The Awesomes: All Name, No Game
During the taping of Episode 94 (available on 8/2/13), I had given an honorable mention to “The Awesomes”, a new animated comedy available exclusively on Hulu, and created by Seth Meyers, as the two-part pilot was released today, and, in doing so, gave a skeptical review based on the trailers I had seen.
I was right (so far).
I watched the two twenty minute episodes last night, and again this morning for review, and there was little-to-no draw for me to invest any additional time in the program at all. The animation lacks style beyond Flash-based shorts, the plot is predictable, and the writing left out that whole comedy thing.
I’m really making an effort not to write off the show completely, as I am a big supporter of original content for streaming services, but there are no visible saving graces to even entice me to give “The Awesomes” another shot. The cast is comprised of NBC (primarily “Saturday Night Live”) talent, including Meyers, Rachel Dratch, Bill Hader, Rashida Jones, Taran Killam, Kenan Thompson, and others, but the voice acting sounds like … well, it sounds like those actors reading lines (with Hader as the exception) versus voice acting.
It’s also unfortunate that the premise is also mismanaged, where utilization of super powers lacks originality, creativity, and, essentially, necessity. Meyers’ character, Jeremy “Prock” Awesome, has the ability to freeze time, a la Zach Morris’ “Time Out” power of “Saved By The Bell” fame, but, rather than using it to thwart danger, or swing favor in his direction, it is used primarily to provide Prock with asides during social situations. That, and it is mentioned that said power is harmful to Prock’s well-being, but after that reference, we never see further evidence to support it. The rest of the team is fairly standard in the superhero world: there’s super speed, super strength, a Hulk, a techie, a Green Lantern-esque conjurer, and a hot girl.
Until additional episodes are released on Hulu.com, there’s not a lot I can really discuss further, but I will remain optimistic that we will find more depth in the Awesomes well as the story continues.
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