Huff (TV Series) Pilot (2004) User Reviews

Another poke in the eye for B'cast TV

[Fuppeduck · 9/10 · 15 January 2005]

The silly broadcast TV regs the FCC imposes on television production has all but destroyed their ability to produce anything but cheap, inane and grossly exploitive reality TV and fish-wrap-for-news. Meanwhile on cable nets, we have The SOpranos, Six Feet Under et al which just completely blow away any series produced on YV in the last 20 years. Add Huff to the list.

The Opening credits remind me of 6 Feet Under, but the plot lines themselves less so.

Simply stated, the writing is consistently exemplary, the plot turns are hard to predict yet plausible, and each actor tears into their part with a lot of skill.

Blythe Danner is sure to win an Emmy for her work on this series, but all of the cast is excellent.

!Funny, !Demanding, !Worthwhile

[Bantam · 8/10 · 6 December 2004]

When I saw the pilot I was not convinced this show is going to be any good. I mean, come on, who wants to hear about crazy people? I do not need to watch a show to get this kind of amusement.

Anyway, Hank Azaria is awesome. He really makes a believable Doc. With all his fears, problems, pleasures and wit. The characters he meets are really crazy, not always belonging into a loony-bin, but rather the 'normal' day-to-day craziness you encounter everywhere. I love his lawyer-friend Russell, played by Oliver Platt. He is just the type of guy you want to know, hate him and love him at the same time. The other characters are well scripted and make you feel at home. They come with only a few clichés and with much heart. And as mentioned, Hank is awesome. He is the glue to the whole 'mess' they call his life. I wonder if anyone else would be as good to play such comic-tragic role.

After watching a few episodes, I got into the flow of the show and now I can say that it's growing on me, for sure. Let's see if it keeps up the pace. Since the show is on Showtime (as Dead Like Me) there are some things that can be found on both shows. The opening looks kinda familiar, the settings have the same kind of ironic twists, even though most of the stories are basically sad ones, you still laugh, as you think 'Good thing this does not happen to me!' So, if you want to watch a well made show, that is both intelligent and witty, check this one out. But beware, at times you might choke on the irony.

Fresh and exciting

[The_unemployed_cynic · 10/10 · 22 December 2004]

American TV shows have always had a tendency to be formulaic, predictable and boring. Even if the pilot for a new series was well written and directed, a few episodes later I found myself looking at the same old, tired plots that I remember from my youth. Fortunately, a new breed of shows has emerged recently. Nobody could confuse Sopranos, Six feet under and 24 for Bonanza, The six million dollar man or Ironside. But Huff really outshines them all. The story is original, very well written and beautifully acted (kudos to the casting agent). The characters are rich and complex, the dialog is razor sharp and the plots keep you guessing and waiting for the next twist. My main fear is that the quality of this show will prevent it from finding a wide enough audience. Oh well, I will enjoy the ride for as long as it lasts.

Could they get a bad actor?

[goonsie · 10/10 · 7 June 2006]

Apparently not. Huff has THE best cast I've ever encountered. Hank Azaria, Blythe Danner, Oliver Platt, my god. Ya know, I have never even slightly liked Sharon Stone, that is, until I saw her performance as Dauri on Huff. Wow....brilliant. And Angelica Houston! I am speechless. Almost. The only seemingly mediocre actor on the show was Huff's client (name?) who is going blind. I was unimpressed; and then she started crying. Judgement revoked! I should have known.

The dialogue is beautifully written, and although often quite comedic, is so touching and honest that I forget I'm a spectator. I do worry, however, that the show may follow in the footsteps of many other shows out there today who are grasping for ratings. Excessive drama and turmoil will ruin the show's tone. The most captivating moments in Huff are the sweet, simple exchanges between characters that exist through dialogue, not incidents or accidents.

I so look forward to seeing more next season! I am 33, never been married, and have no children, in laws, or many of the things that exist in this show. However, I am fascinated to no end. Also to the show's credit, my Psychotherapist mother has now climbed aboard the Huffstodt bandwagon =)

Cannot say enough!

[lessard25 · 10/10 · 26 March 2005]

This is one of the best series I have seen in such a long time. I will be quite upset if it gets taken off the air anytime soon. The cast is brilliant, right down to Byrd's girlfriend of sorts. I feel that Susan Edelman and Tim Payne should win an award of some sort, I have never seen a cast blend so well together. I will admit that the series does start of slow but by the 3rd episode I was hooked and am now going crazy waiting for the second season. I recommend this show to anyone I talk to and hopefully the popularity will grow and we can watch this show for many years to come. My hat is off to Bob Lowry and Scott Winant...way to go and Thank You!

I find Huff to be amazingly refreshing

[mark777anthony · 10/10 · 12 December 2004]

I have been fans of Hank Azaria and Oliver platt ever since I saw "The Birdcage" in 1996 and "The Three Musketeers" in 1995. I have never revolved my work schedule around a show before, I make it a priority to be home by 10pm on Sundays. The show is witty, real, and is outlined in a humor that at first seems dark but, is what makes us what we are, living beings who question and judge one another and ourselves constantly. I find the writing to be just as amazing as the acting. I am a huge fan and as long as they keep making episodes so captivating my chair will be filled every week.

Sincerely, Mark Anthony

FAB

[SnowWhiteSal · 10/10 · 28 November 2004]

This show is definitely worth watching, I'm finally glad I have something to look forward to watching on TV.

What I love about Huff, is that it isn't just one story, you have a few going at once, but none of the smaller stories take away from the main plot of the show.

I think it's a perfect choice of cast, they all have such great chemistry together, Hank and Paget are both fantastic actors and extremely underrated.

If you're looking for something to watch on a Sunday night, I would seriously recommend turning over to Showtime at 10 and giving Huff a chance, you wont regret it!

I hope this is eventually released on DVD, as it is something I can see myself wanting to watch more than once :) It's great news it has already been asked back for a second season :)

What a Happy Surprise!

[rsmolin · 10/10 · 17 December 2004]

I saw bits and pieces of the first episode and was frankly turned off by the suicide of the boy; I figured that being gay anymore is no longer a cause for such a drastic measure.

But on a restless evening I sat down and watched the first six episodes in a row, without stopping, and I was floored by the dazzling array of story lines, the powerful acting, the myriad of confrontations among the characters, the unfolding melodramas--and needless to say I was hooked big time! This series is awesome...I just hope people give it a shot and stay with it as I have. I am delighted to learn there are 7 more coming, and another season booked. Can't wait!

So real

[p-iyer · 10/10 · 4 August 2006]

One must get the DVDs and watch every episode several times in order to understand and unfold the various layers of Bob Lowry's writing. This beautifully written show can sometimes drive to insanity when it makes you realize certain things about yourself, or make you sigh in relief that most people are as messed up as you think you are. Its profound, funny, entertaining and ridiculously real. Every character has been well thought of and crafted to suit everyone's taste. You will find yourself hating, loving, believing, shunning and most importantly, thinking. And believe it or not, it will have you taking notes because some of the lines are just that beautiful. Although the show is off the air now, this is the Showtime's biggest contribution to television.

loved it-want it back

[gayleland · 10/10 · 26 December 2006]

This is honestly the most amazing show I have ever seen. I was hooked from the first episode-this cast is phenomenal. Hank Azaria is so incredibly talented I do not have words to describe how I feel about his performance in this show! I am devastated that this show is can-celled-I will do anything to get it back on air. I can't believe I now have to go through life never knowing how Russel's life is going to turn out or if Beth and Huff are ever going to get back together-and how Teddy and Byrd are going to turn out. Blythe's character always kept me guessing. I swear they could make a show that rotates completely around her. What can I do to get this show back on air? It's been so long already, but I think about it all the time!