View Full Version : The Grinder
Gideon58
10-09-15, 04:42 PM
http://www.tvwatchus.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/The-Grinder.jpg
Some clever writing and the surprising chemistry between the two stars made this new FOX sitcom worth watching. Rob Lowe is perfectly cast as an actor who has just wrapped up his role on a television show where he played a lawyer who moves back to his hometown where his brother (Fred Savage) and his father (William Devane) really are lawyers. Lowe beautifully underplays a role that could have been hammy and annoying and allows Savage to do the scenery chewing, which he does to maximum effect and they create a viable brotherly relationship...loved the first hug they share which Savage found REALLY uncomfortable. Wouldn't mind seeing William Devane's role beefed up a little bit, but other than that, this one is a winner, with Rob Lowe playing a role he seems born to play.
Gideon58
10-22-15, 12:28 PM
Just finished episode 4 and this show remains fresh and funny...I love the fact that Rob Lowe's character is under the illusion that because he played a lawyer on TV he can practice law IRL and Fred Savage's character's clear resentment of his brother's fame continues to provide equal laughs.
Great premise, really funny. I'm struggling to think of anyone better for this role than Rob Lowe.
I hope they can sustain it.
gbgoodies
10-22-15, 03:21 PM
I expected this show to be really dumb, but I'm actually enjoying it every week. I don't really care much for Fred Savage, but Rob Lowe is terrific.
Gideon58
11-11-15, 04:05 PM
Just wrapping episode six and this show continues to be fresh and funny, with Rob Lowe playing a role he was born to play.
Gideon58
11-28-15, 03:02 PM
The Thanksgiving episode was hilarious....loving this show...Rob Lowe rocks!
Gideon58
02-24-16, 04:11 PM
Just finished episode 16 and this continues to be the freshest and smartest new sitcom of the season...I'm loving this story arc of Dean coming to the realization that he's not a lawyer. People keep complaining about Fred Savage, but I think he's terrific. If I had one complaint, I wish the writing team would give the dad, played by William Devane, a brain...sometimes it's hard to accept that this guy is actually an attorney.
Holden Pike
02-25-16, 12:02 PM
I like "The Grinder", but I don't think it's the best new sitcom this year. In fact, I like its FOX counterpoint "Grandfathered" more, and that Tuesday block now of "New Girl", "Grandfathered", The Grinder", and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" is terrific (though "Bob's Burgers" is still my favorite FOX comedy). Of the new shows on the four major networks, I think "Superstore" is the best, and though "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" doesn't always work, I love how ambitious it is and when it does click, it's great. Of the cable shows, I'm laughing a heck of a lot at "Teachers" on TVLand.
And now that "Better Call Saul" is back, it is swiftly kicking everything's ass, comedy, drama, whatever.
But "The Grinder" is more than solid.
Gideon58
02-25-16, 12:05 PM
I like "The Grinder", but I don't think it's the best new sitcom this year. In fact, I like its FOX counterpoint "Grandfathered" more, and that Tuesday block now of "New Girl", "Grandfathered", The Grinder", and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" is terrific (though "Bob's Burgers" is still my favorite FOX comedy). Of the new shows on the four major networks, I think "Superstore" is the best, and though "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" doesn't always work, I love how ambitious it is and when it does click, it's great. Of the cable shows, I'm laughing a heck of a lot at "Teachers" on TVLand.
And now that "Better Call Saul" is back, it is swiftly kicking everything's ass.
But "The Grinder" is more than solid.
Grandfathered is OK, but something about it isn't working, can't put my finger on it, and I'm this close on giving up on Superstore altogether.
Holden Pike
02-25-16, 12:11 PM
"Superstore" just ended their mid-season replacement run, though NBC did announce it will be on the schedule next year. And I think everything about "Grandfathered" is working, and clicking in a way that "The Grinder" doesn't. I don't think the high-concept stuff works very well for me on "The Grinder", by which I mean clips of the show-within-the-show and the Olyphant rivalry. For me it works best when it is letting the characters interact, and forgets the wackiness of the set up. A show that was slightly surreal, like "Parks & Recreation" and "30 Rock" or "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" of the FOX block it is currently in, can pull off that kind of stuff, but for me I think it slows "The Grinder" down. It is his backstory, but I don't think it is as rich as they think it is, for as how often they go to that well, and if the show is going to last it should be less and less about the Hollywood stuff and more about this town, the cases, and the characters. I think the two kids are great and should be involved in more than just B and C stories, they are underused. I think they can be as prominent as the kids in say "Blackish".
But, that's me. You're mileage varies, obviously.
I like the show, I just think "Grandfathered" and "Teachers" came out very fully formed and started gelling instantly while "The Grinder" is still finding its way.
though "Bob's Burgers" is still my favorite FOX comedy
:up:
Still love this show. I'll concede that the last handful of episodes have been more Good than Great, but they've all been enjoyable, and the first half-dozen or so are really, really good. Fred Savage is a fantastic straight man, and Rob Lowe is perfect as a guy who thinks he's the straight man. Half the fun of this show is just Fred Savage reacting to things.
I don't think the high-concept stuff works very well for me on "The Grinder", by which I mean clips of the show-within-the-show and the Olyphant rivalry.
This is surprising, so surprising that the first time I read it I thought you were saying the opposite. I adore those clips, especially the way they open most (all?) episodes. They strike a nice balance: they're obviously silly, but only 20% sillier than some of the stuff you'll see on real shows from time to time. That's the sweet spot.
And man, did I laugh when Olyphant first showed up. That would've been plenty for me, though I like that he stuck around for a bit, too. But then, maybe I just really like Timothy Olyphant (and playing a ridiculous version of yourself is something I've always had a soft spot for in comedy).
And now that "Better Call Saul" is back, it is swiftly kicking everything's ass, comedy, drama, whatever.
Yep.
Gideon58
03-01-16, 06:50 PM
Still love this show. I'll concede that the last handful of episodes have been more Good than Great, but they've all been enjoyable, and the first half-dozen or so are really, really good. Fred Savage is a fantastic straight man, and Rob Lowe is perfect as a guy who thinks he's the straight man. Half the fun of this show is just Fred Savage reacting to things.
This is surprising, so surprising that the first time I read it I thought you were saying the opposite. I adore those clips, especially the way they open most (all?) episodes. They strike a nice balance: they're obviously silly, but only 20% sillier than some of the stuff you'll see on real shows from time to time. That's the sweet spot.
And man, did I laugh when Olyphant first showed up. That would've been plenty for me, though I like that he stuck around for a bit, too. But then, maybe I just really like Timothy Olyphant (and playing a ridiculous version of yourself is something I've always had a soft spot for in comedy).
Yep.
I totally agree with you regarding Fred Savage...perfect straight man and I think his work on this show is severely underrated...Lowe's character would be pointless without Savage to play off of.
Gideon58
05-05-16, 04:18 PM
Just finished episodes 19 and 20...19 was especially funny with a guest shot from Anne Archer as Dean and Stu's MIA mother...loved the fact that she thinks the sun rises and shines on Stu and has found Dean a constant disappointment, clever twist I never saw coming which brought out a really childish side to Dean, which Rob Lowe nailed.
Really funny show. I agree that it is similar to Arrested Development. Watched the first 12 episodes but i got a bit burnt out since i watched them in a short time. Think i'll pick it up again soon.
Gideon58
05-11-16, 11:52 AM
You should get caught up Camo, this show is really smart and funny.
Well, this got canceled. Sad.
I'm sure there's a nonzero chance someone else picks it up, but as always, that's a long shot.
Well, this got canceled. Sad.
I'm sure there's a nonzero chance someone else picks it up, but as always, that's a long shot.
Damn, not surprising but still sad. Not sure if i'll finish it now.
I always felt there was something holding me back from considering this a potential favourite but i had a feeling it would focus on its strengths and abandon its problems like i think Community and Arrested Development did for their second seasons. Really disappointing because i think this had the most potential to become great for me of any comedy in years.
How bad were the ratings?
Gideon58
05-13-16, 05:26 PM
I'm really sorry to hear this, I really liked this show.
Gideon58
06-18-16, 11:25 AM
Still love this show. I'll concede that the last handful of episodes have been more Good than Great, but they've all been enjoyable, and the first half-dozen or so are really, really good. Fred Savage is a fantastic straight man, and Rob Lowe is perfect as a guy who thinks he's the straight man. Half the fun of this show is just Fred Savage reacting to things.
Totally agree...Rob Lower was so funny but what made the character funny was the way Savage reacted to him. I'm really upset this show was cancelled.
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