We’ve Done All This Before: I…I’m not sure I need or even want a Mr. & Mrs. Smith TV show adapted from a lukewarm movie.
I’m already leaning towards being out. Plus Prime’s twitter handle: The Smiths is so confusing. I instantly think of the English band…that is a Light That Never Goes Out.
Apparently I’m not the only one with criticisms.
Deadline has published an open letter penned by Francesca Sloane the co-creator and showrunner of the reboot:
“Based on the creative work that both Donald and I have done in the past, writing a series based on a rom-com action spy thriller felt like an odd fit for us. But Donald, in his Donald way, expressed that part of the excitement in taking this on was that it was a big swing.”
I’ve no issues with taking a big swing. That’s what creators should do…that’s what her and Donald did with their Atlanta work. This is still a reboot.
Francesca Sloane then defends and justifies her decision to reboot Mr. & Mrs. Smith:
“Once we were announced, we saw the comment, “Who needs this show?” We didn’t blame them. In a culture heavily inundated with remakes, this was a reasonable reaction.”
She does a decent job of trying to spin the negative comments…from people like myself.
She sells hard; I just don’t buy it.
Putting aside Mr. & Mrs. Smith a1941 Alfred Hitchcock comedy; we already had a Mr. & Mrs. Smith TV show before the Brad Pitt movie.
A 1996 CBS TV series starring Scott Bakula and Maria Bello.
The TV Guide description reads:
“A spy known only as Mr. Smith (Bakula) works for a private security organization known as “The Factory”. Using covert operatives and the latest technology they gather information on technology, science, and economics in an effort to protect corporate America from espionage. They are also hired out as private security or to help with covert operations like the recovery of stolen Stinger missiles. In the pilot, a rival named Mrs. Smith (Bello) becomes entangled on a case with Mr. Smith. After losing her job when her mission fails, The Factory hires her and assigns them to work together. Though they often bicker, and know nothing about each other’s personal lives, including real names, they make a good team.”
The series was canceled after nine of the thirteen episodes produced were aired. Clearly this is the fate Francesca Sloane is trying to avoid for her show but people like myself keep crapping on it.
Look the 2005 movie while not terrible is not amazing.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith wasn’t as awful as Keeping Up with the Joneses but it wasn’t as good as True Lies.
Will it hit? I’m sure it will. This is a safe bet for Prime and for Donald Glover. I’m more inclined to agree with Danny (not Donald) Glover though: “I’m Too Old For This Shit.”
A popular quote from the Lethal Weapon movie franchise that was ultimately adapted for television in 2017 broadcasting 55 useless episodes. The cycle of life…
Sammy Verdict: I’ll watch an episode or two…I like ruckus. I’m not hoping for quality though. I don’t expect that.
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Sammy Younan is the affable host of My Summer Lair: think NPR’s Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.
