John from Cincinnati

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » July 5, 2007, 8:45 pm

Anyone watching this on HBO? I just caught up on the first 4 episodes via OnDemand.

This is a pretty fucking cool show! If you are into Deadwood at all, you will notice a few familiar faces--not to mention it is a David Milch show. Although I cannot properly explain what this show is about, it being a bit bizarre and kooky, it is very well shot and written--I hope that it makes it.

Premise - 3 generations of surfers as well as a host of strange but likeable characters all are strangely linked together by a stranger with seemingly supernatural powers.

http://www.hbo.com/johnfromcincinnati/

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » July 5, 2007, 8:49 pm

I don't think anyone really knows what it's about at the moment!

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » July 5, 2007, 8:54 pm

I keep expecting Calamity Jane to show up.... good though, no?

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » July 5, 2007, 9:07 pm

Interesting cast.

I see one person from Deadwood:

I see Al Bundy:

And Dylan from 90210:

All females listed in the cast are blonde or fake blonde:

Which Deadwood cast members am I missing?

http://www.hbo.com/johnfromcincinnati/cast/index.html

Going to check this out tonight. Is this the show that got Deadwood canceled because Milch had to do this?

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » July 5, 2007, 9:20 pm

The top right in your bloack of 'blondes pics is a 13 year old boy-- the grow the surfer kids like that in socal.

The old blone is Rebecca Demornay(sp) - seems fitting for this show since she played a somewhat similar character (vaguely) in Lords of Dogtown.

Ellsworth and Mr Wolcott from Deadwood are in it as well.

Siji · Post by **Siji** » July 5, 2007, 11:23 pm

That's one seriously fugly cast.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » July 5, 2007, 11:37 pm

Canelek wrote:I keep expecting Calamity Jane to show up.... good though, no?

I'm not sure yet. I thought the third episode was good but the fourth, for the most part, was a let down. It just seemed to drag on and nothing really happened (other than an incident with a knife). Only 4 more episodes to go though so things really need to start coming together.

So far I think Ed O'Neil is my favorite character. Or maybe Zippy. Hard to say!

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » July 6, 2007, 12:02 am

I dunno, I kinda liked the 4th episode, if nothing else than for Ed O'Neil (and Zippy). I am a little lost with the Linc & chickpartner arc, but that's cool. I am with you on favorite character--he just plain flatout rocks this.

Moonwynd · Post by **Moonwynd** » July 6, 2007, 3:13 am

I am really into this series...which means HBO will cancel it after two seasons...

I really like Ed O'Neill (Bill) and Dayton Callie's (Freddy) relationship thus far. When they first meet up outside by Freddy's car...the dialogue was pure magic.

You can definitely tell this is Milch series - his dialogue is very similar to that of Deadwood in that it has an almost Shakespearean soliloquy thing going on. Bill talks to Zippy much in the same manner as Swearengen talked with the Indian head in a box.

Oh, and the title character, John, is the actor who played Morgan Earp in two episodes of the final season of Deadwood.

So they are only going to do 8 episodes this season?

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » July 6, 2007, 4:28 am

I finally recognized the doctor as the serial killer guy that worked for Hearst.

I'm done with three episodes and after watching them, I'm prepared to watch whatever project Milch works on. It's the sign of a great writer/director when you don't know wtf is going on but are entertained each episode.

I wonder if Sarah Brightman had anything to do with Aslanna liking episode 3!

Dylan doesn't look like he's aged a day since his role in Beverly Hills 90210. He still only looks like he's 40.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » July 8, 2007, 10:06 am

I'm boycotting this show until they are all on demand. Then I will watch them in a row so that I know what the fuck is going on.

Taison Earbiter · Post by **Taison Earbiter** » July 8, 2007, 12:18 pm

Winnow wrote:I finally recognized the doctor as the serial killer guy that worked for Hearst.

He also played Jack McCall on deadwood.

This is a really good series, though I'm getting a bit frustrated trying to figure out exactly what is going on. The only problem I really have is the kid they cast as Shaun Yost. He looks like they went to a beach and picked out some random surfer kid who has never acted a day in his life and then surrounded him with good actors so that makes him look even worse.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » July 8, 2007, 1:51 pm

Taison Earbiter wrote:The only problem I really have is the kid they cast as Shaun Yost. He looks like they went to a beach and picked out some random surfer kid who has never acted a day in his life and then surrounded him with good actors so that makes him look even worse.

Actually I think that's what they did. Before this show he's never done any acting.

He's fourth in a generation of surfing greats, Greyson Fletcher's skills for extreme sports come to him naturally. He is a native of Southern California, he was born in 1991 in Laguna Beach, and resides now with his mother in Anaheim Hills. Like his grandfather, father and uncle, Greyson excels at surfing, but his true passion lies in skateboarding. He started his acting career with the show John From Cincinnati, by getting discovered by David Milch .

I don't think he's that bad but they didn't really do much with his role. All he says is 'yeah' and ok' most of the time.

Moonwynd wrote:So they are only going to do 8 episodes this season?

It appears so!

Post by **Sylvus** » July 9, 2007, 12:30 pm

I was thinking about the kid who plays Shaunie being a bad actor while I was watching it last night, and then I figured that he's probably a reasonable facsimilie of what that kid would actually be like in real life. Since that's exactly who he is in real life. Here's a newsflash: most kids don't actually talk and act like Haley Joel Osmet or Dakota Fanning.

I looked at Kai similarly, as she wasn't an actress before Milch brought her in to consult about surfing and then decided she needed to be a character on the show.

There are some Deadwoodesque lines in this show, my personal favorite quote so far has been Bill's "we're on the precipice of a clusterfuck", and for the most part it's kept me very interested. I have no idea where this show is going. What do you guys think John is? Angel? Alien? Something else?

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » July 9, 2007, 12:36 pm

Didn't much care for episode 5. I find it hard to be sympathetic to the Cissy character when she's acting like a fucking psychotic loon most of the time. I just don't think, at this time, that they did a good job writing her part in the show.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » July 9, 2007, 12:55 pm

Sylvus wrote:I was thinking about the kid who plays Shaunie being a bad actor while I was watching it last night, and then I figured that he's probably a reasonable facsimilie of what that kid would actually be like in real life. Since that's exactly who he is in real life. Here's a newsflash: most kids don't actually talk and act like Haley Joel Osmet or Dakota Fanning.

I agree. Shaunie is an excellent character for the realism of it. He's a 13 year old surfer kid from troubled family. How's he supposed to act? Although I mistook him for a girl, it was well cast.

I didn't care for episode 5 as much as the first four and don't like where its heading with the pr0n mom getting into the mix. Only three episodes left so I hope it doesn't dwell too much on child custody battles.

John said "it's in the camera" or something like that. I'm wondering if the footage will reveal some paranormal stuff taking place that wasn't visible at the time to the naked eye.

The grandmother's role is a little over the top IMO. I want to burn her eyes out with a cigarette.

The Milch dialog is entertaining as always.

Taison Earbiter · Post by **Taison Earbiter** » July 9, 2007, 1:14 pm

Yeah the dialog is great throughout the show.

Yeah the more I thought about the kid the more I decided it may be a bit more realistic than I first gave it credit for. He's generally dealing with his grandmother and after seeing her last night she's obviously an over-the-top nutjob. At first I was expecting him to question authority of a bit more (maybe just by asking why he cant go surfing when she's constantly telling him no), but maybe instead he just goes in his room and gets high (I thought that scene made a lot of sense for his character and dealing with the people that surround him).

Keverian FireCry · Post by **Keverian FireCry** » July 9, 2007, 5:53 pm

I'm enjoying the show, but like many viewers I'm not sure exactly where it's going. It's definitely getting more interesting after each episode, but It'll be hard to top Deadwood.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » July 10, 2007, 1:45 am

Oh, I think it would take MUCH more to even come close to Deadwood. That show was just too fucking brilliant on all levels.

I just watched ep 5 of 'John on onDemand.

Good stuff, as usual! Wow, Demorney(sp) was awesome as the crazy harpy once again--brilliant. She really conveyed the hate well. However, I didn't care as much about this one as I did the first 4. 4/5 ain't bad though and I am looking forward to more. I really like this show!

Moonwynd · Post by **Moonwynd** » July 10, 2007, 1:47 pm

The opening scene in the last episode where Bill was talking to Zippy...very Deadwoodesque.

I thought this was interesting:

Trivia
The show is loosely based on the Fletchers, a well-known surf family:
- Herbie Fletcher was an innovative and top-ranked surfer in the sixties (Mitch Yost role)
- Christian Fletcher, son of Herbie, later became a surf star with a "bad boy" image who eventually developed a drug habit (Butch Yost role)
- Greyson Fletcher, son of Christian, is an up-and-coming young surfer (Shaun Yost role)

Interestingly enough, Herbie Fletcher is the stunt double for Bruce Greenwood (Mitch Yost) in the surfing scenes, and, as you may have noticed, Greyson Fletcher in turn plays the role of himself in this HBO series. See http://www.slate.com/id/2168001/nav/tap3/

- The last name on John's credit card is Monad, this is an allusion to the Monadology theory of Leibniz.

Shaun Yost is actually played by Greyson Fletcher, who the Yost family is loosely based upon. And I like the tie in with John's last name of Monad and Monadology.

Interesting stuff.

Wiever · Post by **Wiever** » July 11, 2007, 6:40 am

- Christian Fletcher, son of Herbie, later became a surf star with a "bad boy" image who eventually developed a drug habit (Butch Yost role)

He is one of the few surfers I have seen dropping in at the Wedge in Newport, CA (a wave predominantly body-surfed or body-boarded).

Here is a clip of him on the freak of nature known simply as The Wedge. He shows up about 1 minute or so into the clip, and the only soul out there with a surfboard.
http://www.surfline.com/video/video_pla ... 355&mv=ncl

Sorry for the derail.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » July 11, 2007, 11:18 am

Hardboard at the Wedge? Seen it a couple times--mainly resulting in the board being broken.

(Went to high school in NB).

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » July 16, 2007, 1:16 pm

Looks like it's set for 10 episodes this season. So 4 to go! Not sure where I saw 8 but oh well.

#6 was a bit odd. I was lost during John's 'speech'. I got some of the references but not too many.

Post by **Sylvus** » July 16, 2007, 1:21 pm

I enjoyed last night's episode quite a bit, even if I was lost at times.

It was kind of like how sometimes I like to listen to spanish-language music that I don't understand.

Moonwynd · Post by **Moonwynd** » July 16, 2007, 3:56 pm

The waitress where Meyer (the lawyer) and his wife were eating was the woman who played Trixie on Deadwood.

I enjoyed last night's episode - as always, Ed O'Neill continues to be amazing.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » July 18, 2007, 12:56 am

Yeah, I

Trixie.

Glad to see her in the show.

This episode was rather Twin Peaks - like. I liked it.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » July 18, 2007, 4:23 am

It was a good episode. A little odd at the end.

Trixie's part seemed thrown in like they were doing her a favor and throwing some work her way. She had a great part in Deadwood so hope her role has some meaning in the John series.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » July 23, 2007, 2:43 pm

Episode 7 was ok. I enjoyed it but nothing too noteworthy. I though the scene with Dillon in the board meeting was kind of poorly acted.

John keeps mentioning the zeros and ones so I still think the lady that keeps watching the video will spot something.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » July 23, 2007, 10:31 pm

John's last comment while hugging the video gal (poor thing, she has nothing to do in the show) was pretty damn sadly cryptic.

I really like the motel-people and the relationships between them and everyone else. Damn, really not much I don't like. Even the porn chick was written well enough to garner at least some modicum of sympathy. I hope this show gets picked up for another season.

Still need a Ian McFUCKINGSHANE cameo!

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » August 1, 2007, 4:40 am

Why no chatter on episode 8? It was just as good as all the rest!

Ramon: Is there any medicine in your man purse?

Butchie: And that would be my part? Writing permission slips for who you bang? I wouldn't have time to eat.

Bill: Mortal combat with unseen forces. I should deprive myself of telepathic information to spare you irritation from cheeping?

I like Butchie's character since he's gone clean. He played a good junkie though!

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » August 1, 2007, 9:26 am

If I spoke monkey I'd put it in your language.

Anyway, I still think the Cissy character is over the top for no reason. She was calming down the previous episode or two but once again in #8 she's a psycho. And we don't really know why. Was it just because Mitch hasn't been around? Could be but we don't know! Not liking or caring about her character at all.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » August 1, 2007, 10:50 am

Yeah, Cissy is a pretty fucked up character. If she had some kind of kooky quirk, then maybe....

Love the rest though, and I enjoyed the last episode as well--definately some great quotes there.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » August 7, 2007, 12:17 pm

Yet another episode where not a whole lot happens. It used to not bother me because the characters, and their interactions, were interesting enough to keep me watching. But honestly I am not liking how they did the Cissy character and she's closing to ruining the show for me. Fortunately there's only one more episode left this season. I haven't seen word on if it was coming back for a second one or not yet.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » August 7, 2007, 1:02 pm

David Milch is once again channeling David Lynch, which is cool to a point...however, I am agreeing on the Cissy character, rampaging around in harpy-like manner. I'll keep watching, I suppose (assuming there will be another season).

Post by **Sylvus** » August 7, 2007, 1:05 pm

I don't really mind Cissy. I think it's somewhat reasonable, having Mitch acting the way he is, having an addict son, being named guardian of Shaunie and then to have all this stuff going on. She was kind of a f'ed up b to begin with, and now she's losing it.

I just still am pretty lost as to what's going on, did I fall asleep in one of the episodes and miss wtf is going on in the bar at the hotel? Cause I don't understand the gay lotto winner guy at all.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » August 7, 2007, 9:44 pm

I am not sure where the bar fits in--I guess it was another place (like that one room) where he may have been molestererered as a kid--the dead guy he sees must be the perp. Barry was also traumatized by pretty much every member of the Yost family around the same time. As far as his deal now, I can only guess he is supposed to do something down the line and/or get some sort of redemption via the doctor and/or John. I am sure we will find out in Season 3, assuming there is even a Season 2.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » August 13, 2007, 12:56 am

For a season ender I thought it was lacking. I was hoping a few (lot?) more things would be answered. As it is I know about as much now as I did at the beginning. To be honest it doesn't really leave me caring much for a second season.

Kwonryu DragonFist · Post by **Kwonryu DragonFist** » August 13, 2007, 8:55 am

Winnow wrote: All females listed in the cast are blonde or fake blonde:

Top right isn't female!

Drinsic Darkwood · Post by **Drinsic Darkwood** » August 13, 2007, 9:52 pm

Canelek wrote:The top right in your bloack of 'blondes pics is a 13 year old boy-- the grow the surfer kids like that in socal.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » August 14, 2007, 2:45 am

I dunno--I kinda liked the finale.. 2 more Deadwood players brought in. Wow. (I think?)

I really think that they need to lose Priestly and his pals though. Not sure if there is going to be a second season, but this was pretty cool, I guess.

Way to be on top of things, Kwon.

Moonwynd · Post by **Moonwynd** » August 14, 2007, 10:54 am

They cancelled it...

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/08/1 ... index.html

This blows.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » August 14, 2007, 11:16 am

I wont miss it. I enjoyed (most of) the characters and dialogue but the story really went nowhere in 10 episodes. I guess I was just expecting a little more to happen the last couple episodes.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » August 14, 2007, 11:40 am

I suppose we won't be getting that promised Deadwood wrapup either.

Oh well on this show--I did enjoy it, but agree with Aslanna.

Post by **Sylvus** » August 14, 2007, 11:46 am

Canelek wrote:I suppose we won't be getting that promised Deadwood wrapup either.

Oh well on this show--I did enjoy it, but agree with Aslanna.

I'm not holding my breath for it, but I still have hope. Perhaps JFC being cancelled will get that project moving along faster.

I thought I saw a rumor somewhere that the Deadwood wrapup would be coming in 2008.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » August 14, 2007, 12:55 pm

Interesting quote from Milch that I saw:

"I wrote ("Deadwood's") Al Swearingin for Ed (O'Neill)...If he'd had that part the show would still be running."

Not sure if I see Al Bundy as Swearingin but I guess it could have worked!

Moonwynd · Post by **Moonwynd** » August 14, 2007, 2:33 pm

Interesting, I see so many similarities between Swearengen and Bill Jacks - the speech patterns, Bill talking to Zip and Al talking to the Indian head in a box - the monologues - the born leader way of dealing with others.

Ed O'Neill was one of my favorite parts of this show. I can't believe they cancelled it...

JESUS CHRIST, JESUS CHRIST, JESUS CHRIST!

Post by **Xouqoa** » August 14, 2007, 4:17 pm

I was a little upset that we won't get to find out how things pan out... hopefully somebody will write a book or something, or a blog about what could have been.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » August 14, 2007, 11:35 pm

Aslanna wrote:Interesting quote from Milch that I saw:

"I wrote ("Deadwood's") Al Swearingin for Ed (O'Neill)...If he'd had that part the show would still be running."

Not sure if I see Al Bundy as Swearingin but I guess it could have worked!

Wow, I wonder if he meant Deadwood lacked star power because Ian McShane did an excellent job as Al Swearengen. I wonder if Milth and Ian had a falling out of sorts because that's a bad thing to say if you want him for another part down the road.

I watched episode 9 and 10 back to back. 9 was a little slow but 10 managed ok.

So with the show canceled, we're left with 9-11-14. With the big event coming in less than five years, I can't figure on what this date would represent.

Best compliment to give the show would be that it went nowhere yet still kept my attention throughout the entire 10 episodes.

Keverian FireCry · Post by **Keverian FireCry** » August 16, 2007, 2:12 am

Each character was not so much individual, but rather archetypal. It felt more like some multi-cultural new-age mythological story than anything else. In the same way that most old mythologies have reflections of events or people from the times in which they were created, John tried to do similarly. (mythology involving internet, video, surfing, 9-11, porno, etc.) Not saying it was particularly successful, but it was at least ballsy enough to try...and that's something I was growing to appreciate more and more. I could be way off in my own interpretation, but that may also be a goal of the show...maybe it's about how the audience interprets the story and characters.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » August 16, 2007, 4:12 am

Interesting perspective, Kev, and I can dig it. I believe the show was more experimental than anything else. Milch has so many ideas and projects, old hat like Deadwood can get thrown by the wayside, as it obviously has been. Adding non-actors as regular actors was a stretch as well (and I think it worked). I appreciate art fed back into mainstream media outlets--it is fucking refreshing.

On the other hand, I thought the whole marketing outfit, Stinkweed, or whatnot, was contrived, intellectually devoid and outright tripe.Considering we never got to see all plotlines, I can say with confidence that the Linc character served 0 purpose.

On a sidenote, Inland Empire (David Lynch) was just released--I am going to watch that to cleanse my brain of continuity, coherency and follow-through.