Rating: R
Starring:
David Duchovny as Mike
Sigourney Weaver as Lenny
Ioan Gruffudd as Richard McAllister
Judy Greer as Alice
Fran Kranz as Zach Harper
Lindsay Sloane as Laurel Simon
Justine Bateman as Natalie Klein
Lucy Davis as Chloe McAllister
Special Features:
Audio Commentary
The Making of The TV set
Deleted Scenes
Other Info:
Widescreen (2.35:1)
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
French and Spanish Language
French and Spanish Subtitles
Running Time: 86 Minutes
Synopsis:
The following is from the DVD description:
“An insightful and fast-moving comic look at the world of network television development. The story follows a TV pilot as it goes through the network TV process of casting, production, and finally airing, while showing that there is as much entertainment behind the cameras as there is in front.”
“The TV Set” is rated R for language.
Mini-Review:
It is often a risky thing for Hollywood to parody itself. Frequently the only people laughing at the jokes are people involved in the film industry, movie critics, and movie fanatics. The general public just isn’t amused. But that isn’t the case with “The TV Set.” This is one of the more accessible Hollywood parodies I’ve seen in a long time.
One of the best things about “The TV Set” is the hilarious cast. Sigourney Weaver really stands out as Lenny, the TV executive with no taste and no soul. This is one of Weaver’s funniest performances. Her character lets her 14-year-old daughter make network decisions for her. She runs a hit reality TV show called “Slut Wars”. And every time you think she’s going to be sympathetic and show a sliver of humanity, she says something that reminds you she is incapable of feeling sympathy. Weaver beautifully plays off of David Duchovny as Mike and Ioan Gruffudd as Richard McAllister. Duchovny plays the tortured artist who is torn between his art and his desire for a paycheck. Little by little he sees his noble artistic vision for the TV show chipped away into something completely different (with fart sound effects, no less). Ioan Gruffudd also plays a former BBC executive who loses his high goals for quality television in favor of ratings success. These three along with the Judy Greer, Fran Kranz, Lindsay Sloane, Justine Bateman, and Lucy Davis make a fantastic cast.
I’d recommend “The TV Set” to anyone that enjoys subtle comedies, especially those aimed at making fun of Hollywood. Fans of David Duchovny, Sigourney Weaver, and Ioan Gruffudd will especially want to see this one.
There aren’t all that many bonus features. You have your standard Audio Commentary as well as the usual “making of” video. Rounding things out are two Deleted Scenes.
