Post: #26

I gave this show a try, and turned it off after half an episode. I think I have the reason why.

Compare it to Swingers. In Swingers, although you see Favreau's character strike out, see why, and can tell that he has to get his game and confidence back, at the same time you like him and want him to succeed. You feel like he is a decent, reasonable guy trying to succeed at a game that is tough and somewhat arbitrary. Sometimes he deserves to strike out, sometimes it isn't his fault. When he succeeds with Heather Graham at the end, it isn't so much that he has changed or learned some lesson as that he just learns how to put his best self out there in a particular difficult situation.

With Hello Ladies, at least in the bit I watched, the message is more that Merchant is the weirdo and the world is normal. You see him interacting with normal, fun, decent people and blowing it because of his own character flaws. The message isn't: "watch this guy have trouble approaching women and becoming popular because that shit is hard." The message is "watch this guy have trouble because he is a jerk."

I have no doubt that when/if he starts having success, the show will portray it as him learning moral lessons that he needed to learn, whereas at the end of Swingers Favreau hasn't become a (morally) better person; he's just developed the gumption to succeed at a competitive, amoral, not-always-fair game.

Hello Ladies packs the traditional blue-pill message that it's all the man's fault and any man who need to study pickup has something wrong with him. Same old same old.

Post: #27

(10-22-2013 02:10 PM)Ryre Wrote:  With Hello Ladies, at least in the bit I watched, the message is more that Merchant is the weirdo and the world is normal. You see him interacting with normal, fun, decent people and blowing it because of his own character flaws. The message isn't: "watch this guy have trouble approaching women and becoming popular because that shit is hard." The message is "watch this guy have trouble because he is a jerk."

I have no doubt that when/if he starts having success, the show will portray it as him learning moral lessons that he needed to learn, whereas at the end of Swingers Favreau hasn't become a (morally) better person; he's just developed the gumption to succeed at a competitive, amoral, not-always-fair game.

Pretty accurate analysis I would say. That's what I mentioned in my last post as well. It's been 4 episodes of the same and his character hasn't shown any growth or even thought about why people/girls are constantly getting turned off by him.

I have also seen people say the same thing about him being a jerk and an asshole at times for the reasons behind his struggle. I know somebody here pointed out that he has read 'Game' and knows about pick-up but I don't know if the show is going to go in that direction.

Post: #28

What is really missing from this show is the lack of back story.

You can kinda piece it together. The guy probably spent many, many years working hard to make money doing web design and now that he has some money, he's looking for the girlfriend he's never been able to have.

Its mostly just a silly drama/comedy, despite some real red pill truths mixed in here and there.

After four episodes of watching everything fall apart for him at every turn, I'm not feeling that compelled to continue watching.

Post: #29

(10-28-2013 05:44 PM)Suits Wrote:  What is really missing from this show is the lack of back story.

You can kinda piece it together. The guy probably spent many, many years working hard to make money doing web design and now that he has some money, he's looking for the girlfriend he's never been able to have.

Its mostly just a silly drama/comedy, despite some real red pill truths mixed in here and there.

After four episodes of watching everything fall apart for him at every turn, I'm not feeling that compelled to continue watching.

The fifth episode really was the nail in the coffin for me. This is not about a guy learning game and getting good - it's about torturing a character because he has the audacity to go for women he actually wants. His failures in episode 5 weren't even about being socially awkward or a jerk - it was about bad luck.

Post: #30

(10-28-2013 05:59 PM)SHANbangs Wrote:  The fifth episode really was the nail in the coffin for me. This is not about a guy learning game and getting good - it's about torturing a character because he has the audacity to go for women he actually wants. His failures in episode 5 weren't even about being socially awkward or a jerk - it was about bad luck.

To be fair he was kind of a jerk. Once he realized that the guest list had gotten quite big and didn't want to risk getting his place trashed, he moved the party to his extremely beta friend's building.

Even if he did meet the model of his dreams who finally showed up, he would have struck out since he is extremely awkward and does not have the slightest clue about gaming these women.

I have said it in the past, the show needs to grow. We get it that he is a social retard with no people skills, but they need to show some character growth/realization. It doesn't necessarily have to be his first step towards learning game but just realizing that he is a social retard and makes bad decisions.

The cringe humor/moments/awkwardness are getting old without any growth from the character.

Post: #31

In the next episode they should have him break down in despair and unleash his emotional pain in private. In the desolation of his own room he mans up finally, realising that he needs serious help, and googles "How to find a Mentor". The first thread that pops up in Google Search directs him to the Roosh V Forum where he stumbles across a guy who has never met that claims to have much better game than him. He meets this guy and as always he is awkward.

The guy though has sympathy for him, unlike the women he is accustomed to meeting. As a genuine mentor, he tells him in point form everything that is wrong with his game. He instructs the protagonist on refining key elements of his game: he needs to chill in set, hit the gym, stop hanging around losers, cultivate some better style, lower his voice tonality, lose the goofy grin and stop supplicating. He will no longer talk about politics, religion, death or anything serious from now on, his conversational bread and butter consists of a series of playful emotional and pseudo-spiritual bullshit non-sequiturs that girls will lap up. Around his buddies though he will talk about sensible things. He talks less when conversing with girls but physically escalates more. His mentor wings him well by taking his main cockblock threat away from him and the girl he likes. He will dump a girl mid-conversation if her logistics are beyond all hope bad or if she has a bf.

The protagonist realises that his complete lack of AA is a gift from the Gods. Combined with wholesale improvements to his game, frame and physique it will make him a force to be reckoned with. He starts slaying girls and expresses little remorse when their feelings are hurt because the girls can't get him to commit.

Episodes 5-12 general outline.

Post: #32

(10-28-2013 06:33 PM)Que enspastic Wrote:  In the next episode they should have him break down in despair and unleash his emotional pain in private. In the desolation of his own room he mans up finally, realising that he needs serious help, and googles "How to find a Mentor". The first thread that pops up in Google Search directs him to the Roosh V Forum where he stumbles across a guy who has never met that claims to have much better game than him. He meets this guy and as always he is awkward.

The guy though has sympathy for him, unlike the women he is accustomed to meeting. As a genuine mentor, he tells him in point form everything that is wrong with his game. He instructs the protagonist on refining key elements of his game: he needs to chill in set, hit the gym, stop hanging around losers, cultivate some better style, lower his voice tonality, lose the goofy grin and stop supplicating. He will no longer talk about politics, religion, death or anything serious from now on, his conversational bread and butter consists of a series of playful emotional and pseudo-spiritual bullshit non-sequiturs that girls will lap up. Around his buddies though he will talk about sensible things. He talks less when conversing with girls but physically escalates more. His mentor wings him well by taking his main cockblock threat away from him and the girl he likes. He will dump a girl mid-conversation if her logistics are beyond all hope bad or if she has a bf.

The protagonist realises that his complete lack of AA is a gift from the Gods. Combined with wholesale improvements to his game, frame and physique it will make him a force to be reckoned with. He starts slaying girls and expresses little remorse when their feelings are hurt because the girls can't get him to commit.

Post of the day.

Post: #33

Like Ryre said, this show isn't going anywhere and is getting stale after only 5 (!) episodes because it's all "How is Steve Merchant going to be a selfish jerk thiiiis time?" It's all about how he makes dumb, greedy mistakes and fucks it up for himself.

You know what would make the show interesting? Make the character likable and have him grow. There can still be tension without him being a jerk. In fact, there are so many "game moments" that would make a good episode, but still ultimately end in failure and keep him on the hunt.

- He does some inadvertant daygame at the supermarket. Makes some sort of goofy observational opener without getting a good look at her, the girl turns around and is actually cute. There's playful banter and he gets the number. Later, he agonizes with his assistant over how long to wait before texting him back. They text and set up a date. Except, he forgets to follow up and the girl flakes without explaining. He calls, no answer. Confused and upset, he goes back to his house, and he and his roommate have a conversation speculating on why a girl would flake with no explination.

- He tries out online dating, thinking he's about to "crack the code" and find a hot model to go out with. He sends a goofy but funny message to a girl, they converse online, and eventually set up a date. He shows up at the restaurant and, lo and behold, this noob got Secret Internet Fatty'd. He makes awkward conversation trying to think of a way to politely leave, but she keeps him locked in the conversation, and the waiter keeps reappearing just as he musters the courage to get up.

Post: #34

(10-15-2013 03:08 PM)Teedub Wrote:  Steve Merchant has trouble with women in real life. Despite being famous and tall.

So, basically this show is Steve Merchant's real life.

Post: #35

I had high hopes for this show. I enjoy it but so far it doesn't have enough depth and complexity for my taste. The jokes are good but I would like to see more jokes about red pill culture/society, etc.

Some backstory might help.

I like it and I wil still watch every episode, I was just hoping for a litte more social commentary and satire.

Steve, feel free to contact me to discuss.

I like "EastBound and Down" better right now. Its more layered and reaches deeper into the of question of modern masculinity in culture. I normally don't like to have ficticious idols but Kenny Powers motivates me.

Post: #36

this year's EB&D is the best. I laugh out loud many times per episode. Kenny has grown on me so much.

He's like if Homer Simpson wanted to be a alpha player. All Id and no Ego. just straight instinct vomit.

wrt to Hey Ladies, basically everyone here is right. 5 epi's and no growth. Lame. it just all be cringe humor...

but then again, the Office was. was there any growth on Ricky Gervais' character? I didn't watch enough to know.

Post: #37

(10-30-2013 02:51 PM)reaper23 Wrote:  but then again, the Office was. was there any growth on Ricky Gervais' character? I didn't watch enough to know.

The problem with that comparison is that the Office (the US version with Steve Carell) was a real comedy. There was some cringe humor and Michael's character never really grew but it was balanced because you have an ensemble cast and you can give the different characters their storylines.

With this show it's only 3 or 4 characters and the main character hogs most of the TV time and all we see with him is cringe humor. There is no yin to his yang. I feel like this show is stuck between trying to be a comedy or trying to portray a guy learning Game.

They should either go all in on the cringe humor and make it actually funny or show some growth and move in the direction in which we all thought it would. I have maybe laughed once or twice while watching the first 5 episodes. Unfunny cringe humor with no real growth or goals in mind for the character is garbage TV. I think this is all this show is going to be. Does anyone know if this has been renewed for a season 2 yet? I doubt it will.

Post: #38

(10-30-2013 02:51 PM)reaper23 Wrote:  but then again, the Office was. was there any growth on Ricky Gervais' character? I didn't watch enough to know.

watch the office christmas special. it caps the characters arcs pretty well. I refuse to spoil anything, but it gives the show the ending it deserves and wraps up all of the loose ends.

I like the christmas special for Extras even more though. Those are 2 of the best episodes of television you can find anywhere. Ricky Gervais has a great rant in the Extras christmas special.

Post: #39

(10-30-2013 02:35 PM)Giovonny Wrote:  I had high hopes for this show. I enjoy it but so far it doesn't have enough depth and complexity for my taste. The jokes are good but I would like to see more jokes about red pill culture/society, etc.

Some backstory might help.

I like it and I wil still watch every episode, I was just hoping for a litte more social commentary and satire.

Steve, feel free to contact me to discuss.

I like "EastBound and Down" better right now. Its more layered and reaches deeper into the of question of modern masculinity in culture. I normally don't like to have ficticious idols but Kenny Powers motivates me.

I'd imagine that they've already wrapped up production on all of this season's episodes, so I'm not sure how much more character development and backstory we'll get because I think there are only 3-4 episodes left.

Anyhow I think the show is pretty decent overall, I wouldn't say I love it, it's hilarious, or it's one of my favorites, but I enjoy watching it and find it to be entertaining.

While I agree with all the criticism I think ultimately what we got to remember is that it's a comedy, it's supposed to make us laugh, not to spread the red pill, or provide scathing social commentary. While the cringe humor does get kind of old, I do think the show is pretty funny overall and I have got some laughs out of every episode. Guys here on RVF are so deeply rooted in game and the red pill that we are disappointed when we don't see that in the characters, we want them to succeed and be able to identify with them.

If we're lucky we may get some glimpses of character development at the end of the season, kind of leaving us and the creators with more to work with and expand upon next season (if they even get one). I hope in the last couple episodes we get more back story and maybe see some shift in Merchant's character "Stuart" into more game and red pill thinking.

Post: #40

I'm sure Merchant's character will get with his tenant. Whether this season or next, we all know that will happen!

Post: #41

(10-30-2013 03:04 PM)TheSlayer Wrote:  The problem with that comparison is that the Office (the US version with Steve Carell) was a real comedy. There was some cringe humor and Michael's character never really grew but it was balanced because you have an ensemble cast and you can give the different characters their storylines.

With this show it's only 3 or 4 characters and the main character hogs most of the TV time and all we see with him is cringe humor. There is no yin to his yang. I feel like this show is stuck between trying to be a comedy or trying to portray a guy learning Game.

Michael from the Office and Stuart from Hello Ladies both do that goofy, socially tone-deaf humor. The difference is that Michael had a real human side too, mixed in with his goofiness. We see that he's really just a guy who wants people to like him, and at the end of the day he can occasionally act selfish, but he also actually cares about his workers. When Michael has a "coming out" day for Oscar and kisses him in front of the rest of the office, it's funny because of how cringeworthily socially incorrect the whole situation is, but we also understand that this is how Michael thinks that this is the best way to help Oscar. We actually see humanity in his funny mistakes.

Stuart is basically just an awkward jerk trying to get laid. He's just rude and shallow--even to his friends--in a very pathetic way. I can't sympathize with him much at all. I guess you're supposed to feel schadenfreude when he inevitably gets blown out, but his mistakes are so... dumb... that the "setup" feels cheap.

They should take this show in a more How I Met Your Mother direction. Mix the earnestness of Barney with some of the "funny patheticness" of Ted. Make some of his disappointments not result from his stupidity, but factors outside of his control or genuine moral issues. It'll allow his character to grow.

Post: #42

Variety calls this show an "ungainly" bird that doesn't "fly."

http://variety.com/2013/tv/reviews/tv-re...200615315/

Post: #43

Smoking "dap" and getting ready for "EastBound and Down" and "Hello Ladies"!

Post: #44

The writers clearly know something about game. In the last episode, they gave Glenn, the agent, a perfect reply to a "What are we?" question when his fuckbuddy Jessica sprang it on him.

Post: #45

(11-04-2013 10:53 PM)Bacchus Wrote:  The writers clearly know something about game. In the last episode, they gave Glenn, the agent, a perfect reply to a "What are we?" question when his fuckbuddy Jessica sprang it on him.

I thought last nights episode was pretty funny, although I was very baked while watching it. Merchant's character "Stuart" once again didn't show any growth, and once again had a lot of cringeworthy moments, when he acted like a completely emasculated bitch. Still in a context it was showing him in contrast to the guys he was hanging out with, more stereotypical masculine guys from Long Beach who were thuggish, buffed up, blue collar types.

I agree though, even though they aren't using Stuarts character as a "vehicle for game", they are portraying a lot of red pill reality. For example, Stuart's chubby beta happy go lucky friend Wade is all excited thinking he can save his marriage, he takes some bunk advice from Stuart's tenant Jessica, and ends up making a total ass of himself. Then he gets the knife in the heart when his wife says she wants a divorce. This is all true to life shit, not that we should feel bad for the guy, but it happens all the time.

Then what's even more red pill is that Jessica ends up fucking the player agent guy Glenn on Stuarts' bed, and then slickly changes the sheets before he comes home, and innocently says she wanted to "freshen them up." We all know Stuart wants to bang her, and dude would be pissed the fuck off if he found out she fucked some other dude on his bed. Yet in reality this is how it works, the alpha comes in and fucks the beta's girl on his very own bed, and the beta gets none. That's some pretty deep shit right there.

Post: #46

I haven't watched the last few episodes yet but if the show is following the model of the British "the Office", which Merchant helped create, I don't think his character is going to change much. He's oblivious and the foil for the show. That said, the other characters around him constantly demonstrate red pill principles. I think it's a very subversive way for the producers to introduce those concepts under the cover of making fun of a 'PUA' who doesn't get it.

Post: #47

(11-05-2013 06:36 AM)Ensam Wrote:  I haven't watched the last few episodes yet but if the show is following the model of the British "the Office", which Merchant helped create, I don't think his character is going to change much. He's oblivious and the foil for the show. That said, the other characters around him constantly demonstrate red pill principles. I think it's a very subversive way for the producers to introduce those concepts under the cover of making fun of a 'PUA' who doesn't get it.

The central character in The Office had a moment of self realization in the final episode (Xmas special) and redeemed himself. I expect Stuart to also 'redeem' himself and get with his tenant in a very 'happy', but ultimately blue pill moment. Whether it's this season or down the line.

Post: #48

This last long beach episode was funny as hell.

This show has definite potential.

Post: #49

Funniest was when Stuart and Glen were standing up in the limo singing Born to be Wild while the limo was slowly trying to do a 3 point turn on a narrow street.

Post: #50

This last long beach episode was funny as hell.

This show has definite potential.