Action
by Alex
Years ago a friend of mine introduced me to “Action!”:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206467/, a short-lived TV series starring Joy Mohr. He had taped episodes off of the TV and then hoarded the precious, precious cassettes. I watched it, loved it, and then _totally_ forgot about it, only to discover recently that they have now (of course) re-released the show on DVD and that you can watch it on Netflix Streaming or IMDB.
Watching it a second time I like it even more than the first. In 12 twenty minute episodes the show explores the life of movie producer Peter Dragon (played against type by pretty boy Jay Mohr, who turns in a marvelous performance bristling with apoplectic rage) and his dysfunctional entourage as they try to make an action blockbuster.
The show is unique in many ways — guest cameos by A-list celebrities, it mocks its own executive producers, and so forth. But really makes it stand out is its overwhelming, over-the-top obscenity. ‘Edgy’ is not a good description and ‘raw’ does not do it justice. Antisemitic, homophobic, sexist, racist, and politically incorrect Action both makes me squirm in my seat and laugh uncontrollably. The last couple of episodes (written after they had gotten the axe, I reckon) aren’t as good, and I doubt if the show could have sustained its manic intensity for more than a season, but the hour or two of good TV that they’ve left us is truly worth watching.