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You People are Insatiable!

“The Riches” / The TV Whore
Mar. 14, 2007

TV Reviews | March 14, 2007 | Comments (42)

OK, so folks have been slamming me with inquiries/demands about a review of “The Riches.”

Jesus Christ, people! I’ve already written over 13,000 words for Pajiba this week (including my “Andy Barker, P.I.” review coming tomorrow morning), and you want more from me? There’s only so much writing I can do in one week.

So, no, I will not be doing a full review of “The Riches.” But if it will shut y’all up, here’s a fast mini-review. Enjoy:

I’ve only seen the first episode of the show, but I liked it well enough. Izzard is great as always, although his American accent needs a little work (it’s not that the accent, itself, is so bad, but I found his real accent sometimes bleeding through a little). Minnie Driver is also quite good, but she’s got even more accent issues (not sure who thought it was a good idea to get a British actress to do a Southern accent, but the end result is that her accent is kind of all over the place). The actors playing the kids are good enough, although the older son is a bit too much of the typical angry teen for my tastes.
As for the story, it’s something quite different, which I applaud, and at first blush it’s pretty interesting. But I’m concerned about whether this is something that will be able to hold up over the long haul. The attempts to keep their cover could easily get cold quite fast, so they’re going to have to bring some other things to the table (and I’m not talking about Minnie fighting her H addiction, which was the one aspect of the premiere that I quite did not like). But I’m still tuning in for now, as there is certainly some real potential there.

That’s it. That’s what you’re getting. Now go home, the review’s over.


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Seth Freilich is Pajiba’s television columnist. He’s going to blame each and every one of you Pajiba readers when he gets full-blown carpal tunnel syndrome.


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Comments

okay...I guess you're off the hook for a day or two.

Posted by: Theresa at March 14, 2007 1:36 PM

Ok, now can you do a review of Pirates of the Caribbean Part 3? I know it's not out yet and not even done filming, but still. Come on.

Lazy bastard.

Posted by: Manny at March 14, 2007 2:03 PM

Could you buy me a pony while you're at it?

Posted by: Charles at March 14, 2007 2:22 PM

Watched the Riches last night, I liked it well enough. I love Eddie Izzard and I think he is going to be great in this role, even though it is worlds apart from anything I have seen him do so far. My only problem is I worry that this show has too much in common with Big Love, the stories are both very similar. Replace polygamists with gypsies, hopefully it will get past that.

Posted by: roXet at March 14, 2007 2:27 PM

Wow, Seth! I wish Mr. PaddyDog were so obliging. If I nag at him for days to do something, he just bitches back about something I haven't done and it usually goes like this:

Me: When are you going to fix the hook we hang the bird feeder on, the little winged ones are starving?

Him: I said I'll get to it when the temperature rises above -570F and it's actually safe to go out doors

Me: But the point is those birds need nourishment now while it's really cold, and you said last week you would do it.

Him: Yeah, well you said last week we could have sex but that hasn't happened either

Me: But it's too cold for sex

Him: Well, you're the one who wanted to live in a 150 year old house in the Midwest that leaks heat everywhere......

Anyway, point is: Thanks Seth. You're now closer to having sex with me than my husband is and if you happen to fix bird feeders, give me a call.

Posted by: PaddyDog at March 14, 2007 2:39 PM

I had the same reaction, verbatim. I love when Izzard does his American accent during his standup shows, but to carry it off as a character might be a little harder to pull off. Too bad he couldn't do the James Mason accent.

I also thought the H addiction subplot was a bit weird, so hopefull they'll phase that out. I have high hopes for it though, and really, anything to get the bad taste of Dirt out of my mouth.

Posted by: MG at March 14, 2007 2:57 PM

I don't know, you say Minnie Driver is in this? I'll try to get over what a cunt she is. I guess if I can put up with her in Grosse Point Blank I can give this a shot.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at March 14, 2007 2:58 PM

I've TiVo'd this, and I'm waiting until Friday to watch it because one of my friends currently has no TV but is a HUGE Eddie Izzard fan, so I'm trying to be nice to her. But I really want to watch it! And you're whetting my appetite!

So there you go. Here's one girl who hasn't been on your ass about this show. I have to say, though, that it's been nice seeing so much of you this week. Now go and rest your tired little hands. Carpal Tunnel is nothing to sneeze at.

Posted by: zambonigirl at March 14, 2007 3:07 PM

NO ONE begged you to write that comics piece, Seth. You only have yourself to blame. Damn geek.

And so this post can be somewhat on topic: I like Eddie Izzard, and I do still have a crush on Driver, despite her reported bitchiness (or maybe because of it), so I will be giving this show a try.

Posted by: Vermillion at March 14, 2007 3:12 PM

Seth, you rock. I saw the preview for this the other night and was stunned by my overwhelming feelings for Eddie Izzard. It'll be interesting to see him in a role that requires a bit more fleshing out over the length of a season. And despite it all, I love Minnie Driver and have a girl crush on her. I'd like to see where this show goes.

Posted by: Rachael at March 14, 2007 3:16 PM

I have a girl crush AND a boy crush on Eddie Izzard.

Posted by: AM at March 14, 2007 3:28 PM

Aww, thank you for the review, even if it was done begrudgingly. I didn't realize there would be such a widespread outcry for a review.

Posted by: annie at March 14, 2007 3:47 PM

I find Izzard's standup to be hysterically funny. I hope he succeeds in this endeavor, too.

Posted by: Samantha T at March 14, 2007 4:12 PM

Hey, I didn't ask for a review. I posted my own review so that you wouldn't have to. I was trying to ease your workload, but you're a workaholic. Don't blame me.

Posted by: mda at March 14, 2007 4:30 PM

Actually, I was astonished at how accurate their accents were/are. I have noticed quite abit that certain southrern phrases and pronunciations sound remarkably english-colloquial. I did a bit of research and found that this is a valid interpretation. Here is a summary of what I found, which agrees with the linguist I talked to.


Southerners sound mostly alike to non-Southern ears, but a native has no trouble distinguishing a mountain accent from one hailing from the Tidewater area of Virginia. The Southern accent is deceptively complex, borrowing as it does from the British accent, Scottish "burr" and Irish "brogue," the Cherokee language, and mixed with slurred French intonations and staccato Spanish and spiced with African-American speech.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-different-accents-and-dialects-in-american-english.htm

Posted by: bburglat at March 14, 2007 4:41 PM

"My only problem is I worry that this show has too much in common with Big Love"

Well, FX is the poor man's HBO...

Posted by: WestCoastPat at March 14, 2007 4:56 PM


There is also this, but I lost the link...

Southwestern English and American Southern accents are closely related because the American South was initially settled by Britons from the Southwest

Posted by: bburglat at March 14, 2007 5:05 PM

I LOVE Eddie Izzard but aparently not as much as I HATE Minnie Driver, I just couldnt bring myself to watch it. Why did it have to be Minnie Driver?

Posted by: bubba at March 14, 2007 5:29 PM

"Why did it have to be Minnie Driver? Maybe because the first thing my mother (who does social work with Travelers) said years ago when she saw Circle of Friends was "that actress must be a Traveler: she has their look"

Posted by: PaddyDog at March 14, 2007 5:47 PM

I have not read the review nor have I seen the show, but I'm taking this opportunity to state for the record that I am horrified and disappointed that Eddie Izzard is on a television series.

I've been waiting for YEARS for a new [standup]show from him, and I'm sure this stupid series is going to require me to wait even LONGER.

I can only hope for a swift cancellation.

I know it's terrible of me to hope for my favorite comedian's failure, but I never implied in any way that I wasn't a selfish asshole. His standup is among the best, and I'm sick of waiting for a new show.

Posted by: juliagulia at March 14, 2007 5:53 PM

This exactly sums up my feelings too! Point for point! I love both of them but find their accents incredibly strained, I'm intrigued by the societal setting of the characters, but I don't know how the show thinks it's going to sustain the premise of them borrowing these people's identities, and I'll definitely watch a few more episodes to see how it develops.

Posted by: sephorablue at March 14, 2007 6:08 PM

I had no idea I wasn't alone in hoping you would review this show, I just didn't ask. You're quite living up to your name, TV Whore.

Posted by: katy at March 14, 2007 6:08 PM

As a straight woman, is it weird that I only have a crush on Eddie Izzard when he's wearing makeup?

Posted by: Grumblecakes at March 14, 2007 8:14 PM

No, Grumblecakes, I don't think it's unique, anyway--I only think Tim Curry is attractive as Frank. N. Furter, and I don't tend to find trannies hot...

(I think it's the voice...)

Posted by: ranylt at March 14, 2007 9:06 PM

He's fantastically sexy and white hot smart, in or out of girl's undies.

But the show lacked believability for me. Which is unfortunate, because I LOVE the concept and the casting. This is rich territory to mine, I just wish it had a more authentic ring to it. And, maybe sharper writing. Oh. And I hate Minnie, too, but found her reasonably compelling in this.

Posted by: connie at March 14, 2007 9:24 PM

Well, I suppose some review is better than nothing, but I hope you get back around to it later. I loves me some Eddie Izzard. But yeah, I would wish anyone but Minnie Driver in it, however I think the poster above me had it right. She does have "the look" especially as strung out and skinny as she played it. But man that jaw. Yeesh! I can't stop staring at it long enough to hear what she's saying.

The accent-ness didn't bother me as much as some, mainly b/c as anyone growing up in a clannish area will tell you (Appalachia represent) accents tend to be distinctive to the small group. I would think that it's normal that Irish/British accents pop out with Southern ones in a Traveler family. Much like Irish-isms tend to pop out in parts of Appalachia, or Polish or German-isms in parts of PA.

Posted by: Sally at March 14, 2007 11:39 PM

I haven't seen The Riches yet, but Seth, you forgot my fries with that review.
I like Minnie Driver. And so much the better if she's bitchy.

Posted by: demondoll at March 15, 2007 1:22 AM

Maybe I missed something, but why are we hating on Minnie Driver?

I was kind of hoping she would keep the braids for longer.

Posted by: Brian at March 15, 2007 9:55 AM

I didn't get to see the episode myself (no cable. Yes, I know, don't start.) but from what I've read and heard from others, it's quite promising. I'm happy to see that Eddie has a hand in the writing and producing, especially as the youngest son is a cross-dresser of sorts. I'm sure he'll see to it that the character is handled respectfully.
Thanks for the review, even if it was just a mini.

Posted by: Anne at March 15, 2007 10:09 AM

I love Eddie Izzard and could not stop thinking about this show after we watched it. I thought he had some really great moments, even though the first episode was somewhat unbalanced.

Hopefully they will hit their stride like he hit that golf ball!

Posted by: mswas at March 15, 2007 10:15 AM

This show is way more interesting than much else on these days. I agree the accents are troubling, hopefully they can fix the future episodes with some ADR.

High points: the 'gypsy' theme was an eye opener for me. A whole world of cons and nomads in RVs seems intriguing. the kids (esp. the daughter) were good. I liked how Izzard isn't tripping on the fact that his youngest is a cross-dresser. That's SO the least of his many problems. and the too-friendly neighbor-lady with a OTC drug cache is going to be fun to watch.

Low points: the heroin addiction. Isn't H expensive? It just seems that someone with very limited funds would be addicted to something cheaper, like crystal meth or ocycontin (sp?).

Posted by: ciji at March 15, 2007 11:37 AM

Wait, did I miss something? Why does everyone hate Minnie Driver? She has always seemed more like a "Minnie Who" than a "that cunt" to me. Did you guys all jump off a bridge without me? Jesus Christ, I feel so filthy and naive.

Posted by: Piato at March 15, 2007 6:35 PM

Thank you Seth. I watched it all on my own and I'm 50/50. I didn't like the H addiction storyline either but inthe previews it looks like she cleans up her act a little bit. I see potential. Eddie Izzard is the shit so I may catch it one or two more times before I make my mind up completely.

Posted by: Candy at March 15, 2007 8:57 PM

Damn canadian TV, wish I could get FX

Posted by: Alli at March 16, 2007 3:10 PM

Piato, I've always liked Driver. She's about ten times smarter than 80% of actresses and she knows it. Sure, she went a wee bit over the deep end with the Damon thing, but haven't we all?

Posted by: Samantha T at March 17, 2007 1:24 PM

I don't tend to find trannies hot...

ranylt--have you seen Cillian Murphy in 'Breakfast on Pluto'? He will make you hot AND jealous of his cheekbones SIMULTANEOUSLY.

As for this show, I like Izzard's standup, could care less about Minnie Driver, and the only interest I have in FX remains 'Rescue Me.' When the hell is it coming back?!

Posted by: Jerce at March 18, 2007 9:05 AM

Jerce -

Re. CM in BoP, as a matter of fact, I haven't! I can just imagine, though...

Posted by: ranylt at March 18, 2007 12:39 PM

Caught a re-run of the premiere last night, and I like it. And add me to the list of people who have a girl (and boy) crush on Eddie. Even though we are roughly the same height in heels.

I know EI has always wanted to act and be taken seriously as an actor, so after a few failed attempts (with small roles in bad movies), it's nice to see him in this role, even though I am also dying for some new stand-up. "Sexie" was too long ago for me...

Posted by: em at March 19, 2007 12:02 PM

Yeah, I drove four hours to see Eddie in Philly during his "Sexxie" tour with an ex-girlfriend. He wore thigh-high leather boots and a purple boustier. He looked fabulous. So why do people keep making him dress regular? Why do they confine him to cable TV? Why do they keep making him do American accents? It's like making Dave Chappelle do his "white guy" accent seriously. Stop putting Cheez Whiz on my filet mignon! Cake or death!

Posted by: Tony at March 19, 2007 2:12 PM

I find trannies semi-hot, but Eddie is in a league of his own on that count. I have a HUGE crush on him and have for years. I'd do him up right. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE EDDIE IZZARD!!!!

Unfortunately, I do not have the channel FX. So I cannot see this. That's ok, without him in makeup, nails, and full drag, it'd be a bit weird. God, he's hot.

Posted by: Kathy at March 20, 2007 11:16 AM

I LOVE THIS FUCKING SHOW.

And NOT just because I would crawl over broken glass to lick Eddie Izzard's high heeled shoes.

Posted by: Maryscott O'Connor at March 20, 2007 12:46 PM

"I don't know, you say Minnie Driver is in this? I'll try to get over what a cunt she is. "

Is the C word really necessary when talking about an actress who, I'm assuming, has never done you any tangible harm? Or are you just the usual internet misogynist?

Ahem. I liked the show just all right and am hoping it gets better. Like everyone else I adore Eddie Izzard whatever he wears. The smarmy golf guy is hilarious.

Posted by: HarpyShrew at March 21, 2007 8:32 PM