BWW Spoiler Alert!: UNDATEABLE's LIVE Season Premiere LIVE Recap and Commentary

I've only watched one episode of NBC's Friday night sitcom UNDATEABLE, so I am not going to claim to be an expert on the deep, emotional lives of Danny, Justin, and the rest of their UNDATEABLE friends. However, that one episode that I watched was an episode that was broadcast live last May. Yes, the show sucked me in with an obvious, attention-grabbing gimmick, but it was a gimmick that I found to be very interesting. Not only did the idea call back to the early days of television, where, by the constraints of technology, all shows had to be broadcast live, but it also opened the door wide for legitimate comedic improv; which you just don't see very much on TV. Also, as someone who loves theatre as much as he loves TV, it excited me that this was bringing a new form of live entertainment into people's homes.

The show, executive produced by Bill Lawrence of SCRUBS and COUGAR TOWN fame, pulled out all of the stops for the first live episode, with guests including Ed Sheeran, Victoria Justice, Scott Foley, Kate Walsh, Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Minnie Driver and more. And, while I assume many of the pranks and breaks were in fact scripted, the hour had the feel of performers walking on just this side of a cliff. It was unique, it was exciting, and, most importantly, it was hilarious.

So that is why I am going to be live recapping the first episode of UNDATEABLE's third, and now completely live season. SCRUBS is one of my favorite all-time comedies, and Lawrence definitely has a knack for getting stars to come and play in his sandbox, so I am optimistic that they will be able replicate the surprises that made the first live episode so much fun.

With a first-rate creative team, and a really funny cast, this has a shot at being a mini-game-changer for the traditional sitcom. Last spring's live episode didn't generate any discernable ratings bump for the show, but it sure created a whole heck of a lot of social media buzz, which can only help as it transitions to its new, completely live format. Just like THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE! did for live television musicals, if this goes well, perhaps we could see more shows try live episodes, or even live seasons.

Now, make no mistake about it, making this gimmick the show's new normal has disaster written all over it. What was fun once, could easily end up being tedious, or, perhaps even worse, distracting. While I doubt that UNDATEABLE will make onto my very prestigious must-watch list, anytime there is a creative, outside-the-box show on TV, I will sit up and take notice.

So, turn on NBC and join me at 8:00pm ET, as I live-recap UNDATEABLE's Season 3 Live Premiere:

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9:04pm: I've live-recapped a lot of shows over the last few years, reality competitions, dramas, awards shows, but doing a comedy with very little plot is tough. If you don't pay attention, you miss the jokes, but if you aren't writing, what's the point of doing a live recap?

Tonight's show wasn't nearly as strong as last season's first live episode, but it was funny enough to warrant another viewing later in the season, once they get their live sea-legs. I am a little apprehensive about how much time they spend in the bar. It makes the show seem very static. Hopefully as they get more comfortable with the construct they will be able to start telling stories that don't involve the rest of the cast sitting around and commenting like a half-drunk Greek chorus.

While it wasn't a revolutionary experience, I applaud the cast, Lawrence, and Bob Greenblatt for embracing live TV. In this era of Hulu, DVR, and streaming, giving viewers a reason to watch something live is a huge deal for a network. I'm not sure that UNDATEABLE is ever going to be able to use the format to become a huge ratings hit, but it could prove to be a valuable test case for something even more revolutionary in the future. And, if it does, I will likely be right here to live-recap it!

8:59pm: Did you see Scott Foley trying to clap on the beat? Maybe if they do have a a musical episode Lawrence shouldn't invite him.

8:57pm: Lot of call backs in the episode, but the "lucky girl" one is the best, but why is Danny talking like the Beast?

8:51pm: That actually is the correct usage of the term Jar Jar Binks.

8:48pm: I love Mark Paul Gosselaar as much as the next guy who played SAVED BY THE BELL TRIVIA with his friends during high school, but his new show TRUTH BE TOLD does not look funny at all.

8:42pm: If you are going to get exposed for faking blindness, I guess seeing Bianca Kajlich's breasts isn't the worst way to go.

8:39pm: I wonder what the extras were told to do during the scenes. "No matter how loud, how ridiculous, how funny, act like you are completely deaf and oblivious to all of your surroundings."

8:38pm: If you check out #UndateableLive on Twitter, the cast is tweeting during the show. So far my favorite is Brent Morin owning up to completely butchering the name of Sam the Eagle:

8:36pm: Did TV's Scott Foley kiss Bianca Kajlich during their slap fights?

8:34pm: Wow, a FELICITY reference too. Foley's getting in all of his greatest hits. Can a THE UNIT reference be far behind?

8:32pm: I would not draft Danny after a display like that.

8:27pm: There are a crap ton of meta moments, but throwing out Bridgit Mendler's real name in an argument, was kind of random. I don't know that it was all that funny, but it was an interesting joke choice.

8:26pm: I've never tried the blind-guy trick, does that actually work?

8:24pm: That little "truth stones" "gaff" sounded oddly like something that George W. Bush actually said once.

8:19pm: Ok, now that I have a second to catch up from my internet glitch, throwing in the reference to Justin Bieber's nude picture scandal and the current score of the Cardinals-Cubs playoff game shows you the potential for the live-TV experiment. So far though, there hasn't been much of a plot for the episode, even by normal sitcom standards.

8:18pm: You had to know that TV's Scott Foley was going to make a return apperance tonight. And he really is dreamy, and in case you haven't watch this week's SCANDAL, Shonda hasn't killed him off yet.

8:14pm: Just so everyone is clear, check out the promo shot above, she definitely did NOT get a hair cut during the break.

8:13pm: I called (313) 525-2014, and got a cute little voicemail from Chris D'Elia. Not as funny as John Oliver's message on the Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption hotline.

8:11pm: Ok, after the worst possible timing for my Chrome to crash, I am back.

8:07pm: Now I'm wanting them to do an UNDATEABLE Live! Musical episode. Lawrence did a musical episode of SCRUBS, so it could happen.

8:02pm: I'm loving all of the SCANDAL references, but kind of surprised they are giving so much run to shows on other networks.

8:00pm: Here we go. My phone is in the other room, someone call the number they quoted!

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Photo Credit:
1) NBCUniversal
2) Darren Michaels/NBC/Warner Bros.

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