23 reviews
some work, some less work
Former Republican President Richard Graves (Nick Nolte) is adored by his supporters, and reviled by almost everyone else. He starts to have doubts about his legacy. His wife Margaret (Sela Ward) is looking to run for office. Isaiah Miller (Skylar Astin) is his true-believer new body man. His daughter Olivia (Heléne Yorke) has a broken marriage. His son Jeremy (Chris Lowell) is bitter after four years in the army. Sammy (Callie Hernandez) is the new waitress at his local diner who opens up his eyes to a new outlook.
Nick Nolte sorta works as this burnt-out former man of power. He has the demeanor. The varying cast around him mostly work as individual characters. It's the interconnections and the plot writing that often falls down. The waitress is an odd character to get sucked into his world. She needs to be tied to the family a lot more securely. At a certain point, there are too many recurring characters. It needs to work on the relationships between the main characters. I like all the actors and Nolte does his good standard gruffness. The plot does keep drifting which gives the show an unhelpful instability.
Nick Nolte sorta works as this burnt-out former man of power. He has the demeanor. The varying cast around him mostly work as individual characters. It's the interconnections and the plot writing that often falls down. The waitress is an odd character to get sucked into his world. She needs to be tied to the family a lot more securely. At a certain point, there are too many recurring characters. It needs to work on the relationships between the main characters. I like all the actors and Nolte does his good standard gruffness. The plot does keep drifting which gives the show an unhelpful instability.
- SnoopyStyle
- Dec 25, 2017
- Permalink
Glad it ended when it did
First season was better than expected. Second season was pretty bad-tough to finish. A third season would have ruined it entirely. Thankfully they put it out of its misery. Overall: average.
- wtprincetx
- Oct 20, 2021
- Permalink
Fun show, quirky characters, great actors
Although the show starts out as somewhat predictable with the family dynamics, it is when you get into the series that you see the true heart in the show. The laughs come from the crazy situations that family gets themselves into.
Great potential.
I usually like political satire shows, and this in a way is a great satire with a nice touch. Nick Nolte, which I never though much as an action actor, surprised me with a great performance. I had to watch the first episode twice to really appreciate the humor and Mr. Noltes performance. The rest of the cast is doing, OK, but it's Mr. Noltes performance that really shine in this show, as he should do of course. (Just that it's not every time that the lead star manages to do that though.)
In short: Funny show, with political satire. Best performance of Nick Nolte so far in his career.
In short: Funny show, with political satire. Best performance of Nick Nolte so far in his career.
...what started as a nudge, eventually moved me
- ron-d-chase
- Oct 15, 2016
- Permalink
Fantastic!
I was apprehensive about another political series, but politics are not the focus here; life and maturity are. There are moments of pathos and moments of laugh-out-loud comedy. Nick Nolte has always been an underrated actor. He is fantastic!! Sela Ward is perfect as the strong matriarch. The entire cast are great actors and they work so well together. They are so comfortable in their roles. They are like those chance meetings of people in your life that turn into lifelong friendships. You look forward to spending time with the Graves family every week. The 1st episode didn't grab me, but I hung in there and I am so glad I did!
- chasdragonfly
- Nov 28, 2016
- Permalink
Hard to figure out why it was not so much better
Anything with Sela Ward gets a 10, and then you work backwards.
Nick Nolte has become a caricature of himself and the days of "Affliction" are long, long gone.
Think of Bill Maher writing a series of acts of contrition for George W. Bush, spend no time editing them or inserting irony and wit, and you have "Graves".
The stereotypical characters, including the cameos of "real life" politicians, make you embarrassed to watch, and if you are looking for some nexus or meaningful connection to the current election campaign, do not hold your breathe.
Hard to figure out why it was not so much better. A group of professionals phoned it in.
Nick Nolte has become a caricature of himself and the days of "Affliction" are long, long gone.
Think of Bill Maher writing a series of acts of contrition for George W. Bush, spend no time editing them or inserting irony and wit, and you have "Graves".
The stereotypical characters, including the cameos of "real life" politicians, make you embarrassed to watch, and if you are looking for some nexus or meaningful connection to the current election campaign, do not hold your breathe.
Hard to figure out why it was not so much better. A group of professionals phoned it in.
- jpileggi-1
- Oct 28, 2016
- Permalink
Risen from the Graves
I'm really enjoying this show, I think Nick Nolte is fantastic and the rest of the cast getting better and better as the roles expand and the story-line becomes more convoluted.
Sadly, I think Ernie Hudson is under-utilized, as usual, hopefully this can change and we get to see more about "Uncle Jacoob's" service to the Graves family over the years.
My favorite so far is ep 5, "Lions in Winter". Great quotes from Shakespeare's "King Lear"!
Roll on season 2!
Sadly, I think Ernie Hudson is under-utilized, as usual, hopefully this can change and we get to see more about "Uncle Jacoob's" service to the Graves family over the years.
My favorite so far is ep 5, "Lions in Winter". Great quotes from Shakespeare's "King Lear"!
Roll on season 2!
- eric-marcus
- Mar 29, 2017
- Permalink
Wishful Thinking for Some
- kirbylee70-599-526179
- Jun 10, 2017
- Permalink
The funniest and smartest show on TV right now.
In today's more crowded than ever TV landscape it's easy to miss some rare gems airing on channels like Epix not known for their original programming. "Graves," starring Nick Nolte and Sela Ward is one of those gems. The setup is that Graves, played by a gravel-voiced Nolte doing the best work in his career, is a former two term Republican president (a cross between Reagan and George W. Bush) lauded by conservatives for his regressive, anti-immigrant, anti-gay, anti-environment - basically anti anything good, policies which have wreaked havoc on the country.
Now, twenty years out of office, he has an epiphany where he realizes what a genuinely horrible president he was. Wracked with regret and on a constant verge of a nervous breakdown, he embarks on a whacked out odyssey of redemption all to the consternation of his respectable Republican wife, played by Sela Ward also doing the best work in her career. Who knew she was that funny? This show is one of the smartest and funniest political shows to hit TV in years. Unlike Veep, which though funny is completely cynical and cold, Graves is funny AND filled with genuine emotion. The humanity and vulnerability of the characters in "Graves" make the laughs much deeper and more satisfying than anything Veep has ever done. Graves also has smarter writing and better acting than any other comedy on TV today. One would have to go back to the "All In the Family" to find a comparable show that combines politics, social issues and comedy in such a brilliant way.
Now, twenty years out of office, he has an epiphany where he realizes what a genuinely horrible president he was. Wracked with regret and on a constant verge of a nervous breakdown, he embarks on a whacked out odyssey of redemption all to the consternation of his respectable Republican wife, played by Sela Ward also doing the best work in her career. Who knew she was that funny? This show is one of the smartest and funniest political shows to hit TV in years. Unlike Veep, which though funny is completely cynical and cold, Graves is funny AND filled with genuine emotion. The humanity and vulnerability of the characters in "Graves" make the laughs much deeper and more satisfying than anything Veep has ever done. Graves also has smarter writing and better acting than any other comedy on TV today. One would have to go back to the "All In the Family" to find a comparable show that combines politics, social issues and comedy in such a brilliant way.
- mzand-751-539572
- Jan 3, 2017
- Permalink
Funny
My husband & I really enjoyed Graves. I was reading some negative reviews & all I can say is "lighten up people!" Whether you are a liberal or a conservative, you have to admit this is funny...IF you can lighten up enough. It is just a SHOW...a TV SHOW...from what I could tell it seemed to be not going at any one president in particular, but at several combined. Only thing that saddens me is obviously the wife is maybe being portrayed as Hillary....since she is after her own political title. The lady playing the former first lady is much prettier & kinder than what I portray Hillary to be. Ha!! Just my opinion. ;) Again, keep the laughs coming!! Can't wait for the next episode!
- mightycat-41020
- Oct 17, 2016
- Permalink
The premise is predictable
Republicans are bad. Democrats are good.
[ yawn ]
Is there anything more tired than that old narrative? And aren't shows like this a dime a dozen? Alpha House was actually funnier and it's canceled.
I'll watch some more and perhaps change my review after doing so, but I'm not holding my breath that this sad little show will perform any better than the 1st episode did.
When will Hollywood learn that predictable is boring as hell?
The only reason I didn't give it 1 star is because Sela Ward's acting is actually pretty good considering the disaster that is this show's writing.
[ yawn ]
Is there anything more tired than that old narrative? And aren't shows like this a dime a dozen? Alpha House was actually funnier and it's canceled.
I'll watch some more and perhaps change my review after doing so, but I'm not holding my breath that this sad little show will perform any better than the 1st episode did.
When will Hollywood learn that predictable is boring as hell?
The only reason I didn't give it 1 star is because Sela Ward's acting is actually pretty good considering the disaster that is this show's writing.
- facebook-com-575-47873
- Jun 25, 2017
- Permalink
Great Nolte showcase
- jellyneckr
- Dec 12, 2016
- Permalink
Binged on this Gem!
Was just channel surfing Prime and came across it, Nick Nolte has been my favorite to I thought I will watch the pilot - finished both seasons in 2 days.
Excellent series - looking forward to watching the 3rd season.
Excellent series - looking forward to watching the 3rd season.
- devinchopra
- Jan 23, 2018
- Permalink
Clever Concept Horribly Executed
If Graves were a one-man show starring Nick Nolte it might be okay; Nolte's demeanor and delivery are, perhaps, not so much entertaining as fascinating.
Unfortunately, the rest of this dud acts an albatross around Nolte's neck. A ridiculous plot and tortured writing combine with an amateurish cast who have the acting chops of a community theater troupe.
The show ultimately tries to bank on the novelty of a revolving door of cameos by also-ran, real-life politicians like Michael Steele and Rudy Giuliani who deliver their lines - no matter what those lines are - with permanent rictus grins etched into their faces. They are apparently just so delighted to have been asked to appear on an Epix TV serial that they can't stop smiling and the show's producers don't care enough to ask them to desist.
Unfortunately, the rest of this dud acts an albatross around Nolte's neck. A ridiculous plot and tortured writing combine with an amateurish cast who have the acting chops of a community theater troupe.
The show ultimately tries to bank on the novelty of a revolving door of cameos by also-ran, real-life politicians like Michael Steele and Rudy Giuliani who deliver their lines - no matter what those lines are - with permanent rictus grins etched into their faces. They are apparently just so delighted to have been asked to appear on an Epix TV serial that they can't stop smiling and the show's producers don't care enough to ask them to desist.
- everettzenser
- Oct 17, 2016
- Permalink
So much to say, so little time.
This is a show that has a lot to say, and for the most part says it very well.
It's a shame that it didn't go down the route of "The West Wing", which though undeniably funny - often even absurdist - nevertheless projected the image of a grown-up, intellectual exploration into the shady world of politics, media, and the legislative process. Perhaps if it had, it may have lasted more than two seasons and been taken as seriously as it deserved. But unfortunately it makes the mistake of appearing to be a half-hour sitcom, rather than a one-hour primetime drama, and despite an impressive cast and good production values, it doesn't on the surface seem as thrilling or, let's face it, brilliant, as The West Wing. But it does have its moments. Plenty of them.
Unlike The West Wing, it lacks the ever-present intellectual wit and sophistication of Aaron Sorkin's genius pen, but there are some extremely well-written speeches that are very nearly as cutting and eloquent as Sorkin's work. And the basic premise of an ex-president who after 25 years away from office suddenly decides to rehabilitate his legacy is an excellent launch pad for a thoroughly satisfying political drama, with unlimited scope for political and social commentary. It just needed to be built on a more solid and respectable platform than that of a sitcom, which is inherently attractive mainly to an audience of the lowest common denominator, who won't "get" it. Hence cancellation.
The casting is sublime, with Nick Nolte offering up some of the best acting of his career. I don't think I've ever seen him perform so much from the inside, with such truth and subtle sincerity. His work in this show is verisimilitude personified. My only gripe is that his voice is so ravaged by years of drinking and smoking that he can barely utter a coherent line - and the dialogue in this show is so frigging important! However, the issue of his ruined voice is tackled head-on in one scene so unexpected and brilliantly played that it had me in fits of belly-laughter, and I was able to forgive it after that.
Nolte's newly hired assistant is played by Skylar Astin (channelling Steve Guttenberg), and though lovable at first, by episode three he was beginning to grate a little. Since Nolte's character was experiencing so many important epiphanies, and saying so many important things about so many important issues, having a hovering neurotic assistant constantly attempting to cover-up his "lapses" was an irritating distraction from things that needed to be said, and were already partially being lost due to Nolte's breathless and raspy delivery.
Nolte's young-adult daughter is played by Heléne Yorke, a pretty but troubled character sporting an attractive pair of nipples, which get plenty of exposure - for which I was most grateful - and a pleasant little camel-toe which is occasionally given its own close-up. Aside from her contributions as designated eye-candy, she is also a fine actress whose work becomes progressively less mammary-based as the show proceeds, and her character becomes considerably more three-dimensional (as it were).
The ex-First Lady, played by Sella Ward, is everything you would expect, both from the screen character and also the actress playing her. She would not be out of place in any of the various political dramas that have ever been made, including The West Wing, or more recently Madam Secretary. She is perfectly cast, and like Nolte is doing some of the best work of her career.
Rounding out the regular cast is Chris Lowell, making a late appearance as Nolte's troubled son, recently returned from war and seeking a new purpose in life, which he quickly finds as an angry, ranting TV pundit - giving the writers a fabulous opportunity to comment loudly and at length about whatever political or social gripe is in that episode's crosshairs. Lowell is an excellent young actor, and also balances his screen-sister's eye-candy quotient.
As season one progresses, it becomes increasingly more dramatic and serious, thankfully, and the season finale is a cracker! I haven't yet watched season two, but I'm already wishing it wasn't going to end so soon. This show is a surprise gem!
It's a shame that it didn't go down the route of "The West Wing", which though undeniably funny - often even absurdist - nevertheless projected the image of a grown-up, intellectual exploration into the shady world of politics, media, and the legislative process. Perhaps if it had, it may have lasted more than two seasons and been taken as seriously as it deserved. But unfortunately it makes the mistake of appearing to be a half-hour sitcom, rather than a one-hour primetime drama, and despite an impressive cast and good production values, it doesn't on the surface seem as thrilling or, let's face it, brilliant, as The West Wing. But it does have its moments. Plenty of them.
Unlike The West Wing, it lacks the ever-present intellectual wit and sophistication of Aaron Sorkin's genius pen, but there are some extremely well-written speeches that are very nearly as cutting and eloquent as Sorkin's work. And the basic premise of an ex-president who after 25 years away from office suddenly decides to rehabilitate his legacy is an excellent launch pad for a thoroughly satisfying political drama, with unlimited scope for political and social commentary. It just needed to be built on a more solid and respectable platform than that of a sitcom, which is inherently attractive mainly to an audience of the lowest common denominator, who won't "get" it. Hence cancellation.
The casting is sublime, with Nick Nolte offering up some of the best acting of his career. I don't think I've ever seen him perform so much from the inside, with such truth and subtle sincerity. His work in this show is verisimilitude personified. My only gripe is that his voice is so ravaged by years of drinking and smoking that he can barely utter a coherent line - and the dialogue in this show is so frigging important! However, the issue of his ruined voice is tackled head-on in one scene so unexpected and brilliantly played that it had me in fits of belly-laughter, and I was able to forgive it after that.
Nolte's newly hired assistant is played by Skylar Astin (channelling Steve Guttenberg), and though lovable at first, by episode three he was beginning to grate a little. Since Nolte's character was experiencing so many important epiphanies, and saying so many important things about so many important issues, having a hovering neurotic assistant constantly attempting to cover-up his "lapses" was an irritating distraction from things that needed to be said, and were already partially being lost due to Nolte's breathless and raspy delivery.
Nolte's young-adult daughter is played by Heléne Yorke, a pretty but troubled character sporting an attractive pair of nipples, which get plenty of exposure - for which I was most grateful - and a pleasant little camel-toe which is occasionally given its own close-up. Aside from her contributions as designated eye-candy, she is also a fine actress whose work becomes progressively less mammary-based as the show proceeds, and her character becomes considerably more three-dimensional (as it were).
The ex-First Lady, played by Sella Ward, is everything you would expect, both from the screen character and also the actress playing her. She would not be out of place in any of the various political dramas that have ever been made, including The West Wing, or more recently Madam Secretary. She is perfectly cast, and like Nolte is doing some of the best work of her career.
Rounding out the regular cast is Chris Lowell, making a late appearance as Nolte's troubled son, recently returned from war and seeking a new purpose in life, which he quickly finds as an angry, ranting TV pundit - giving the writers a fabulous opportunity to comment loudly and at length about whatever political or social gripe is in that episode's crosshairs. Lowell is an excellent young actor, and also balances his screen-sister's eye-candy quotient.
As season one progresses, it becomes increasingly more dramatic and serious, thankfully, and the season finale is a cracker! I haven't yet watched season two, but I'm already wishing it wasn't going to end so soon. This show is a surprise gem!
- kitellis-98121
- Jul 12, 2018
- Permalink
Graves
This is a great comedy nick nolte is great for this part and why isn't their more advertising about this show. the other cast members are just right for their parts. It is the best comedy I've seen in awhile.
- stewartjohn-44046
- Jan 23, 2019
- Permalink
Democrat's Trump!
- roadcrankr
- Aug 3, 2017
- Permalink
Smart, Unpredictable Comedy-No Laugh Track Needed
Too bad this ran just one season. Great writing (some zingers hitting it out of the ball park that good), unpredictable, hooked me from about the start. Fun cameos by famous politicians and other prominent folks. Former US President, with horrible track record, changes his ways, and becomes a decent guy. He's also navigating a dysfunctional relationship with his adult kids with love at its core. Great guest acting casting, too.
Disappointing Detritus
I was so looking forward to seeing Nick Nolte and Sela Ward, and this vehicle sorely disappoints. Nolte looks like he has someone pick him up at home, gets him out of bed and shaves and dresses him, pumps him full of B-12 and props him up in front of the camera for a few minutes to get a couple lines out of him. The premise is nothing but more uneven liberal junk that is supposed to pass as entertainment nowadays. Even if you love bloated, wasted, dissipated men and are a loyal liberal, there has got to be something better than this for you to watch than this waste of time. Sela Ward is still ethereally gorgeous, though. I can't believe it has a 7 rating. Maybe they started it at 10.
Kept me engaged, I liked it!
I was glad to see Nick Nolte acting at his age, and I thought he was great. Good cast; I wish we had one more season to finish the story lines, but I liked it. Very entertaining.
Great writing! Great Acting
Toothless and not particularly funny
I only watched the first episode of this series, but I feel there's no reason to believe the show would get any better.
The basic premise is an ex-U.S. president regrets his actions in office and decides to rectify all the awful choices that make him a historically terrible president. (Graves seems to be mainly based on GW Bush, who certainly ranks as one of the worst presidents.)
First off, this is a very silly fantasy premise. Politicians are huge egotists, and they really feel qualified to make all these decisions. Certainly some presidents have looked back at some of their decisions with regret, but I suspect most of them would insist that at the time of those decisions it was a sensible option. I certainly don't think any president would do a 180 because pundits and historians were attacking him; after all, there would also be pundits and historians praising him - even Bush gets that.
But the first episode suggests the real problem with the series will be cowardice. Because the first thing Grave says he'll try and rectify is cutting funding for cancer research.
Is there any issue that is safer than saying, I'll do more for cancer research? As terrible as cancer is, it's very well funded and thus not struggling as much as a lot of other programs.
If this were a political satire, which it pretends to be, it would start off with something genuinely controversial. Voter-suppressive ID laws, immigration policies, abortion.
Perhaps the series is just warming up, but here's the thing; satire doesn't dip its toe in the water to check the temperature. It doesn't ease you in. Satire is cutting and savage and strikes out in all directions. Satire, in other words, is Veep. Graves is, well, not much of anything.
I wouldn't be as annoyed with the series cowardice if it just had the decency to be funny. But I didn't laugh once.
That being said, the acting is good, even if the characters are stock.
The basic premise is an ex-U.S. president regrets his actions in office and decides to rectify all the awful choices that make him a historically terrible president. (Graves seems to be mainly based on GW Bush, who certainly ranks as one of the worst presidents.)
First off, this is a very silly fantasy premise. Politicians are huge egotists, and they really feel qualified to make all these decisions. Certainly some presidents have looked back at some of their decisions with regret, but I suspect most of them would insist that at the time of those decisions it was a sensible option. I certainly don't think any president would do a 180 because pundits and historians were attacking him; after all, there would also be pundits and historians praising him - even Bush gets that.
But the first episode suggests the real problem with the series will be cowardice. Because the first thing Grave says he'll try and rectify is cutting funding for cancer research.
Is there any issue that is safer than saying, I'll do more for cancer research? As terrible as cancer is, it's very well funded and thus not struggling as much as a lot of other programs.
If this were a political satire, which it pretends to be, it would start off with something genuinely controversial. Voter-suppressive ID laws, immigration policies, abortion.
Perhaps the series is just warming up, but here's the thing; satire doesn't dip its toe in the water to check the temperature. It doesn't ease you in. Satire is cutting and savage and strikes out in all directions. Satire, in other words, is Veep. Graves is, well, not much of anything.
I wouldn't be as annoyed with the series cowardice if it just had the decency to be funny. But I didn't laugh once.
That being said, the acting is good, even if the characters are stock.