Galavant

Stumbled on this show and was surprised to find what looks like a gem in the rough. Mainstream TV (ABC< CBS and ABC) has been lagging as of late.Good mix of: Monty Python, South Park, Men in Tights (Mel Brooks TV Show from the 70's) and Glee (in medieval times) I was surprised to find no one from Monty Python was involved with this show. So many things remind me of Holy Grail and so on. If this was a cartoon, the Boys at Southpark would have a field day. I'm looking forward to see how this story line plays out and if and who shows up as guest stars. The songs are catchy, a story that's funny and pretty girls. What more do you want?

OK, so it helps if you get the broad English sense of humour (which unlike our sensitive US cousins we certainly do not consider unfit for children!), have a working knowledge of classic British serials like Robin Hood and Ivanhoe, and love a good musical with clever rhymes and much double entendre (which clearly some of the reviewers who've completely failed to get to grips with this magnificent show do not!) but how can anybody not love this? Ever since Buffy did the musical episode we've been crying out for something like this and it has so been worth the wait. The casting is spot on with Timothy Omundson's turn as King Richard a real joy, Mallory Jansen's Madalena pitched perfectly as the queen whom there is no pleasing, and Vinnie Jones natural comic touch ideal for the henchman Gareth, while Joshua Sasse has the lead as half hero, half buffoon very nicely tuned. Add in some truly marvellous wry songs like "Maybe You're Not The Worst Thing Ever" and you have a hit, a palpable hit. I have no hesitation at all in saying that this is far and away the best new show we've had in ages!

You'll have to watch and see/ This clever parody/ Broadcast by ABC--/ It's Galavant.

Filled with addictive tunes,/ A hero hunk who croons--/ Just like in Disney toons--/ It's Galavant.

Can he rescue her--the greatest gesture?/ Does she want more than a jester?/

He must scale the castle walls/ (if he still has the balls)./ Will fanfare fill the halls/ For Galavant?

Can Isabella's fire/ Urge him to reacquire/ The fairest in the shire?/ Or shall his true desire/ Turn out to be the squire?/ Watch Galavant!

Update 1/12/15:

I've come to realize/This show is quite the prize,/Can hardly keep my eyes/ From Galavant.

I must increase my vote./ The first-blush score I wrote/ Did not allow the jokes/ In Galavant/

Are relentless comic witticisms/ Fueled by shrewd anachronisms,/

So I'm giving it an 8--/ Which might yet escalate/ If future shows are great,/ Of Galavant!

I came on here to see how Galavant was being received and to be honest I am quite shocked... there seems to be negativity and the positivity towards the show seems to be bunked down by people not finding the reviews helpful.

I understand Galavant isn't for everyone, it's crude, it has curse words, the characters can be mean spirited, but if you know what Galavant is really a love letter to, it makes perfect sense I love the songs, they're really well done, Alan Menken does a superb job with the scores and the lyrics are from the guy who did the Lyrics for Tangled, so no wonder they're so catchy.

Galavant is a story that in one hand is a satire and a wonderful comedy and on the other has some actually emotional moments if you care enough to see them. And yeah, I get it if it isn't for you, and I understand if it turns you off. However, it doesn't to me. Galavant is something right up my alley. I appreciate what they're doing. If you don't then that's fine. But some of the harsh criticism I've seen sees a little extreme. One Star reviews especially.

Yeah the comedy is lewd and not for everyone, but for people who appreciate musicals, some good comedy, and the classics like Monty Python and The Princess Bride, this is a show for you, and I will be continuing on. It definitely doesn't deserve one star reviews, that's for sure... even if you aren't a fan, there is FAR worse out there to me.

The music along raises Galavant from an 8/10 to a 9/10. This gallivanting musical features original songs by Alan Menken (Disney's Lion King) and Christopher Lennertz, and are so wonderful I had to buy the soundtrack because they're just so catchy! I'm a person who appreciates musicals, but isn't always in the mood, so I was pleasantly surprised with the way Galavant handle the singing-versus-dialogue dilemma. Amazingly, the singing was handled in a way that really balanced the show; the plot kept moving and there are enough songs in each episode without being over-the-top or annoying. I never shouted, "Get on with it!" or, "Stop singing!" at the screen.

The characters and almost-slapstick humor are what got me to keep watching the show after the first episode. I honestly didn't think I'd like it as much as I do. As it stands, I have currently seen the entire series three times, and I still laugh at the hilarity. Yes, some of the jokes are crude, and yes, some of it is so cheesy and overdone you want to roll your eyes. But Galavant is refreshing in a way a lot of other TV series aren't, nowadays. It's light, not too serious or heavy, and makes fun of itself.

A note on profanity and sexual innuendos: Some words are bleeped out (it's meant to be funny, but it was kind of alarming the first time watching it). There are quite a few references to sex--including in the songs--and Magdelena is always on the lookout for a new "consort." I wouldn't recommend it to children or young teenagers (not sure they'd get into it anyway).