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Logo's new 'Sordid Lives' is lackluster
Submitted by SHNS on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 14:48.
Finally reaching beyond bottom-rung reality programming, gay cable network Logo debuts a new scripted, live-action show this week, but there's not much to celebrate about "Sordid Lives: The Series" (10 p.m. EDT Wednesday).
Written and directed by Del Shores ("Queer as Folk," "Dharma & Greg") as a prequel to his 2000 movie -- which was based on his 1996 stage play -- "Sordid Lives" begins in April 1998 on the day country singer Tammy Wynette died. This is terrible news for Brother Boy (Leslie Jordan, "Will & Grace"), who worshipped Wynette and is now trapped in a mental institution where a doctor aims to "de-homosexualize" him.
In Winters, Texas, his trailer-park-dwelling sisters have their own struggles, including Latrelle (Bonnie Bedelia), who can't locate her mother (Rue McClanahan). Sissy (Beth Grant) chain smokes while watching TV all day and LaVonda (Ann Walker) dispenses advice to her nephew, Ty (Jason Dottley), an actor in Los Angeles who isn't sure he's gay even though his therapist (guest star Margaret Cho) is sure he is.
The show feels hugely over-populated for a half-hour series that's just getting started, and the characters come off as types rather than believable people.
"If I can de-homosexualize this freak, I can de-homosexualize anybody," crows Dr. Eve (Rosemary Alexander) like a cartoon villain. "Then my theory will be proven and I'll be rich and famous and get on 'Oprah.' "
Although occasionally amusing, "Sordid Lives" never becomes truly funny in the first two of its 12 episodes. It's neither sordid nor lifelike enough to make much of an impression.
(Contact TV editor Rob Owen at rowen(at)post-gazette.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
The thing about reviews and commentary...
The thing about reviews and commentary is that they are just one persons opinion, sort of like if one likes spinach or not, and not necessarily what the masses will think.
Did you see the movie? Most either loved it or hated it. Many hated it because it type-casted as you mentioned above. Others thought it was the funniest thing they ever saw!
You guess it right, I'm a big 'ol type-cast queen from Texas that has family just like the movie, and it was absolutely hilarious to me and all my friends.
Let's give it more than the first two episodes, as even the Sopranos took a while to get a grip on people.
Cheers!
Es
SORDID LIVES SERIES
And for opposing reviews -- and there are MANY (in fact, so far this is the first negative one I can find) read the following links --
As Steve Martin once said on the Tonight Show... "these are the correct reviews" :-)
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/16/entertainment/main4265177.shtml
http://www.baywindows.com/index.php?ch=arts&sc=movies_and_tv&sc2=features&sc3=&id=77542
Sordid Lives
Loved the Movie, can't wait for the series... I am looking for a place to watch it because I have Dish Network and they don't carry LOGO. I am a HUGE fan of Del Shores and all of his work. THis is the first negative comment I have read also. I am SURE it will be great. Hysterical and entertaining... especially for any fan of the movie.
P.S. I am not Gay...50 year old heterosexual from KY.
MGW, Kentucky
Sordid Lives
Well bless your heart! You just don't really get this kind of humor, huuuuney. But come spend a week with me at the river in Alabama and you will see there REALLY are people like this! Tacky and over the top, but full of love. My mamma and them watched this with me and it was like watching a video of a family reunion. I give this show 2 thumbs. UM okaaaaay!
Sordid Lives
This article in TOTALLY of base.
Not only is this one of the best "series" my friends and I have seen, the characters are very believable; In fact, some are relatives of mine!
I hope this series last and lasts. When it has run it's course I will be looking for the DVD.
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