The Guest Book - General Discussion

[Meredith Quill]

Anticipate Here!

[nodorothyparker]

The Guest Book centers on the vacation home Froggy Cottage and its visitors. While the house and cast of characters living in this small mountain town remain the same, each episode will feature a different set of vacationing guests.  From My Name is Earl and Raising Hope creator Greg Garcia, this 10-episode anthology series premiers Aug. 3 on TBS

[nodorothyparker]

Lots and lots of guest and recurring actors from Greg Garcia's previous projects.

[peacheslatour]

I'm really looking forward to this show. I hate to jinx it by saying this, but to me it has kind of a Twin Peaks vibe.

[Petunia13]

On 7/9/2017 at 2:56 PM, peacheslatour said:

I'm really looking forward to this show. I hate to jinx it by saying this, but to me it has kind of a Twin Peaks vibe.

I also am. I liked My Name is Earl a lot and this concept is so intriguing. 

[nodorothyparker]

I'm a huge fan of the offbeat humor and often unexpected sweetness of both My Name is Earl and Raising Hope, so I'm really interested to see what Greg Garcia does with a more Love Boat style setup.

[nodorothyparker]

Story One: Months after having a kid, Tim, a middle-school science teacher, books the cabin to spice up his sex life with his wife Sandy, but when things take an unexpected turn, Tim finds himself way over his head in a criminal conspiracy.

Story Two: Devout mother Jill is annoyed that her son Ethan has brought his atheist fiancée Lynn to the cabin for a family getaway.

[ZoqFotPik]

I only watched for Danny Pudi. I thought it was just okay. Both episodes had their moments, but I felt the first was better. I hope that each episode doesn't end with the main character getting away with whatever they are doing. I think that would get old really fast. I'll give it another episode or two to see if gets any better.

[arc]

I did like the continuity happening among the townspeople, with the stripper's stepson being retrieved in Story Two, the rope owl of Froggy Cottage still being wrecked, and so on.

And as a Greg Garcia fan for a while now it was great to see Eddie Steeples and Garrett Dillahunt in recurring roles.

[jumper sage]

6 hours ago, arc said:

I did like the continuity happening among the townspeople,

I agree, this will be the cement of the show.

[2727]

For some reason I don't hold half hour shows to the same standard as longer ones. I thought both episodes were mildly amusing and that's sufficient. I was mostly impressed with all the recognizable faces. Somebody calling in favors from actor friends?

I'm nervous for the motel owner next week -- don't get a lap dance, dude!!

Oh, and nobody use the hot tub. You know they didn't disinfect that thing.

[peeayebee]

I hadn't heard about this show until I heard a positive review on the radio earlier this week. Another Greg Garcia show?!? Yippee!

However, I was somewhat disappointed. I was glad to see Danny Pudi, as well as Garrett Dillahunt of course, but aside from a few bits here and there, I didn't really enjoy this. Plus some of the language bothered me. I was expecting and hoping for something more along the lines of My Name Is Earl.

I actually liked the second ep better. I particularly liked Stockard Channing's husband. I thought he was pretty funny.

I agree with others that the continuity from ep to ep will make this better.

And hey... Chubby's!

[SmithW6079]

19 hours ago, peeayebee said:

I actually liked the second ep better. I particularly liked Stockard Channing's husband. I thought he was pretty funny.

I agree with others that the continuity from ep to ep will make this better.

 

"That's a crap deal, son," when the son tells them the deal he make with his fianceé made me laugh out loud.

I like Stockard Channing, but she's had some unfortunate plastic surgery.

[ChicagoCita]

I'm not a prude, but I was shocked at some of the language. Most of it seemed unnecessary -- the "whee!" factor of getting away with something on basic cable.

I loved My Name Is Earl and enjoyed seeing familiar faces, with more apparently coming in future episodes. I wasn't bowled over by these two episodes, but I've set up a series recording. Greg Garcia writing all ten episodes makes me want to watch.

[peeayebee]

Yes, I was also shocked by some of the language, mainly because I don't associate that with a Greg Garcia production. It seemed forced and, like you said, done just because they could.

I miss My Name Is Earl. That was such a fantastic series, particularly in the early seasons.

[MaryMitch]

On 8/5/2017 at 6:57 PM, SmithW6079 said:

I like Stockard Channing, but she's had some unfortunate plastic surgery.

Honestly!  But it's no worse than what some other "women of a certain age" have had done. Do you think that in Hollywood they've just forgotten what a normal older woman looks like? Do you think that weird lip thing they've got going on looks normal to them?

[Darian]

On 8/5/2017 at 6:57 PM, SmithW6079 said:

"That's a crap deal, son," when the son tells them the deal he make with his fianceé made me laugh out loud.

 

Heh. And then the father says if the fiancee loses the leg the son can renegotiate. I had to run it back to make sure I'd hear it right. 

[Izzy85]

I thought it was funny enough for me to waste a half hour, but I have to say my favorite parts of both episodes were the musicians, HoneyHoney, I hope they're in every episode.

[nodorothyparker]

Phyllis and her husband's weekend retreat with his boss and the boss' much younger wife becomes unbearable for Phyllis, until she finds an unlikely escape by helping stranger Marcia run away from a plural marriage.

[peeayebee]

I don't know about this show. I like the actors involved, but nothing is really grabbing me so far. I think I'll give it one more week, then I'm out.

[ZoqFotPik]

Yeah, I'm not feeling it either. This episode just kind of ended. I'll also give it one more week.

[ChicagoCita]

I warmed up to this episode more than the previous ones. It seemed to have the kind of goofy humor I remember from My Name Is Earl, well-intentioned people screwing up because they're basically screw-ups. I agree, this one just ended abruptly.

And not to be overly analytical, but I was vaguely offended by Plan B being called a mini-abortion. Twice. As I understand it, it prevents ovulation or prevents implantation. Neither of which is an abortion.

Was the boss the guy who played the detective in Dexter?

[ZoqFotPik]

8 hours ago, ChicagoCita said:

Was the boss the guy who played the detective in Dexter?

Yes, David Zayas.

[AnnieBeez]

I feel like this show should be better than it is. I WANT it to be better than it is. I'll give it a couple more episodes. Right now I spend more time saying, "That's _______ from _____!" than actually enjoying the show. 

[peeayebee]

HA! That's exactly what I'm doing! "Hey it's that guy!"

[nodorothyparker]

Christy heads up to the mountains to try and bond with her new boyfriend Paul and his 8-year-old daughter, but she self-medicates because of her anxiety and ends up revealing some skeletons in her closet.

[peeayebee]

I did like Jaime Pressley in this. It was weird hearing her without Joy's exaggerated Southern accent. But she has great facial expressions.

Other than that... eh.

[ZoqFotPik]

I enjoyed this episode. I liked the relationship between Christy, Paul, and his daughter. It wasn't super funny and I really don't think the show needs the strip club subplot, but I still enjoyed it. 

[ChicagoCita]

I'm warming up to this show. I don't think it's one that I'll mourn when it's over, but it's quirky and a fun summer show. It took me a while to recognize Jaime Pressley without Joy's accent, as peeayebee said, but I thought she did a good job as a totally different character. I actually did laugh out loud when her character realized she had been cast as a porn MILF.

Was anyone able to catch what the texts between the next-door neighbor and his wife were? I didn't feel like running up to the TV to try to read them. Annoying.

[ZoqFotPik]

I don't have an exact wording, but the neighbor invited his wife to spend the weekend next time she comes with their son and that he has an extra bed, while using several emojis. The wife agrees saying it would probably be good for their son.

[ChicagoCita]

Thank you, ZoqFotPik. I'm rooting for them, even though I don't like her much. Should be a fun arc.

Edited August 18, 2017 by ChicagoCita

[Red Bridey]

I have liked the idea of this show, and the actors ("Oh, THAT guy...), but this was the first one that I have laughed out loud at.  Jamie Pressley reacting to the huge pot brownie cracked me up.  I have a family member who ate a pot cookie and had to sleep next to his/her straight-laced spouse...and this reminded me of his/her paranoia.  Very funny!

I like this show!

[OoogleEyes]

I'm enjoying this show. I'm a big Greg Garcia fan, and I'm not disappointed at all.

I love seeing his "regulars" pop up. There's always something going on in the background, like when the stripper and her stepson drove by when the two dads were talking 

[rhys]

O I laughed so hard when the doc looked at Christy's ID &said she looked familiar & was an actor! Laughed & laughed. Then the fellow that hands out keys thought Christy was a cheer leader. That was great writing & casting.

[nodorothyparker]

Hopeful medical researcher Laurie visits the cabin with her Alzheimer's patient Edgar in an attempt to recreate his past life and help him recapture some of his memories.

Yes, they skipped this one earlier and apparently have now come back to it, throwing the title and episode numbering into disarray.  All we can do is go with it.

[ChicagoCita]

Yes, and it kind of screwed up the narrative at the beginning, where the vending machine guys talk.

I enjoyed this episode. Maybe my expectations are getting lower, or it's getting better, but I LOL'd several times.

My annoyance was that they didn't even bring out the guest book. I mean, if it's the name of the freakin' show, it needs to make an appearance, right?

[biakbiak]

Quote

A federal agent, Trina (Kimberly Hebert Gregory), books the mountain cabin in order to protect a valuable witness, Blake (Tommy Dewey), but Blake has his own ideas on how to escape the people who are after him.

[biakbiak]

8 hours ago, ChicagoCita said:

Yes, and it kind of screwed up the narrative at the beginning, where the vending machine guys talk.

Did it? I thought I watched closely to see if they mentioned anything I didn't know and nothing stood out.

I liked this episode, I love Kimberly from Vice Principals and recently watched some early episodes of The Mindy Project and Thomas Dewey was her boyfriend so it was nice to see him still working.

When the bartender picked up the book at the end of the episode I thought it was going to be the guest book.

[ZoqFotPik]

11 hours ago, ChicagoCita said:

My annoyance was that they didn't even bring out the guest book. I mean, if it's the name of the freakin' show, it needs to make an appearance, right?

Trina wrote her poem in it.

[ChicagoCita]

Just now, ZoqFotPik said:

Trina wrote her poem in it.

I totally missed that. Thank you!

[peeayebee]

3 hours ago, biakbiak said:

Thomas Dewey was her boyfriend so it was nice to see him still working.

He has a series on Hulu called Casual. I haven't watched it, but I've seen ads.

I'm still on the fence. I liked that they connected over their love of poetry, so I was disappointed when he dumped her.

I've been meaning to comment on the opening credits reminding me of Community's opening credits.

[ChicagoCita]

10 hours ago, biakbiak said:

Did it? I thought I watched closely to see if they mentioned anything I didn't know and nothing stood out.

I saw the female cop's disappointment in the recaps when the doctor/neighbor showed her all the bouquets of flowers. That was new to me.

I am still giggling from parts of this episode. The stripper's amazement/lust that the gigolo "looked just like a weatherman or something!" And his complete honesty that his "powers' didn't work on a woman who was "more than a five."

[biakbiak]

Just now, ChicagoCita said:

saw the female cop's disappointment in the recaps when the doctor/neighbor showed her all the bouquets of flowers. That was new to me.

Ah thanks, I knew she was disappointed because what she said in episode 4 so didn't think anything of it.

[nodorothyparker]

Adam, a sweet guy who suffers from OCD, is nervous to ask out his office crush Gillian, so he devises a plan that will get her up to the cabin for their first date.

[MaryMitch]

I first felt sorry for that guy. Then he ended up having a great party until the peanuts. I'm glad he had a doctor there.  And then in the end, I thought "what a dope" when he turned away what is probably his perfect match!

Oh, and I hope Kellie Martin (the cop) ends up with the doctor!

[peeayebee]

I think this was my favorite ep, and just about when I was ready to give up the show.

I've never seen Michael Rapaport play such a sweet and innocent character. I liked him. I also liked hearing more from Kellie Martin, who had a couple of funny lines. By the ending, it sure looks like she and the doc hit it off. (I don't know the characters' names.)

I liked the big stripper being drunk and repeating what she had just said. 

I was expecting the girl from the office to end up having some form of OCD so she and the guy would get together, then when the other woman arrived late I thought this was too neat a way to wrap things up. So I had to giggle when he shut the door in her face.

[ZoqFotPik]

11 hours ago, MaryMitch said:

Oh, and I hope Kellie Martin (the cop) ends up with the doctor!

I just realized that's who she is.

2 hours ago, peeayebee said:

By the ending, it sure looks like she and the doc hit it off. (I don't know the characters' names.)

Kimberly and Andrew. It looked like she was giving him her phone number at the end there.

2 hours ago, peeayebee said:

I was expecting the girl from the office to end up having some form of OCD so she and the guy would get together, then when the other woman arrived late I thought this was too neat a way to wrap things up. So I had to giggle when he shut the door in her face.

I'm kind of glad things didn't work out for him. I'm not really a big fan of the "Rather than be direct, a guy tries to trick a girl into dating him" trope. 

[peeayebee]

He wasn't really trying to trick her into dating him. He thought a "surprise date" was a sweet idea. Of course we (and all the other characters) knew it was a terrible idea, but the guy just didn't have any social skills.

[Red Bridey]

So funny!  I really enjoy Michael Rappaport.

[Phishbulb]

19 hours ago, ZoqFotPik said:

I just realized that's who she is.

Kimberly and Andrew. It looked like she was giving him her phone number at the end there.

I feel like there was some plot stuff regarding these two characters that was missed due to them skipping Episode 5. As far as I can tell, there is no air date scheduled for Episode 5! You can't even see it on demand. I wonder why they skipped it.