Anyone interested in (re)watching Wiseguy?
October 21, 2015 8:38 AM - Subscribe
I just noticed that Wiseguy, the 1987-1990 crime drama, is streaming on Hulu. Alan Sepinwall described it as "a dark, moody, intelligent drama" that was "20 years ahead of its time" due to its then-groundbreakingly-lengthy story arcs, which allowed the show to develop richer villains than the typical case-of-the-week shows of the time. From what I've read, it seems like an important foundational show for modern TV, but it's been largely forgotten today. I think I'm going to watch it - would anybody else be interested in watching along with me?
I saw the first season on DVD, but that was almost 15 years ago, and I remember almost nothing about it, except for the fact that it was really good. So I'd be happy to do this either as a first watch or as a rewatch.
Here's a 2013 review which gets into why the show was important in the history of television: Kevin Spacey? Stanley Tucci? Jonathan Banks? All Roads Lead to ‘Wiseguy’: Stephen J. Cannell's 1980s crime show cast a long shadow thanks to talent and storytelling
(This show is also notable for being the reason Goodfellas was not titled Wise Guys - the show got to the title first!)
I saw the first season on DVD, but that was almost 15 years ago, and I remember almost nothing about it, except for the fact that it was really good. So I'd be happy to do this either as a first watch or as a rewatch.
Here's a 2013 review which gets into why the show was important in the history of television: Kevin Spacey? Stanley Tucci? Jonathan Banks? All Roads Lead to ‘Wiseguy’: Stephen J. Cannell's 1980s crime show cast a long shadow thanks to talent and storytelling
(This show is also notable for being the reason Goodfellas was not titled Wise Guys - the show got to the title first!)
I remember this show guest starring a younger Spacey. Worth doing it for Mel and his penchant for Malthus alone.
posted by clavdivs at 11:37 PM on October 21, 2015
posted by clavdivs at 11:37 PM on October 21, 2015
I actually picked this show back up from the archives maybe 6 months ago & watched somewhere into Mel's arc. If I had others to discuss it with I'd probably pick it back up. So that's a yes for me. The toes knows!
posted by scalefree at 5:07 AM on October 22, 2015
posted by scalefree at 5:07 AM on October 22, 2015
I vaguely remember this from back in the day. Bits and pieces. I remember it being amazing, but have no idea how well it will have held up. Wasn't Jerry Lewis the villain in a later season?
posted by Naberius at 6:19 AM on October 23, 2015
posted by Naberius at 6:19 AM on October 23, 2015
Ok, awesome - I'll put up a first post sometime next week!
We'll do it as a rewatch, but I'd prefer it if we kept the hugest spoilers like "here's how this arc ends" out of the comments.
What would be a good schedule for people? I wouldn't mind doing two episodes at a time, just because I tend to marathon, but I'm up for whatever people want to do.
posted by showbiz_liz at 7:37 AM on October 23, 2015
We'll do it as a rewatch, but I'd prefer it if we kept the hugest spoilers like "here's how this arc ends" out of the comments.
What would be a good schedule for people? I wouldn't mind doing two episodes at a time, just because I tend to marathon, but I'm up for whatever people want to do.
posted by showbiz_liz at 7:37 AM on October 23, 2015
Wasn't Jerry Lewis the villain in a later season?
He was in season 2 as a generally unsympathetic character, although not really the villain; that would have been Stanley Tucci.
I'd be good with two episodes at a time.
posted by holborne at 1:18 PM on October 23, 2015
He was in season 2 as a generally unsympathetic character, although not really the villain; that would have been Stanley Tucci.
I'd be good with two episodes at a time.
posted by holborne at 1:18 PM on October 23, 2015
I love that the only youtube comment on the S1 finale is a gripe about the soundtrack getting changed. It really is not the same!
posted by chaiminda at 7:35 AM on October 24, 2015
posted by chaiminda at 7:35 AM on October 24, 2015
Yeah, the "Nights in White Satin" thing was kinda excellent. They had a bunch of rights problems, apparently; they never put the whole Dead Dog records arc on DVD or streaming because they couldn't get the rights to any of the songs.
posted by holborne at 8:22 AM on October 26, 2015
posted by holborne at 8:22 AM on October 26, 2015
Looking over the cast for that arc it's really disappointing!
Tim Curry as Winston Newquay
Deborah Harry as Diana Price
Paul McCrane as Johnny Medley
posted by chaiminda at 11:18 AM on October 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
Tim Curry as Winston Newquay
Deborah Harry as Diana Price
Paul McCrane as Johnny Medley
posted by chaiminda at 11:18 AM on October 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm in. I don't remember the show but I'm always up for new finds on Hulu.
posted by Sheydem-tants at 3:26 PM on October 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Sheydem-tants at 3:26 PM on October 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Hey all, I haven't gotten around to watching the first episodes yet because work has been crazy - so if someone else has already seen it, please feel free to put the post up! I'll probably see it this weekend.
posted by showbiz_liz at 7:55 PM on October 29, 2015
posted by showbiz_liz at 7:55 PM on October 29, 2015
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posted by Iridic at 10:34 AM on October 21, 2015