In 'Windfall,' Money Buys Complications Galore Washintgon Post
"Windfall," NBC's new drama series about a pack of lottery winners, is not likely to be a long-term winning ticket for the struggling network. Fortunately, this soap opera disguised as a prime-time show is an addictive frolic for summertime, when reality TV takes over the airwaves.
"Windfall's" plot does sound like a reality show: Twenty people from differing backgrounds split a $386 million jackpot after winning with a group lottery ticket. Who will be betrayed? What will they do next? Who will blow the money? But instead of being over-the-top reality programming, "Windfall" is pure over-the-top fiction.
We meet most of the characters in a dizzying opening sequence that might scare you off. But stay tuned: The cast is eventually sorted out during the 13-episode series.
Quickly coming to the fore are two middle-class, thirtyish married couples. Jason Gedrick — a show killer whose credits include short-timers "Boomtown," "The Beast" and "Falcone" — stars as one of the husbands, Cameron Walsh, a professor who has the hots for his longtime friend's wife. And far from those y days of "Beverly Hills, 90210," Luke Perry plays Peter Schaefer, often sporting a wounded look as he suspects hanky-panky between his wife and best buddy.
Get used to that look — it's a constant on many of the show's featured faces. You'd think that a $386 million payday would put a bounce in their step.
Exuberance does abound when they win. Most enjoyable is watching an overworked nurse (Jaclyn DeSantis) who soon turns in her jalopy for a sporty Mercedes-Benz and calls her jerk-of-a-boss a very bad word in front of her appreciative co-workers. It's also satisfying when a pizza-delivery gal working two jobs is whisked away from her trailer park in a hired helicopter.
But ecstasy soon turns to edginess. Cameron suddenly smells an opportunity to steal away his best friend's wife (Lana Parrilla), whom he used to date. "Maybe this insanely good luck could change our lives," he tells her. "Money's freedom."
But just when he's contemplating a major life change with his old flame, a former student smells the money and barges into his life, claiming he owes her support for the child she claims he fathered.
The show bounces from one story line to the next so quickly that an untimely bathroom break might just keep you from picking a plot line back up again.
The one plot that promises the most twists and turns, as ridiculous as they might be, involves Sean Mathers (D.J. Cotrona), a handsome flower-shop employee. Turns out he's not thrilled about winning part of the pot — he may or may not be a convicted murderer who doesn't want his name publicized. The enterprising fugitive, however, seduces a female lawyer and persuades her to claim the money so they can run off together.
Ridiculous? Yes, but fun to see what happens next.
Some of the melodrama that threatens to overwhelm the show is thwarted by the youngest winner, Damien (Jon Foster). Although he's a minor, he finds a loophole to claim the money that legally belongs to his controlling dad. He marries a mail-order Russian bride — who was set to marry his dad's friend — thereby becoming an "emancipated minor."
But, wait, we haven't even gotten to the 16-year-old girl whose life goes in a tailspin as her separated parents battle over the cash that was rightly won by the mother.
Let's hope we have all summer to watch "Windfall." It beats enduring those many airings of "Deal or No Deal," a "Law & Order" repeat or yet another "Dateline" special.
'Windfall' falls flat on its face USA Today
It's an ill Windfall that blows its last gasp in summer.
NBC, of course, would prefer you think of Windfall as a warm-weather treat — an in-need-of-nurturing experiment along the lines of that most successful of summer scripted debuts, Northern Exposure.
Sorry, but this series — developed by Fox and announced by NBC as a midseason replacement as far back as last July — clearly falls within a sadder and more familiar dead category: the summer dump. Clearly, NBC saw what it had and realized it didn't have much.
The show attempts to operate as sort of a mass fantasy fulfillment: What would you do if you won the lottery? According to Windfall, the answer is that you'd either whine a lot about your current marriage, enter into a unwise new marriage, or make an equally unwise hookup with a mysterious stranger with an even more mysterious past.
Alas, the question the show forgot to answer is why we should care. When they complain, we hate them for not appreciating their luck. When they celebrate, we hate them for being lucky.
As with any ensemble drama, the lottery is merely a frame on which are hung the stories and the characters. It just happens to be a particularly rickety frame, which is only fitting, because the characters are correspondingly ill-built.
Windfall centers on four old friends in two troubled marriages. Nina (Boomtown's Lana Parrilla) married Peter (Luke Perry) on the rebound from Cameron (Jason Gedrick, of Boomtown and countless other worthy failures). He dumped Nina for Beth (Sarah Wynter) but has decided that was a mistake.
The two couples manage a lottery pool that expands to include the mysterious Sean (D.J. Cotrona), teenage Damien (Jon Foster) and nurse Maggie (Jaclyn DeSantis), among others. As soon as you've sorted them out, they're rich — and soon after they're rich, they're tiresome.
Seldom has a set of characters worn out their welcome more quickly. It's hard to say which plot strand is more familiar or more unappealing: the marriages threatened by old loves; the rebellious teen who uses his wealth against his father; or the brooding quiet guy with the dark past. It takes roughly 10 minutes to know who they are and what they'll do, and to decide you never want to see them again.
The shame is that there are some fine actors being stranded here — chief among them Gedrick, who just can't seem to find a role that both suits him and the needs of a television audience. He may someday win the TV lottery, but this time, he has once again chosen badly.
Hmmmmm ............ didn't ABC already try this same thing back in the 80's with the show "Lottery"?
Obviously, the networks are running out of ideas.
Maybe they should try a reality show that follows actual lottery winners and how they live day-to-day. That Whittaker guy would be a hoot. With him, they would have to air the program in late night TV with all the strip clubs he gets robbed at and all the mayhem that follows him constantly. HEHEHE!!
I don't think those plot lines are that far fetched. Just look at some of the people we read about on the LP. I mean, when I was 16 I was playing the lottery. Powerball to be exact. We had it all planned out, if I won, then my mom would collect the money.
I don't like these critics. I loved Northern Exposure. And windfall sounds like a show I could get into. I don't know what the critics are looking for in good entertainment but most shows they put down... I love. The ones they give awards to I usually hate.
I totally concurr w/most of the LP crew members.... I too am looking forward to the program, which aires tonight. The critics are just that...'critical'....I think we are exposed enough and intelligent enough to decide for ourselves. After all, so much on Commercial TV and Cable TV is trash anyway....One show is just as good or as bad as another.....I take most shows w/ a grain of salt and a sense of humor....After all, so many people today, live lives w/more color than the average Soap Operas....I think the writers are challenged to keep up w/real life.......
I don't care what the critics say. I'm going to give it a chance and watch it and decide for myself.
I second that emotion......Im actually a lil excited to see it. I hope they have at least one character that actually benefits positivly from the money. I will mos def be logging back on tonight after it airs to get you guys reaction and add my 2cents...hehehe
I am looking forward to watching the show. I really dont care how farfetched the critics think it is. I just want something that is going to keep me entertained for awhile. Critics are like weather men, they think they know what is going to happen all the time........
12-09-19-07-01 is coming out somewhere.... but it will pay peanuts! Looks like numbers for Hot Lotto?
also was that drawing (cringe) computerized??? I didn't see any balls popping! also what lame drawing would just show "Lotto Jackpot" and not even what state it is?
i didn't catch what was the Bonus Ball number?
a 5/5 game would be lucky to go over 1 million.
BUT.. the theme song is really good and I want it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, they could have done a better job. They just focused more on the different story lines. I kind of reminds me of lost because if you miss an episode then you really are going to be lost.
I loved loved loved it......its the best show of its kind that I have ever seen. Usually lotto shows are cheesy but I like this one. There are a few things that could have been "tweek'd" but overall it'll give me something interesting to watch over the summer
they just used a generic drawing.you have to remember its just a television show and not real so they can't use a state drawing or anything.however i liked it very much and look forward to next week.that russian lady is going to take that teenager for everything he has.he should've listened.father knows best.......
lol...ya think so Mike? Maybe....maybe not..............going to be interesting.
I liked the show. I thought the story had some reality to it in that it COULD happen. Just think if you were wanted by the police, what would you do? LOL.......I thought the storylines were good.
As far the critics go, I don't like anything they like anyway. I don't know what they base their opinion on. Have you ever noticed the 4 stars in the TV guide are all the old 30's thru 60's shows?
yep sandy.if you notice most of the things that critics like the public ends up ignoring.then if its something very popular most of the time the critics hate it.the critics are out of touch on a lot of things these days.......
It beats all the game shows and reality shows that are on. Except for big brother, I love that show. I can't wait for the all stars. Chase has got my vote.
For crying out loud.. at least they could have shown a machine mixing actual balls and rolling out and include a bonus ball so you could believe the odds of winning would match the size of the jackpot. Also I think the show will flop once getting past the Pilot because it will just become "the soap opera of the rich and not so famous" which has been done too much already. There was not enough lead-up to the drawing.. it would be like starting Prison Break with them escaping in Episode 1. I could have done the show much better, I wish they had talked to me first. I'd have the people fighting with bill collectors, trying different systems, tossing losing tickets in the trash for a while before the big win. That show would be the Season 1 finale and Season 2 the immediate aftereffects. Of couse it's mandatory to have one of them wander into a strip club....
PREDICTION: one of them gets kidnapped for their winnings.. unless the show gets canceled before then.
PS.. the theme song ROCKS!!!!! who sings it? Michelle Branch?
Well I thought it was entertaining, but, I just can't see me following these guys past the first season (if they keep it on). Unless every season is a new batch of winners with different story lines!
You guys just like this show because it has to do with the lottery. WOW who really cares the lottery is not everything in life. I didn't watch the show, but from what i saw from the prewiew it looked lame. The show would be better if they took real winners and made a story about there life. Like the lucky 7 or something like that.
Nobody has said that playing the lottery is everything in life. You do realize you are on a board that discusses things to do with the lottery don't you? So maybe some of us would be interested in a show dealing with it. There is a lot of us who enjoyed the show. Feel free not to watch it.
i agree with the second review. it was a real weak program. still it talked about some of the issues that do happen to reall lotto winners. my daughter and i watched and she left near the end. didn't come back until they were showing the teaser for next week. i will probably keep watching it just for the hell of it.
You guys just like this show because it has to do with the lottery. WOW who really cares the lottery is not everything in life. I didn't watch the show, but from what i saw from the prewiew it looked lame. The show would be better if they took real winners and made a story about there life. Like the lucky 7 or something like that.
Nobody has said that playing the lottery is everything in life. You do realize you are on a board that discusses things to do with the lottery don't you? So maybe some of us would be interested in a show dealing with it. There is a lot of us who enjoyed the show. Feel free not to watch it.
You guys just like this show because it has to do with the lottery. WOW who really cares the lottery is not everything in life. I didn't watch the show, but from what i saw from the prewiew it looked lame. The show would be better if they took real winners and made a story about there life. Like the lucky 7 or something like that.
Nobody has said that playing the lottery is everything in life. You do realize you are on a board that discusses things to do with the lottery don't you? So maybe some of us would be interested in a show dealing with it. There is a lot of us who enjoyed the show. Feel free not to watch it.
thank you bellyache......i couldn't have said it better myself
Is the pizza delivery girl going to get her cut? I fell asleep..remember she didn't put her name on the list but she put a dollar in the can..she really needs the money..does anyone know what happened?
Oh shoot.. I thought the Lottery WAS life. I must be the bug today and not the windshield! American Idol isn't the only thing in life, nor Desperate Housewives, nor the Da Vinci Code, nor World Cup Soccer, but we who are on here are here because the Lottery is our hobby. As long as it's giving you more enjoyment than aggravation, it's fine. But as much as I like playing, I think this series is going to flounder once the audience forgets where they got their money and it becomes a low-class version of "Dynasty". That's why I thought the run-up to and the drawing itself needed much more attention and should not have happened so quickly. If it were only one episode and not a series it would make some sense but how many seasons are they looking at?
Is the pizza delivery girl going to get her cut? I fell asleep..remember she didn't put her name on the list but she put a dollar in the can..she really needs the money..does anyone know what happened?
Yes the pizza girl was there to claim her portion of the money. She found out after they called her because her name was on the unclaimed dollar bill. Now next week someone will come forward to say that this was their unclaimed dollar and that they are the true holder of that particular half. Just like real life. idiots will come out the woodwork if you are not careful. This is why you need a contract dealing with pools to offset crazy people and their issues. But back to the show............................... I will continue to watch it because its interesting
lol...ya think so Mike? Maybe....maybe not..............going to be interesting.
I liked the show. I thought the story had some reality to it in that it COULD happen. Just think if you were wanted by the police, what would you do? LOL.......I thought the storylines were good.
As far the critics go, I don't like anything they like anyway. I don't know what they base their opinion on. Have you ever noticed the 4 stars in the TV guide are all the old 30's thru 60's shows?
6/12/2006
I also liked it, so much in fact that I watched it again on Sunday night 6/11/06...it has a pretty good story line and it's 'believable'....which is the best part. One of the scenes I especially liked was seeing the pizza delivery woman, also put $1.00 in the " kitty "....and when the number came out the group leader found her name and number and called her, as opposed to pretending that she hadn't played at all. Since the delivery woman didn't have a print out of the actual numbers the group played, they could have excluded her, but were instead honest enough to contact her so she could get her 'fair share' and I appreciated that....I will continue to watch the remaining episodes. The previews of upcoming attractions looked good....
Hmmmmm ............ didn't ABC already try this same thing back in the 80's with the show "Lottery"?
Obviously, the networks are running out of ideas.
Maybe they should try a reality show that follows actual lottery winners and how they live day-to-day. That Whittaker guy would be a hoot. With him, they would have to air the program in late night TV with all the strip clubs he gets robbed at and all the mayhem that follows him constantly. HEHEHE!!
Good Luck,
John
I don't think those plot lines are that far fetched. Just look at some of the people we read about on the LP. I mean, when I was 16 I was playing the lottery. Powerball to be exact. We had it all planned out, if I won, then my mom would collect the money.
I don't like these critics. I loved Northern Exposure. And windfall sounds like a show I could get into. I don't know what the critics are looking for in good entertainment but most shows they put down... I love. The ones they give awards to I usually hate.
Can't wait to watch it!
I don't care what the critics say. I'm going to give it a chance and watch it and decide for myself.
I don't care what the critics say. I'm going to give it a chance and watch it and decide for myself.
5/8/2006
I totally concurr w/most of the LP crew members.... I too am looking forward to the program, which aires tonight. The critics are just that...'critical'....I think we are exposed enough and intelligent enough to decide for ourselves. After all, so much on Commercial TV and Cable TV is trash anyway....One show is just as good or as bad as another.....I take most shows w/ a grain of salt and a sense of humor....After all, so many people today, live lives w/more color than the average Soap Operas....I think the writers are challenged to keep up w/real life.......
I don't care what the critics say. I'm going to give it a chance and watch it and decide for myself.
I am looking forward to watching the show. I really dont care how farfetched the critics think it is. I just want something that is going to keep me entertained for awhile. Critics are like weather men, they think they know what is going to happen all the time........
my prediction:
12-09-19-07-01 is coming out somewhere.... but it will pay peanuts!
Looks like numbers for Hot Lotto?
also was that drawing (cringe) computerized??? I didn't see any balls popping!
also what lame drawing would just show "Lotto Jackpot" and not even what state it is?
i didn't catch what was the Bonus Ball number?
a 5/5 game would be lucky to go over 1 million.
BUT.. the theme song is really good and I want it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, they could have done a better job. They just focused more on the different story lines. I kind of reminds me of lost because if you miss an episode then you really are going to be lost.
I loved loved loved it......its the best show of its kind that I have ever seen. Usually lotto shows are cheesy but I like this one. There are a few things that could have been "tweek'd" but overall it'll give me something interesting to watch over the summer
they just used a generic drawing.you have to remember its just a television show and not real so they can't use a state drawing or anything.however i liked it very much and look forward to next week.that russian lady is going to take that teenager for everything he has.he should've listened.father knows best.......
lol...ya think so Mike? Maybe....maybe not..............going to be interesting.
I liked the show. I thought the story had some reality to it in that it COULD happen. Just think if you were wanted by the police, what would you do? LOL.......I thought the storylines were good.
As far the critics go, I don't like anything they like anyway. I don't know what they base their opinion on. Have you ever noticed the 4 stars in the TV guide are all the old 30's thru 60's shows?
yep sandy.if you notice most of the things that critics like the public ends up ignoring.then if its something very popular most of the time the critics hate it.the critics are out of touch on a lot of things these days.......
It beats all the game shows and reality shows that are on. Except for big brother, I love that show. I can't wait for the all stars. Chase has got my vote.
For crying out loud.. at least they could have shown a machine mixing actual balls and rolling out and include a bonus ball so you could believe the odds of winning would match the size of the jackpot. Also I think the show will flop once getting past the Pilot because it will just become "the soap opera of the rich and not so famous" which has been done too much already. There was not enough lead-up to the drawing.. it would be like starting Prison Break with them escaping in Episode 1. I could have done the show much better, I wish they had talked to me first. I'd have the people fighting with bill collectors, trying different systems, tossing losing tickets in the trash for a while before the big win. That show would be the Season 1 finale and Season 2 the immediate aftereffects. Of couse it's mandatory to have one of them wander into a strip club....
PREDICTION: one of them gets kidnapped for their winnings.. unless the show gets canceled before then.
PS.. the theme song ROCKS!!!!! who sings it? Michelle Branch?
Well I thought it was entertaining, but, I just can't see me following these guys past the first season (if they keep it on). Unless every season is a new batch of winners with different story lines!
You guys just like this show because it has to do with the lottery. WOW who really cares the lottery is not everything in life. I didn't watch the show, but from what i saw from the prewiew it looked lame. The show would be better if they took real winners and made a story about there life. Like the lucky 7 or something like that.
Nobody has said that playing the lottery is everything in life. You do realize you are on a board that discusses things to do with the lottery don't you? So maybe some of us would be interested in a show dealing with it. There is a lot of us who enjoyed the show. Feel free not to watch it.
i agree with the second review. it was a real weak program. still it talked about some of the issues that do happen to reall lotto winners. my daughter and i watched and she left near the end. didn't come back until they were showing the teaser for next week. i will probably keep watching it just for the hell of it.
You guys just like this show because it has to do with the lottery. WOW who really cares the lottery is not everything in life. I didn't watch the show, but from what i saw from the prewiew it looked lame. The show would be better if they took real winners and made a story about there life. Like the lucky 7 or something like that.
Nobody has said that playing the lottery is everything in life. You do realize you are on a board that discusses things to do with the lottery don't you? So maybe some of us would be interested in a show dealing with it. There is a lot of us who enjoyed the show. Feel free not to watch it.
You guys just like this show because it has to do with the lottery. WOW who really cares the lottery is not everything in life. I didn't watch the show, but from what i saw from the prewiew it looked lame. The show would be better if they took real winners and made a story about there life. Like the lucky 7 or something like that.
Nobody has said that playing the lottery is everything in life. You do realize you are on a board that discusses things to do with the lottery don't you? So maybe some of us would be interested in a show dealing with it. There is a lot of us who enjoyed the show. Feel free not to watch it.
thank you bellyache......i couldn't have said it better myself
Is the pizza delivery girl going to get her cut? I fell asleep..remember she didn't put her name on the list but she put a dollar in the can..she really needs the money..does anyone know what happened?
Oh shoot.. I thought the Lottery WAS life. I must be the bug today and not the windshield! American Idol isn't the only thing in life, nor Desperate Housewives, nor the Da Vinci Code, nor World Cup Soccer, but we who are on here are here because the Lottery is our hobby. As long as it's giving you more enjoyment than aggravation, it's fine. But as much as I like playing, I think this series is going to flounder once the audience forgets where they got their money and it becomes a low-class version of "Dynasty". That's why I thought the run-up to and the drawing itself needed much more attention and should not have happened so quickly. If it were only one episode and not a series it would make some sense but how many seasons are they looking at?
Is the pizza delivery girl going to get her cut? I fell asleep..remember she didn't put her name on the list but she put a dollar in the can..she really needs the money..does anyone know what happened?
Yes the pizza girl was there to claim her portion of the money. She found out after they called her because her name was on the unclaimed dollar bill. Now next week someone will come forward to say that this was their unclaimed dollar and that they are the true holder of that particular half. Just like real life. idiots will come out the woodwork if you are not careful. This is why you need a contract dealing with pools to offset crazy people and their issues. But back to the show............................... I will continue to watch it because its interesting
lol...ya think so Mike? Maybe....maybe not..............going to be interesting.
I liked the show. I thought the story had some reality to it in that it COULD happen. Just think if you were wanted by the police, what would you do? LOL.......I thought the storylines were good.
As far the critics go, I don't like anything they like anyway. I don't know what they base their opinion on. Have you ever noticed the 4 stars in the TV guide are all the old 30's thru 60's shows?
6/12/2006
I also liked it, so much in fact that I watched it again on Sunday night 6/11/06...it has a pretty good story line and it's 'believable'....which is the best part. One of the scenes I especially liked was seeing the pizza delivery woman, also put $1.00 in the " kitty "....and when the number came out the group leader found her name and number and called her, as opposed to pretending that she hadn't played at all. Since the delivery woman didn't have a print out of the actual numbers the group played, they could have excluded her, but were instead honest enough to contact her so she could get her 'fair share' and I appreciated that....I will continue to watch the remaining episodes. The previews of upcoming attractions looked good....