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It pains me to watch another show that was cut down in it’s prime by the greedy FOX executives. As far as canceled shows go, Wonderfalls might be the best ever. This was one excellent show. Ah, I keep wanting to watch more, but sadly, there is no more. I always get sad when I know there’s a very limited amount of a good show. But enough with the pity party. Wonderfalls is about a girl named Jaye, who works in a gift shop in Niagara Falls. Jaye is many things, but hero is not one of them. She’s lazy, rude, and occasionally mean. But that changes when a wax lion turns his head and talks to her. Her family (one of the most entertaining families on TV) calls it an episode and drops it, but Jaye knows better. The show is a cross between Joan Of Arcadia, Gilmore Girls, and… something else. It’s a truly unique experience. So from that point on, different animal shaped things, instruct her to do tasks. And these tasks, much to Jaye’s dismay, change peoples’ lives. The messages range from “Get her words out.” to “Don’t give her money back.”, or my personal favorite, “Get off your ass.”. This may sound like a cheap knock off of Joan of Arcadia, but trust me, it’s no where close. Joan, while an incredible show, always took itself too seriously. Wonderfalls NEVER has that problem. The acting in Wonderfalls, however, is a mixed bag. Caroline Dhavernes is brilliant as eye-rolling, trailer-trash Jaye. When the time comes, she softens her character in a way that is neither obvious, nor unbelievable. Tyron Leitso plays Eric, the bartender who stays in Niagara Falls after his honeymoon was cut short by his wife cheating. Cute as he may be, he is not good. It’s simple as that. It wouldn’t be a big problem, but he soon turns to Jaye for “comfort” so there is more of him than is necessary. Now, since I have gushed enough, let’s get down to the dirt. Most of the dream sequences done here would have sunk a normal show, but they mostly work on Wonderfalls. But there are moments where they go one too far. Such as, when Jaye is afraid she’s going to break Eric’s heart, she imagines his heart shooting out of him and then her stomping repeatedly on it. It’s just too cheesy. Then, when Eric’s wife is introduced, she fails miserably at being evil. Maybe it’s because I remember her fondly from Firefly, but she still chokes. In addition to that, the episodes are incredible at the beginning, but stray from their original premise later on and become too soapy. I understand the need for it to bring Eric and Jaye’s storyline to a close, but I wasn’t entertained by it. The episodes are much better when they are structured around the animals’ instructions. The last two episodes are a return to form and provide a satisfying ending to the series. As a whole, I loved this series. It’s obvious right off the bat that FOX made a glaring error canceling this quirky and wonderful show. If you take a look at all the great shows FOX canceled: Wonderfalls, Family Guy, Firefly, Dark Angel, Harsh Realm, Arrested Development. If the network had given these shows time to find a viewer base, they would have the best lineup of any network. Shame on you, FOX. The Good: Incredibly quirky and stylish. Awesome writing. Episode 3 is one of the best hours of TV you will ever watch. The Bad: Spotty acting. Falters from it’s premise in the middle. Awful theme song. Occasionally is a bit too cheesy. The Verdict: ARead full review
I decided to by Wonderfalls b/c it was highly recommended, and I couldn't find it in my local video stores. I bought the particular one I did b/c it was the least expensive, and auction ending the soonest. I love the series "Dead Like Me" also written and produced by Bryan Fuller, thought I may like this series and I fell in love with it. The series are similar yet different w/ the same overall, general message. It's a great series, 3 DVDs, for a recent graduate of any level or anyone who is transitioning from one sort of life to another, specifically, academia and thinking you know what you want out of life to the "real world" and reintegrating w/ ur family. There are a few bonus features, some episodes have commentaries by Fuller and cast members, and there is a deleted scene reel.
Why didn't WONDERFALLS become a hit TV series? Perhaps it was too quirky for network TV. The show, and its protagonist, remind me more of DEAD LIKE ME than of any primetime network show or heroine. Jaye Tyler, though intelligent, is lazy and sarcastic. She is an underachiever by choice --- because, as she learns in one episode, if you never try, you can never fail. Yet some force --- and Jaye can't tell if it's God, Satan, or her own subsconscious mind --- speaks to her through fake animals like lawn flamingoes, a wax lion, and a toy chameleon. They urge her to DO SOMETHING, but their instructions are often cryptic. If Jaye tries to ignore the animals, they sing loudly at night or repeat the same phrases ad nauseum. No one else hears the animals or sees them moving. Jaye must figure out what they want and implement it, which ultimately brings happiness to others and new insights to Jaye. If you're looking for something unique, as well as a positive message that isn't preachy, give WONDERFALLS a try.Read full review
"Let's see: original, insightful, intelligent, great writing, unique. Hey, we have a hit. Let's show only four episides on Saturdays and see how it flys!" ***Disclaimer: This is a dramatization of a FOX exec greenlighting Wonderfalls. Do not attempt this at home.*** A similar statement was proably said about another of my favorite shows that didn't get a chance: Firefly. Do these people know how to market? I actually did watch all four eps that aired (one actually was moved to Sunday....ooooh) and I waited for more that didn't come. I said all along while watching this refreshing and original show this was too good to stay on the air. The writing was too well done. This won't last. Now, now...don't start yelling that I cursed the show by saying it. Admit it, people were hoping this show would stay on but knew it couldn't. We had to have more reality shows and brainless sitcoms. Wonderfalls and Firefly, among with a list of others that are too long to mention, are shows that make you THINK. And that, my friends, is what TV execs DON'T want us to do. Never fear, we can buy up all the DVDs of these great shows like Wonderfalls and show these execs that we DO like to think. And bring back intelligent shows! Now back to Scared Spitless. Coming up next: Past victims of the show Cheaters!Read full review
I watched three of the originally airing four episodes and was mighty impressed, but had one heck of a time finding it as it ping-ponged around on the Fox network. It finally got cancelled, which is a shame because the 13 total episodes on this collection are great writing (for the most part) and wonder-fally, er, wonderfully inventive plotlines. Above all, you learn to care for and about Jaye, the lead who hears inanimate figures of animals talking to her, telling her what to do. If you're a fan of Pushing Daisies (and everyone ought to be), you'll love Wonderfalls!