Government Cheese

This is really good and has a lot of opportunity for character development. There will be many lessons to be learned here. I'm excited 😁 TV and entertainment with DEPTH and many layers.

I don't recognize any of the actors, meaning that the writing is spectacular. I like the cinematography, too, because the topics are HEAVY and quite sad, but they manage to keep it light and manageable and not laden and depressing. There are definitely some Wes Anderson vibes, but it doesn't seem like a ripoff.

These unfamiliar actors make it more interesting, too. And, the music isn't bad. The opening credits are cool, and I like how they nerd out.

There is a lot going on in Government Cheese and, for the most part, it works. The actors are all very appealing. The writing is quirky and engaging. The period sets, costumes and music are fantastic. Having said that, I'm not sure the whole show comes together, as there are a lot of disparate elements, rabbit holes and dead ends that make the first season a bit scattered.

Still, I appreciate that Apple TV+ continues to produce out-of-the-box, entertaining series that you typically won't find anywhere else. This includes offerings like Acapulco, Hello Tomorrow, The Big Door Prize, The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, Palm Royale, etc. All those series kept me entertained, even if some of them didn't completely work.

Without giving anything substantial away, Government Cheese leaves a lot of balls in the air at the end of season one. So, like some of the above-mentioned shows and others, I really hope that Apple TV+ greenlights a second season. As far as the first season, I'd rate it an 8.2.

Had it in my watchlist for a while. Any show / movie PRE - cellphones i appreciate more and will give it a shot. And I am happy I did. A needed break from serious drama's - It won't get the recognition it deserves because majority of people like instant gratification and don't give things a shot. And anyone younger than millennials (IMO) tend to shy away from series set before the 90's (again, IMO) - I think the acting is solid all around, and takes a used base storyline and adds a great, unique twist. Parts of the storyline that are usually filled with predictable characters, stereotypical placement is not what you find. Even "the bad guys" have a unique and funny take. Highly recommend.

One of the most underrated shows airing right now. I watch pretty much everything and this is the show that has really gripped me. I don't know where it's going but I love it. I suspect some thought this was a Wes Anderson rip off or more irritating indie quirk and rejected it out of hand. But it has a genuinely nuanced originality, both in style and story. Reminded me of Lodge 49 in the tangents, mystery and free flowing narrative. Congrats to Apple for backing this - we need more of it!

Terrible it doesn't appear to be getting the attention and acclaim it deserves. A huge recommendation - can't let this series die!

This is the trend these days; since Hollywood has been around a while so they have apprenticeships and schools for all things production, and with the addition of $$ you can make a "decently-looking" show. But writers just show up, usually being chosen for values other than skill (skin color, age, sexual orientation, etc.), without much background or experience...especially lacking life experience. Add those two and Hollywood hopes you'll come for the description and stay for the production.

This is the case for Government Cheese: lackluster humor, pedantic storytelling, unexplained circumstances, actors not given any depth to work with. Black family good, white family bad. White family...French?? We all know at the least it would have been Latino (French "mafia" family in LA in the 60s or 70s? Nope.). That last choice will indicate how this writing will go, btw: it will pay more attention to hit all the "right" messages along the way than focusing on dialogue, plot, consistency, etc.=too many speed bumps in the storytelling.

The main character is somehow a genius mechanic who can make a drill in his backyard, but was kiting checks? Huh? Ambivalent wife and kids. Inane prison setup w/ a "surprise!" killing? Couldn't stomach it.