Avi's Pick: Cupid
Show Name: Cupid (2009)
Episode Title(s): Pilot
Season(s): 1
Episode #: 1
Source(s): Amazon ($)
Source #2:
Source #3:
Episode Length: 44 min
Show Description/Introduction: As we discussed the past couple weeks, this is the 2009 reboot of Rob Thomas' first ever show from 1998, Cupid. The pilot lays it all out pretty well, so I don't think I need to add much here.
Below is the link to the original pilot, which I've asked everyone to watch the first 10 min of after watching the full 2009 ep (stick around a min or two longer if you wanna see a young Connie Britton and the groom from Father of the Bride as the Couple of the Week)
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xsr6f7
Discussion Topics:
1) How does this compare to Veronica Mars/Party Down/etc.?
2) What do you think of the two versions and different takes on the characters?
3) This show basically operated as a procedural, with a self-contained rom-com in each episode, usually ending with the Couple of the Week getting together, while also further exploring the relationship between Trevor and Claire. I don't think I've ever seen a show before or since which does that in the rom-com genre, in contrast to the glut of Law and Order/NCIS type stuff, Monster of the Week, etc. Are there any shows you know of that do this? If not, why do you think that is?
4) The first run of the show lasted 15 episodes, the reboot lasted 7. Have you ever heard of a show getting two completely separate chances like this?
FUN ZONE:
Lots of fun guest stars on both the original (singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb stretching as a lovelorn singer-songwriter) and the reboot (an unknown Amy Schumer as the very drunk friend of 1/2 of the Couple of the Week). By far my favorite is the Mayor from Buffy, Harry Groener. In episode 3 of the original, he shows off his 2-time-Tony-nominee chops as a husband who is attending couples counseling because his wife can't stand his new habit of spontaneously bursting into song and dance in public places. Below is the link to the ep, at the 5:53 mark is the start of a 2 min sequence introducing him, where he does a little song and dance number on the street in rush hour in downtown Chicago.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xss6h0
