MovieChat Forums > Limitless (2015) Discussion > Over the Top Comedy Killed This Show

Over the Top Comedy Killed This Show

posted 8 years ago by macleod_conner
9 replies | jump to latest

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this show and the premise from the movie is excellent, I just think they squandered it by changing the direction of the show from being mostly serious to mostly comedic, and not just funny but lampoonish in the '60s Batman TV series way. Much of the comedy, while goofy, was genuinely funny, but it needed to be toned down and less frequent for the show to be taken seriously.

Had they kept the tone of the first few episodes for the rest of the season, we'd probably be watching season two now. I suspect many viewers began tuning out when they went the Barney the dinosaur route, which was Brian's imaginary friend during the serial killer episode. It was too much, too fast. Maybe 3-4 years down the line they could've gotten away with it but not in the initial season when they're just trying to establish their fundamentals and their fan-base. Also, episodes like that need to be one off, not the norm, that makes it too weird and quirky for most folks.

It's really too bad because the cast was solid and story-line was well developed. Also I think they failed to develop the potential of the pill somewhat, I think that's what drew people in to begin with but tuned out when it didn't really go in that direction.

[–] Xkape 8 years ago

Nah, I loved the comedy and the unique style it had to it. Like when he'd explain something and they'd make a map with little animated figures on it and such. I was extremely bummed when I heard it was canceled after only one season. One of only around 5 series I watched last year.

[–] AnnahMH 8 years ago

I absolutely loved the comedy in this

[–] JellyFish19 8 years ago

It had its own style and it was good for those 22 enjoyable episodes. That's all I can say.

[–] PatrickS77 8 years ago

I suggest you lighten up. The humour was just perfect.

[–] zoppica (41) 7 years ago

I really love the humor. To me it made the series unique.

[–] maximmm (3405) 7 years ago

I agree - there weren't many serious moments here. The only scenes that stood out were the ones with Bradley Cooper - so only a few minutes in 4 episodes or so.

The lead actor wasn't that great at dramatic scenes either.

An even bigger problem was - the comedy bits weren't particularly funny.

So, yeah - this show deserved to be canned.

I blame the show runner, show writers and bad casting.

[–] TandyMan (11343) 7 years ago

I agree. Mind you, I loved the show. But in terms of packaging a show to garner the chief viewing audience possible, which includes a lot of the NCIS crowd, the show was far too surreal and goofy. And I agree as well they could have gotten to that level of humor later on. A lot of shows get more zany as they go along and everybody is happy with it. Too much, too soon.

[–] ExTechOp (2770) 7 years ago

The dinosaur ep barely redeemed itself at the end, when he was faced with the ugly version of the same guy. Notion being that Brian's humor is how he deals with stress and fear.

But I agree it was a jump-the-shark ep. Still, I thought there were a lot of high points after that.

Still and all, kinda glad it ended where and when it did. I have a feeling it would've petered out rapidly, with Morra becoming some kind of unbeatable foe and, worse, pushing some kinda Rebecca/Brian romance.

[–] ExTechOp (2770) 6 years ago

Addendum: just finished rewatching the show and I'm even more convinced that it's fine like it is, and actually better for having ended when it did

The comedy was more organic than I thought initially - I think Brian was a very deliberate departure from Eddie in the film. They're both losers, but Brian's an optimist with a strong moral core and a family support structure in place.

While the premise is similar to the film's, the tone is entirely different. Instead of Morra's compromised morals, we get to see NZT used by an optimist whose greatest desire is to help other people.

Bradley Cooper's shown himself to be savvy and borderline ambitious - as producer of this, I could believe that he deliberately departed from the film's tone to give himself more flexibility.