New Girl

Uncarved · Oct 4, 2011

Apologies if there is a thread already, didn't see it and I did search for one.

So.... thoughts? hopes?

I loves me some Zooey so I was thrilled at the thought of it. Been getting good reviews. I like her zaniness.

Maryn · Oct 4, 2011

It's been getting a huge publicity push. I watched the first one, since I like her, and was not impressed. But hey, it's hard to present your basic situation and introduce all the supporting players and their interrelationships and all, so we watched it the second week, too.

And her adorable cuteness is not enough. Her zaniness cannot save it. She deserves a much better vehicle than this.

Maryn, who wanted to like it but won't watch it again

CrastersBabies · Oct 4, 2011

I watched the first two then deleted it from my DVR schedule. I could not get into it. You pretty much see all the funny parts from the pilot in the commercials/trailers.

Maryn · Oct 4, 2011

So, let's discuss what it is about it that doesn't work. Hell, this could even help with writing.

I'll start. I've seen her interviewed and she's smart and funny, with an off-center sense of humor which is part of her charm. But her character seems desperate, pathetic, a weirdo loser whose behavior might only be tolerated because she's cute and all her roomies hope to have sex with her, whether they admit it or not. The zany charm she has is absent from the script. If I worked with her, or had her in my social circle, I'd be keeping my distance.

Maryn, sure the world doesn't need more loons

Uncarved · Oct 4, 2011

I'd like to see her being written more like the character she played in "Yes Man".

That being said. When she played Brennan's cousin in Bones, I adored it and wanted her to somehow become a recurring cast member. (Temperance Brennan is a character Zooey's real life sister Emily plays in Bones for those that may not watch Bones)

Maryn · Oct 4, 2011

I didn't see Yes Man, but I liked the guest shot on Bones, too, although I thought they made too much of the familial resemblance, which is present but isn't nearly as strong as it was scripted to seem.

So what can they do to fix New Girl?

Maryn, curious what people think

Uncarved · Oct 4, 2011

Don't make her a laughing stock of herself. There is a difference between witty writing and writing something that makes fun of the character. She's clueless, a little wacky, and sad. Fine, we get that. But right now she is coming across as having no redeeming qualities and nothing but a huge drain on the roomies. Give her more than an underwear model best friend (who really seems a bit far fetched to be hanging with Jess, just saying)

I'd tell them to let Zooey ad lib and do the character her way and see how it goes. Right now the writing is going to tank it.

mulcahy67 · Oct 4, 2011

not a fan of the show. the writing seems off. i mean, i know its supposed to be awkward funny, but everything just seems awkward. and i don't really care for her character. shes just looney, but not really loveable looney.

and this is insane, because i've loved zooey in everything she's done.

but the show outdrew glee in its premiere week, which is unprecedented, and its already renewed for a second season, so whatevs. i won't be following though.

K. Taylor · Oct 4, 2011

Show got picked up for a full 24 eps.

We like it, especially the mister. Zooey's his type and he adores her, and he's nearly laughing out of his chair so far.

CrastersBabies · Oct 4, 2011

It's too aware of its own quirkiness if that makes sense. I think she is an okay character and maybe she will grow in her role.

It's actually the supporting characters that really are not working for me, except for the one guy who is still trying to get over his ex. I liked him. The other two seem either 2-dimensional or over-the-top.

It's just not clicking with me. I'm a very tough sell on sitcoms/comedies. Very tough. I cannot remember the last time I watched a comedy on television on a regular basis (besides stuff like Weeds or Hung or something on a non-network channel).

Jehhillenberg · Oct 4, 2011

I actually like the supporting guy characters; they balance things out. Zooey can come off as over quirky (over the top) but the guy's quirks bring it back down a notch. If that makes sense. Oy.

Uncarved · Oct 5, 2011

Last night's episode didn't suck as bad it seemed for me.
Maybe I was high.

K. Taylor · Oct 5, 2011

Something about the line "It was like having a hot drunk cat" put me in stitches last night. Craziest stuff happens at weddings, lol....

I loved Jess cutting her shapewear off in the bathroom.

JohnnyGottaKeyboard · Oct 5, 2011

I actually wasn't even planning to watch this show but it turns out I quite like it. The pilot was a pilot (and didn't even have the regular cast) and the second ep was better but a bit weak (loved the wizard), but the first ten minutes tonight (10/4) had me laughing nearly nonstop.

CaroGirl · Oct 5, 2011

I like it and will continue to watch. I want to see them develop the relationship between Jess and Nick because there's clearly a spark there that can ignite if/when they ever get over their exes.

It's a shame they didn't keep Wayans in the Coach role. I thought he brought a great dynamic to the ensemble cast.

Last night's episode had me laughing out loud. Love wedding humour. And I think the characters are beginning to settle into their roles.

katiemac · Oct 5, 2011

CaroGirl said:
It's a shame they didn't keep Wayans in the Coach role. I thought he brought a great dynamic to the ensemble cast.

He left--he is lead cast on another show. He did New Girl as back-up if the other didn't get picked up for a second season.

CaroGirl · Oct 5, 2011

katiemac said:
He left--he is lead cast on another show. He did New Girl as back-up if the other didn't get picked up for a second season.

Yes. Still a shame, though. I liked him better in the role than his replacement.

Satori1977 · Oct 5, 2011

I am watching this. It is cute, and has its moments. But one moment it is fun and quirky, the next minute annoying. I love Zooey as an actress, but they are overdoing it with her character.

And I was wondering about the guy that played Coach. I liked his character, and then he wasn't there. Don't like the guy that replacd him.

CrastersBabies · Oct 5, 2011

Darnit. Now I'll have to find a way to check out the 3rd episode with people saying it was better than the first two. Hrrm....

KimJo · Oct 5, 2011

I watched the first two episodes of this show hoping to enjoy it, but it bugs me. Zooey's character reminds me too much of myself--in the bad ways. She's doing all the things that people have told me I shouldn't do because it's annoying. (I'm socially awkward to the point of having had a psychiatrist tell me I'm probably on the autism spectrum.) And watching her, I can see why those things would annoy people! Plus the pilot and last week's episode both seemed to be: Jess is sad. Jess does looney/zany/annoying things. Jess bugs her roommates (except for Schmidt, and I can't figure out why he likes her). Jess gets into a crappy situation. Jess's roommates decide they care about her after all and ride to her rescue.

I didn't bother watching last night, so I don't know if that was the situation or not. I saw a few bits and pieces, but gave up when Nick and Caroline wandered off for a drink.

Jehhillenberg · Oct 5, 2011

katiemac said:
He left--he is lead cast on another show. He did New Girl as back-up if the other didn't get picked up for a second season.

Ahh, that's what I figured. "Happy Endings."

K. Taylor · Oct 5, 2011

Kristin was asked at E! about it:

We're told the door is always open for Damon Wayans Jr. to return to Zooey & Co., but the show has filmed eight episodes so far and he has yet to appear. He's pretty busy being awesome (and twirling) on his equally as awesome comedy Happy Endings.

katiemac · Oct 5, 2011

I thought this was an interesting read on EW, which makes the case that it's not just her personality that gives this show issues, but the boys' responses to her personality.

I realize in three episodes they're still getting to know each other, but if they can move everyone's relationships beyond "Jess is awkward, guys" into "quirky surrogate family unit" (think How I Met Your Mother) then I think the show could work much better.

cornie · Oct 17, 2011

I usually don't go in for sitcoms, but ever since How I Met Your Mother blew me away, I've been giving sitcoms a chance. And out of all the new sitcoms coming out this year, New Girl has been my absolute favorite. All of the episodes have had me laughing, and that's not an easy feat.

I'm shocked that so many people dislike this show. But I've come to accept that my humor does not always align with the general viewing public. Alas! I just hope it doesn't get canceled.

Jehhillenberg · Nov 1, 2011

I'm looking forward to New Girl's return tonight. Last episode was a really good one.

New Girl

I aim to misbehave

I Tried

Burninator!

I Tried

I aim to misbehave

I Tried

I aim to misbehave

Got the hang of it, here

Bah Humbug

Burninator!

N/A

I aim to misbehave

Bah Humbug

Who let this guy in...?

Living the dream

Five by Five

Living the dream

Listening to the Voices In My Head

Burninator!

Outside the box, with the werewolves

N/A

Bah Humbug

Five by Five

I'm a sucker for love stories.

N/A