a permanent marker" cliché not even halfway through the first episode. Is your writer's room really that shallow? How do you have a cast with Alan Tudyk, Ron Funches, and Danny Pudi, all of whom are hilarious, and turn them into flat unfunny stereotypes? I halfway expected them to mug right at the camera at the end of their lines. Vanessa Hudgens plays a paint-by-numbers small town girl in the big city, and in a show set in a world of comics and superheroes, she's unbelievably cartoonish. I've heard Better Off Ted name dropped a few times in reference to Powerless, but Ted had carefully constructed satire and deep, biting sarcasm, whereas this doesn't even hit the level of a Chuck Lorre laugh-tracked sitcom. If this show makes it to season two and has a chance to retool there might be a diamond in there somewhere, but for now it seems like it's all rough.

If you want to laugh (or at least smile), this show will certainly deliver. If you take it as a comedy show (and not superheroes), it is really funny and light.

I'd compare it to Big Bang Theory someheow (not geek humor but same atmosphere). The actors are very good and have great potential, same for the writers. The tone is just what it needs to be, which is not easy considering the concept. I think it just didn't find its public yet.

The story idea is awkward, but perhaps had to potential to be doable. Ordinary people in a comic book superhero universe could provide an interesting and funny take. However, what comes out of this show is less comic book and more cartoon-ish. I feel like the best way to describe it would be to imagine what Moulin Rouge would look like if it was stripped of its musicality and nice sets. The dialogue is awkward. The characters are more two-dimensional than their comic book origins. No, really, they are just extreme representations of one personality trait (exceedingly pretentious, sweet, robotic, pathetic, etc). The setting, and the lead for that matter, and sickeningly sweet and would be better placed in the set of a live action version Power Puff Girls. Honestly, I'm not even sure what they're trying to achieve with this show. Child's shows take their audiences more seriously than this.

I'm not sure why all the negative reviews. As a comedy show, it works very well. It is certainly not a superhero show and it does not try to be one, which I appreciate very much. The jokes are rather refreshing although at times can be a bit predictable. But it is very enjoyable and the 20 something minutes seem to fly. Again I think people were expecting a superhero show and are disappointed because it is not. If you are expecting costly production with expensive CGI superhero TV show, you will not get that. But it is comparatively low cost funny show. Show does not need to be expensive to be funny.

Small town girl Emily Locke (Vanessa Hudgens) arrives in Charm City to work for Wayne Enterprises. Her new boss is Van Wayne (Alan Tudyk), the idiot cousin of Bruce Wayne, who is desperate to be promoted to the head offices in Gotham. Jackie (Christina Kirk) is his weary assistant. Emily struggles to carrel her workers Teddy (Danny Pudi), Ron (Ron Funches), and Wendy (Jennie Pierson) to create products dealing with the superhero fights in the city.

This short-lived TV show tries to be a wacky comedy in the superhero universe. Some of it worked but there isn't enough. Alan Tudyk is the best and the funniest of the bunch. Mostly, it stays light. Vanessa Hudgens tries her best but her effort is showing and that's not good. It's also surprising that she has no romantic partner right from the start. Overall, there is some fun without enough effect. It was canceled after nine episodes.

Lets keep this short by addressing the biggest issue with the show. There is not one likable character. There are plenty of other issues, but this is a big enough one to warrant not watching any more. I would recommend skipping Powerless.

I give it 2 potatoes.

"Powerless," created by Ben Queen, premiered on NBC in 2017. The show follows the life of Emily (played by Vanessa Hudgens), a new middle manager for the R&D division of Wayne Securities, one of the many companies owned by Batman in his secret identity. Emily's goal is to create innovative products for Wayne Securities, but she often finds herself caught in the middle of corporate politics and the eccentricities of her colleagues.

The show's premise is unique, as it explores the mundane and often humorous aspects of life in the DC Universe. Ben Queen's writing skillfully balances humor and social observation, making the characters and their struggles relatable despite the fantastical setting.

One of the show's strengths is its ability to create a compelling and engaging world. The show's writing is clever, with each episode offering a mix of deadpan humor and heartfelt moments. The acting is also noteworthy, with Vanessa Hudgens bringing a sense of authenticity to her role as Emily. The supporting cast, including Alan Tudyk and Danny Pudi, adds depth to the ensemble.

One of the show's weaknesses is its reliance on a few recurring themes throughout the season, which can make it feel repetitive at times. Additionally, the show's pacing can sometimes feel slow, especially in the later episodes.

Overall, "Powerless" is a must-watch for fans of comic book-inspired television and character-driven storytelling. The show's unique premise, talented cast, and clever writing make it a standout in the genre.

Rating: 7/10.

I like Alan Tudyk, and most everything superheroes. This show sounded so awesome! Spoiler alert, it wasn't.

I had one chuckle, one.

The superhero battle at the beginning was a nice introduction and probably cost a lot, but what makes a comedy work is the jokes not the special effects. Put the budget into the writing!

A horrible plot is kinda expected in a show like this, but it needs good characters. Unfortunately, I couldn't stand any of them! The main character is way too cheerful and positive, and the rest of the cast is too depressing. None of them have any personality!

Spoiler if you care...

Bruce Wayne was right, he should fire all of these people.

This just proves the studios think the public are a bunch of morons. This was a fun and smart show that never got a chance because the studio execs think the public are as dumb as they are. This show should've been given at least a couple of seasons to catch on. Just because the studios have the attention span of a gnat doesn't mean everybody does. This is also why I don't have cable. I find everything I need on line where there is still some smart content.

I personally really enjoyed this. It is light, its relaxing, its fun... Its not one of those hectic heavy shows that you need to prepare yourself for in order to watch it.

Alan Tudyk is really funny and like I said, something light to watch at the end of the day when you cant decide what to put on..

Alan Tudyk who plays CEO Van Wayne is usually astute at getting involved with successful films and television series. Add the star power of the young up and comer Vanessa Hudgens who plays Emily Locke the company idea person who is the companies fifth (5th) team leader this year and you would think the show has some decent talent to turn this comedy into a hit. The team is not very good at creating new superhero concepts in Gotham, but they seem to be great at being a bunch of negative Nancy's who are all just sitting around without any of their own super powers waiting to get their walking papers.

I didn't seem to be able to relate to any of this cast of plastic characters who as I said are a bunch of negative Nancy's and Emily who is the "we can do it" motivator. There seems to be a smell permeating from my TV set, or is it just the stench of some really rotten episode writing.

To be fair I will give it a 2 out of 10 but if the stench keeps up how low can they go? Wellllllll?

Very awkward and stilted. Jokes are forced. Of course we recognize the clichés of working for a big company, but simply to apply them to a comic book city is just not that funny or intelligent.

Alan Tudyk did his best with the material given, but it did not support his brilliant comedy talent. The lead actor (what's her name?) is a properly perky chipmunk, but it is all for nothing. Story? What story? It's merely a random thought stretched to try to fill twenty- two minutes. Also, a superhero story has to have mandatory special effects, but here the use of cgi is minimal and sad.

Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.

I really enjoy this show. It isn't an 'epic drama'; but it was never meant to be. It is supposed to give fans of the 'Super-Hero' genre a fun 'junk food snack' and it does that in spades. It is set in a 'universe' of Super-Heroes but just not at the center of it; that what makes it fun. It is like peeking into that universe through a keyhole.

This is a cancelled show, waiting to happen. Pros: -Alan Tudyk is hilarious,(as usual). -No laugh track.

Cons: -The rest of the cast fade in to a blandness that takes a painful effort to watch (even Danny Pudi). -With the promise of such an interesting idea for a show, the plot is(at best) utterly boring. -Some of the sets look so pathetically cheap, it's startling. Even with the multi camera shooting, the main set has the appearance of a 'made for studio audience' show.

I was really looking forward to this one. What a disappointment.A tragedy for anyone who wastes minutes of their precious life on this dog of a show. At least Tudyk's getting a pay cheque.

It was exactly what I expected from the previews: a superhero show that doesn't take itself too seriously. By far my favorite part is that the show takes a world filled with superheroes and makes the characters find it boring—which, if super-villain attacks happened as frequently as the comic books make them seem, would absolutely happen. Reminds me of Steelheart, by Brandon Sanderson, although those books take themselves far more seriously.

Also, the costume and casting, etc, serve to make the show look like a comic book. I don't normally notice stuff like that, but I thought the behind the scenes work was spot on. It's still growing, but I think it's definitely got a lot of potential. Of course, it'll probably be canceled before it can reach it, which will be disappointing.

'Powerless' could have been really good, but unfortunately there was too much mundane slapstick comedy along with the occasional witty writing.

Intended to be a comedic spoof based on DC characters, the show stars Vanessa Hudgens as Emily Locke, Director of Research and Development for Wayne Security ~ a subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises. Based in the fictional Charm City, this company makes products for ordinary humans to ward off the consequences of battles between DC superheroes and supervillians.

Performing poorly in the ratings from the first episode, 'Powerless' is in strong contention for cancellation by NBC. That's a shame, because if the show had been handled differently it might have been a very entertaining comedy. Sadly, I don't think even the original Batman (Adam West) guest starring on an upcoming episode, will have the bat-strength to save it.