Moonbase 8

I went in being a big fan of all three main actors and got exactly what I thought I'd get; a well written and acted, funny, relatable comedy. It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea but I love the interaction sand chemistry between the main three. It's evident that they are/were friends off set.

If you're familiar with Tim Heidecker and John C Reilly's work together, you know exactly what you are getting. The focus of the show is the foibles of incompetent NASA employees trying to maintain a Moon base training program. The humor is awkward, subtle, and generally revolves around the interactions between seemingly incompatible characters who struggle to keep things afloat. For instance, you have a Captain desperately trying to impress his crew by any means necessary - from having a foot race with competing astronauts to digging a well in the middle of a dessert to try and stop a water crisis. It reminds me a bit of season 1 of the Office.

This was never going to be a Big Bang Theory, there aren't laugh tracks and it isn't meant to appeal to the lowest common denominator. Therefore, I think it is unfortunately not going to be a big hit with critics or general audience. Showtime may not be the best home for Moonbase 8, but I hope that it lives on for a season 2.

I can understand that those who go in blind might not like it. But if you're familiar with Tim Heidecker & John C. I think you'll enjoy it.

To those who aren't maybe skip episode one and start on ep 2. One was the weakest in my personal opinion.

In the beginning, before I watched an episode, I was a tad confused what this new series was about. A documentary about NASA simulation moonbases in the Arizona? A Science Fiction drama set in the future? A Big Brother reality? The lack of marketing didn't help. If don't take Moonbase 8 serious, and enjoy the ride of chaotic situations faced by the three remaining space wannabes, it is actually fascinatingly humorous. Imagine putting three comedians as diverse eccentric-scripted characters inside a locked room and record what happens and that is Moonbase 8.

If you know anything about the 3 main actors in this show, you should know what to expect, and if you like these guys and their sense of humor in their other roles, I think you'll enjoy this show. I really liked it and think it deserves better ratings than it has, but I can see how it may not be for everyone.