9.12.2007

The CW: "Reaper" Pilot Review

The unceremonious cancellation of our beloved “Veronica Mars” had us ready to instate a boycott of The CW (with the exception of Thursday nights – hey, you try to say ‘no’ to those Winchester boys ..…mmmhmmm thought so).

Then, we watched “Reaper”…….


The official description from the network: The devilish new drama REAPER from executive producer/director Kevin Smith, this humor-filled adventure is the story of a slacker named Sam (Bret Harrison, "The Loop," "Grounded for Life") who learns that his parents accidentally sold his soul to the devil before he was born, forcing him into a new life as the devil's bounty hunter. Ray Wise ("24," "The Closer") plays Satan, and Tyler Labine ("Boston Legal," "Invasion") plays Sam's best friend Bert "Sock" Wysocki.

Highlights:
- His first assigned vessel for capturing rogue demon souls?? a Dirt Devil hand vacuum.
- The Devil’s first pops up in Sam’s backseat like a carjacker – sounding creepily like Darrell Hammond impersonating Ted Koppel on SNL.
- After a failed initial attempt to catch the demon, Sam and sidekick Sock have to sit and wait while the Dirt Devil recharges.

Quotes:
“We’re very proud of him for trying…..it’s just that college made him sleepy.” -- Sam’s mom, making excuses for his slacker ways

“I got chased by a pack of dogs, moved an air conditioner with my mind, and the Devil tried to car-jack me….so overall, not a great day."

Our take:
the show is just the right mix of slapstick-y seriousness. The leads are perfectly cast -- Tyler Labine is, as usual, spot-on as the wise-cracking sidekick.


Rating: = One of our favorite pilots so far.


Reaper premieres Tues. Sept. 24th @ 9pm

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