I just finished watching the Easy View of "Jack & Bobby" on the WB. What an amazing, well-written, unique show! I was stunned to see a winding creek I walk by all the time in my neighborhood in a couple of the scenes. I went on the net to find out that the pilot was filmed right here in Austin! It seems like more and more things are being filmed here...I guess the city really is earning the title Hollywood East. I don't think the series is now being filmed here in Austin, though. This is a show worth watching. It is on Sundays at 9 p.m. (ET) on The Frog network.

I saw the 1st episode on AOL 2 weeks ago and it does seem to be a good show and well written.

I agree. I've seen both episodes so far, and I'm really impressed with the writing and the characterization. The "twists" actually add depth rather than just being there for twists' sake.

[shallow]Besides, Matt Long is hot with his shirt off. [/shallow]

I worry that as the season goes on, the show's conceit--flashing forward to have contempories of President Bobby comment on his character as we watch how his is character is formed in the presentday--could become overly precious. So far, the discoveries about the man the boy grew into have been interesting & carefully parcelled-out; I hope that continues.

Sidebar: I often run into Christine Lahti who is, in person, movie star beautiful; the hair and makeup folk on "J&B" are doing a terrific job of making her look worn, drained, and somewhat haggard. Danimal, I agree with you about Long--and I love being shallow!

~Adam

I have also seen both of the episodes so far and just love it. I think it is the best show i've seen in a few years.

and btw i have cried during both of them so far as well (maybe i was just emotional yesterday...lol)

I got the impression that they weren't going to reveal which brother became President and you're supposed to watch the two kids growing up and wonder which one it is. If you already know which one it is, regardless of whether it's well-done or not, then it's just another drama about two teenagers.

They'll probably wind those down gradually, like the narrations in Everwood (which annoyed many viewers at first but grew on others -- and which are gone in Season 3).

I actually like the narrations in Everwood , particularly at the end of each episode, which I've found to be exceptionally well written (like most of the scripts and storylines, with a few exceptions in season 2) and add a nice touch and unique level of heart to the show.

~Joe

They revealed that Bobby becomes President at the end of the first episode; in the second episode we learn he ran as an Independent. What we see in the present day (the teen years) becomes a dominant foreshadow for commentary about his character by those who served with him when he became President. If they get rid of the flash-forwards, "J&B" will be just another teen angst drama on the WB--they're what sets it apart.

~Adam

...only after becoming a Republican at some point in life and then getting eaten alive by his own Nazi-like party during the 2040 Presidential campaign. It was after his defeat as a nominee that he became an Independent and won the election.

Also, one of the future-interview things revealed that Bobby first ran for office "after Jack died" -- which explains a comment I read somewhere that the brothers' relationship echoes Joe Kennedy Jr. (who died in WW II, I think) and JFK more than it echoes JFK and RFK.

I do too. Some were heavy-handed or just "out there" but most added exactly what you said.

Saturday afternoon on the way to get a submarine sandwich, I walked by the park where much of the pilot was filmed. Then, last night while watching the opening credits, I noticed for the first time that the park (and where I was walking) is, once again, featured. It's where Jack and Bobby are running. I pass in front of the house in the background. I laughed out loud knowing the park is now being shown every week...even though production has moved away from Austin.

This show seems to be getting better each week. This has to be one of the best seasons in a very long time for new shows...well, except for the WB's forgetful "The Mountain".

Back before the show debuted, there was a DVD of the entire first episode inside my Entertainment Weekly (while I was still on vacation) -- so I finally watched it this week. It was a quality show, very well done, but I'm not sure I'll watch any more episodes. I kind of think that they could have done it as a miniseries, with the revelation of which brother turns out to be president near the end. Having that fact become known in the first episode, I'm not sure it's a good idea for the long term.

I e-mailed Joe in Philly to see if he is interested in selling his DVD. If he won't sell and you have one that you don't want, please let me know! My e-mail address is mailto:bobby78751@hotmail.combobby78751@hotmail.com

[ October 07, 2004, 12:39 PM: Message edited by: bobby78751 ]

I guess I'll reply here since I haven't checked my e-mail in a while. I'm sorry to tell you, bobby, but I threw the DVD in the trash when I finished watching it and it was collected today so I can't even fish it out of the garbage can. It was just in a paper sleeve, and had no special content -- all it had was the episode and a commercial for "The Mountain" -- and I didn't really think I needed to save it for anything, so I tossed it.

If I had it, though, I'd have sent it for free. Why would I make you buy it?

Sometimes, money encourages people to part with things. Thanks for replying. Surely, someone out there has one they don't want!

Programming note: "Jack & Bobby" is being moved to Wednesday at 9 ET begininng next week.

I'm happy for "Jack & Bobby." I was taping either J&B or "Desperate Housewives" each Sunday so I could see both, but I was afraid it was going to get pummeled by the ratings juggernaut that is "D.H." (I know this is a sports-related board, but that does not stand for "designated hitter.") While D.H. was #1 in recent weeks, J&B was 96th for the week, last time I checked.

I hope it does better on Wednesday, but it's still up against CSI:NY, West Wing, and Kevin Hill.

Good news. I can watch it now. I taped an episode a week ago and still haven't gotten to watch it.

The WB has already ordered a full season's worth of episodes so they seem to be sticking with it.

After the second episode, I thought the WB had even renewed it for next year, too.

Damn... how am I supposed to watch The West Wing, Kevin Hill and Jack & Bobby all at the same time?

One word for you, Penn: TIVO. wink

OK, I watched a bit of this show and thought that Jack (Matt Long) was sooo, so cute. But since he is portraying a high school kid, I felt really dirty about lusting after a 17 year old. So I did some research on the internet and discovered that Matt is actually 24 in real life....so now I'm free to lust all I want !!

Tonight is the night! A new episode on its new night.

Especially when they show those WB "glamor shots" of the cast ... his shows him lying on his tummy, with his cute little tushie in the air. wink

I saw a commercial for this week's episode which stated that they shot three different endings for this episode, and the one that's used is based on the results of the presidential election today. I assume the third ending is if there's a repeat of 2000 and not a Ralph Nader victory. wink But this kind of crap annoys me. A stupid stunt to try and draw ratings...when probably there will be just one or two lines changed in the scene and it will have no real effect on any ongoing plotlines.

[ November 18, 2004, 10:01 PM: Message edited by: Joe in Philly ]

Now, now, now...it does give a touch of timeliness to the show. I don't see how it's going to get people to watch who aren't already watching...after all, you already know the ending!

Heard an interview with Christine Lahti: the different endings center on her character's reaction to the vote--relief/joy (if it's Kerry,) despair/hope for a Hilary Clinton run in 2008 (if it's Bush,) and "bemused dejection" if results are heading to the Courts. Joe, you're right--it won't be integrated into a the major storyline, or even involve the title characters.

~Adam

I don't mind their doing it if they want to integrate the real story into the fictional show, but they're hyping it up as something momentous in their advertising. That's what I dislike.

This week's ep redeemed itself with an extended (hehe, extended) scene of Matt Long as Jack, shaving shirtless while cornered by Mom for a serious help-me-son talk.

Matt Long. Shirtless.

Next week's ep ("Lost Boys") ratchets up the drama quotient quite a bit. The WB website sez:
The friend is presumably this guy, who told Jack in the scenes-from-next-week blurb that he was in love with Jack, to which a flustered but civil Jack responded, "I like girls" (currently two at the same time, in fact).

Anyway ... I won't miss it!

[ November 11, 2004, 05:19 PM: Message edited by: danimal ]

Hmmm....sounds like a great big gay episode. I watched the episode last night but missed the previews for next week so I didn't see that.

As everyone knows, I love this show but next week's episode is going to be very difficult for me to watch. I might have to record it and watch it a little at a time. frown

I like the show but find myself fast-forwarding through scenes that focus on Bobby! I realize he's going to grow up to be interesting (and President) but his character as an early adolescent isn't nearly as involving as Jack, Grace, her teaching aide, the college president, his daughter...

I didn't watch the previews for next week's episode but, after reading the WB preview, I am looking forward to it.

~Adam

Does anybody know who the actor is that's playing the younger man in love with Christine Lahti? I know I've seen him in something else, but can't remember what. (Was he in a Buffy/Angel episode?)

He's a very sexy guy, IMHO.

Oops, never mind. He's Bradley Cooper. Here's his website: Bradley Cooper What a hunk!

You may have seen him on ALIAS, as Sydney's best friend in Seasons 1 and 2.

Tonight is what is setting up to be an extremely sad episode. I wonder why they decided to create such a depressing episode for the Thanksgiving episode? It will be interesting to see how the story is resolved at the end.

Review of tonight's episode from USA Today's Critic Corner

Wow, this show is getting better every week! I was wondering how Jack's relationship was going to be explained since his friend Matthew had never been on the show. Very well done. Matt Long is turning into an excellent actor. I went to read his profile on IMDB and did you know that until this show, he had had only one other professional acting job and that was a bit part in a little-known movie?

Now, the storyline involving Grace's gay brother...that can't go away fast enough for me. Yet another damaged homosexual in primetime (maybe his ex Jeffery is more tolerable and balanced...if so, can we please get him on the show?). I kept expecting him to hit on Tom.

Last night was the first time I found the future segments to be a distraction.

[ November 18, 2004, 09:04 AM: Message edited by: bobby78751 ]

I loved this episode! This show is really drawing me in. (yes, a lot of it has to do with all the hottie actors) But kudos to the producers of this show to deal with gay issues that might affect both teens and adults. I agree that the gay brother was a bad character, but some could argue that its realistic. And hopefully he has some redeeming value/moral lesson in the long run.

The ratings for its new night are terrible. I hope with me being a Nielsen viewer this week, it has helped some. Last night was my seventh and final night to do the ratings diary. frown

I agree with you on all counts, Hotlanta....I initially was not very thrilled with the premise of the show but after watching it for a few episodes the storylines and character development have definitely drawn me in (the flaws of the gay brother/uncle, notwithstanding).

I thought last night's episode was realistic and handled with a great deal of compassion....Jack's courageous disclosure to his friend's father (despite the mother's obvious objections) when he dropped off the belongings, the genuine warmth and concern in his questions to Bobby while they were getting dressed for the funeral and his inevitable emotional "release" to his mom were all handled exceptionally well.

Despite its mediocre ratings I hope that the WB gives this show a chance to develop as many long-running classics have infamously struggled for a season or two before finding its core audience.

~Joe

I agree that last night's episode was quite good, though I wish we had seen something of what Matt's final year--he came out to Jack in 2003--isolating himself was like. Since the show flashes forward to offer commentary on the McCallister Administration, it could easily have woven in a few more flashbacks. As for the gay brother, I didn't mind the fact he's a screwup; in fact, liked the scene where he tells Grace that's just who he is--not because he's gay or uses drugs (I would have have exploded if my sister had ever called a boyfriend without telling me first.) In fact, it may be fairly realistic when one's sibling (Grace) is so obvioosly accomplished (she's earned 2 PHDs and has published three books) for another to flounder a bit. I did have the uneasy feeling that the brother was going to hit on the pretty-boy teacher's aid to sort of parallel Jack & Matt's "I'm into girls" scene; glad they didn't.

~Adam

I'm glad he didn't hit on Tom, too. That would have been forcing things a bit.

Now that I reflect on the show, there was a moment that passed so quickly by a lot of viewers might have missed it. The passing mention of Grace and her brother's over-bearing mother is a subtle comment on her own mothering technique, especially when it comes to being involved in every area of Bobby's life. That was a brilliant illustartion without hitting the viewer over the head.

QUOTE

Adam wrote:
I agree that last night's episode was quite good, though I wish we had seen something of what Matt's final year--he came out to Jack in 2003--isolating himself was like.

As for exploring more of Matt's final year, yeah, I wish they could have gone into that more, but they crammed a lot into the show. An attempt to illustrate his social isolation even more were the girls who were talking at the beginning of the episode and how one of them had forgotten who he was; as well as, him quitting the track team are all good examples of how he not only isolated himself from his friend Jack but from most of the school, too.

I'm very glad they didn't actually show Matt hanging himself. Another good move on the writers' part to leave a lot up to the viewers to decide and imagine.

It is airing on EasyView Sunday afternoon if you want to catch it, again. I recorded it.

[ November 19, 2004, 05:34 AM: Message edited by: bobby78751 ]