© (C) 2009 ABC Ubuntu Goode in THE GOODE FAMILY - Season 1 - "Pleatherheads"

Television:

TV Review: THE GOODE FAMILY - 'Pleatherheads/Goodes Gone Wild'

How many ways can you say not funny?

Grade: C
Writer(s): Dave Jeser, Matt Silverstein/Jordana Arkin
Director: John Rice (both episodes)
Rating: NR

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By CARLOS DELGADO, Associate Editor
Published 6/3/2009

Maybe I’m more of SOUTH PARK kind of guy. Or perhaps I’m drawn to the wittiness and randomness of FAMILY GUY. But for some reason, I just don’t think THE GOODE FAMILY is all that funny.

Then again, I was never a fan of KING OF THE HILL either.

I will concede that “Pleatherheads” had a few good moments. I laughed out loud when Charlie (Brian Doyle-Murray) says, “Why do Indians need to go to college anyway? Do you need a degree to plant corn or deal blackjack?” Not politically correct in the least, but I guess that’s my style. But other than a few precious moments, “Pleatherheads” and “Goodes Gone Wild” just didn’t do it for me.

Where do I begin? For starters, I’ve never been a fan of Mike Judge’s animation style. Aside from BEAVIS AND BUTT-HEAD and their ridiculously ginormous heads, Judge’s drawings with their beady little eyes and twiggy limbs always just annoyed me.

And is it me, or is THE GOODE FAMILY just another version of KING OF THE HILL? Instead of Hank Hill crusading for propane use, you have Gerald Goode (both voiced by Judge, by the way) crusading for the environment. Both have annoying psycho wives, a young teenage girl (although unlike Hank’s niece Luanne, Gerald’s daughter, Bliss, is actually intelligent), and a bonehead son. And I’m supposed to believe this is innovative and creative?

It’s not. KING OF THE HILL was all about the values of a conservative Texan family. THE GOODE FAMILY is shaking the same stick, just in a different direction. This time we’re dealing with eco-friendly liberals. From the ethnic neighbors to the brown family dog, it’s the same thing.

Which might have worked if I were a fan of KING OF THE HILL. But like I mentioned before, I’m not. Perhaps I’m not the right guy to be reviewing this show…

Tell you what, here’s another scene from “Pleatherheads” that I liked. Ubuntu (Dave Herman) practices with the football team first time and knocks bodies all over the place, leaving them twitching on the ground. It reminded me of FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH.

Aside from that, THE GOODE FAMILY comes up short. Oh, I get what’s going on. It’s Judges attempt to flip the coin and make fun of the liberal left. Fine. Great. I’m all for that. As SOUTH PARK once so eloquently stated in the episode “Cartoon Wars”, make fun of everyone. But entertain me. Don’t give me bad writing. Don’t give me lame storylines involving some disgusting (and extremely annoying) endangered animal. And for heaven’s sake, don’t take a tired and done show like KING OF THE HILL, rewrap it with a different name and then pawn it off to as a new show. But most importantly, and I’m serious about this, be funny.

Reader Comments

John Bailo from Kent, WA sez....
The only problem with this show is that it's hilarious in making fun of Liberals -- who are the people who don't watch TV but write lots of TV reviews. Brilliantly written and paced, the Goode family is a Republican's dream show...and off course will be snuffed by Blue State apologists.
6/7/2009 1:43:39 AM

Rick from San Jose sez....
Right after you proclaimed "Family Guy" as being witty, you lost me. I have grown weary of trying to explain things to people, so I will just say "take an English comp class, Car-lost".
6/4/2009 5:40:05 PM

Me from ATL sez....
Yea I have to agree with you on this one. Although I can tolerate KOTH, I could only stomach half of the show last night. Yea I have to really agree with the last paragraph. I mainly watch TV for a good laugh and throwing political views along with religion are best left in private, and are a good way to get me to find something else. Its the same thing with the Simpsons, when Lisa gets preachy about what ever environmental issue is popular and Matt wants to get it some face time for.
6/4/2009 1:16:44 PM

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