I find this show to be very well done, and anyone with a good grasp on current politics could enjoy this show. Brian Newport represents the Republican side of politics, while Sammy, the waitress at the bar he frequents, represents liberals in America. The show will very likely p*** off a lot of people, as it tends to lean a lot more to the right than the liberal agenda. Still, if you try to look at the show objectively, it takes a good look at both sides of the political spectrum. Honestly it pokes fun at both sides, but since the show really revolves around Newport, it seems to show more of a conservative viewpoint. Behind the stereotypes and outlandish plot lines, there is a lot of comedy. I like to think of it's political satire along the lines of the last few South Park seasons, although it is much more overt in its political "moral" in each episode, if you want to call it that. I encourage people to watch the show, unless you don't like having your political party getting made fun of.
12 Reviews
This is a show we need now more than ever.
taylorfry5 September 2019
I watched the show as I was growing up (born in '87) and caused me to hunt down the show while in college after it had retired. I even contacted the writer a few times about the show and was really quite a decent person minus what some angry person had to say over a laptop.
I feel this show is needed now more than ever, and with so many digital content providers trying to get anything unique, should come back. We need to be able to poke fun at both sides, remind people its OK to be in the middle, and how crazy the extremists of both sides are and how important it is to be able to call out your own for being too crazy. I miss the witty humor, the satire, and how close it actually hits home.
Come back This Just In. You were before your time.
I feel this show is needed now more than ever, and with so many digital content providers trying to get anything unique, should come back. We need to be able to poke fun at both sides, remind people its OK to be in the middle, and how crazy the extremists of both sides are and how important it is to be able to call out your own for being too crazy. I miss the witty humor, the satire, and how close it actually hits home.
Come back This Just In. You were before your time.
Very Witty Political Satire
JDM67127 March 2004
Two episodes of this series have aired and I find it to be very witty and funny. It's always very up to date with current events. There are a variety of characters on the show lead by conservative republican Brian Newport. He's normally accompanied by his best friends, Jimmy Townhouse and Craig Tingle. That is when Craig's wife lets him go out. You'll also see liberal waitress Sami, who always disagrees with Brian and makes for some great dialogue between the two. Other than the regulars you never know who's going to show up in the bar from Ted Kennedy to a raid by Tom Ridge for watching Wheel of Terror on the al-jazeera network. I really like this show and I hope it does well. Congrats to Steve Marmel and everyone involved!
Brilliant political humor
HankLewis3 May 2004
The guy who came up with this show is a freaking Genius! He has more conservative views than other political satire (Think Mallard Fillmore) but at the same time doesn't hesitate to pop in a few jabs at some conservatives who are over the top as well (John Ashcroft).
Hu and Craig Tindle's relationship is also one of the funniest parts of the show. The phone ringing "rrrow-snickta", him trying to lie to Hu when he doesn't realize she's right in front of him and getting dragged back home by her, etc. has really beefed up the humor immensely. I think the funniest parts where Craig has gotten as much of the upper hand as he'll ever get with Hu were in the Episode where they went to Vegas (Craig did everything wrong and kept on winning) and the episode where Craig got Arnold Schwarzeneggar to get the bar owner out of jail by saying he was his cousin Craig "Tindle-neggar". The ending scene with Craig and Ahhhhnold at Hooter's, with Arnold goading him to grope the Hooter's girl had me rolling on the floor, laughing my @$$ off!!!
Keep this show on TV!!!
Hu and Craig Tindle's relationship is also one of the funniest parts of the show. The phone ringing "rrrow-snickta", him trying to lie to Hu when he doesn't realize she's right in front of him and getting dragged back home by her, etc. has really beefed up the humor immensely. I think the funniest parts where Craig has gotten as much of the upper hand as he'll ever get with Hu were in the Episode where they went to Vegas (Craig did everything wrong and kept on winning) and the episode where Craig got Arnold Schwarzeneggar to get the bar owner out of jail by saying he was his cousin Craig "Tindle-neggar". The ending scene with Craig and Ahhhhnold at Hooter's, with Arnold goading him to grope the Hooter's girl had me rolling on the floor, laughing my @$$ off!!!
Keep this show on TV!!!
My thoughts on the show
Sideshowbob71024 April 2004
This is an excellent show. Not only does it make fun of everyone I hate on the left it even does it to some on the right that I enjoy. The satire is quirky and smart. The characters are actually believable. Brian Newport is like my TV twin that I knew existed. The only cartoon that I've seen that lets conservatives have their say. I would recommend this to anyone that is tired of the same old drivel on TV. The show is not afraid to be quote unquote politically incorrect. However, liberals may not enjoy it because it points out all the flaws in the so called logic of their beliefs. To the person that posted before me, have an open mind and watch something that hasn't been run through the liberal filter.
A show that even radical liberals will like...
crparson8 February 2005
Warning: Spoilers
So many people on here have commented that "This Just In" was potentially offensive to liberals, while others have commented that the politics are good, but the jokes are not funny. I am here to tell you that the show was neither offensive OR unfunny. It's closing in now on a year since the show was canceled, but back when the show was on, me and all of my roommates watched and enjoyed the show greatly. I mention my roommates because I lived in a house full of punk rockers at the time. These were persons that were very liberal and did not mind "This Just In" savagely making fun of lame, watered down are mainstream liberals. Actually, as far as me and my friends go, most of us are "SO LIBERAL" that we refer to ourselves usually as some kind of "hypenated anarchist"(ya know, "post-anarchist", "realistic-anarchist", "eventual anarchist" etc.). Yes just like how "cool" republicans call themselves "libertarians" now, cool liberals call themselves anarchists.
Now sure, the main character of the show is decided conservative and he definitely said things that I didn't agree with politically, but he said them IN A FUNNY WAY, which is really all I'm looking for when I watch a funny cartoon. "This Just In" was an extremely good, very unique show with a lot of potential and it's just sad it got the ax so soon. The format of using Flash to do every show within the week it ran was brilliant and very ground breaking, in the future, we will definitely see more cartoons like this(FER EXAMPLE:Maybe if they put Homestar Runner on TV we'd see the same type of thing)
Furthermore, despite the Republicanism of the main character, you kinda got the feeling that one day he was gonna wise up, stop being an @$$hole and go liberal. I mean, my memories of the show might be fading at this point, but it seemed like in pretty much every episode his demi-crat friends were trying to show him the error of his ways.
POLITICALLY:don't agree with it COMEDICALLY:effing hilarious SHOULD THEY BRING IT BACK:definitely
I mean, come on, in one episode(SPOILER WARNING, heh heh) they had Scooby Do on Entertainment Tonight and he was being interviewed by that Kojo guy and Scooby says, "Ruck Roo, Raggot!" Now that's funny... That's like classic era Simpsons funny...
People need to stop taking offense so easily and open themself to a show that is extremely funny. This sucker is definitely gonna be a cult classic(speaking of such things, when are the Duckman DVD's coming out?)
Now sure, the main character of the show is decided conservative and he definitely said things that I didn't agree with politically, but he said them IN A FUNNY WAY, which is really all I'm looking for when I watch a funny cartoon. "This Just In" was an extremely good, very unique show with a lot of potential and it's just sad it got the ax so soon. The format of using Flash to do every show within the week it ran was brilliant and very ground breaking, in the future, we will definitely see more cartoons like this(FER EXAMPLE:Maybe if they put Homestar Runner on TV we'd see the same type of thing)
Furthermore, despite the Republicanism of the main character, you kinda got the feeling that one day he was gonna wise up, stop being an @$$hole and go liberal. I mean, my memories of the show might be fading at this point, but it seemed like in pretty much every episode his demi-crat friends were trying to show him the error of his ways.
POLITICALLY:don't agree with it COMEDICALLY:effing hilarious SHOULD THEY BRING IT BACK:definitely
I mean, come on, in one episode(SPOILER WARNING, heh heh) they had Scooby Do on Entertainment Tonight and he was being interviewed by that Kojo guy and Scooby says, "Ruck Roo, Raggot!" Now that's funny... That's like classic era Simpsons funny...
People need to stop taking offense so easily and open themself to a show that is extremely funny. This sucker is definitely gonna be a cult classic(speaking of such things, when are the Duckman DVD's coming out?)
A brilliant contemporary satire
rudy-3029 March 2004
"This Just In" is a brilliant contemporary satire that is reminiscent of "The Corner Bar" and "Archie Bunker's Place." The main character is a conservative journalist who hangs out with his friends, one married, one single in a sports bar. You have the Cuban owner, and the fiery Latina waitress, along with the Oriental shrewish wife. One character, though, bears a very strong resemblance to Terry Laban's character, Rajiv.
Phil Lamarr once again provides the voice for the main character. Some of the celebrity voices impersonated fall short, but this show deserves an A for trying. It takes a lot of effort for a cartoon to be contemporary because of the work involved, and so, I hope this show lasts.
Phil Lamarr once again provides the voice for the main character. Some of the celebrity voices impersonated fall short, but this show deserves an A for trying. It takes a lot of effort for a cartoon to be contemporary because of the work involved, and so, I hope this show lasts.
Original and gutsy, but marginally funny political satire (and future cult favorite)
liquidcelluloid-124 July 2004
Network: Spike TV; Genre: Animated Comedy/ Satire; Content Rating: TV-PG; Classification: Contemporary (Star range: 1 - 4);
Season Reviewed: Complete Series (6 episodes)
If you blinked you missed it.
'This Just In...' was the one original program on SpikeTV that had some staying power, any potential to put the network on the map as a serious contender and a respectable alternative to The Cartoon Network's wildly popular Adult Swim. It was on for all of 6 episodes before the network cowardly ran away from it. Back to wrestling, 'CSI' reruns and the deplorable 'The Joe Schmo Show'. Created by Steve Marmel, it is an animated comedy satirizing topical current and political events, written the week the show airs (owing a little credit to 'South Park 'here) except the hook here is that it comes from an unapologetically conservative point of view. And a conservative that isn't a radical right-winger either. Great day in the morning.
Brian Newport is a conservative Republican in college, surrounded by and preaching his big picture, linear logic politics (almost to the point of obnoxiousness) to a world of liberals around him that don't want to hear it. The resulting effect is completely refreshing, especially when you look around and realize that before this you could count the number of openly conservative-minded comedies on the air today on one hand and still have 3 or 4 fingers left over. The show does justice to the view and doesn't labor it's points but gives equal skewered timing to everyone - a stark contrast to the raving shoehorned soapbox speeches of other shows.
And, agree with it or not, watching this show you are going to see stories, jokes and slants on the news that you won't see anywhere else. Instead of David E. Kelley or Dick Wolf cramming their own brand of slander down our throats about the president this show delivers us a 180 degree spin on that. As in 'Bushwacked' when the show proposes the novel idea that George Bush is a brilliant, snotty, Yale graduate who consciously mis-pronounces words and talks in a Southern twang in order to appeal to common voters. Newport's explanation for why paying taxes is actually a good thing (in moderation, of course) is more detailed an nuanced than anything in the broad generalizations we are expected to swallow from liberal series as to why we are to, for example, believe in global warming or weep for victims of the death penalty.
Taking the 'Bushwacked' example, it's an original idea, but not particularly funny which, unfortunately, sums up almost everything about this show. It suffers from the same lazy comic ailment that plagued this year's increasingly feverishly left-wing 'Whoopi': the misconception that just dropping the name of a celebrity or well-known politician is enough to get a laugh. Name-dropping falls just in line behind puns and fart jokes as the most mind-numbing and tedious form of comedy there can be. Not since the sparkling writing of 'Murphy Brown' has a show been able to pull it off with any resounding success. So aside from a well-deserved jab at Tina Fey (proof the show is closer to the cusp of reading what's hip than most) I was never provoked to actual laughter by it. Even when some of Marmel's ideas and character quirks are if you think about them quite funny ones; such as the idea that Newport is such a political junkie we see a 'Hannity and Colmes' poster displayed prominently on his wall with the Colmes scratched out. We need more shows on TV as open to political dissection as this one.
Like I said, this was a somewhat refreshing show that had potential. It was, at best, marginally funny hampered by a slow pace and Marmel lacking the sharp comic delivery to really sell most of the gags. But it's ridiculous to expect the series to be completely ironed out after only six episodes. It was a show of ideas in a landscape of mindless TV and I wish I had the chance to get to know it better. Spike dropped the ball big time.
* *
Season Reviewed: Complete Series (6 episodes)
If you blinked you missed it.
'This Just In...' was the one original program on SpikeTV that had some staying power, any potential to put the network on the map as a serious contender and a respectable alternative to The Cartoon Network's wildly popular Adult Swim. It was on for all of 6 episodes before the network cowardly ran away from it. Back to wrestling, 'CSI' reruns and the deplorable 'The Joe Schmo Show'. Created by Steve Marmel, it is an animated comedy satirizing topical current and political events, written the week the show airs (owing a little credit to 'South Park 'here) except the hook here is that it comes from an unapologetically conservative point of view. And a conservative that isn't a radical right-winger either. Great day in the morning.
Brian Newport is a conservative Republican in college, surrounded by and preaching his big picture, linear logic politics (almost to the point of obnoxiousness) to a world of liberals around him that don't want to hear it. The resulting effect is completely refreshing, especially when you look around and realize that before this you could count the number of openly conservative-minded comedies on the air today on one hand and still have 3 or 4 fingers left over. The show does justice to the view and doesn't labor it's points but gives equal skewered timing to everyone - a stark contrast to the raving shoehorned soapbox speeches of other shows.
And, agree with it or not, watching this show you are going to see stories, jokes and slants on the news that you won't see anywhere else. Instead of David E. Kelley or Dick Wolf cramming their own brand of slander down our throats about the president this show delivers us a 180 degree spin on that. As in 'Bushwacked' when the show proposes the novel idea that George Bush is a brilliant, snotty, Yale graduate who consciously mis-pronounces words and talks in a Southern twang in order to appeal to common voters. Newport's explanation for why paying taxes is actually a good thing (in moderation, of course) is more detailed an nuanced than anything in the broad generalizations we are expected to swallow from liberal series as to why we are to, for example, believe in global warming or weep for victims of the death penalty.
Taking the 'Bushwacked' example, it's an original idea, but not particularly funny which, unfortunately, sums up almost everything about this show. It suffers from the same lazy comic ailment that plagued this year's increasingly feverishly left-wing 'Whoopi': the misconception that just dropping the name of a celebrity or well-known politician is enough to get a laugh. Name-dropping falls just in line behind puns and fart jokes as the most mind-numbing and tedious form of comedy there can be. Not since the sparkling writing of 'Murphy Brown' has a show been able to pull it off with any resounding success. So aside from a well-deserved jab at Tina Fey (proof the show is closer to the cusp of reading what's hip than most) I was never provoked to actual laughter by it. Even when some of Marmel's ideas and character quirks are if you think about them quite funny ones; such as the idea that Newport is such a political junkie we see a 'Hannity and Colmes' poster displayed prominently on his wall with the Colmes scratched out. We need more shows on TV as open to political dissection as this one.
Like I said, this was a somewhat refreshing show that had potential. It was, at best, marginally funny hampered by a slow pace and Marmel lacking the sharp comic delivery to really sell most of the gags. But it's ridiculous to expect the series to be completely ironed out after only six episodes. It was a show of ideas in a landscape of mindless TV and I wish I had the chance to get to know it better. Spike dropped the ball big time.
* *
Utter Trash
Jaded_Dragon22 May 2004
Seriously, what is the point of this show? Unlike many political humor shows it goes straight for the heart of the issue rather than skirt around it...then misses the point entirely. There is a reason spike TV is the only one who will touch this. At its best it's a apologists diary of Bush's policies even when fellow conservatives are questioning them. At its worst it's utter bigotry towards people even most conservatives aren't hostile towards anymore. I mean come on, France jokes? 2003 called, they want their ethnic slurs back. What passes for humor on this show is essentially "witty" badmouthing and characterization of people who opposed the war. Which means we get the ever so original, highly overweight Michael Moore shooting his mouth off. What comedic genius! Then they'll trot out a horribly skewed Moby (who is acting more like Marilyn Manson) and make fun of him. I guess the reason why they didn't pick on Eminem (who also denounced the war) is because he's too popular. Wow, only picking on those who won't fight back...what creative courage. I know conservatives want some form of entertainment skewed towards their interests...(you know, aside from every single news channel and half the networks on the air) but this show just makes them out as a pack of rabid dogs. Oh, I forgot taking cheap shots at the kennedy's...any titanic jokes they want to crank out while hitting these fads in the height of their popularity? It's not that the show presents a right wing perspective, it's how badly it does it. Shows like King of the Hill are quite conservative but still manage to explain their take on a given issue and use logical evidence to support it. Even if you don't agree with what they are doing, they make you think and are almost always enjoyable. "This just in" does none of this. It feels like it really wants to be family guy but didn't really put in the effort (as evidenced by its complete lack of star power, Hell Family guy was able to get Luke Perry in its second season.). To sum it all up, the show lacks originality, characters with depths, interesting plot and (the final nail in its coffin for a show of this genre) humor. its just not funny, is more often than not offensive, and is actually painful to watch. The worst thing of all is that it is taking away valuable time that could be spent airing MXE, which is funnier, and has a hell of a lot more star power.
Is this supposed to be funny?
Tiger_Mark8 April 2004
I'm sorry, but where is the humor? I understand that it is a so-called political satire? Two problems, it is politically simple and not humorous. If I want to see so-called political humor, I will watch Fox News. If I want to see a clever cartoon, I will watch pretty much any cartoon other than this. You want some political humor in this review? This show won't live past the Bush administration. Translation, it is gone after November.
The Goode Family makes this show look like Mr. Bean the animated series
tommypezmaster5 September 2009
This has to be one of the worst series about a bumbling fool ever . If not, it is THE fifth worst series about a bumbling fool.
1.) Chalkzone 2.) Squirrel Boy 3.) Will & DeWitt 4.) Tak & The Power of Juju 5.) This Just In
The entire series revolves around Jourinist and Current Events while being as illogical as can be. If it reminds you of Mr. Bean: The Animated Series, you are not alone. Also, there is no redeeming qualities about the entire series, since the plot is so unoriginal. Furthermore, the characters are anything but likable and memorable.
There are enough movie failure puns and references to choke a horse. Also, they have every cliché in this series. I am glad it is all over.
as for the last show that was like this one
The Goode Family (to me) is S*&^. Pure and simple. It has poor Dialog, it has poor plots, the characters feel stale as a piece of toast that has existed for as long as a dang tree, and for some reason I want to vomit at the sight of an idiot Father trying to get his family out of a jam. Yeah...NO MYSTERY THERE! Honestly, it in my opinion tries to be good but...but...MAN!
I'm sorry if a fan of cartoons like this is offended by this review, but pure and simple, this is just an opinion! With a few observations. Man, when Mike Judge made TGF, he feels like he wasn't just scraping the bottom of the barrel, ABC took some justice & they've finally been throwing the darn thing away.
1.) Chalkzone 2.) Squirrel Boy 3.) Will & DeWitt 4.) Tak & The Power of Juju 5.) This Just In
The entire series revolves around Jourinist and Current Events while being as illogical as can be. If it reminds you of Mr. Bean: The Animated Series, you are not alone. Also, there is no redeeming qualities about the entire series, since the plot is so unoriginal. Furthermore, the characters are anything but likable and memorable.
There are enough movie failure puns and references to choke a horse. Also, they have every cliché in this series. I am glad it is all over.
as for the last show that was like this one
The Goode Family (to me) is S*&^. Pure and simple. It has poor Dialog, it has poor plots, the characters feel stale as a piece of toast that has existed for as long as a dang tree, and for some reason I want to vomit at the sight of an idiot Father trying to get his family out of a jam. Yeah...NO MYSTERY THERE! Honestly, it in my opinion tries to be good but...but...MAN!
I'm sorry if a fan of cartoons like this is offended by this review, but pure and simple, this is just an opinion! With a few observations. Man, when Mike Judge made TGF, he feels like he wasn't just scraping the bottom of the barrel, ABC took some justice & they've finally been throwing the darn thing away.
STUPID AND NOT FUNNY
rollinstock1825 March 2004
This is the most pathetic attempt and humor in a licensed cartoon that I have ever seen, and I've seen King of the Hill. This show is executed like a poorly made Flash animated series made by some college student that is currently failing in art school. You don't need to take my word for it, but I guarantee you will be kicking yourself when you realize that this garbage show stole a half of an hour of your life that you can never get back, when you could have listened to me. Also, I would like to note that the nobody voice actors in here happens to have the absolute WORST impersonation of Senator Kennedy I have EVER heard. I only wish I had not wasted my time watching ONE episode. I did not laugh ONCE.
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