“Terriers” – Well? Did you like it? Post your review here …

by Frank Gormlie on September 9, 2010 · 25 comments

Some of us from the OB Rag were at the Harp last night watching the premier of “Terriers”. I counted about 120 souls about the bar and restaurant, a noisy place until the show came on. Hosted by Ted and Kathy of the Old Town Restaurant – where 6 or 7 scenes were shot – the crowd at the screening cheered every time a scene of Ocean Beach appeared on the big screen.

Well, did you see it? Did you like it? Here is an open thread to post your reviews in the comments section below.

{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }

OB Joe September 9, 2010 at 10:08 am

The opening scene was weak. It should have jumped out and grabbed us but it didn’t. Other than that, I wasn’t that impressed but am willing to give it another shot next week. There really wasn’t too much of OB in the episode.

Jon September 9, 2010 at 10:15 am

?? Wasn’t too much of OB? What show were you watching Joe? They drove down every block and alley in the neighborhood, showed the pier 50 times, filmed an entire scene outside one of my buddies apartments on Santa Cruz, drove up and down Newport….geez man, what do you want? An entire hour filmed at Jungle Java?

I thought the show was fine. It was great to see our hood on primetime. Hope it does well.

Frank Gormlie September 9, 2010 at 10:32 am

Hey Jon, they drove down my old alley, in between Long Branch and Muir – being filmed of course, and apparently the Hank character lives in the apartment complex right behind my old cottage. No wonder the owners prettied them all up over a year ago.

OB Joe September 9, 2010 at 10:34 am

Well, okay, everytime there was a commercial, my roommates would fill the bong, so maybe by time the scenes of OB rolled around, … well you know ….

Jon September 9, 2010 at 1:09 pm: haha! yeah, we actually missed most of the show because every time they would show Newport or the Harp, all of my neighbors would start yelling. “OH I know that dog!” “OH that’s my buddie’s house!” “OH! That’s my favorite palm tree!” Silly business.

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Ernie McCray September 9, 2010 at 12:03 pm

It was great seeing scenes of OB but the show, like so many on tv, lacks originality, not enough interesting dramatic tension between the good guys and the bad guys. Dude loses his friend and freaks out then has nowhere else acting wise he can go. A gradual slow burn with scenes reflecting what’s going on in his mind and I might have leaned forward in my chair. But, again, it was fun seeing streets I know. I hope local actor, Jay Michael Ross, an old friend, gets more time on camera with something to say because he can act big time.

Dickie September 9, 2010 at 12:46 pm

I liked the acting more than I liked the scripting or the story. I could imagine running into either of those dudes on Newport or Voltaire. It was a nice local touch that the main villain seems to be a developer, but in this situation the problem is he IS NOT really doing the development[!] instead of people being pissed about the development.

The shots of OB were cool, the alleys life and all . . . I saw The Black Bead and the OB Hotel (no sign) at the corner of Abbott and Newport. One thing that unnerved me were the scenes of them having conversations in the car as they cruise down the street. There is no street in OB you can cruise like that . . . I kept having visions of them running stop signs on Sunset Cliffs or bowling over youngsters down on Abbott St. or retired teachers on Long Branch . . .

I’ll definitely watch again . . . it takes me back . ..

jec September 9, 2010 at 1:34 pm

Why Terriers? Didn’t catch the title line; not sure one was thrown. Story was weak, contrived. Donal was fine – works well with OB – but his sidekick, it was like his part was an after thought. And the OBPD? The writers missed an opportunity to play off the dynamics between Bohemian OB and downtown San Diego. And why does this guy live in OB? Cheap rent? Or for the surf? A lot of wholes in this production. On a scale of 1 to 10 I’d give it a 5 and a forecast of closing before Thanksgiving.

Jon September 9, 2010 at 2:41 pm: I think Terriers and private I’s are both thought of as being persistent dogs. At least that’s my interpretation. Pilots are always tricky, I’m hoping they develop a bit more and answer some of the other questions you have in the next few episodes. I’m not ready to make a call one way or the other after a single pilot. I also agree that Donal makes a pretty good OBcean.

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dave rice September 9, 2010 at 9:38 pm: Christina thought after they stole the guy’s dog in the opening scene that the whole show was going to be about stealing dogs from jilted exes, hence ‘Terriers.’ Kinda Ace Ventura-ish…

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OBWarZone September 9, 2010 at 3:47 pm

It was the pilot folks, it will get better. Nice to see spots around town, fancy like. Looking forward to seeing The Tilted Stick featured in a robbery scene & a few episodes!

ClubStyle_DJ September 9, 2010 at 6:02 pm

It was definitely better than that “who’s my boyfriend” feasco filmed in OB a while back. The Jury is still out on content and attention/following grab-ability.

ss September 9, 2010 at 9:14 pm

Enjoyed the scenes around town but over all I thought plot was kind of hokey. I did see the whole show and it went into after my bedtime so that is a plus. But like most TV shows these days it was OK but I lost it during the commercials then it is off t bed Good night

Brenda McFarlane September 10, 2010 at 8:07 am

Watching the show at The Harp was totally fun but not the best environment to get a good impression of the show. I loved the atmosphere and the characters. It is a gritty little show and uses OB fantastically. I hope the show gets funnier.

I like continuing stories in my TV shows and didn’t find their lives very compelling, it’s all a little mundane. The producers created a show that is easy to produce. No kids, no pets, no tough challenges to write around. I can’t get engaged in the selling of a house or a man’s fear over having a baby.

Yes, they are mildly dramatic events in a person’s life but it is how a character responds that makes it interesting or not. The writers didn’t bring anything fresh to these rather boring personal dramas. No one cares that much in the show but no one doesn’t care that much either.

The comparison to the Coen brother’s The Big Lubowski is unavoidable. It’s too bad they didn’t choose to really go for the style or humor of that movie. The show could really use a more daring and radical approach. I’m looking forward to the next episode and hope the show is a big success.

Brian September 13, 2010 at 1:08 pm: “The comparison to the Coen brother’s The Big Lubowski is unavoidable.”

It is? How so?

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jim grant September 10, 2010 at 8:26 am

Ok I am not a professional TV review guy but that being said:
1. I thought there should have been more dialog on the whys and hows of them even being in OB that would have been good .
2. I thought they could have drawn that imaginary line between the rest of the city of SD and OB a little more clearly. Give OB the edge they have talked about in all the prior reviews…
3. Story line was average at best. Bad rich guy in big house blah blah blah…
4. I thought the chemistry between the two was good , but I would have had the one guy dating the other guys ex-wife…..
5. I thought there was too much confusing muttered dialog….Some of it was very very funny I must admit.
6. It was fun and the sex tape added a little r rating……the girl pulling up her jeans in the wash room after….. well you know !! nice touch NOW thats OB !!
I might have missed something I was taking photos for the Beacon looking forward to the next show when I can actually watch and listen !!

BillRayDrums September 10, 2010 at 9:31 am

Those guys are actors? I could have sworn I’d seen them at the seawall getting shook down by SDPD!

OBWarZone September 10, 2010 at 1:45 pm

“Terriers,” FX’s new drama about a couple of seedy San Diego private eyes, premiered to disappointing ratings despite mostly positive reviews.

The show, which stars Donal Logue and Michael Raymond-James and was executive produced by Ted Griffin (“Ocean’s Eleven”) and Shawn Ryan (“The Shield”), drew only 1.6 million viewers, making it the least-watched premiere of a new show for FX in recent history.

The low numbers are something of a surprise considering the strong promotional push FX put behind it and the success of FX’s other dramas, including “Sons of Anarchy” and “Rescue Me,” although the latter has seen its numbers fade over the last few years.

Paul September 10, 2010 at 2:11 pm

I certainly wouldn’t have watched it if it weren’t in OB. The previews were lame and the actuality was weak. I may never watch it again.

OB Mercy September 12, 2010 at 8:28 am

I for one didn’t think it was all that great, but am willing to give it a few more chances. Especially since I’m an actor and my agent said if it gets picked up, there will hopefully be a part for me to audition for! She helped cast this series.

Lorna September 14, 2010 at 5:24 pm

It was fun to see OB on TV and the PIs were appropriate to the location. The show was not great or awful, about as good as most of the other stuff that fills the airwaves. We should not expect much more from TV. I’ll probably watch Terriers again (if watching TV during the time slot). Maybe the TV show could address the homeless issue in a empathetic manner.

Frank Gormlie September 17, 2010 at 11:47 am

After talking to a few viewers, the consensus seems to be that the second episode was better than the pilot, imagine that. We learned more about the main characters and the OB Police Department. Is that the old CalTrans building being used for the front of the OBPD building?

dave rice September 17, 2010 at 2:07 pm

Didn’t you do a story about that building a while back? And yeah, the second one picked up a bit…wish it was a little earlier than the 10 showing and 11 instant replay…

Frank Gormlie September 17, 2010 at 4:17 pm

No story, but we did have a photo of it when Terriers first started shooting – so long ago. Yeah, it’s late and doubtless they lose some people who are not into recording …