Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
I was hoping this would be better. I really like Menken. I don't think he's the one at fault here. Rather, I think the writing is bad. I think they were going for a hip and slightly smutty Book of Mormon feel, but it didn't work.
Count me with the camp that enjoyed it. Is it perfect? No. But it was funny, even the dumb jokes made me laugh in spite of myself, and I appreciate the self-awareness of how innately ridiculous the knightly epic can be. And I liked the music- it was kinda catchy and the lyrics were sometimes quite funny. To be honest, I'm enjoying it more than the convoluted mess Once Upon A Time has been veering towards.
I thought the rhymes were pretty fresh in the lyrics. I pretty much agree with your explanation for enjoyment, bwayrose. Not perfect, but lots of fun.
Well, I kinda like it. But the main naumber does sound a lot like an umptempo version of How Long Must This Go On? from BATB.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/04
I was pretty bored. To me, it comes off as a tired retread of Spamalot and Shrek, both of which were more creative and/or funny. For me, Menken's last good score was Enchanted with only an occasional fun tune here and there since then.
Well, I liked Joshua Sasse getting a bath... but, I mean, his full nude scene from the canceled cable show Rogue is easy enough to find on Google.
The Menken/Slater score is not great, but catchy enough for what it is. My main issue is creator/writer Dan Fogelman who rarely is as funny as he thinks he is. Disney probably feels they owe him--he wrote Cars, and Tangled (which I overall really like,) as well as other hits like Crazy Stupid Love... They already gave him the alien sitcom The Neighbours which most people avoided for two years. I admit, I only watched the musical episode of that which had songs by...Menken and Slater. In a VERY similar style to these.
This, is at least better (as are the songs--although since I assume they had a little longer to write them, I expected more.) Yes, the main theme makes me want to sing How Long Can This Go On? I thought the second episode was better--partly because I actually liked the "You're gross but growing on me" love song as well as the long Journey song--though so much of the other stuff again fell flat (why was John Stamos "Jean Hamm? If John Ham had been cast in the role, I would get it.)
Still, I enjoy the cast, and I'm sure I'll watch the remaining 6 episodes. Speaking of, they're smart to double dip and air two at once as the plot is sooo slow. The ratings have been better than I expected (yes, it was a premier, but it out performed past episodes of Once Upon a Time in its time slot.) Also surprised by the overall strong reviews.
Phyllis, I believe the plan actually is to do another series of Gallavant next year, if this continues to do well enough, with a new storyline. I do like that ABC seems to be trying more different types of shows than the other major networks--even if most have been failures. I also think they've been smart to air these shorter seasons of sorta similar shows instead of reruns of their serialized shows (ie AAgent Carter during the break for SHIELD.)
So I guess I give it a positive meh.
Stand-by Joined: 3/29/13
Oh! I wasn't sure. I know he was only on the first two seasons... And while it's primarily a Canadian/UK co-production (though I think DirectTV airs it in the US?) I hadn't heard anything from the network that carries it here (yes, like the UK, network tv in Canada can sport full frontal male nudity after 10 pm...) I am sure you are right, though.
Stand-by Joined: 3/29/13
I liked it...but I think the songs are sadly just getting in the way.
If there was the occasional number here and there it would work out far better, but since they are intending for it to be a "full musical" they have to shoehorn in the numbers...which are fine. I liked the second half hour much better than the first.
The king is great, the kidnapped queen is a fun twist.
I laughed out loud at Jean Hamm and the entire jousting sequence.
And I know it is Menken, but am I hearing the theme song wrong, or is the start of it the same as "First place is nearly mine, it's quite my best invention..." and "How long must this go on" from Beauty and the Beast?
Stand-by Joined: 11/28/11
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/08
Stand-by Joined: 11/28/11
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