'New Girl' - 'Pilot': Nobody puts Zooey in a corner!
What did everybody think of the new FOX sitcom?
Jess (Zooey Deschanel, right) gets dressed up with help from Cece (Hannah Simone) on "New Girl."
I posted my review of FOX's "New Girl" this morning. While some of you had already watched the pilot online, I'm sure others didn't see it until tonight, so now it's your turn. It seemed clear to me that reactions to the show will fall squarely in the area of "love Zooey, love her show" and vice versa, but I'm curious if that was actually the case. Did anyone go into "New Girl" predisposed to liking/hating her and come out feeling the opposite? Was the Douchebag Jar enough to redeem Schmidt? Will you be annoyed when Damon Wayans Jr. is gone next week?
Have at it.
News From Our Partners
-
Weekly Ketchup: Will Smith to Star in Wild Bunch Remake?
Critics Consensus: Star Trek Into Darkness is Certified Fresh
Red Carpet Roundup: Star Trek Into Darkness Edition
-
The Telefile - The Most Heinous Person on Reality TV This Week
The Telefile - Modern Family: The Best Lines of the Night
The Telefile - Fall TV 2013: What's On When
-
Kelly Rowland Close to Signing 'X Factor' Deal
Kendall Schmidt of Big Time Rush Loses $7,000 Worth of Gifts for Fans [Video]
Kanye West to Drop New Album 'Yeezus' on June 18
-
The 'Doctors' Unite
'We Are Men' In 4 Words
MTV Legend Recalls Heavy Metal Frontman's Anti-Gay T-Shirt Controversy
-
Beyonce Pregnant Again? Sources Confirm 'Epic' Star Is Carrying Baby No. 2
'Hangover 3' Red Band Trailer: Take a Walk Down a NSFW Memory Lane (VIDEO)
Why 'Man of Steel' Didn't Use 'Superman' in the Title
-
'Anchorman 2' Trailer Had Us At 'Hello': Watch Now!
Fiery 'Star Trek Into Darkness' Scene Hurt The Most: Ouch!
How Far Will 'Star Trek Into Darkness' Boldly Go At Box Office?
-
The Wrap Up: Remember 'The Office' With the Ultimate Blooper Reel
The Sims 3: Island Paradise's Producer Walkthrough Shows Us the Finer Points of Tropical Life
'Man of Steel' Featurette: Reinventing Superman
-
Cannes Film Festival: Cannes 2013, Day Three: Cheers for the young stars of The Selfish Giant, jeers for the new films by Hirokazu Kore-eda and Arnaud Desplechin
Hear This: Destroy This Place shows how press releases can get it right
Watch This: With Beavis And Butt-head Do America, Mike Judge skewered the idiocy of cinematic adventures
Get Instant Alerts on What's Alan Watching
Latest Posts
-
Promising pilots, puzzling scheduling moves and moreSunday, May 19, 2013
-
The Doctor uncovers Clara's secret and comes face-to-face with a surprising figureSaturday, May 18, 2013
-
Dan and Alan also discuss the recent finales of 'Survivor' and 'The Amazing Race'Friday, May 17, 2013
-
Dwight gets married and the staff revisits the documentary in a lovely farewellThursday, May 16, 2013


Comments
Option 1
Comment instantly as a guest GuestOption 2
Option 3
Login or create a HitFix account Login Signup- 1
- 2
Next 61 CommentsChaCha
September 20, 2011 at 9:42PM EST Reply to CommentI am not a fan of Zoey's adorable schtick so I went into this prepared to find the twee grating. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find this not hateful at all. Hoping to be surprised with Whitney, too, but less optimistic. (I loved Coach. He will be missed.)
gladly Ditto. I'm not a Zoey fan myself, but she's quite charming, and I liked the whole cast. The only reason why I won't miss Coach is that I really like him on "Happy Endings."
September 20, 2011 at 9:47PM ESTJames I agree completely with CHACHA. I'm not a fan of Zooey but she was very funny here. I also liked Schmidt alot (this was the first think I've seen that actor in since Veronica Mars). I did think Coach was the best character, and I'm not sure how they'll replace him. But I'm willing to give it several more episodes.
September 20, 2011 at 10:14PM ESTJohn
September 20, 2011 at 9:47PM EST Reply to CommentI felt the best part of the show was the chemistry between Zooey and the three guys, even more than Zooey herself (who I seem to be one of the rare "moderates" on). Very tough for a pilot. The worst was Zooey's model friend. That scene between her and the guys was terrible and cliche.
DBag Jar was OK. but I think the better way to do Schmidt who I've liked since Ugly Betty would be to play out the idea they hinted at in the pilot that he works with women all the time. But currently in his suit he seems too much like a Barney knock off.
Jon
September 20, 2011 at 9:48PM EST Reply to CommentWayans was the best part of show....hes gone?
He plays practically the same character in Happy Endings
September 22, 2011 at 7:04PM ESTocrasaroon "He plays practically the same character in Happy Endings"
December 15, 2011 at 5:35AM ESTCommenting from the future just to point out how ludicrous this statement is.
Nathan
September 20, 2011 at 9:48PM EST Reply to CommentIt didn't feel like a pilot, it felt like I knew these characters instantaneously. Yes, I love Jess' character but the guys had a great rapport with Jess and each other. I recorded it as a one and done, just to get a feel for it. Halfway through the show, it became a series recording.
Miller
September 20, 2011 at 9:50PM EST Reply to CommentSee, I like Zooey, but I kind of hated the show.
kronicfatigue Me too. It felt like they took her highlight reel and then tried to crowbar all of it into one episode. But each take was "no, give me more. take it up a notch". The version we got was mentally ill.
September 21, 2011 at 12:37AM ESTDanie I agree. Really like Zooey, but the show was just stupid.
September 21, 2011 at 6:59AM ESTKristen
September 20, 2011 at 9:52PM EST Reply to CommentI liked it. I like her, but I don't love her, and I was prepared to be slightly annoyed.
Not a big fan of the singing to herself thing--that can get annoying fast. At the same time, I actually laughed out loud at the guys singing to her at the end.
To that point, I thought that the chemistry between the three guys and, to some degree, Jess, is really the selling point of the show. I loved the douchebag jar, I liked the way the guys talked to one another, and I liked the way that she annoyed them. I'm really disappointed to hear that Wayans won't be around. Happy Endings? Really?
I'll be back. The only other comedy I've watched so far is 2 Broke Girls, and that one...well, not so sure I'll be back for that thing.
Mattk
September 20, 2011 at 9:53PM EST Reply to CommentI thought it was okay, there were moments when it seemed good (Douche jar) but Zooey was a little over the top. Which I assume will change once she settles in.
I liked Happy Endings more so I'm glad to have Damon Wayans Jr choose that.
Matt
September 20, 2011 at 10:02PM EST Reply to CommentI usually agree with your opinions on shows, but I so vehemently disagree I am making my first ever comment. I love Zooey, but this was so unrealistic and over the top that it ruined any comedic potential. All three guys were terribly acted and every joke was obvious. The "douchebag" guy is a nice idea except the actor is miscast and is trying way too hard without being able to actually pull it off. The writers seemed to base every scene on the premise of "wouldn't it be funny if..." regardless of whether or not the end to that line made any sense in a real world setting. The only funny scenes were when they tried to make her feel better after she's was crying and the final dinner scene. Other than that i can honestly say I hated most of it. i watched it with ten other friends of both sexes and all of us agreed it ranged from very bad to horrible. The only person who liked it was my 55 year old mom (which I doubt is their target demo). FOX completely missed the mark with the writing and casting of the guys, and only a strong Zooey bias oblivious to the other aspects could make anyone feel differently.
PM
September 20, 2011 at 10:11PM EST Reply to CommentI love Zooey, hated this show. I actually like the supporting actors, mainly Jake Johnson, but boy, the writing on this series is absolutely atrocious.
The jokes are just not funny. The characters are all cardboard cutouts and it's just insulting. You can already see the inevitable will they-won't they being telegraphed between Zooey-Jake Johnson and it's just terrible.
I disagree with your review, Alan, the only thing more annoying than the dbag character is the dbag jar. If the friends were so consciously aware of this guy being a dbag, they wouldn't be friends with him, simple as that.
I really can't fathom how this is getting positive reviews.
I do like Zooey less as a result of this because it feels like she just took this role because it allows her to sing and it gives her an easier and more flexible schedule. I can't imagine she truly believes that this script was any good. The very few good moments in the pilot are as a result of zooey, but it would be nice if she didn't have to dial it up to 11 at all times to compensate for the awful script.
If they axe Liz Meriwether and bring in a new showrunner/head writer, I'll give it a shot. Until then, won't be tuning back in for this one.
John I think the DBag Jar works because it solves the why are these guys friends with... problem (always an issue). The Jar turns Schmidt from a dbag to a basically good guy who says DBag things.
September 20, 2011 at 10:36PM ESTAnthony Foglia I'm fine with Schmidt, for now. He doesn't come off as a DBag for two reasons: The jar, and the fact that the actor is always smiling and delivering lines like "I can't believe I'M ON TV!". I've only seen him on "Veronica Mars", but it was annoying then. It defangs Schmidty's douchieness now, but it doesn't bode well for any character growth a few seasons from now.
September 21, 2011 at 9:26AM ESTTom
September 20, 2011 at 10:37PM EST Reply to CommentWhat an annoying show. Manic Pixie Dream Girl meets glib pop-culture faux-hipsterness. What is it about broadcast TV that undermines comedy? This show appear to be written by committee - a committee of writers who couldn't get hired on "Archer" or (even) "The League."
Blech.
She's NOT a Manic Pixie Dream Girl.
September 20, 2011 at 10:45PM EST-Daniel
tom I don't really want to get into a Talmudic argument over the definition of MPDG, especially based only on the evidence of this pilot...but The New Girl is bubbly. She's shallow. She exists only in relation to the men in her life. And by God, I bet she's going to teach those men a few lessons about Life and Love.
September 20, 2011 at 10:59PM ESTIf she's not the MPGD descended to broadcast TV, she'll do till the real thing comes along.
No. She's the focus of the show and the focus of a show created by a female writer. *She* is the one who needs repairing and the men, in fact, are there as projections of the absence in HER life, not the other way around. And sure she's going to teach them lessons eventually, but in the structure of the pilot, who is the one perceived to need fixing? It's not them. It's her. It's a complete and total inversion of the MPDG formula. I'm happy to get Talmudic on this and I'd go to Nathaniel Rabin for the last word on this in a flash.
September 20, 2011 at 11:37PM EST-Daniel
Tedd Well said, Mr. Fienberg.
September 21, 2011 at 12:16AM ESTLaura Please. If ever there was a MPDG, it's Jess. Besides the crying on the couch after a break up , she really doesn't seem that damaged. Her breakup was just the vehicle to get her into an apartment full of me in need of her fixing. The guy with the ex is waaaay more messed up than she is. And we have the dbag, and coach who doesn't know how to act around women. This is a perfect setting for a MPDG. Think of it as 3 rom coms rolled into 1.
September 21, 2011 at 8:26AM ESTchudleycannonfodder Also, Archer for the most part only has one writer, so a committee probably wouldn't be accepted because they don't need it (and it's a bit expensive). Same with The League, although that's a husband-wife writing team.
September 21, 2011 at 10:19AM ESTtom @ Daniel. Wow. So the main arc of this series is going to be how those men "repair" The New Girl? We shall see. Or, rather, others shall see as I don't plan on watching future episodes.
September 21, 2011 at 3:54PM EST@chudleycannonfodder. That was the point I was trying to make. Maybe "The New Girl"represents the unique creative vision of an individual talent, like "Archer," etc., but it sure didn't feel like it.
Graham Woah she's a MPDG because of the scene where she was crying on the couch? To quote Indigo Montoya "I do not think that means what you think it means." Jess is no one's "dream girl" in the context of the show and isn't really all that manic. So I guess you're left with "pixie" which kind of works I suppose. I feel like this is going to happen in every role Deschanel takes for at least the next 10 years; everyone will feel the need to scream bloody MPDG. Seriously, you may not like her character's "quirkiness", that's fine. However quirkiness=/=MPDG. they are very different. Anyway, I enjoyed the pilot and will gladly be back next week.
September 21, 2011 at 6:17PM ESTLiz
September 20, 2011 at 10:39PM EST Reply to CommentI had read mixed reviews about this show and gave it a chance based upon your recommendation. I really enjoyed it, but, then again, I also like Zoey. I will be interested to see how the show changes without Daman Wayans as all of these actors seemed to have really good chemistry. I will definitely be tuning in again.
Liz
September 20, 2011 at 10:41PM EST Reply to CommentI was on the fence about this show and then watched it based upon your recommendation. I really enjoyed it, but I also love Zoey so it wasn't too hard of a sell. The actors all had great chemistry so it will be interesting to see how it works out next week when Damon Wayans is gone.
mgdunn
September 20, 2011 at 10:46PM EST Reply to CommentDefinitely enjoyed the pilot. The loss of Wayans is definitely a huge hit but I am glad he'll be back on Happy Endings. I was one of the people who also didn't go to camp, but I definitely enjoyed the pilot; much more so than the pilot of 2 Broke Girls and Up All Night which I feel are the only new comedies that seem to even have potential.
Looking forward to a second episode, which is more than I can say for any new show on fox in a while.
Ajm262
September 20, 2011 at 11:12PM EST Reply to CommentThe d-bag jar is going into effect in my office tomorrow. No joke.
kronicfatigue How did this work out for you? Did you have to run it by HR? Were any coworkers offended when you called them db's and asked them to contribute a dollar? How does the money get spent?
September 21, 2011 at 2:21PM ESTDon Eladio
September 20, 2011 at 11:49PM EST Reply to CommentDon't have strong feelings one way or the other on Zooey, but I like Damon Wayans Jr. Without him, I probably won't be watching.
Tedd
September 21, 2011 at 12:21AM EST Reply to CommentGenerally like Zooey, and mildly liked the pilot. Not sure how long I'm going to stick with it. I do think Wayans Jr. will be missed; he was really funny in his very limited role. Of course, we don't know how the replacement will be yet, so probably too early to say.
Was I the only one who thought that Schmidt was going to be revealed to be gay? For about half the pilot I was assuming that the douchiness was him just instantly being comfortable around Jess, especially the scene where he takes off his shirt. Boy was I wrong. Kinda wish I wasn't though, jar aside.
UnpluggedCrazy
September 21, 2011 at 12:32AM EST Reply to CommentZooey is pretty much the only reason to watch this show, at least based on the pilot. She is beautiful, hilarious, charming, etc. The guys are pretty blah. I'm glad Wayans is out, as he was one of the weakest parts of the pilot. I hope it improves as it goes forward.
UnpluggedCrazy Okay, reading the other comments, it's kind of amazing how many people apparently loved Wayans. Like, seriously.
September 21, 2011 at 12:32AM ESTDan
September 21, 2011 at 12:39AM EST Reply to CommentI like Zoey Deschanel, I liked the pilot. I'm not quite sure what direction they're going to take the show yet. It almost seemed to me like a better movie concept where she hooks up with the guy who also got dumped at the end of a quirky rom com. Having said that, I do plan on watching again next week to see what direction they go.
dead souls
September 21, 2011 at 12:40AM EST Reply to CommentI barely made it through the cold open and then I bailed. What I saw was awful.
amg
September 21, 2011 at 1:00AM EST Reply to CommentOnly saw the second half as I forgot to set the DVR, but I liked it more than I thought. Nice easy dynamic to the group, it was sweet and didn't feel forced. Reminded me of My Boys. Liked the characters as seemingly real people. Wayans was great--its a bummer he can't stick around. In a nutshell? "Streets ahead" of 2 broke girls. =)
toonsterwu
September 21, 2011 at 1:31AM EST Reply to CommentI like Zooey Deschanel, but a lot of the quirks felt ... forced after awhile.
This show sort of reminds me of Cougar Town in this - Cougar Town started as a vehicle for Courtney Cox, with occasional side stories, but it developed into an ensemble comedy that really works for me, with nice little touches that show what a "modern family" is about. I think this show can make a similar transition, but if it focuses on being a Zooey vehicle, I think it will struggle, and the quirks will start to grate at your nerves after awhile.
I really enjoyed the Jake Johnson character. I forget the name right now, but I thought he was an interesting guy, and a lot could be down. The 'douchebag' thing for the Max Greenfield character ... sounds like it could be funny for awhile, but ... it might be annoying after awhile as well. Shame Damon Wayans Jr. couldn't stick around. I like him in Happy Endings, but he looked to have better potential here, IMO. The "Stop It" gag, and working with him learning to communicate with women ... that sounded like it had potential.
Anyhow, I'll watch, but I hope they make the transition to being more of an ensemble than a Zooey and Co. vehicle.
As a side note, they need to do more with her model friend. There's some potential there for "modeling" comedy, but also a touch of Zooey grounding her friend in reality storylines, which would be an interesting contrast to the Jess character, since she is often in dreamland herself.
toonsterwu as a side note, i agree with the comment above that the best way to play the Schmidt character may be to continue to develop the story of him working with women all the time. That could be fun ... and explain some of his "douchebag" moments.
September 21, 2011 at 1:36AM ESTCol Bat Guano
September 21, 2011 at 3:04AM EST Reply to CommentI liked it more than I expected. Zoey only veered over the edge into twee a couple of times and I liked the three guys. Pleasantly surprised.
par
September 21, 2011 at 3:26AM EST Reply to CommentI was really looking forward to this, given my love for Zooey and all the positive reviews...
Didn't laugh once. Cringed several times, especially at "I fell off my heels" and the overlong final singing scene in the restaurant. Only character I found interesting was Coach, so that doesn't bode well for next week.
I'm kind of gobsmacked by how much I didn't like it.
Jason
September 21, 2011 at 3:31AM EST Reply to CommentThere's promise here, but if this is one of the best new comedies/critics' choice, then there's an awful lot of dreck.
Part of me wondered if the writers were making a sly acknowledgement by having Jess cite 2 film tropes (girl in horror movie check basement while dressed in her underwear, and the stripper/hooker with a heart of gold) when Jess herself is a trope (the manic pixie dream girl).
I nearly screamed out "BREAKFAST CLUB!" when she came out dressed in her model friend's little black dress, as it reminded me so strongly of Molly Ringwald's makeover of Ally Sheedy.
Even with the "self-awareness" of the "douchebag jar," Schmidt is going to get really annoying, really fast. Wiki says this going to be a running gag? If so, then I might give up on it immediately. (and following on from last night's "2 Broke Girls," apparently the theme for the new female-centered comedies is going to be dudes taking off their shirt in front of Our Heroine).
Zooey does have a nice voice, but too much breaking out into song is going to make this a twee Glee.
The flashback cutaways were a bit jarring. (and I say that even as a fan of Scrubs and its frequent cutaways into J.D.'s fantasy world)
I hope they figure out how to keep Mary Elizabeth Ellis around. I love her in Always Sunny, and she kept me watching Perfect Couples.
Overall, there's some material to work with here, but I don't see it running longer than 2 or 3 seasons.
Ptid
September 21, 2011 at 3:35AM EST Reply to CommentWell, I LOVE Zooey Deschannel, but watching the trailer made me sick, so I'm not even watching the show... (yes, it amazes myself too...)
natx
September 21, 2011 at 3:41AM EST Reply to CommentI kike zooey and i liked her in this show, but i agee with a lot of comments here that her rapore with the roomates is the key and its off to a good start. Having been in a few situations where there was one female in a house of dudes, there needs to be a good balance between a woman who is comfortable being one of the guys but also being secure enough to act "girly" around them too...and its also true with the vice versa for the guys. I think they have that here.
Damon wayans is actually because he's good at straddling that line. Its why i also like his character on happy endings. So i'll be curious if the new guy can pull that off. If he's too macho it wont work.
natx
September 21, 2011 at 3:43AM EST Reply to CommentQuestion alan.
I really like damon wayans jr on this show, but i also like him on happy endings. If happy endings flops and gets cancelled, and new girl is on bubble would they/could they ever put wayans back in?
Anthony Foglia There's no reason they couldn't, but it's very unlikely. You're talking about firing the replacement, and unless he's really bad, yet somehow got through the casting process, they'll stick with what they got.
September 21, 2011 at 9:34AM ESTThese casting issues come up a few times every year, but usually the pilot isn't picked up, or the old show is canceled, or the pilot is reshot with the replacement. I can't remember a case where a character was written out after the pilot yet came back later.
klg19
September 21, 2011 at 8:25AM EST Reply to CommentI didn't have much of an opinion on Deschanel one way or another, actually. But I was curious about the show, so I watched it, and I laughed out loud several times. It wasn't perfect--there were some obvious jokes--but I just enjoyed it. Coach was fun, but his absence won't be a deal-breaker for me.
The model friend was the weak link for me. One, she didn't look like a model. Two, we didn't see any actual basis for her devotion to Jess. But, you now, pilots need to cram a lot into them, and we'll see.
bybrandy
September 21, 2011 at 8:26AM EST Reply to CommentI like Zooey but thought the show was boring and unfunny. I'll give it a couple of episodes to find it's footing but so far it is kind of meh.
Jon88
September 21, 2011 at 9:09AM EST Reply to CommentI'm sort of in-between. Some laughs, some cringes. I just wish you'd stop shouting "Fox."
- 1
- 2
Next 61 Comments