I absolutely love this show and its storyline, but Jeremy Piven rakes on my nerves. Piven tends to "over act", and appears to leave a big puddle of ego wherever he is standing. It's really too bad because I think this could have been a ten star show with a better leading man.
shareI think he is perfect for the role. 4 seasons later and he really embodies the character. He IS the character.
shareI agree with the OP. Jeremy Piven is the thing that works least for me about this show, the supporting characters are the ones that shine. I've tried to introduce the show to others, but most said they couldn't continue watching as they didn't like him.
I will say however that after re-watching the show a couple of other times, he's grown on me a bit more where I don't dislike it. I get that Harry is supposed to be brash, loud and arrogant but he's just so showy when he's on screen that it makes it less believable.
The first series is the difficult one, imo. Piven was much more brash and annoying. I stuck with it, and liked s2 much better. Now I can go back and watch s1 and Piven doesn't bother me so much.
shareYes I agree. He kind of tampers down his over the top acting after S1, which makes it easier to watch him. I like him when he has his quieter moments, especially with the latter seasons.
shareOP, I cannot agree with you more. I really, really wanted to get into this show and enjoy it as it sounds so interesting and I heard it got good reviews. But Piven absolutely ruins it for me. I wish so much that they had gotten a different actor than him to portray the lead. It's not even necessarily his acting in this (which is awful), but I just cannot stand him period, and I cannot take him seriously. I wish they had gotten just a relatively known up-and-coming actor for this, not Jeremy Piven.
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I managed to get through the first season and the best part was when Selfridge was in a coma. The British actors are so good in their roles, so the contrast is glaring. Also Piven looks, talks, and acts too modern for a period piece.
I've seen American actors play this type of role before very convincingly. Jeff Bridges in "Tucker, A Man and His Dream" and "Seabiscuit". A character can be brash and outgoing, and still be believable.
I gave up after one torturous season. "The Paradise" was a much better show.
I watched the pilot the year it aired and could not stand his voice or delivery.
I thought I'd try it again, and once you get past the first couple episodes, he gets a little more bearable. I started to enjoy him in season 2, and by season 3, he's wonderful compared to the other new, horrible actors they brought in.
Totally agree with the OP of this thread! My hubby and I only was able to stomach a few episodes of season 1 - Piven is absolutely a horrible actor is this series, which really is a shame, because we both loved the story line. Too bad Piven just stands and screams out his lines and shows no feeling or empathy at all, even if that is what his character is supposed to be. Hubby told me that Piven seemed more like a robot than a human being. When Mr Selfridge comes on our PBS channel, we put in a DVD and wait for something better to come along - guess even good old PBS can't win over everyone!
Fasten your seat belts. Its going to be a bumpy night!
~Bette Davis in All About Eve