Snap judgment: CBS's 'Smith'

Salsa Tue, Jan 15, 2008 at 01:05 PM EST

I can't believe they canned Smith. I've downloaded it from Amazon Unboxed Videos and go watch the uncut versions on AOL Video (Episode 1) This program is great, however, when you're talking about "HOT" all you have to say is Simon Baker. He's awesome. He's tough yet vulnerable if you watch all seven episodes and he and Jonny Lee Miller play off of each other really well. Really disappointed this one didn't get picked up and continued. Would have been a show to rival the all time great Miami Vice!!

Traci Thu, Sep 28, 2006 at 01:12 PM EST

How can I find out about the painting in the house wear Virginia Madsen was lying on the couch waiting for smith to come home. It was a man with facing the road with a blue background. Any help would be appreciated.

RayT Thu, Sep 21, 2006 at 10:24 PM EST

I couldn't believe they used the Imogen Heap song "Hide and Seek" as their episode closing song! The only thing worse than the corny and ubiquitous "episode-ending montage" song is when it's completely stolen from another show! If they had done their research, they would have discovered that that song is famous (I use the term famous to mean famous among an extremely limited group of people!) for being used in the second season finale of "The O.C." when Marissa shot Trey! Had someone called this to their attention, I doubt they would have used it!

MB Thu, Sep 21, 2006 at 10:24 AM EST

CBS is streaming the show online, I think for at least the first 4 episodes. Great idea considering my DVR is packed with Boston Legal and Nip/Tuck. This show is awesome, I've been looking for something to fill my Alias broken heart. I look forward to watching how it unfolds!

Baco Noir Thu, Sep 21, 2006 at 08:59 AM EST

Smith is something I personally will probably watch (thank goodness it doesn't seem to be completely locked into serial mode so that if I miss an episode or two I can still catch up), but wonder how long it will last. I cannot see it being a hit with 'the great unwashed' because, well, the lead characters are villains who think nothing of tazering an innocent by-stander and killing a security guard.

Tim Thu, Sep 21, 2006 at 08:57 AM EST

A complex, thought-provoking show. I like it.

And Amy Smart is hot, too. ;)

Becky Thu, Sep 21, 2006 at 07:50 AM EST

loved it!! Love Ray, Love Johnny, Love the hot surfer guy!! I'm intrigued. Waiting to find out what Virginia Madsen did to have to go see a parole officer. Did Amy Smarts character take her place?? Waiting to see how the chemistry is between Johnny and Amy....waiting to see it next week!

K Thu, Sep 21, 2006 at 06:48 AM EST

I would watch Ray Liotta in anything. It was a great bonus that the rest of the cast was so great too. After the show was over I said to my boyfriend "that would almost make a better movie, I don't know how they are going to sustain it." and he said "yeah, Ocean's 11!" I will keep watching though. The Imogen Heap song at the end drove me batty though.

Sally Thu, Sep 21, 2006 at 05:41 AM EST

I gave Smith a look. like the cast, but wondered - where is this going week after week? Are they going to rob art museums every week? I don't see much to keep watching...however, Kidnapped was intriguing...great acting...great actors...great story, I will be watching next week and next.

janie Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 11:21 PM EST

Eh. I thought it was a bit ponderous and plodding. Even with the cast. And all those damned "The Departed" commercials being forced on me again and AGAIN really pissed me off.

It was okay, but probably something I'll forget to tune into again.

Mab Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 09:11 PM EST

Oh I am *so* on board for Smith. Simon Baker and Johnny Lee Miller. Ray Liotta. Virgina Madsen who is sooo going to get her own back on her darling, felonious hubby. It'll be worth hanging around to see that at the very least.

Alex Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 06:52 PM EST

These guys have the imagination to plant false clues to divert the cops but they don't know how many guards there are in the place they're trying to rob? Not very good thieves. Also, what was that piece of dog vomit that passed for music at the end?

Silas Bent Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 05:27 PM EST

Is the budget for this show higher than the rest? How did they afford a cast of movie actors for a television show? Does anyone have an answer?

Stephanie Travitsky Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 05:03 PM EST

Lori, it was Liottas foundation because he has a lot of pock marks, but Edward James Olmos'es face is a lot worse. Anyway,blame his make-up artist.

The show was like a roller coaster. It was slow in the begining and then it sped up. I thought that there was just too much fodder. With a little editing, I think that the show will not dissapoint. And to the person who said "Theif", try "It Takes a Thief", Oceans, Eleven, and "The Thomas Crown Affair". It's been done before.

Todd Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 04:30 PM EST

I liked this show better when it was titled "Thief" and aired on F/X.

Phil Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 04:12 PM EST

Totally forgot to mention LOVED hearing Rock Kills Kid's "Paralyzed" as Annie came BLAZING into roof of the parking garage!! AWESOME! Kudos to the producers!

Lori Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 04:08 PM EST

I wanted to like it. The acting was pretty good, especially for a pilot. But the characters are all so bad (as in they do bad things and are likely to do more bad things). It's basically Ocean's Eleven but less likable. If nothing else is on, I may continue to watch but the jury is still out.

BTW, Ray Liotta's face doesn't move much. Looks over botoxed.

Dave Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 03:24 PM EST

I didn't catch Smith (was too busy watching Nip/Tuck), but it should do well since it has good buzz and is on CBS (don't all their crime procedurals do well?). On another note, I caught some of NCIS and The Unit between commercials of Dancing with the Stars. I gotta say, those shows are pretty good. Especially The Unit (loved David Mamet's writing!). I usually pass over most of CBS's formulaic offerings, but Tuesday nights, at least, look pretty solid to me.

Jeff Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 03:15 PM EST

It's in my season pass, only because there is nothing esle worth watching at 10 PM on Tuesdays!! Not sure how it will flow or proceed forward, but I'll give it a chance! Until something better comes a long! Long live DVR!!!

Ellipsian Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 02:55 PM EST

I guess I COULD theoretically TiVa (yeah, my DVR's a bit of a diva--though whether nature or nurture, I have yet to prove or disprove) it after Tuesday night must-see lynch pin "Veronica Mars", well... just, no. Someday I will be getting a life (no, I swear) and I just don't need another distraction, even if I can fast forward through its commercials. Gotta love that cast, though.

Ep Sato Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 02:20 PM EST

I watched about half the episode then switched over to watch the end of the Contender. Once the season finale of ESPN's kick azzed reality tv show is done, Smith will have complete access to my dvr's 10 pm slot.

As for Henry Hill, he better hope that Tommy and Jimmy don't find out he left that goodfella scene...

Kitty Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 02:18 PM EST

Damn you Slezak! I recorded Smith JIC it turned out to be good. I too record and watch way too much. I still haven't burned down the Summer backlog. And now you tell me this show is sponge worthy. I hate you.

What else should I be watching.........

Amanda Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 02:18 PM EST

LOVED it! But I hope that in up-coming capers they actually give Amy Smart something to do OTHER than tear open her shirt and distract the cops. Also SO happy that FINALLY Jonny Lee Miller is allowed to ues his real accent instead of his REALLY BAD American one. (Or his really awesom Scottosh one...)

Phil Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 02:00 PM EST

I was willing to give SMITH a chance last night, and I'm glad I did. It was a great hour, sad to see the one character bite the bullet, but since his wife was interested in his best friend anyways, I guess it was all part of the character development plot. The cast is attractive and quick, & the show's writing shows alot of promise, except that Ray Liotta's character sells Cups to theater chains? THATS THE BEST THEY COULD COME UP WITH FOR AN OCCUPATION, even if it was "arranged" by Charlie??? Viginia's Hope character seems equally as interesting with her parole status & alluded to affair with her co-worker.

Finally, the Imogen Heap "Hide & Seek" song works because its an interesting track, even with the vocoder effects used on it. But if you actually listen to the words of the song, it was VERY fitting for when played in the pilot episode. Oh, and the sponsorship by THE DEPARTED is nothing new since it was a pilot episode with no audience yet, so they don't have a rating with which to charge for air time yet, so rather than use a set one, they went the sponsorship route!

Ally Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 01:23 PM EST

Jonny Lee Miller, Simon Baker ... yum and all the ladies, SMART!

mike Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 01:22 PM EST

Tuesday nights are booked solid with Gilmore Girls and my new favorite show, Veronica Mars. So I let this one pass. If it's that edgy, we all know it won't last.
If they called it CSI:Smith...

Paul Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 01:20 PM EST

Pleasanly surprised by this one. I wasn't planning on giving it a chance, but I'm very glad I did!

I'm feeling the combination of a continuous storyline and a self-contained episodic thriller. It's exactly the sort of remedie needed in today's onslaught of season-long mysteries. I think this will prove to be the happy medium between and CSI-like drama and a Sopranos-esque character arc fan-feast.

Consider me hooked.

Dyan Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 01:14 PM EST

I was completely captivated by the show, loved every minute of it, also LOVED the use of the Imogen Heap song at the end. It was like watching a movie. All these characters are bad, bad people, and that's what makes it different. I swore I wasn't going to watch anything new except for Ugly Betty, but now I'm hooked! Amy Smart was soooo evil.

Regi Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 01:12 PM EST

I loved it too...I am all over Ray Liotta, been a fan of his for a long time. Great acting by the entire cast. Complaints about it being slow? Hey guys, what about a little time for character development? I DVR'd Boston Legal so I could watch SMITH, this is going to be a show that I can't wait for every week!

Tyler D Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 01:04 PM EST

This definitely has a "Heat" vibe to it, especially since it's slow-paced for about half the episode. It was a decent pilot, but I'm hoping they make things get a bit more complex in terms of character development. Is it just me or do Ray Liotta and Viginia Madsen look totally plastic.

melissa Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 12:56 PM EST

Got through the first half, then gave up. Didn't find it very interesting.

Elizabeth Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 12:52 PM EST

Didn't love it, but I'm probably not their demographic (not chick flick enough). Think the show was sponsored by The Departed?

Kat Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 12:50 PM EST

I only caught the last half, but I really enjoyed it, even with Ray Liotta's puffy face. Madsen makes up for it. I disagree with the poster who said they liked the Imogen Heap song, though. It got really distracting, and I'm really sick of shows relying on the song montage crap.

Tawdry Audrey Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 12:42 PM EST

I'll check it out- don't know if I'd call Virginia Madsen a "jaw-dropping hottie," though, but Sick Boy gets my vote. I usually ignore CBS all together.

Frank Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 12:35 PM EST

Yeah, I enjoyed it. I wanted to check it out just to oogle Virginia, but the show was really good. Now if only they could have minimal commercials every week.

Good use of the Imogen Heap song at the end.

Nick Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 12:33 PM EST

Couldn't get into it. Bor-ing. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

cj Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 12:32 PM EST

i couldn't believe how good it was too,i guess i'm hooked

Ruthie Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 12:32 PM EST

Hell Yeah!! My season pass is set.
I...Love! Love! Love! this show. Smith is by far the best and edgiest programming CBS has had to offer since the good old days of "American Gothic". Let's just hope they don't Yank it before everyone gets a chance to experience the "SMITH".

Nanny Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 12:32 PM EST

Jonny Lee Miller???? Sign me up!!!

Jakeem Wed, Sep 20, 2006 at 12:11 PM EST

I will watch it just because of Amy Smart. Only she could tear me away from Season 3 of "Boston Legal"!