And yet, the people who've actually seen finished episodes seem to think it's at least fitfully funny. Would people be less appalled if it weren't about Sigfried & Roy's animals specifically, but instead took place in some random, nameless zoo?
Probably, but from some of the early reviews, the best bits have been with Sigfried and Roy.
I know I've always been more intrigued about this show because it happens to be focused around S&R's show and tigers. A random animal show wouldn't have the same affect.
The Houston Chronicle critic gave this a very good review this morning. I'll give it a try via TiVo.
On the whole Siegfried & Roy deal (at least what I've read)... The show was in development (with S&R's cooperation) for some time before Roy's accident. After the mauling, the producers' impulse was to pull the plug on the show, but apparently Roy Horn convinced them to go ahead. Apparently he & Siegfried love the show.
The NY Times today had an article about how new shows that are heavily promoted during the Olympics typically have great ratings the first episode or two, and then die a quick death.
I saw an extended preview of the show last month at a movie theater. IMHO, it had the Hindenburg meets the Titanic written all over it. About half the preview was just people saying that it was made by the makers of "Shrek." As the Times also noted, the humor seemed to be trying so hard to appeal to everyone that there is no target audience. "The characters are cute and cuddly, but it's not a family show. And the humor is not quie sharp enough to be a satirical show."
Hmm... Given that this thing was in development (and maybe production) two years ago, before the mauling, was it a "bad idea" then, or did it retroactively become one?
Well it wasn't anything to write home about but it had some funny moments. Sigfreid and the monkey was hilarious and so was Carl Reiner. "This whole race is mishuga"
Pretty bland and blandly pretty. There were a few semi- funny moments (usually due to S&R) but you would think they'd have used a better script before comitting 9 months to something so mediocre. As for the look of the show; the backgrounds look really nice but the character design is plain ugly. Sure they're animated nicely and their fur looks realistic but it seems like they just went to the nearest carnival and looked at stuffed animals and just said, "that'll do". I'll give it another shot, the Donkey cameo at least looks funny.
That is exactly what my wife and I said to each other last night. I don't think the show will last the whole season.
And what exactly was the cat doing to the father lion when he said, "Hey, your wife isn't doing it. I'm all you got." Surely, that can't be as raunchy as I'm thinking it was, can it? :b