The TV Set
A Place Where Dreams Are Cancelled.
A hair-raising comedy of art and compromise, "The TV Set" follows an idealistic writer (Duchovny) as he tries to navigate his TV pilot down the mine-laden path from script through production to the madness of prime-time scheduling - all while trying to stay true to his vision. Along the way he has to juggle the agendas of a headstrong network president (Weaver), volatile young stars, a pregnant wife and an ever-optimistic personal manager.
Member Reviews
Been There Done That - Mookie
Hollywood trying to do a comedy about itself rarely works and this movie is a perfect example WHY it doesn't work. All of the parts of the movie feel real and the message here is an honest one (artist's vision gets watered down by idiots; TV sucks because it has to be approved by idiots before it gets on the air)but the problem is that this message is delivered in a very flat way, very heavy handed. Every "joke" is telegraphed a mile away. Oh, two actors up for the part and one the writer loves and one he hates...I wonder who will get the part? Two versions of the pilot, one that the writer tried to butcher because he hates it - I wonder which one will get picked? It would have been better just to hear Jupp Aptow do an hour interview about his adventures (in real life) of Hollywood. There is nothing "bad" about this movie it just is boring and flat and not really worth anybody's time. Larry Sanders and Extras proved you can have an amazing comedy of behind the scenes in Hollywood/TV but you have to have more of a vision than "let's make fun of the stupid things that happen". BTW Swimming with Sharks is a pretty good movie about it as well. So this is one of those comedies that doesn't make me laugh or crack a smile. It's like making a comedy of bad drivers and having a film about people cutting people off. Yes, we know that happens...so?Captures the industry terrificly - xYJx
Industry writers could find this gem appealing, as it tackles with many characters and a situations that they face, without the film coming across jaded or absurd. Sure the stakes have been raised to fit a broader audience, however, the film humanizes industry insiders, which makes for a warm-hearted (although very dry) comedy.
If you're a fan of dry humor, pick this up. If you are an industry writer, you will definitely find this intriguing.From the guy that brought you Knocked Up, Superbad - eoguy
This is an undiscovered little gem that deserves a place in your queue, and it's selling hook is that it was produced by Judd Apatow, the guy behind Knocked Up, Superbad and Freaks and Geeks. However, it is being poorly marketed as a hilarious comedy when it is really an intelligent and witty light drama with a good point to make about how TV shows are "dumbed down" for a mass audience. Everyone in the cast does a great job and the story is completely believable. The movie is barely 90 minutes long which is another smart decision when you know exactly how to say everything you want to say. Don't shut it off when the end credits start rolling - there is one last surprise.
Member Reviews
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Been There Done That - Mookie
Hollywood trying to do a comedy about itself rarely works and this movie is a perfect example WHY it doesn't work. All of the parts of the movie feel real and the message here is an honest one (artist's vision gets watered down by idiots; TV sucks because ...Captures the industry terrificly - xYJx
Industry writers could find this gem appealing, as it tackles with many characters and a situations that they face, without the film coming across jaded or absurd. Sure the stakes have been raised to fit a broader audience, however, the film humanizes industry ...From the guy that brought you Knocked Up, Superbad - eoguy
This is an undiscovered little gem that deserves a place in your queue, and it's selling hook is that it was produced by Judd Apatow, the guy behind Knocked Up, Superbad and Freaks and Geeks. However, it is being poorly marketed as a hilarious comedy when ...