The 'Burbs

Dark, hilariously funny and totally bizarre, “The ‘Burbs” is an entertaining blend of genres that keeps viewers guessing until the very end.

In the end, “The ’Burbs” proves that some neighborhoods are worth revisiting, especially when you know exactly what to dig up.

The main reason to give this version of "The 'Burbs'" a chance, of course, is the interplay between Palmer, Pell, Proksch and Julia Duffy ("Newhart") as the neighbors with a lot of time on their hands. They keep the energy high and the laughs coming.

I suppose most of it adds up even if doesn’t always feel that way while watching it. It hops from tone to tone, and goes on a little long, in the modern manner, which dilutes the suspense. The characters are half-, let’s say three-quarters-formed, which is formed enough; everyone plays their part.

The plot could’ve crackled if it was told in half the time. Frustratingly, the mystery isn’t even fully solved by the end of the season—though the answer seems pretty obvious. If The ’Burbs does return, here’s hoping it can pull itself out of the cul-de-sac.

It’s not terrible. At times it is enjoyable, if silly and overly mannered. But if it is hoped it will become a “binge watch” for the second series, for which it is clearly set up, the dialogue needs to be much sharper. And, if you ask me, darker. Scenes end and wither without a punchline.

[Its] main idea is to draw out its mystery to an interminable, mirth-murdering degree.

Went into the show with low expectations and enjoyed it - until the last episode and a half. It was very reminiscent of Desperate Housewives early on with some humor and a mystery to keep you interested, but the resolution and then cliffhanger didn’t fit the storyline at all and provided more questions than answers and in some cases just didn’t make any logical sense. They put too much hope on a second season that as it stands it’s just not worth watching.

This series is based on the 1989 film starring Tom Hanks. This version stars Keke Palmer and Jack Whitehall as a couple who move back to his family’s childhood home in a quiet, “safe” suburban neighborhood. Of course, the inevitable mystery arises that gets a group of neighbors involved. While the thriller aspects are pretty standard, what helps this stand out is the casting. Whitehall loses most of his comic swagger as he tries to enter leading man land, while Palmer has all of the most paranoid moments. However, the rest of the group provides the fun, including Julia Duffy, Mark Proksch and Paula Pell, who’s smart-mouth lesbian has the best laffs. Like so many current series, the meandering moments could have been tightened for a more robust experience. Even so, the supporting characters provide the most entertainment in what is otherwise a rather bland thriller. (Review based on 8 one-hour eps with a cliffhanger that foretells a 2nd season).

I miss when comedies were written to be funny, instead of Sunday sermons, droning on forever. Unfortunately this sitcom falls into the trap of thinking that they need to preach to the audience instead of making us laugh, or even occasionally chuckle. Also, Hollywood seems to be completely bereft of original ideas. They see an existing IP, and immediately try (in vain) to desperately re-work the original creation with a "modern" spin. These "updated for the modern audiences" shows and movies have not work in the past, and they will continue to fail. It's exhausting and I think a majority of us are tired of The Message.

Another case of, take a beloved classic film and turn it into an awful Gen Z tv show. Absolutely horrible.