Good Game is an American comedy series, developed by Michele Morrow and Jesse Cox, that premiered on August 30, 2017, on YouTube Red. In March 2018, it was announced that the show had been cancelled after one season due to low viewership, despite receiving mostly favorable reviews.
| Good Game | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Created by | |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Danny Jelinek |
| Starring |
|
| Composer | Ryan Elder |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Cinematography | Andrew Knapp |
| Editors |
|
| Running time | 25 minutes |
| Production company | Starburns Industries |
| Original release | |
| Network | YouTube Red[1] |
| Release | August 30 – September 27, 2017 |
Premise
editGood Game follows "a newly formed team of eSports players trying to make it to the top in the cutthroat world of competitive gaming."[2]
Cast and characters
edit- Dan Avidan as Alex Taylor, the optimistic coach of the team and Ryland's roommate
- Arin Hanson as Ryland Tate, a former DotA legend who tries to hide his embarrassing past
- Michele Morrow as Ashley "Ash" Donovan, a video game reporter who relishes the chance to compete
- Jade Payton as Samantha "Sam" Kinsey, a former Olympic tennis hopeful who began playing Killcore during rehabilitation from an injury
- Rahul Abburi as Kamal Pasala, an obnoxious but vital part of the team.
- Michael Ornstein as Lorenzo Santella Jr., Alex and Ryland's landlord and source of the team's funding
- Oliver Cooper as "SteaminSemen", Ryland's adversary
- Jesse Cox as Jesse Newman, the mysterious creator of Killcore
- Terry Crews as himself
- Dan Harmon as The Suit
- Brian Wecht as Assassin / Mystery Man
- Josh Fadem as Panda
- Marion Van Cuyck as Katie
- Sky Elobar as Merle
Production
editDevelopment
editOn June 22, 2017, it was announced during YouTube Red's presentation at VidCon that they had given the production a series order. The series was developed by Michele Morrow and Jesse Cox, executive produced by Dan Harmon, and expected to be showrun by Sarah Carbiener and Erica Rosbe. Production companies involved with the series were expected to consist of Starburns Industries.[2][3]
Cancellation
editOn March 25, 2018, Morrow announced through her official Twitter account that the show had been cancelled after one season due to low viewership.[4][5]
Casting
editAlongside the initial series announcement, it was confirmed that the series would star Arin Hanson, Dan Avidan, and Michele Morrow.[2]
Release
editOn August 3, 2017, the official trailer for the series was released.[6][7][8][9]
Episodes
edit| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "The Return of Boogerboss" | Danny Jelinek | Sarah Carbiener & Erica Rosbe | August 30, 2017 |
| 2 | "Everybody Calls Everybody a Nazi" | Danny Jelinek | Sarah Carbiener & Erica Rosbe | August 30, 2017 |
| 3 | "Self Abuse (Not the Fun Kind)" | Danny Jelinek | Sarah Carbiener & Erica Rosbe | September 6, 2017 |
| 4 | "Don't Cross the Streams" | Danny Jelinek | Sarah Carbiener & Erica Rosbe | September 13, 2017 |
| 5 | "You Stab My Back I'll Stab Yours" | Danny Jelinek | Sarah Carbiener & Erica Rosbe | September 20, 2017 |
| 6 | "Blood Match" | Danny Jelinek | Sarah Carbiener & Erica Rosbe | September 27, 2017 |
Reception
editIn a positive review, Heavy's Jack Fennimore commended the series saying, "Good Game so far has me impressed. This was clearly a show made by game players, for game players, which is a rarity in most entertainment media. It also made me care about my YouTube Red subscription. And if you have a subscription, I definitely recommend checking the show out. It's going in a good direction and I can’t wait to see what happens to eSports People."[10] In another favorable critique, Fandom's Drew Dietsch praised the series saying, "The plot itself is a little threadbare, but it clearly gives Arin and Dan a chance to showcase their unique comedic chops. Game Grumps is known for its off-the-cuff ridiculousness, so it’s great that energy has been channeled into something structured. Creators Jesse Cox and Michele Morrow have done an excellent job in having their stars fit the material."[11] In a more mixed assessment, Cultured Vultures' Katrina Bertz described the series as "a poorly-crafted show with a profound message of individual happiness within. I would suggest watching this show with the knowledge that it won’t be good, but its theme will tug at your heartstrings. Just try to overcome your initial confusion and discover something wonderful."[12]
References
edit- ^ Aridi, Sara (September 1, 2017). "What's on TV Friday: 'Narcos' and 'Diana, 7 Days'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c Petski, Denise (June 22, 2017). "YouTube Red Orders Series Produced By Dwayne Johnson, Dan Harmon & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
- ^ Alexander, Julia (June 23, 2017). "YouTube, Dan Harmon are hopping on TV's newest trend with scripted esports comedy". Polygon. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
- ^ Morrow, Michele [@michelemorrow] (March 25, 2018). ""@YouTube cancelled Good Game" #DisappointmentIn4Words" (Tweet). Retrieved May 26, 2018 – via Twitter.
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20180630063257/https://twitter.com/michelemorrow/status/977965053138812930
- ^ Wilde, Tyler (August 3, 2017). "Watch the first trailer for the Dan Harmon-produced esports comedy series". PC Gamer. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
- ^ McWhertor, Michael (August 3, 2017). "Watch the first trailer for Good Game from Dan Harmon and YouTube Red". Polygon. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
- ^ Workman, Robert (August 3, 2017). "Rick And Morty Co-Creator Producing New Esports Comedy, Good Game". ComicBook.com. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
- ^ Gutelle, Sam (August 4, 2017). "Game Grumps Offers Preview For 'Good Game' Ahead Of August 30 Premiere On YouTube Red - Tubefilter". Tubefilter. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
- ^ Fennimore, Jack (August 30, 2017). "Good Game by Game Grumps Impressions: How Is the Show?". Heavy. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
- ^ Dietsch, Drew (August 30, 2017). "'Good Game' Gives YouTube Stars Game Grumps Some Structure to Their Silliness". Fandom. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
- ^ Bertz, Katrina (November 21, 2017). "Good Game: A Horrible Show and Why You Should Watch It". Cultured Vultures. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
