Flaked

I started watching this a year or two ago and found it boring. My friend recommended it to me recently when we were talking about Blades of Glory (Will Arnett was a supporting cast member with his then-wife Amy Poehler). I gave it another try. I love this show. Like others have said, it is understated. You get to like the characters, especially Chip, in spite of his gross imperfections. Kudos to Will Arnett. He is a great actor. He is also a talented writer.

Unlike the other comments here, I totally identify with the younger women who gravitate to Chip. He is handsome and sexy, not to mention his voice. Remember these are women with tons of baggage and probably a daddy complex.

Set in Venice CA the show centers around a recovering alcoholic named Chip and his friends. Since Chip is played by Will Arnett I imagined the show would have a lot more comedy, one liners, etc. I took a shot at it on Netflix even though I was afraid it might lack enough substance to hold my attention. Sometimes comedies rely far too much on witty lines and predictable gags. But FLAKED is not just a vehicle for snappy lines and comebacks. Most of the characters have enough depth to keep me interested. There are a few which are kind of one dimensional like Cooler, a stoner type. He is shallow and not too bright and not too with it and sometimes irritating because of it. But he adds comic relief.

I like the show more than I thought I was going to like it. There is one thing I don't like about the show, and about most shows of this type. Writers make characters do and say stupid things in order to develop conflict in the story line. Viewers watching this are hit with a feeling that the plot is just too phony, too unbelievable. If it were a pure comedy it would not matter. But this show is a mix of ostensibly real life drama with comedy. It is hard to buy into the real life bit when people say things or fail to say things which real people obviously would bring up in real life. They allow their lives to crash and burn in the show by failing to simply tell someone a simple set of facts as anyone in real life would obviously do. This makes it easier for writers to develop conflict, and I suppose the writers also feel that viewers will feel anxiety when they see the characters they identify with making such really bad decisions, omissions, or foolish statements.

This is obviously a pet peeve of mine, right up there with the grade B camera work seen in some action and horror films, i.e. shaky cameras, rapidly changing camera positions and angles, and rapidly changing depth of shots. I don't know why modern film uses these cheap techniques. Many people hate that kind of camera work. In the same way we hate to see seemingly ordinary and intelligent characters behaving stupidly and ruining their lives by doing so. It is extremely common in film and television and very annoying also.

I saw this on Netflix, I decided to give it a chance. So I watched the first episode and I was shocked at how good it really is. This is not slapstick humor nor is it over the top. The lead role is Chip, he is a 40 something guy who runs a stool shop in downtown Venice. He is a troubled individual who simply survives life. He is a recovering alcoholic with a tragic past and yet he chooses to endure even if his existence is not entirely humorous. There is a great deal of emotion with the characters, including his roommate Dennis and his love interest London.

While the shows situations don't always fit into place, it is like watching those people you know in real life as an adult but don't associate with because they don't fit into your lifestyle. This is truly like walking a mile in the shoes of a mans life that is worth watching.

9/10

The plot line of the show is unique and dark, yet humorous. Disguised as a typical comedy drama, this show is quite an emotional roller-coaster with a sensational soundtrack to compliment. It does have a "hipster" vibe to it, but that's just the culture of California and specifically the character of Venice. To complain about that is just silly.

Will Arnett's character is compelling, dark and constantly evolving. You think you have him figured out and it changes multiple times throughout each episode. The character of London by Ruth Kearney is equally complex. Arnett's immature, brotherly relationship with David Sullivan is palpable as is their combined relationship with Cooler, the village idiot so to speak. George Basil is great and is hard not to enjoy. Aside from minor flaws, it is great character writing across the board.

The soundtrack as I previously mentioned is brilliant. The filming of the show is gorgeous and the soundtrack syncs with the scenic views, tone of the scene and the overall emotions of the show. Looking forward to the original scores being released whenever an official soundtrack is available.

Overall I think 8 episodes certainly wasn't enough, definitely felt like the show ended right as it got going. That said, even though it took a few episodes to get the ball rolling it ended on a high note. Will Arnett has done fantastic with what was given and I look forward to seeing what he can do with more episodes and a bigger budget. A solid 8 out of 10. Great debut.

Arnett and Chappell have created a considerable dramedy series. The duo also pen the series first season. Great direction, writing, cinematography, setting, soundtrack and acting. All of the artists involved deliver significant performances. Arnett stands out with his innate ability to deliver comedic dialogue in sometimes serious, sarcastic and subtle ways. There are several guest stars in the series which contribute to the humor. The plot is set in Venice Beach, CA and revolves around Chip. Chip is a man in recovery from an incident that occurred ten years earlier. Through his recovery he lives a stock lifestyle and has surrounded himself with his best friend Dennis, a stoner friend Cooler, his former sponsor who is a cop George and his sometimes love interest Kara. He is also still married to his very successful wife Tilly. Suddenly Chip's routine life is turned upside down upon the arrival of a girl named London. Everyone around Chip views him as a self serving individual who can never quite tell the truth, but at the same time often seek life choices advisement from him. They seem to tolerate him because of his likability and love for his community. Initially it is Dennis that pines over London, but as usual Chip's self serving habit leans his eyes towards her and he always gets his way. Everyone in Venice Beach knows what each other is up to much like a small town. Chip's web of little white lies always catch up with him and little does he know, but London didn't just arrive in Venice Beach by coincidence. While Chip is living his everyday existence his sobriety is constantly being tested by topics such as his wife, the gentrification of Venice Beach and many more events in life. The plot is emotional, clever, witty, crisp and insightful. Both seasons have delivered the goods. This is an indelible series and one of the better in it's genre