"Kid Notorious" recounts the fictional and extremely subversive adventures of one Robert Evans. Evans is a producer, a very decent one (he's had his share of hits and misses, ranging from The Godfather to How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days). But more than that, he's the ultimate Hollywood insider. He knows how the system works, who's on top, who's on bottom, who's rising, and who's falling. He can pick out the devils from a sea of angels, and then smooth talk those devils into trading their pitchforks for harps. Best of all, he's got the freedom to pick his women. Who, how many, how long.
So I figured that with the Kid's incredible history (well documented in Brett Morgen [also a co-creator of "Notorious"] and Nanette Bernstein's "The Kid Stays In the Picture") and Robert Evans's smooth, cool, confident voice, "Notorious" would be a hit. I still thought Notorious would be a hit when I saw the first episode. It wasn't South Park or Family Guy, but I thought it was charming in it's own right.
Imagine my surprise when I talked to some friends of mine about the show, prompting them to go on a series of five-minute tirades about how it was the worst show to ever hit Comedy Central.
So I wondered, was it me? Did I just have bad taste?
Well, after watching the second episode, I still proudly admit to loving this show. However, now watching it with a slightly more critical eye, I can see that it's not for everyone.
For one, the show's sense of humor is bizarre. Not South Park bizarre (where the craziness has a point to it), but downright BIZARRE. They range in slapstick (Puss Puss the cat's antics with English, Evans's butler) to subdued ("This is one of the most remote villages in the world...hey, look, I got full bars on my cell phone!"). And none of it ties into a common point. It's just there.
And to further alienate people, there are the dreaded Hollywood insider jokes. Take one situation in the second episode where there's a hilarious montage featuring Tollie Mae (Evans's loudmouth cook) and Guns and Roses guitarist Slash in love. All of it is set to the theme of the Robert Evans produced "Love Story." I would not have picked up on it if I hadn't seen "The Kid Stays..." (which talked about Love Story in detail) and not knowing probably would've hurt the scene for me.
So here's how it is. I don't expect the show to run long, but if you haven't seen "The Kid Stays In the Picture," or you saw it but didn't like it, stay away from this show. If that movie instilled within you a deep interest or a great respect for Evans (and I don't see how it couldn't), then give this show a shot. It's hit or miss for each person, but the Robert Evans fans make the biggest target.
So I figured that with the Kid's incredible history (well documented in Brett Morgen [also a co-creator of "Notorious"] and Nanette Bernstein's "The Kid Stays In the Picture") and Robert Evans's smooth, cool, confident voice, "Notorious" would be a hit. I still thought Notorious would be a hit when I saw the first episode. It wasn't South Park or Family Guy, but I thought it was charming in it's own right.
Imagine my surprise when I talked to some friends of mine about the show, prompting them to go on a series of five-minute tirades about how it was the worst show to ever hit Comedy Central.
So I wondered, was it me? Did I just have bad taste?
Well, after watching the second episode, I still proudly admit to loving this show. However, now watching it with a slightly more critical eye, I can see that it's not for everyone.
For one, the show's sense of humor is bizarre. Not South Park bizarre (where the craziness has a point to it), but downright BIZARRE. They range in slapstick (Puss Puss the cat's antics with English, Evans's butler) to subdued ("This is one of the most remote villages in the world...hey, look, I got full bars on my cell phone!"). And none of it ties into a common point. It's just there.
And to further alienate people, there are the dreaded Hollywood insider jokes. Take one situation in the second episode where there's a hilarious montage featuring Tollie Mae (Evans's loudmouth cook) and Guns and Roses guitarist Slash in love. All of it is set to the theme of the Robert Evans produced "Love Story." I would not have picked up on it if I hadn't seen "The Kid Stays..." (which talked about Love Story in detail) and not knowing probably would've hurt the scene for me.
So here's how it is. I don't expect the show to run long, but if you haven't seen "The Kid Stays In the Picture," or you saw it but didn't like it, stay away from this show. If that movie instilled within you a deep interest or a great respect for Evans (and I don't see how it couldn't), then give this show a shot. It's hit or miss for each person, but the Robert Evans fans make the biggest target.