Seth MacFarlane's "The Orville" - TV Show Review by @JonPaula

September 11, 2017: Back from a two-month hiatus, Jon reviews Seth MacFarlane's new sci/comedy TV show, "The Orville" - which premiered on FOX last night.
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Born in February 1986, Jonathan Paula is a professional KZbinr and co-creator of "Is It A Good Idea To Microwave This?". In April 2006 he founded Jogwheel Productions, a new media production company that specializes in web video. Jon graduated from Emerson College in 2008 with a degree in Television Production / Radio Broadcasting. He currently lives in Rockingham, NH with his wife Rebecca.
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[@Jon]

Back from a break - thanks for watching! QUESTION! -- Did you watch #TheOrville - what did you think of it?

[@bryannguyen8440]

Jon Seth MacFarlane is a good person he had some good moments.

[@PeterKJRichterIMHO]

Editing my review, but giving it a "meh" outta a "ida know" xD The trailer was funny, this wasn't. Art direction etc was spot on, but the humour was basically "dick & fart" jokes in space :(

[@Harey0407]

I watched the Orville. I enjoyed the show, it did have funny bits in it but in general it felt like a solid show and I'm hopeful for it. Felt closer to what I expect a Star Trek tv series to look than what Discovery has looked like so far (as in I feel that bringing the JJ Abrams visuals to the tv screen just isn't doing it any justice).

[@legofan370]

The show got even better as time went on, and it was quite amazing. Can't wait for season 2 in a few weeks.

[@cellophanity]

I like this show a lot. The critics for the most part seem to hate it. BUT 88% of viewers on Rotten Tomatoes liked it, 91% of viewers on Google liked it, so I think most people actually liked it. Fox previews and the fact that Seth Macfarlane made it, mislead people into thinking they were going to get nothing but satire and potty humor throughout. HOWEVER, if you can accept that this is NOT what the show is trying to be NOR is it what it EVER wanted to be, you will see that it is a long needed, light hearted, spiritual successor to Star Trek: TNG. Its a space adventure with fully fleshed out storylines, character development, action sequences and drama. IF your completely against a show trying to be BOTH comedy and drama, let me remind you of the success of shows that walked the same line like M.A.S.H. and like those shows we are bound to get some episodes of The Orville that are pretty damn serious and some that are silly. In M.A.S.H. we had episodes where Captain Pierce wore a groucho marks mask and went around pulling hilarious pranks on people most of the show, THEN next week we would come back to all the doctors bathing in blood after a battle and being depressed as you can get. Same show- totally different tone, so... why was it so successful? One reason: WE LOVED THE CHARACTERS! I think if we give The Orville a chance we will fall in love with these characters too. That last scene, where it showed that the ex-wife is responsible for Captain Mercer getting his first command at all, took the first step toward making us fall in love with her :) I hope people will give it a chance to get better and better as we did with the ST: TNG, their first episode was very awkward and stiff with most the actors not really knowing how to portray their characters, so lets not throw away this diamond in the rough and beat up on it, It will probably be the best Trek show we are going to get this year!

[@Coniff]

Your comment about the incorrect marketing pitch is actually relieving. I was hoping it would be more of a family friendly sci-fi show. I'll have to check it out now, thanks!

[@RegretfulDeadMan]

From what I understand, it's not meant to be overtly funny, hit home when it was publicised that the trailer had every joke in the episode, apparently it's supposed to be a quirky spoof of Star Trek rather than a full comedy. I can dig that, quirky spoof that can maintain a somewhat serious tone is infinitely more appealing than the walking corpse that is Family Guy, and I think even Seth McFarland agrees

[@judgemagister]

it's the kind of sci-fi i've wanted to see for a while now. and it's what i expected out of it.

[@NLind]

I just checked out the first episode on Hulu and was very impressed. Definitely faithful to the ST franchise, esp. TNG.

[@MasterSword007]

I was in the same mindset as you, Jon; I felt going in like this looked more like a Star Trek I wanted to watch than what CBS currently has in production. I was pleasantly surprised that the jokes were subordinate to the narrative, because I found that I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to the crew's adventures going forward.

[@JoshJepson]

I hadn't heard about this show, actually. It looks good! Might have to give it a watch!

[@Jon]

Hey Josh :-)

[@gn6300]

I'm a Trekkie and a Seth McFarland fan. This show feels like Star Trek, yet I agree. The trailer set the wrong tone for the show, but I like it.

[@thegroove14]

American Dad is my favorite of MacFarlane's animated series.

[@kierancaspian4942]

Yay! You're finally back! I was worried because you'd recently said that 2017 might be your last year for KZbin.

[@Coniff]

Also, Nice to see you back on KZbin. You're one of a select few youtubers I really respect and seek out.

[@Jon]

I appreciate that, thank you.

[@goinguptofloor1078]

Saw your Twitch stream yesterday, nice to see you back on YT!

[@Jon]

Yo, what-up, Twitch-fam?

[@Calinks]

A bit surprised to see you so favorably enjoying the first episode. I agree with you for a lot of it, not quite as high on the episode itself but I am right with you on the shows promise. I think it could really be something if the humor is more like an appetizer to the main dish which would be a light hearted star trek inspired show.

[@rogerlynch5279]

Today, Feburary 27th 2018 The Orville started on TV here in Germany. To me it is a perfect mix out of STAR TREK and GET SMART, love it. The basic idea is not new Allready in 1999 there had been a similar pilot shown on several occasions of a pilot like that. Back then the approach had been more STAR WARS like and no it was not FIRE FLY. 1:28 You might be right. TV MAKERS are often slow in getting the point. The developers of this show on the other side understand what Roddenberry had intended the first place when he had brought STAR TREK on the air in the Sixtieth. :) Here we have a good base for entertainment, fun and social criticism as with the Zoo plot in the second episode.

[@maxamillisman]

As a huge Star Trek fan myself I liked it quite a bit. It was very TNG in tone. I'm not really liking any of the characters yet except for Kassidy Yates, and that's only because I love DS9 so much. It has a lot of potential and I will definitely keep watching for not.

[@ryterguy5804]

Agreed. Although, I didn't like the Jem'Hadar, uh, I mean Krill.

[@MikeSparksMusic]

Great to see you back in action Jon! Didn't Seth also launch that show called "Dads" in 2013? I liked The Orville as well. I agree that the marketing of it made it look more like a comedy despite being more dramatic (at least for something that Seth MacFarlane is involved in). I hope it gets better and grows as a show since I don't watch Family Guy anymore and I feel that American Dad is now okay but not as great as it once was.

[@MisterBaseball200]

I missed the premiere last night but streamed it on the FOX GO app this evening. As for my thoughts, I agree with your statements of how it was marketed, but I still enjoyed it. It's a show that has potential but needs to take some time, as you said, to grow on itself and plant a firm foot over the course of this fall. I really look forward to seeing how it unfolds from here on out, and hope it takes off well.

[@BrazilianGaucho]

What most people seem to forget is that shows rarely start on their best shape, as pilot's are still experimenting with some of the elements they start with. And even if they do start great, shows rarely remain the same as what they start as. So unless I'd hated it, I know I would watch a few more episodes to determine whether I should continue. Another aspect is that everybody is terrified at how awful ST:Discovery promises to be, so fans are going to be way patient with The Orville, because that's all the Trek we're going to get, really. The Orville is a "fan-made Star Trek," while ST:Discovery is Star Trek made by a profit-seeking company which wants to seek out new markets and new fan bases, to boldly go where no fan has gone before. In other words, fans make fan films about what they already know and love, and copyright owners want to make new stuff a new generation will learn to love and old fans won't hate at least. ST: Discovery claims to be "ground-breaking" with its "SJW Activism", while Seth McFarlaine doesn't give a damn about Social Justice and just wants to make an entertaining show old fans of Star Trek, Galaxy Quest and Family Guy will like. But funnily, he does pinch at some controversial social justice aspects such as Affirmative Action (the chief of security sweet girl ), racism (the robot supremacist), and potential issues like drugs and drinking.

[@MattMamba24]

i found myself flipping between this and sunday night football, seems promising just not the strongest opening, but not gonna just give up on it, it gave me enough to want to tune in next week

[@Jon]

Few pilots are 'strong', to be fair. Really hard to establish an entire universe AND have it be really entertaining too. Some pilots are great - but most honestly aren't.

[@MattMamba24]

that's a fair point.

[@anthonypride1946]

This is not a Galaxy Quest Ripoff which I'm glad. Also I thought this might try to go the way of Red Dwarf. But I am thinking this as more of a show like Scrubs with its comedy and Star Trek (Starship Troopers a bit) in its tone. Overall a good beginning.

[@TheTuubster]

Star Trek Discovery is not Paramount.

[@bdgvids8119]

The The Orville was Awesome! More Please.

[@deepdishattack]

Yeah, if this isn't actually a comedy, then the marketing was terrible. That being said, i'm glad you're back.

[@vapoet]

Folks were expecting a pure comedy, but we received a show that was funny enough for me. The important thing is that it wasn't insulting to Star Trek fans. It's a show I'm going to be looking forward to. It had me with the cheating scene.

[@hellomcflyy]

well - he originally referred to this show as "The Office in space"..but.....I think once he realized he was up against real Star Trek...he broadened that out a bit - so its closer to "silly Next Generation" - I think if anything - don't always shoot for the middle - that can/will be tough....he mentioned different episodes having different tones - I could imagine some totally madcap episode (ship malfunction - strange illness - or holideck run amok would be good for this...I can imagine that ogre guy being rendered 'too sentient' and running loose....) - or some real tear jerker type episode....the action scenes were a bit wonky.......a lot of that "our shots always landing....bad guys can't hit the side of a barn".....or when they were doing the shuttle landing into the ship (no transporters? - I wonder if there are certain Trek things that trigger a lawsuit) the Krill ship was just sitting there - no longer firing.....I hope the ex wife/ex husband stuff is dialed back....this was sort of an 'origin story' ...so....I guess they were establishing that relationship..but....there was probably twice as much of that as there needed to be......I could go on..your review was pretty good.......lets see the next episode....

[@BrowncoatInABox]

can you review Designated Survivor

[@Jon]

... I think I did?

[@BrowncoatInABox]

i never saw a video review on it

[@grafficacma]

I didn't love the pilot but man, the show really improved after that. They toned down the forced humor and the show feels a lot like TNG with the comedic moments now actually catching me off guard. Well done.

[@joebaumgart1146]

It's better than actual star trek now.

[@LeoFan93]

You forgot Bordertown.

[@Jon]

Can't forget something I've never heard of!

[@LeoFan93]

Good, no one liked it.

[@dragonhed123]

LeoFan93 lol why bring up something no one liked then haha

[@ThatIckyGuy]

I thought the first episode was okay. I'm hoping it picks up more in its storytelling and not its jokes. I want more of a Star Trek with a little humor here and there.My biggest issues is some of the CGI I thought looked a bit wonky, not a fan of the design of the exterior of the ship (interior looks fantastic), and I kind of rolled my eyes at the relationship stuff. I want characterization without the petty bickering.

[@butterflySmiles2]

I understand now,. I going to love it. . . total opposite if Star trek......I didn't get it at first...now I do...... .

[@wolfbyte3171]

I was one of those misled by the marketing- it definitely did not feel like a comedy. Will it stand on its own? I don't know- I guess it pays good homage to the original Star Treks, which I respect, as long as it doesn't seem to be ripping it off. But yeah, the visuals were good except for one part, the soundtrack was very well made, and the actors were okay... but the script wasn't very good in some parts. The humor definitely fell flat most times. Also, quick note: it takes place in 2419, therefore in the 25th century. Timekeeping is weird like that ;p

[@ninjabearpress2574]

Okay, watched the show last night and I was right, it's too dumb for my taste but I'm sure it will be very popular. McFartlame needs to spend a week or two on a real naval vessel, to learn how a professional navy looks, sounds and acts.

[@glennpittsley1895]

0:16 ummmm actually its in the 25th century...

[@Jon]

Can you ever forgive me?

[@lordmmx1303]

I like it actually. more than star trek.

[@ihartevil]

thank you for this ha bisky vid i dont watch tv anymore but i am happy that there isnt just garbage on TV because i always feel like thats the only thing that is on TV now and partly why i dont watch it

[@SK-hz2to]

I thought the show was Fine :) It was an entertaining take on Trek with some chuckles along the way. I read some initial reviews, so did not expect a comedy. A Dramatic comedy may be one way to describe. I just really enjoy ST fans who have a sense of humor :) i.e. GalaxyQuest. I hope it survives. Just light heart-ed, entertaining Fun ! I really enjoyed the scene with the Dog in the background :-D Distracting uncontrollables ... :-p Don't know what to think about STD. Have the impression that original show runner/producer had it set in the Prime Universe, but now seems to be in Kelvin universe (???). I don't mind the more modern look, doesn't have to be the prime colors of ST-TOS, but should maybe be similar technology. Not a big fan of CBS/Paramount and their $$$ plans on CBSallAccess. Does anyone remember that TNG was suppose to launch on their own Paramount network, similar to the CW or FOX.

[@NJ4KTV]

I am so sick and tired of people like you telling others what you think me as a fan am looking forward to or really want.

[@Jon]

I'm sorry... what? I only shared my own personal experiences, thoughts, and expectations. I never dictated anyone else's... come on dude.

[@NJ4KTV]

What fans are looking for is what you said. It just bothers me when i hear that, sorry.

[@Jon]

I think you're reading to much into it dude.

[@NJ4KTV]

When it's what everyone who wants DSC to fail is saying, no I am not. There is a loud dissent. Yes, because people who are content and alright with something tend not to get up in arms about it. That's the point. I try to be very careful not to misrepresent an opinion without data to back it up.

[@pattyycesar]

Not enough funny stuff....7 out of 10

[@dereklaw9234]

The ONLY THING THEY GOT RIGHT WAS THE UNIFORMS BUT OTHER THAN THAT THE SHOW IS ALL WRONG OHH ONE MORE THING THERE HEADQUARTERS IS WRONG

[@dereklaw9234]

I'm Sorry but the Bridge is Wrong the music is wrong the Attitude is Wrong

[@Jon]

... and what is "right" ?

[@ryterguy5804]

It was billed as a sci-fi comedy. We kept watching and waiting for the comedy. We waited and waited. There were joke setups....and no punchline. There were opportunities for comic misadventure.....that were never used. We kept getting the feeling that Seth wanted to make a purely hard sci-fi show, but was forced to go for satire....unfortunately, that is exactly what appears to be on the screen. Ultimately, it was a mediocre Star Trek rip-off. Disappointing.