BORED TO DEATH “Stockholm Syndrome” Review (Season 1 Premiere)

HBO’s new original series, BORED TO DEATH, premieres tonight at 9:30pm.

Bored to Death follows the life of Jonathan Ames, a novelist whose girlfriend just left him, and who decides to put an ad on Craigslist offering his services as a private investigator. It stars Jason Schwartzman, Zach Galifinakis, Ted Danson, Heather Burns, and Michael Stuhlbarg.

I usually enjoy shows coming from HBO, but after watching the first two episodes from the show, I have to say that I am not really enthusiastic about it and most likely won’t be watching it.

The thing is, if you’re going to name a show Bored to Death, you better make sure that it doesn’t actually bore people. Now I’m not saying that I was bored to death while watching it, but I can’t say that I was excited about it either.

I think the biggest problem that I had with the show is that I don’t understand why Jonathan decides to become a private investigator. It just made no sense to me, and I feel it’s something that should be explained since the show is after all based on him investigating.

The second issue that I had is that I’m not sure what the point of the show is and why I should care about its characters. Sure there are some funny moments or scenes, but there doesn’t seem to be something that ties everything together.

Bored to Death is only a half hour show, but it feels like it should have been an hour show in order to really establish what it is.

On the other hand, since Bored to Death is a half-hour show, there is no harm in checking it out to make up your own mind (especially if you enjoyed the preview), but unfortunately it will not be getting a season pass from me.

Bored to Death airs on Sundays at 9:30pm on HBO.

By Sandie | September 20, 2009 | 3 Comments

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Ryan

Let me just say, first off the only thing Curb Your Enthusiasm ever had going for it was the fact that Larry David (Seinfeld’s creator) was it’s head. Besides that fact, the show had now real premise, and nothing to tie it together for years to come. But hey, this new show is here, and we have Jason Schwartzman… try and enjoy it. You might have fun for once in your life.
http://www.daemonstv.com Sandie

Well, Ryan thanks for your input. Unfortunately, we can’t all enjoy the same shows. But I’m happy you like “Bored to Death,” enjoy it!
Natalie

I agree that the show didn’t do a good job at explaining why Jonathan wanted to become a PI. However, if you know that Raymond Chandler wrote the Phillip Marlow detective novels and noticed that Jonathan picked one up and read it before writing the add it all makes perfect sense.

I’m a huge Jonathan Ames fan and had read the short story the show is based on. He did a much better job of explaining things there then in the pilot. I’m hoping the show gets better because Ames has a lot to offer.