Luck

[senortout]

Luck, new horse racing oriented series, has a one hour sneak preview, starting now(10 eastern) on HBO

[Badactor]

CAST THIS ACTOR: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0950306/

Sincerely,
Dell Yount

[senortout]

wtf, you been sitting up waiting for an announcement there guy, or what?
seriously, casting is not my job, I am just a fan

[bigmack]

CAST THIS ACTOR: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0950306/

Sincerely,
Dell Yount
What's the dealio, Dell, haven't you been able to get a read?

I believe Michael Mann's casting agent is Bonnie Timmerman.
http://bigthink.com/bonnietimmerman

I see at the show site they're looking for good track stories:
http://www.hbo.com/luck/index.html#/luck/talk/forums/item.html/eNrjcmbOYM5nLtQsy0xJzXfMS8ypLMlMds7PK0mtKFHPz0mBCQ Ukpqf6JeamcjIysiWWZqbYmpmkmSdbGBupGrmkmhmZASlDw1QD IJWUkmwMpAwMjIwMLc1SLIxSU9kY2RgB-NgeVg==

On the set video: :ThmbUp:
http://www.hbo.com/luck/index.html#/video/video.html/eNrjcmbOYM5nLtQsy0xJzXfMS8ypLMlMds7PK0mtKFHPz0mBCQ Ukpqf6JeamcjIysqUDFdsaGhmZWRgZq5Vlppbb5pXm5KilZeaU pBbZpqUmlpQWpaaoJZaW5BfkJFbalhSVprIxsjECANuPJKQ=

[senortout]

I am recording the show for posterity, my money is on these eventualities..........................
1. Racing will not be cast in a favorable light...
2. Publics perception of an honest game further disenchanted
3. The game will gain, overall, in spite of above two, due to thats our nature, to love getting fooled, or fooling, or in on a scam, or whatever.

I love stuff like this, ahead of time, big big fan of Dustin as well

[senortout]

hells yeah, give Mr. Yount a part!

[Badactor]

Thank you for the links... no luck getting a read, so far.
"Not giving up... ever." :bang:

[Greyfox]

Luck?
In horse racing = homework
Independent of that, and most players do not do it (work)...Good Luck.
But the truth be known, over 90 % of all races are explicable, perhaps in the rearview mirror.

Do the work. Have a good set of numbers, but don't consider them the absolute truth, but rather as a potential guide for today's field, and then also consider "in your mind's eye" how today's track is playing.

Barring the jockey jumping off or falling off, the horse being walled in, or stumbling out of the gate, or similiar problems,
ESSENTIALLY HORSE RACING IS NOT A GAME OF LUCK THOUGH CHANCE FACTORS ARE INVOLVED.

(Yet, when "Luck" happens, huge dividends come into play.)


























5

[bigmack]

What guesstimation could one put on the % of P6 payouts going to 'dumb luck' and that to savvy, well thought out handicapping?

[Valuist]

When they were alive to all in the last leg, I was really hoping the heavy chalk would win.

BTW, who has conversations in the middle of races? You hear guys screaming at TV screens but I don't think I've ever heard casual conversations in the middle of a race between people who have bet the race.

[Pace Cap'n]

Did anyone math out the cost of that pic-6 ticket?

[Valuist]

Did anyone math out the cost of that pic-6 ticket?

I didn't but I thought I heard one of the characters say it was 840-something.

[jelly]

I didn't see it,doe's it have the potential to be as good as Deadwood?

[tzipi]

Did anyone math out the cost of that pic-6 ticket?

$2,800 ticket

Wow, how long was the last race.....10 min? :D The longshot 8 has to win..oh no, wait now the other longshot 2 can win. :)


I thought the show was ok.

[ten2oneormore]

Hopefully I'm wrong but I don't see this show lasting very long.I just don't see it grabbing the attention of anyone who is not into horse racing.You need to have an intermediate understanding of the game to be able to grasp the slang and follow along .I mean the average viewer isn't going to know what a bug is or what letting the horse stretch its legs the last quarter in a work let alone doing it in .11 and .23.

I guess we will see because they do have a great cast and for an informed viewer great writing but after my wife thought it was going to interest her with Hoffman and Nolte she fell asleep 20 minutes into it.

[Ocala Mike]

Interesting, though unbelievable, characters. Way dark, though I guess that's what they were striving for. Will probably watch it in January.


Ocala Mike

[Jasonm921]

Hopefully I'm wrong but I don't see this show lasting very long.I just don't see it grabbing the attention of anyone who is not into horse racing.You need to have an intermediate understanding of the game to be able to grasp the slang and follow along .I mean the average viewer isn't going to know what a bug is or what letting the horse stretch its legs the last quarter in a work let alone doing it in .11 and .2 but
I guess we will see because they do have a great cast and for an informed viewer great writing but after my wife thought it was going to interest her with Hoffman and Nolte she fell asleep 20 minutes into it.

I thought the show was going to be loosely based on racing. Racing fans will understand it but goodluck getting anyone outside the sport understanding all the jargon. The putting the horse down scene was pretty realistic...almost seemed too real.

[tzipi]

Hopefully I'm wrong but I don't see this show lasting very long.I just don't see it grabbing the attention of anyone who is not into horse racing.You need to have an intermediate understanding of the game to be able to grasp the slang and follow along .I mean the average viewer isn't going to know what a bug is or what letting the horse stretch its legs the last quarter in a work let alone doing it in .11 and .23.

I guess we will see because they do have a great cast and for an informed viewer great writing but after my wife thought it was going to interest her with Hoffman and Nolte she fell asleep 20 minutes into it.

I kind of agree. You'd have to know the sport to understand most of tonights conversations in the show. Great actors, but not sure how it's going to go.

[cj]

I kind of agree. You'd have to know the sport to understand most of tonights conversations in the show. Great actors, but not sure how it's going to go.

I find all of the HBO shows this way. Sopranos, The Wire, Deadwood...they didn't explain the lingo, they just put it out there and let the viewer figure it out. If the show is good enough, they will.

[tzipi]

I find all of the HBO shows this way. Sopranos, The Wire, Deadwood...they didn't explain the lingo, they just put it out there and let the viewer figure it out. If the show is good enough, they will.

I understood the lingo in the Sopranos and Deadwood. Nothing too weird there but I understand a bit what your saying. From alot of message boards though I'm seeing it wasn't so much the lingo as it was the actors "mumbling". But it's only one epsiode so far. WAY to early to judge. ;)

[olddaddy]

Did anyone math out the cost of that pic-6 ticket?

The ticket was 3x1x4x5x3x9=1620. I never play the PK6 so I dont know what the wager is at Santa Anita. If its a .50 the 800 something they spent is right.

[olddaddy]

Could be an interesting series if they separate the hollywood mob stuff from the 4 guys that split a 2+M pk6. It would be interesting to see what the guys do with the money after they collect. But since they are already played up to be degenerates, Im sure they will piss it away quick.

[classhandicapper]

Typically, you want the first show of a series to be great so word gets out and it starts building an audience. I'm certainly going to give it another shot, but IMO this episode wasn't even close to being on the same level as The Sopranos, Boardwalk Casino, Deadwood, Dexter, or even Weeds, True Blood and others that I love.

There's so much great stuff you can do with gangsters, gamblers, the racetrack, betting coups etc... to keep the action hot, but IMO it dragged a little in spots. Maybe that was because they were inroducing all the characters, but we'll see.

I also didn't like the fact they they hit the biggest pick 6 in the first episode. Give me a break. How about getting a few bad trips, bad rides, a few impossible horses waking up, a mediocre horse sneaking up the rail to nail you at the wire, getting shut out, a late scratch that changed the race development and screwed up your horse, a mid sequence rain storm, a lost bob etc... before actually hitting a monster. :lol:

[toussaud]

loved seeing Jill Hennessy. had a mini crush on her back in the day.

interested to see what the "van berg" horse is going to do lol. you can tell that character was based very closely off Jack Van Berg. looks like a runner.k


I thought the perfect scene in the show was when the 8 broke down, and the bettors who had money on the race didn't miss a beat and just went to the next horse. never even brought it up. It's not so much wrong, it's just the nature of horse racing. I think he captured that perfectly.

I also think the mob guy is a homosexual. i can see that character arc already.


PS- jockey spending all race boxing in a 12 to 1 shot who hasn't raced in 2 years with a bug rider :lol:

[magwell]

Very disappointing........

[Valuist]

It would've been better if the bettors would've suffered an excruciatingly tough beat. Maybe not having everyone in the last leg and losing a photo. EVERYONE can identify with a tough beat. How many people out there can identify with a $2 million score?

And right off the bat? First show? And of course we had to get the obligatory breakdown.

I think the show has potential but it was way too sensationalized.

[Leparoux]

Typically, you want the first show of a series to be great so word gets out and it starts building an audience. I'm certainly going to give it another shot, but IMO this episode wasn't even close to being on the same level as The Sopranos, Boardwalk Casino, Deadwood, Dexter, or even Weeds, True Blood and others that I love.

There's so much great stuff you can do with gangsters, gamblers, the racetrack, betting coups etc... to keep the action hot, but IMO it dragged a little in spots. Maybe that was because they were inroducing all the characters, but we'll see.

I also didn't like the fact they they hit the biggest pick 6 in the first episode. Give me a break. How about getting a few bad trips, bad rides, a few impossible horses waking up, a mediocre horse sneaking up the rail to nail you at the wire, getting shut out, a late scratch that changed the race development and screwed up your horse, a mid sequence rain storm, a lost bob etc... before actually hitting a monster. :lol:


This is not necessarily the case for shows on HBO. The Wire (arguably the best show ever) was not well received by the masses early on. HBO is premium television and can justify running a series that doesn't have a huge following if they believe that it brings in a certain audience to pay for their service.

Hitting the huge P6 was their way of trying to draw in the average gambler who doesn't bet on horses much. If you saw the scenes for the upcoming season, you know plenty of heartache and bad beats are on the way.

HBO shows can be tough to follow but that is what makes them so great. They are very real.

I thought it was a really good effort, looking forward to what lies ahead.

[Shelby]

I find all of the HBO shows this way. Sopranos, The Wire, Deadwood...they didn't explain the lingo, they just put it out there and let the viewer figure it out. If the show is good enough, they will.

Ditto to the above.

I liked the show--except for the putting down the horse part. :(

The hour flew by and I was sad it was over.

And, unlike Deadwood, they only threw in one "cocksucker" phrase lol.

[breeze]

Interesting, though unbelievable, characters. Way dark, though I guess that's what they were striving for. Will probably watch it in January.


Ocala Mike

I found them to be very believable. I could put a real name to each one from the 30+ tracks I have raced at.

Loved it :)

[tzipi]

The ticket was 3x1x4x5x3x9=1620. I never play the PK6 so I dont know what the wager is at Santa Anita. If its a .50 the 800 something they spent is right.

You're right. I was doing a $2 ticket. I from NY :D Plus I forgot the "ALL" last race was 9 horses, not 8.

[Milkshaker]

Nice catch on the "Van Berg" comparison.

The other obvious likeness to an actual track character that I could put a name to was the veteran jockey (shows up late and gets berated by his agent for reeking of weed and booze). Dead ringer for Gary Stevens in his prime riding (and partying) days.

[statepierback]

Missed the show. I'm check it out next year.

[2low]

I hope it gets better. I can't imagine any non-racing fan caring one bit about any of it after one episode. I'm pretty sure the average HBO watcher would have been confused at best, bored most likely.

Boardwalk's first episode was crap too, though, and I love the show now. Here's hoping.

[Leparoux]

I hope it gets better. I can't imagine any non-racing fan caring one bit about any of it after one episode. I'm pretty sure the average HBO watcher would have been confused at best, bored most likely.

Boardwalk's first episode was crap too, though, and I love the show now. Here's hoping.
That is the thing with HBO shows though, they aren't always targeting the average show. I think they are going after gamblers, not just horse players, in this series.

[classhandicapper]

Boardwalk's first episode was crap too, though, and I love the show now. Here's hoping.

Last night was crazy good. :ThmbUp:

[2low]

Last night was crazy good. :ThmbUp:

I had to choose between Luck and Boardwalk. I'll catch up tonight:ThmbUp:

[FantasticDan]

DRF review:

http://www.drf.com/news/review-hbos-luck-gets-down-and-dirty-track

[toussaud]

in case anyone doesn't have Tivo and missed it you can watch it online here

http://tinyurl.com/dyhuera


just click on any of the links, and it will open a new window where you can watch the show.

[maddog42]

Typically, you want the first show of a series to be great so word gets out and it starts building an audience. I'm certainly going to give it another shot, but IMO this episode wasn't even close to being on the same level as The Sopranos, Boardwalk Casino, Deadwood, Dexter, or even Weeds, True Blood and others that I love.

There's so much great stuff you can do with gangsters, gamblers, the racetrack, betting coups etc... to keep the action hot, but IMO it dragged a little in spots. Maybe that was because they were inroducing all the characters, but we'll see.

I also didn't like the fact they they hit the biggest pick 6 in the first episode. Give me a break. How about getting a few bad trips, bad rides, a few impossible horses waking up, a mediocre horse sneaking up the rail to nail you at the wire, getting shut out, a late scratch that changed the race development and screwed up your horse, a mid sequence rain storm, a lost bob etc... before actually hitting a monster. :lol:

The very first episode of Sopranos was a little slow. By the 3rd episode I was hooked. It often takes half a season for a show to find its stride. The intro of characters often bogs down the first couple episodes, and I think the P6 was put in for that reason. But lets face it what happens AFTER you hit a p6 is more interesting than before you hit one. This show has a lot of potential. Way too early to judge. I think the Sopranos was one of the greatest Episodic
TV shows ever. That is setting the bar a little high.

[toussaud]

I think they are going to lose the ticket or someone will steal it

if i won 2.68 million dollars split 3 ways, i'm not spending the night in a hotel with 3 guys with the ticket in the room. no way in hell.

[Charli125]

I think they are going to lose the ticket or someone will steal it

if i won 2.68 million dollars split 3 ways, i'm not spending the night in a hotel with 3 guys with the ticket in the room. no way in hell.

That's not going to happen because they show the one guy losing it all playing Poker. They're going to cash it, lose it in creative ways, and then curse their "luck".

I thought the show was dull and boring, but I'll give it a few weeks because I still think it's a good idea. The preview of the rest of the season was 10-times as exciting as anything in the first episode.

My biggest complaint was the graphic breakdown. My wife wasn't that into it, but looked up just in time to see the leg break. She said she'll never watch it again. Sure, these things do happen, but what did that add to the show? I know it completely turned off a lot of the on-the-fence viewers and I think it was a bad call.

Also, I have a picky horseplayer complaining about inconsistencies issue. When I glanced at the willpays I saw most everything well over a million and then 2 horses paying 5-figures. Wouldn't that lead you to believe that those 2 horses were paying 5 of 6? I didn't pay close attention but that jumped out at me when they kept talking about how they bet ALL in the last leg. I'm sure there's someone out there that wrote them down!

[toussaud]

That's not going to happen because they show the one guy losing it all playing Poker. They're going to cash it, lose it in creative ways, and then curse their "luck".

I thought the show was dull and boring, but I'll give it a few weeks because I still think it's a good idea. The preview of the rest of the season was 10-times as exciting as anything in the first episode.

My biggest complaint was the graphic breakdown. My wife wasn't that into it, but looked up just in time to see the leg break. She said she'll never watch it again. Sure, these things do happen, but what did that add to the show? I know it completely turned off a lot of the on-the-fence viewers and I think it was a bad call.

Also, I have a picky horseplayer complaining about inconsistencies issue. When I glanced at the willpays I saw most everything well over a million and then 2 horses paying 5-figures. Wouldn't that lead you to believe that those 2 horses were paying 5 of 6? I didn't pay close attention but that jumped out at me when they kept talking about how they bet ALL in the last leg. I'm sure there's someone out there that wrote them down!

while i can understand that, i respect the fact hbo doesn't hold any bars. they are going to show you how it really is. people are going to get wacked in a mob related show. horses are going to break down in a show about horse racing.

[FantasticDan]

in case anyone doesn't have Tivo and missed it you can watch it online here

http://tinyurl.com/dyhuera
Thanks! I don't get HBO, and always have to wait for the DVDs to catch these shows.. really appreciated getting a chance to at least see the premiere. :ThmbUp:

I :D at the line where the wheelchair-bound gambler said he'd actually prefer the $48K P6 over the $2.7M, since it would be "less of an adjustment". :lol:

As others have mentioned, these HBO often take a few eps to really get rolling, and I'd say this premiere was very good, with the usual room for improvement.. :ThmbUp:

[statepierback]

in case anyone doesn't have Tivo and missed it you can watch it online here

http://tinyurl.com/dyhuera


just click on any of the links, and it will open a new window where you can watch the show.

Thanks for the link. I'm now up to speed. I like it. The soundtrack and location shots at Santa Anita are my favorite things. The storyline has me interested. Still the jury's out as far as the long term. I see it lasting one season or four to five. Just another thing to look forward to in 2012. Thanks again :ThmbUp:

[sally]

Nice catch on the "Van Berg" comparison.

The other obvious likeness to an actual track character that I could put a name to was the veteran jockey (shows up late and gets berated by his agent for reeking of weed and booze). Dead ringer for Gary Stevens in his prime riding (and partying) days.

You know, that WAS Gary Stevens, right?

[mannyberrios]

:1: You know, that WAS Gary Stevens, right? :1: Yes. Who is going to sign for that winning ticket?

[cato]

Incredibly disappointing on all levels.

[papillon]

i liked it. i didn't think it started slow at all. but most hbo series seem to start out a little slowishly because there is always a lot of exposition in the first 2-3 episodes that usually comes into play way down the line, once you've half-forgotten about it.

like with the breakdown and the bug and showing the retired rider who apparently pissed away his career--i guarantee that the bug will have trouble later in the show because of that breakdown; he'll get the racing version of the yips or something. it'll be the equivalent to ned stark loosing his head. :D

one thing i really liked was that they showed how screwed up betting on horses is because there are no real controls for insider information and insider tampering/manipulation. that's always been one of my biggest problems with the whole game. to me the show's name is completely ironic. which is why i think they started with the winning of the pick 6. they didn't win because they handicapped the races, they won because they were deep enough in the game at that track to know that the trainer of the 5 horse was up to something.

hbo has a pretty savvy viewership--people still write in demanding carnivale be brought back after all! and anyone who can follow carnivale, will be able to suss out industry terms like bug and follow a fairly conventional plot (hbo-wise at least--hbo has lots of non-sequitor shows that are way more difficult to follow, but still loved nontheless).

also, i heard an interview with one of the hbo execs once on npr taling about how they couldn't careless about viewership because they aren't trying to sell advertising--they care about impact. even if no one watches a show--if the show gets talked about in the press, they have succeeded.

as for the violence and the breakdown turning away viewers--this is HBO, don't watch it if you are squeamish about any of the following:

graphic sex
graphic violence
very foul language
lead characters dying

[Some_One]

I lucked it too, but the sequence of shots during races is soooooooo bad, plus shooting from the infield towards the empty stands at the start when there is supposedly a large crowd is also off.

[GARY Z]

several thoughts and questions:

To me, the trainer appears to have a Julio Canani personality based upon
the interviews with this trainer on TVG.

Couldn't help chuckling on the plug for the TVG wagering site by one
of the pick 6 syndicate members, who should have a bookie based
upon his style and his companions. I presume Mr. Milch is a fan
of TVG as this plug made little sense.

Where was Chantal? Is she the stable "jock"? I never heard
her name(Mario Racuzzo),but I've Tivo'd the program and WILL
use captioned titles as much of the dialogue was difficult to hear without
waking my neighbors.

Henry Bronchtein ,one of the unit production managers was
a co/producer of the Sopranos.

Takeaway from this show is great acting with known and
unknown actors including the incredible work done with the
thoroughbreds.

That said, this production is presenting a dark picture of the of racing, which unfortunately benchmarks the rants of PETA and much of
the general public who believe most races are controlled by jockeys
and/or nefarious owners.

I would hope /"bet" Santa Anita officials allowed their track to be the host
facility as this show should ultimately present positive points about thoroughbred racing.
However, I have many times been wrong in Steward inquiries eapecially
on the west coast. :eek:

[KingChas]

My take,this show will be too complicated for the general public.

I am sure sex and violence will be added to spice it up.

I question it's longetivity.

[cj]

My take,this show will be too complicated for the general public.

I am sure sex and violence will be added to spice it up.

I question it's longetivity.

HBO has a pretty good record of keeping shows around.

[Horseplayersbet.com]

I'm curious about the breakdown. I'm wondering how they got the leg to look broken, and how they managed to pull off the putting down of the horse (was a robotic horse used?).
It definitely looked like the real deal.

[toussaud]

I'm curious about the breakdown. I'm wondering how they got the leg to look broken, and how they managed to pull off the putting down of the horse (was a robotic horse used?).
It definitely looked like the real deal.
CGI

[saratoga guy]

Where was Chantal?

She was hanging with the other woman watching the P6 finale-race and rooting for the apprentice.

[David-LV]

Excellent show as always from HBO, I expect this to go on as long as Boardwalk Empire has.

GOOD LUCK TO HBO'S "LUCK"

___________
David-LV

[098poi]

in case anyone doesn't have Tivo and missed it you can watch it online here

http://tinyurl.com/dyhuera


just click on any of the links, and it will open a new window where you can watch the show.

Is this site legal? I am suspect of being able to watch an HBO show right after it aired if it is not on an HBO or pay site.

[cj]

Is this site legal? I am suspect of being able to watch an HBO show right after it aired if it is not on an HBO or pay site.

I don't think anyone in a black suit is going to show up at your house and arrest you if you watch it, if that is what you mean. If it is illegal, it will be gone soon enough.

[098poi]

OK, I guess I can still play in the Aqueduct contest from jail if need be.

[Badactor]

Special thanks to the good folks at PAULICK REPORT...
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/draft-dell-for-luck-ca mpaign-ramps-up/

Thank you,
Dell Yount

[Shelby]

OK, I guess I can still play in the Aqueduct contest from jail if need be.:lol:


If they have simulcasting in jail, I gotta ramp up my bad behavior. ;)

[NJ Stinks]

I liked the part where the security guard told everybody to get out of the track by 10:30am and pay their way back in.

Such realism should not go unnoticed!

:13:

[bigmack]

Happy to see they've changed their music cat after the first 5 episodes. In this debut, music was used in what I thought was an odd fashion. At times it seemed they wanted to drift into a mini-music video. Then they'd have 12 minutes of uninteresting dialogue without a measure of music. What can really make a show like this work is "pop." They gotta hip this up. A bunch!

Far too stark now. Sexy it up so the material drips. They appear as if they might move in a Damages-like direction. You know, Glen Closer, bla, bla. Smart show. Nice look. But this is the racing business and ya got Mann & Milch! Shit man, this stuff should be WAY better than that.

[Bullet Plane]

I think they should add more horseplayer story lines. Of all the story lines they have currently going....for me...by far the most compelling are those of the horseplayers.

[098poi]

I just watched it (I'll deny how if asked). I like the gamblers storyline much more than the gangsters so far. The breakdown was so unrealistic though. That horse was passing horses, his leg breaks (front I think) and then the jock kind of hops off a la Barbaro. (And I mean no disrespect to that one) They both would have gone down hard. The horse could have been pulled up lame or something and still kept with the storyline without turning people off in the first episode. It is also common in race movies to make the race last 2 or 3 times longer than it really is which I don't like. Aside from all that it was OK :D.

[bello]

They nailed the atmosphere of Santa Anita from the clockers corner to the paddock, the grandstands the mountains, etc. Felt like you wanted to be there. Hopefully some of that rubs off on the general public and they will go to the track.

[PaceAdvantage]

Ditto to the above.

I liked the show--except for the putting down the horse part. :(

The hour flew by and I was sad it was over.

And, unlike Deadwood, they only threw in one "cocksucker" phrase lol.Damn girl... :lol:

Usually, we edit these sorts of things outta here, but I'm gonna let this one go just for the shock value of it all... :lol:

[Beachbabe]

Damn girl... :lol:

Usually, we edit these sorts of things outta here, but I'm gonna let this one go just for the shock value of it all... :lol:

Good for you, PA.
The post f***in' cracked me up. :D

[tzipi]

Damn girl... :lol:

Usually, we edit these sorts of things outta here, but I'm gonna let this one go just for the shock value of it all... :lol:

That got me laughing hard :D

[bigmack]

That got me laughing hard :D
BAM! Now ya gotta clear the whole schmear. :eek:

[JustRalph]

I went over to Putlocker........I was able to start the show.......

something tells me I don't want my IP address on their logs

I canceled it after about ten seconds.

I did a little research and found many differing opinions about Putlocker.

I don't get HBO anymore........and I don't think I will be watching it online anytime soon.......... waiting for the DVD

Btw, I love it when the gals talk dirty on PA :ThmbUp:

[BetCrazyGirl]

Is this site legal? I am suspect of being able to watch an HBO show right after it aired if it is not on an HBO or pay site.

Those sites aren't legal and do get shut down alot but most likely you won't get in any trouble. Its illegal to download but not to play streams I believe, so basically if you don't download it onto your comp you haven't done anything illegal, its the downloading and sharing that can land you in hot water. The ones who had put the show up for others are doing the illegal activity.

[toussaud]

I went over to Putlocker........I was able to start the show.......

something tells me I don't want my IP address on their logs

I canceled it after about ten seconds.

I did a little research and found many differing opinions about Putlocker.

I don't get HBO anymore........and I don't think I will be watching it online anytime soon.......... waiting for the DVD

Btw, I love it when the gals talk dirty on PA :ThmbUp: i've used putlocker for well over a year. you have nothing to worry about


betgirl is correct. as long as you aren't actually sharing the content it's no different than going to justin.tv/firstrowsports to catch a stream of a live game or something

[toussaud]

I wanted to add, I'm a documentary fanatic, so I am always scavenging the Internet for different documentaries. there are sites like docufans.com that do nothing but link to sites like that for documentaries, alot of which aren't even shown in the US (BBC /Horizon documentries).

If anything, the site will get shut down. You as a viewer have little to nothing to worry qabout. in reality they just need to get with the times and get to true internet TV but that's another post. there is a market for the stuff, a big one.

[cj]

Damn girl... :lol:

Usually, we edit these sorts of things outta here, but I'm gonna let this one go just for the shock value of it all... :lol:

I couldn't remember if they said that on NYPD Blue or not!

[speed]

I couldn't remember if they said that on NYPD Blue or not!
Only when they needed the money.

[Leparoux]

I just watched it (I'll deny how if asked). I like the gamblers storyline much more than the gangsters so far. The breakdown was so unrealistic though. That horse was passing horses, his leg breaks (front I think) and then the jock kind of hops off a la Barbaro. (And I mean no disrespect to that one) They both would have gone down hard. The horse could have been pulled up lame or something and still kept with the storyline without turning people off in the first episode. It is also common in race movies to make the race last 2 or 3 times longer than it really is which I don't like. Aside from all that it was OK :D.
How hard do you think it would be to simulate all of that? Do you want them to keep taping until a horse actually breaks down? Have the jockey (actor) get trampled by the horses passing by? At what point would it be real enough for you?

[toussaud]

In retrospect, the show could have done without the gangsters. I really don't see the point at all. Makes the show unnecessarily complex while adding very little to the story line.

[elhelmete]

How hard do you think it would be to simulate all of that? Do you want them to keep taping until a horse actually breaks down? Have the jockey (actor) get trampled by the horses passing by? At what point would it be real enough for you?

The one and only catastrophic breakdown I've seen with my naked eye live at the track was eerily exactly like the one portrayed on the show. It was at Santa Anita (but during the poly era...March 09 I think), involved a contender in the stretch, and the jock did exactly what the bug in the show did. Don't want to see it again.

[Leparoux]

In retrospect, the show could have done without the gangsters. I really don't see the point at all. Makes the show unnecessarily complex while adding very little to the story line.
They certainly didn't add anything to the first episode, but I think the story lines will run deep with them throughout the season. The previews have them trying to get slots into the tracks, etc. HBO shows are usually complex, that is why they are great. Time will tell if a complex show about Horse Racing will make it, but I love that they are attempting it. Not only attempting it but really going for it with a star studded cast.

[FantasticDan]

Beyer's take:

http://www.drf.com/news/beyer-milchs-luck-rises-above-typical-television-fare

[thespaah]

I understood the lingo in the Sopranos and Deadwood. Nothing too weird there but I understand a bit what your saying. From alot of message boards though I'm seeing it wasn't so much the lingo as it was the actors "mumbling". But it's only one epsiode so far. WAY to early to judge. ;)
The mumbling or just poor audio quality.
I had to figure out what the hell was going on. And I've been around the races for over 30 yars and even worked on the backstretch as a harness groom for a bit.
Now,if I have a situation, how the hell is the average "look in and see what it's all about " viewer going to understand it.
One thing that immediately told me the horse racing sequences/scenes were going to be unrealistic is the breakdown scene.
What a horse running 35 MPH is going to snap a foreleg and the jock simply hops off thew horse and doesn't eve so much as stumble? Please.
I'll give it a look on Sunday. My expectations are low.

[thespaah]

Could be an interesting series if they separate the hollywood mob stuff from the 4 guys that split a 2+M pk6. It would be interesting to see what the guys do with the money after they collect. But since they are already played up to be degenerates, Im sure they will piss it away quick.
the character played by Jason Gedrick is the real degenerate impulsive one.
His character will not last the entire series. Either dead or in prison is my guess.

[thespaah]

loved seeing Jill Hennessy. had a mini crush on her back in the day.

interested to see what the "van berg" horse is going to do lol. you can tell that character was based very closely off Jack Van Berg. looks like a runner.k


I thought the perfect scene in the show was when the 8 broke down, and the bettors who had money on the race didn't miss a beat and just went to the next horse. never even brought it up. It's not so much wrong, it's just the nature of horse racing. I think he captured that perfectly.

I also think the mob guy is a homosexual. i can see that character arc already.


PS- jockey spending all race boxing in a 12 to 1 shot who hasn't raced in 2 years with a bug rider :lol:
My sister went to school with her husband. When we were kids, Dino( nickname) and his family lived like 6 houses down my street.
My favorite watering hole in my home town in NJ was bought and was named Hennesey's...Yep it was theirs. They have since sold the place.
When she was on Law and Order, I thought she was pretty hot.

[thespaah]

Typically, you want the first show of a series to be great so word gets out and it starts building an audience. I'm certainly going to give it another shot, but IMO this episode wasn't even close to being on the same level as The Sopranos, Boardwalk Casino, Deadwood, Dexter, or even Weeds, True Blood and others that I love.

There's so much great stuff you can do with gangsters, gamblers, the racetrack, betting coups etc... to keep the action hot, but IMO it dragged a little in spots. Maybe that was because they were inroducing all the characters, but we'll see.

I also didn't like the fact they they hit the biggest pick 6 in the first episode. Give me a break. How about getting a few bad trips, bad rides, a few impossible horses waking up, a mediocre horse sneaking up the rail to nail you at the wire, getting shut out, a late scratch that changed the race development and screwed up your horse, a mid sequence rain storm, a lost bob etc... before actually hitting a monster. :lol:
I think the point of the group hitting the pick 6 was to let the viewers see how they handle the money and to follow these characters throughout the series. Do they piss it away? Do any of them turn it into something?

[thespaah]

I'm curious about the breakdown. I'm wondering how they got the leg to look broken, and how they managed to pull off the putting down of the horse (was a robotic horse used?).
It definitely looked like the real deal.
Computers can create any kind of digital image and it looks like the real thing.
Lots of movie scenes are computer generated where the real thing is either costly or impractical.
That is my best guess...That the breakdown scene was computer generated.

[thespaah]

The one and only catastrophic breakdown I've seen with my naked eye live at the track was eerily exactly like the one portrayed on the show. It was at Santa Anita (but during the poly era...March 09 I think), involved a contender in the stretch, and the jock did exactly what the bug in the show did. Don't want to see it again.
I was in attendance for the 1990 BC Distaff. That SUCKED!!!.
That was the first time I had sen a breakdown right in front of me.
Was at Belmont when Timely Writer went down, but that was on the far turn near the 5/16ths.

[maddog42]

Happy to see they've changed their music cat after the first 5 episodes. In this debut, music was used in what I thought was an odd fashion. At times it seemed they wanted to drift into a mini-music video. Then they'd have 12 minutes of uninteresting dialogue without a measure of music. What can really make a show like this work is "pop." They gotta hip this up. A bunch!

Far too stark now. Sexy it up so the material drips. They appear as if they might move in a Damages-like direction. You know, Glen Closer, bla, bla. Smart show. Nice look. But this is the racing business and ya got Mann & Milch! Shit man, this stuff should be WAY better than that.

While I agree with you about the music, I am very excited about the show. After watching it a second time I liked it much better. There is a lot going on in that first episode and the breakdown scene I will forgive. The comments from the druggy jockey were fantastic. Most Jockeys really love horses and to have one break down on you must be agony. I liked this scene a helluva lot.
Many of the people nitpicking about this show will eat their words. Maybe I am such a racing junkie that I can't be critical. Our industry needs this show badly and I am optimistic.

ps
The sound man should be fired.

[woodtoo]

Popcorn-check
Butter-check
kick dogs off couch-will wait for show time :)

[Shelby]

Popcorn-check
Butter-check
kick dogs off couch-will wait for show time :)


Me too!! :ThmbUp::jump:

Except: Get dogs on couch to keep me warm: check

[brdman12]

t I loved it...

[woodtoo]

Me too!! :ThmbUp::jump:

Except: Get dogs on couch to keep me warm: check
Okay stay on the couch,just give me half a cushion:D

[rrpic6]

Not bad, but a few glaring mistakes. The TV monitor first shows the will pay on #2 as about 355K. As the race goes off, the #8 longshot paying 2.68million starts to pass the #11 and #12 horses. The monitor shows only nine horses in the last leg. When the #8 breaks down, the monitor now shows #2 paying the same as the #8. The #2 wins, as #10 comes in 2nd. :bang:

I did enjoy the shout out to Youngstown as the degenerates are walking out the track. "I'm going to send my aunt in Youngstown a thousand". ;)

RR

[PaceAdvantage]

Who do we talk to in order to work a screenshot of PaceAdvantage.com into an episode or two? :lol:

[rrpic6]

Who do we talk to in order to work a screenshot of PaceAdvantage.com into an episode or two? :lol:

You never know who might be trolling around on here! These episodes are re-written hundreds of times before they are actually shot.

RR

[PaceAdvantage]

I can just see it now...rumors started on an internet horse racing board...

And come on...I have a Milch connection...after all, I always used to say that I use the "NYPD Blue" standard when it came to what was and what wasn't allowed in terms of language around here... :lol:

[thespaah]

I can just see it now...rumors started on an internet horse racing board...

And come on...I have a Milch connection...after all, I always used to say that I use the "NYPD Blue" standard when it came to what was and what wasn't allowed in terms of language around here... :lol:
"No bullshit?"

[maddog42]

Who do we talk to in order to work a screenshot of PaceAdvantage.com into an episode or two? :lol:

A screenshot might be tough. Get some hats or T-shirts made up and flood the set with them. You never know where they might end up.

[maddog42]

Not bad, but a few glaring mistakes. The TV monitor first shows the will pay on #2 as about 355K. As the race goes off, the #8 longshot paying 2.68million starts to pass the #11 and #12 horses. The monitor shows only nine horses in the last leg. When the #8 breaks down, the monitor now shows #2 paying the same as the #8. The #2 wins, as #10 comes in 2nd. :bang:

I did enjoy the shout out to Youngstown as the degenerates are walking out the track. "I'm going to send my aunt in Youngstown a thousand". ;)

RR
The mistake is definitely there. I wouldn't call it glaring. I never noticed it till you pointed it out. I just watched the second episode, it is pretty damn good. Lotsa skin in this one, and a lot of Mob stuff.

[Dave Schwartz]

The second episode is available?

Where?

[Light]

Not bad, but a few glaring mistakes. The TV monitor first shows the will pay on #2 as about 355K. As the race goes off, the #8 longshot paying 2.68million starts to pass the #11 and #12 horses. The monitor shows only nine horses in the last leg. When the #8 breaks down, the monitor now shows #2 paying the same as the #8. The #2 wins, as #10 comes in 2nd. :bang:
RR

Yeah that was a really sloppy scene and stood out like a sore thumb. And one of the pk6 players says aloud its paying $48k to the favorite and they show it on the board. The next time you see the board, nothing is paying that low. Why wouldn't they correct that scene before airing? Do they think nobody plays the races? Also when the 8 started moving between horses,it looked like they were definitely in the stretch. After the 8 breaks down its like someone rewinds the tape and and the stretch scene happens again except now the grain of the scene looks dated. Not believable.My kid can edit video better than that.

Overall I found the lives of 4 losers hitting the pick 6 kind of boring. Nick Nolte just grumbles to himself and Dustin Hoffman tries to look cool. More bore. Scenes from the 2nd episode look promising. I give it a 5 out of 10 for Episode 1.

[PaceAdvantage]

A screenshot might be tough. Get some hats or T-shirts made up and flood the set with them. You never know where they might end up.Nah...you could have one of the characters sitting at their computer one morning, surfing the board and stumbling across some startling rumor being posted...or something to that effect...

They'd probably use the TVG board though, as they were already mentioned in the pilot episode if I'm not mistaken...

I guess I should have been nicer to andymays...he probably has the right connections out there... :D

[maddog42]

The second episode is available?

Where?
The second episode is available on HBOGO.com. It started being available tonight immediately after the first episode was shown, actually my brother watched it during the first episode.

[maddog42]

Nah...you could have one of the characters sitting at their computer one morning, surfing the board and stumbling across some startling rumor being posted...or something to that effect...

They'd probably use the TVG board though, as they were already mentioned in the pilot episode if I'm not mistaken...

I guess I should have been nicer to andymays...he probably has the right connections out there... :D

If you could have a logo with a large breasted woman riding a horse.....

[judd]

She was hanging with the other woman watching the P6 finale-race and rooting for the apprentice.
if she was nude everybody ;) :D :p :kiss: :kiss: would be watching

[castaway01]

I thought it was quite good. It probably helped that I understood everything that was going on. There was a lot of jargon in there that would have been confusing to non-racing fans, but then you could say the same thing about "The Wire", "The Sopranos" or even "Deadwood" too.

Sure, there were a few minor errors in there, but overall quite entertaining and enjoyable, with a great bunch of character actors supporting the stars. It did a nice job establishing the characters and their world, which is what a pilot episode is meant to do.

The breakdown was awkwardly shot. It's quite likely that in a real mid-race breakdown that the rider and horse would both go down, but from a storytelling point of view, the rider had to be uninjured so he could comfort the horse and then have the conversation with his agent and Gary Stevens (er, Ronnie) afterwards. They're trying to establish that the apprentice is a decent, caring guy.

On the other hand, the racing action as a whole was very exciting. Sure, the last race seemed to be about 2 miles, but they're telling a story. In general, you really felt like you were in the middle of the action.

I was reading a review of the show on HitFix, and in the reader comments some people said they were reading up on horse racing or some of the terms used, and were asking for good sources of basic racing terminology. So, who knows, maybe the show will even make some new fans. At least it should be well-written and interesting.

[Tom]

Who do we talk to in order to work a screenshot of PaceAdvantage.com into an episode or two? :lol:

Maybe the guy with the oxygen mask could wear a Tee shirt with a :4::6: on it! :D

[soupman2]

Enjoyable first episode. It would have been better I think, but they were introducing 12 characters. Tough to do in an hour. Hope all the horse races don't come down to "the longshot wins!". Found the jockey agent very annoying. But looking forward to episode 2.

The "Color of Money" brought pool back for 15 years when it came out in 1986. Brought a lot of new players. Just like Tiger brought a whole bunch of new golfers. Maybe this will bring in a few more newbies to the game. Hey, we can use their money!

[BeatTheChalk]

It was just perfect.

[Dave Schwartz]

45 years ago Hoffman walked down the escalator.

What movie was that?

[BIG49010]

I found it quite disjointed, with too many story lines to figure out, I would guess this will be a one season and done.

It didn't hold my attention like a Mad Men or Breaking Bad.

[wisconsin]

What movie was that?


The Graduate?

[BeatTheChalk]

The Escalator Scene at LAX -- to open the movie == still gives me
chills to this day. The name of the movie is sometimes given to a horse..
who just broke his ( or her ) Maiden. :cool:

[rrpic6]

The Graduate was 45 years ago. Hoffman walked down the escalator in Rainman. That scene was repeated by Zack G. as Alan in The Hangover.

RR

[johnhannibalsmith]

Enjoyable first episode. It would have been better I think, but they were introducing 12 characters. Tough to do in an hour. Hope all the horse races don't come down to "the longshot wins!". Found the jockey agent very annoying. But looking forward to episode 2.

...

This pretty accurately describes how I felt having just watched it.

I rarely watch the pilot of any series because it is just an aggravating hour of introducing the characters and offering some definition of then. So, all in all, I thought they did a good job with this one.

But the agent is horrible. That should be an easy character to write and cast and they went in a weird direction with him as borderline cartoonish with a speech impediment that seemed completely phoney.

Light did a good job critiquing the dreadful editing on the pick six score and the will pays and I think I've watched three mile jump races from Gauvilleaux that ran faster than that race, but hey... I've learned to lower my standards for accuracy... and as long as they all talk about how great that kid looks on a horse, I'm going to have to work really hard to lower them further... :lol:

Overall I thought, for a pilot episode and a mainstream-ish racing show, it was pretty darn good.

[BeatTheChalk]

So let me get this : You say that Hoffman wasn't at LAX in the opening
scene of The Graduate ? Do we have that right ?? Please let me know.

My mistake in the post was calling it an ESCALATOR .. rather than the
" The moving Walkway " Now look below and please tell us all what is
wrong with this.

While standing mute by himself on the automated, moving walkway (with a monotonous recording: "Please hold the handrail, and stand to the right. If you wish to pass, please do so on the left") at the busy LAX airport, the credits play as The Sounds of Silence is heard on the soundtrack, reinforcing the theme of his emptiness and alienation from his surroundings:

[Light]

I'm not sure on one thing about the plot. The guy who wrote the winning Pk6 on the napkin singled the 5 in the big ticket. They also show the trainer of the 5 horse secretly cashing a big win ticket on his horse. So was there a connection between the pk6 player and the trainer I missed? Doesn't seem to be, but I think the plot would have been better if there was because there is no explanation why the pk6 napkin player would single a horse off 2 years (I think) on a huge ticket.

[Leparoux]

I'm not sure on one thing about the plot. The guy who wrote the winning Pk6 on the napkin singled the 5 in the big ticket. They also show the trainer of the 5 horse secretly cashing a big win ticket on his horse. So was there a connection between the pk6 player and the trainer I missed? Doesn't seem to be, but I think the plot would have been better if there was because there is no explanation why the pk6 napkin player would single a horse off 2 years (I think) on a huge ticket.
The connection is that the player picked up on the fact that the trainer was seemingly trying to make the horse a price. Two year lay off, no name jockey, etc.

[Zydeco]

Didn't the wheelchair guy say something about him playing the trainer? And I think there might be a connection down the line between these two somehow.

[thespaah]

Yeah that was a really sloppy scene and stood out like a sore thumb. And one of the pk6 players says aloud its paying $48k to the favorite and they show it on the board. The next time you see the board, nothing is paying that low. Why wouldn't they correct that scene before airing? Do they think nobody plays the races? Also when the 8 started moving between horses,it looked like they were definitely in the stretch. After the 8 breaks down its like someone rewinds the tape and and the stretch scene happens again except now the grain of the scene looks dated. Not believable.My kid can edit video better than that.

Overall I found the lives of 4 losers hitting the pick 6 kind of boring. Nick Nolte just grumbles to himself and Dustin Hoffman tries to look cool. More bore. Scenes from the 2nd episode look promising. I give it a 5 out of 10 for Episode 1.
Thing is, only seasoned horse players and others who've been around the game would notice such details.
Look at it this way, if this was 1970 and racetracks were routinely seeing 30,000 or more in attendance ( follow me now) perhaps the producers would assume there are plenty of people who'd notice such errors and then the producers would make the effort to correct them.
JHMO

[rrpic6]

Thing is, only seasoned horse players and others who've been around the game would notice such details.
Look at it this way, if this was 1970 and racetracks were routinely seeing 30,000 or more in attendance ( follow me now) perhaps the producers would assume there are plenty of people who'd notice such errors and then the producers would make the effort to correct them.
JHMO

Anyone paying attention sees nine horses on the tv screen. I saw the #12 horse while watching the first time, then noticed the #11 and the #10 when watching the replay. My guess is that Mann was at fault not Milch. Milch is a "horse guy". I've heard rumors of the two of them having small fights about the show. Maybe Milch noticed this mistake and just laughed about it to himself!

RR

[Not4Love]

The second episode can be viewed on hbogo. I watched it on my iPad. It is so much better than the first.

[blind squirrel]

Nice catch on the "Van Berg" comparison.

The other obvious likeness to an actual track character that I could put a name to was the veteran jockey (shows up late and gets berated by his agent for reeking of weed and booze). Dead ringer for Gary Stevens in his prime riding (and partying) days.
Nolte-Van Berg and Escalante is Julio Canani... uh,that was Gary Stevens!

[tbwinner]

Found the jockey agent very annoying.

They usually are :lol:

[Beachbabe]

I still can't get over Gary Stevens using the "F" word.

:eek:

[classhandicapper]

I liked it a little better the second time I watched it. This time I was already familiar with the characters so it didn't feel like it was all over the place.

[big frank]

Nolte-Van Berg and Escalante is Julio Canani... uh,that was Gary Stevens!
you are right on . i kept seeing julio c as the crafty trainer bullshitting his owners and cashing a bet

[alhattab]

I thought it was pretty good. I recall watching the first episode or two of six feet under and felt confused as hell, and that there was no chance I'd stick with it. Now I watch the reruns and it was one of my favorite shows. I think Luck will turn out ok

[PaceAdvantage]

I was under the mistaken impression that they would be showing the second episode Sunday after the repeat of the pilot, but I see that only the pilot was shown (twice) and that the second episode is available on their website...odd...

I would have figured most of us caught the pilot when it aired in December...

[rrpic6]

Nah...you could have one of the characters sitting at their computer one morning, surfing the board and stumbling across some startling rumor being posted...or something to that effect...

They'd probably use the TVG board though, as they were already mentioned in the pilot episode if I'm not mistaken...

I guess I should have been nicer to andymays...he probably has the right connections out there... :D

Does DerbyTrail still post here? He used to work with John Perrotta who is writing some of the episodes.

RR

[johnhannibalsmith]

...I would have figured most of us caught the pilot when it aired in December...

Believe it or not... some of us signed up for HBO just this very week so we could watch it... :lol:

[PaceAdvantage]

Does DerbyTrail still post here? He used to work with John Perrotta who is writing some of the episodes.

RRWell then, I expect DerbyTrail would be on Luck way before PaceAdvantage if that's the case... :lol:

[CincyHorseplayer]

I still can't get over Gary Stevens using the "F" word.

:eek:

Gary Stevens showing up smelling of reefer and booze telling a guy like it is with the f word,with the kill look in the eye?

Already a hero in the making!:cool:

[CincyHorseplayer]

Didn't anybody think the players were way,way too dispassionate with "ALL" going into the last leg and then seeing 2.6 come in?

I would have ran through the grandtsand in my boxers at full speed and top of the lungs "WoooHooo"!!!I can deal with realism but c'mon.That was unrealistic as the proverbial MF'er.

[KingChas]

I'm not sure on one thing about the plot. The guy who wrote the winning Pk6 on the napkin.

Someone help me here.
You have a group going in on the pk6 but no one ads or subtracts anything from the Ashton Kutcher poor boy character's napkin pick.
Then this character approaches a security guard loan shark and he hands the Ashton Kutcher poor boy character money and tells him to mark his pk6 ticket.

So does the security guard pick his own or does he get the napkin ticket?

Or will this lead to trouble later?

I am confused. :confused:

[blind squirrel]

Gary Stevens showing up smelling of reefer and booze telling a guy like it is with the f word,with the kill look in the eye?

Already a hero in the making!:cool:
I think he's basing some of the character on "PVAL"

[appistappis]

I actually liked the jockey agent. Having hung around tracks and horse people all my life I thought he came off as a charactor, most of the others were very bland. They should have filmed it at my local O.T.B. to add some entertainment value..

[carlonr]

I strongly encourage everyone watch the first five episodes. This will be a masterpiece. I saw the first episode in July and the next four in November. After the first episode, I said " good...but, I hope it gets better. It does!!!

[rrpic6]

Didn't anybody think the players were way,way too dispassionate with "ALL" going into the last leg and then seeing 2.6 come in?

I would have ran through the grandtsand in my boxers at full speed and top of the lungs "WoooHooo"!!!I can deal with realism but c'mon.That was unrealistic as the proverbial MF'er.

I say its a sense of conquering. The two seasoned players, the guy in the wheelchair and the one who put the ticket together, are in shock that they have finally accomplished their dream. Now they are instantly a bit paranoid. Knowing the IRS is lurking around the corner, they should be. I saw the scene as dead on realistic!

RR

[brdman12]

I really enjoy horseracing, and there is very little interest in it outside of the triple crown. Just to have a miniseries like LUCK on my tv is awesome, and I hope it gains an audience. In spite of the inaccuracies, I think its well done, especially the close up film of these horses running. It gets my adrenaline going just watching.

[johnhannibalsmith]

Didn't anybody think the players were way,way too dispassionate with "ALL" going into the last leg and then seeing 2.6 come in?

I would have ran through the grandtsand in my boxers at full speed and top of the lungs "WoooHooo"!!!I can deal with realism but c'mon.That was unrealistic as the proverbial MF'er.

To add to rrpic6 - The scene of their "victory" was also being juxtaposed with the demise of the horse that they had moments earlier been rooting for, then quickly forgotten about to move to the next "best for them" interest. I get sick at breakdowns, even staged theatrical ones, and I thought it was fairly well done to demonstrate the two heights of emotion as simultaneous within the same event. Though it seemed like an intentional contrast, it also felt as though its imact was deliberately toned down quite a bit, and I think the not-so-overzealous reaction of the "winners" vs. the "losers" may have been a byproduct of that decision.

[Dave Schwartz]

Also, it occurred in the run to the wire - and appeared to be inside the final furlong; maybe 6-7 seconds left.

That was a very long furlong. LOL

[Horseplayersbet.com]

There must be over 100 reviews out there: https://news.google.com/news/story?gl=ca&pz=1&cf=all&ned=ca&hl=en&q=luck+review&ncl=dEgrJ7lmgyBBKVMQ5NxaXSfgy3FSM

If this series can become even a quarter as popular as Dexter, Boardwalk Empire or Sopranos it will be very good for horse racing no matter how seedy they make horse racing appear.

[soupman2]

I'm not sure on one thing about the plot. The guy who wrote the winning Pk6 on the napkin singled the 5 in the big ticket. They also show the trainer of the 5 horse secretly cashing a big win ticket on his horse. So was there a connection between the pk6 player and the trainer I missed? Doesn't seem to be, but I think the plot would have been better if there was because there is no explanation why the pk6 napkin player would single a horse off 2 years (I think) on a huge ticket.

I think the connection is going to be with the guy and the jockey. Probably has something to do with the girls as well. I'm betting that the trainer doesn't know about the connection.

And the Graduate....I still hold a special place for Katherine Ross. Saw that movie at a drive-in 7 nights in a row when I was 17.

[guckers]

Hope the series goes well. I found the show very entertaining.

[David-LV]

Excellent show ***** five stars, horse player or not!

________
David-LV

[maddog42]

I strongly encourage everyone watch the first five episodes. This will be a masterpiece. I saw the first episode in July and the next four in November. After the first episode, I said " good...but, I hope it gets better. It does!!!
Obviously you have some kind of connection here. Care to comment? The first 2 episodes were very good.

[BeatTheChalk]

Gary Stevens indeed. Quite a weight gain but who's counting.

[BeatTheChalk]

Gary Stevens indeed. Quite a weight gain but who's counting. They didnt
give him much to say tho - other than the famous F - Word. :cool:

[Grits]

From Equidaily, an LATimes review:

Man, I hate it when they describe the "degenerate's wardrobe" and what they are so sure is their lifestyle. :lol: Its never a good thing!!:lol:

They’re in the grandstand every afternoon, carrying well-penciled, well-folded copies of the Daily Racing Form, the statistics-crammed newspaper indispensable to every handicapper. They live in studio apartments or, when they’re really hard up, motels. They drive cabs to raise betting money. Their St. Vincent de Paul wardrobes mark them as guys who’ll bet $200 on a horse, but won’t spend $20 on a pair of pants. They’re willing to sacrifice fashion, jobs, friendships and marriages because they know that one day they’ll hit that life-changing bet, the one that will give them the means to bet even more money.

[thaskalos]

The serious horseplayers are thoroughly misunderstood, IMO.

They aren't "sacrificing fashion, jobs, friendships and marriages because they know that one day they'll hit that life-changing score"...

IMO...they sacrifice these things hoping that they will eventually "figure this game out"...and thereafter be able to live out their lives, without having to bow their heads to a boss.

Just as every kid on the playground dreams of becoming a professional athlete...every serious horseplayer dreams of earning a great living at the track...and living by his wits.

[tbwinner]

Someone help me here.
You have a group going in on the pk6 but no one ads or subtracts anything from the Ashton Kutcher poor boy character's napkin pick.
Then this character approaches a security guard loan shark and he hands the Ashton Kutcher poor boy character money and tells him to mark his pk6 ticket.

So does the security guard pick his own or does he get the napkin ticket?

Or will this lead to trouble later?

I am confused. :confused:

The guy marked his picks exactly how the four of them had. But the security guard didn't play. The ticket cost $864 as they said but someone else mentioned the total value of their ticket was over a grand if you look at the napkin.

[badcompany]

When a show or movie is about a specific topic, it's important that it not be overly esoteric.

I'm sure most people here will eat the show up, but, the non-horseracing people I know who watched it found it a bit confusing.


The serious horseplayers are thoroughly misunderstood, IMO.

They aren't "sacrificing fashion, jobs, friendships and marriages because they know that one day they'll hit that life-changing score"...

IMO...they sacrifice these things hoping that they will eventually "figure this game out"...and thereafter be able to live out their lives, without having to bow their heads to a boss.

You sir, have an excellent understanding of psychology.

[andicap]

Several of the reviews I saw noted the payoff if you hang in there for a few episodes, that the series really hits its stride (no pun intended.)

I liked it overall and what was most interesting was watching it with my wife who knows very little about racing (I felt very smart answering her questions) but still enjoyed it. The horse breaking his leg initiated a spirited discussion about the humanity of the sport and the difference between horse racing and eating meat. (Animals bred for a specific purpose who get abused/killed, etc.)

It is absolutely correct that most "ensemble" type shows like "Luck" take a few weeks to get going because of the need to introduce and establish the characters.

I also agree that some of the characters -- notably Dustin Hoffman's -- mumbled quite a bit and I had a hard time catching the thread -- though I understand he wants to build a racino but because of his prison record needs a front man for the job. (Dennis Farina, playing against type as kind of a passive clown. ) So, yes, closed captioning is an option I will try this week.

As far as realism -- please refrain from nitpicking. On TV and in movies, drama comes before reality. Hell, even "reality" shows aren't real -- they are changed fundamentally in the editing. As long as the show's spirit is true to the sport I will be satisfied and I thought they did a fine job in the pilot episode.

As far as the characters being based on a single person -- Van Berg, Canani -- I doubt that. Usually these are "composites," culled from several different people.

[thaskalos]

You sir, have an excellent understanding of psychology.

Thank you...

I sacrificed plenty to get it...:)

[BeatTheChalk]

Gary Stevens indeed. Quite a weight gain but who's counting. They didnt
give him much to say tho - other than the famous F - Word. :cool:

[Little Watermelon]

The guy marked his picks exactly how the four of them had. But the security guard didn't play. The ticket cost $864 as they said but someone else mentioned the total value of their ticket was over a grand if you look at the napkin.

I wondered if the guy had left out a horse or horses before giving the ticket to the security guard, since the ticket the group was playing cost over $864 (8 horses in the last leg), and the fact that the scriptwriters had the security guard say that specific amount, but I'm probably reading too much into it.

[NikeUnlimited]

http://www.seat42f.com/hbo-renews-luck-for-a-second-season.html

Been picked up for a second season!

[blind squirrel]

I say its a sense of conquering. The two seasoned players, the guy in the wheelchair and the one who put the ticket together, are in shock that they have finally accomplished their dream. Now they are instantly a bit paranoid. Knowing the IRS is lurking around the corner, they should be. I saw the scene as dead on realistic!

RR
the "Napkin Guy" started singing
"America The Beautiful"....i thought that was very" poignant".

[A. Pineda]

I thought that the first episode was very disappointing. The dialogue, the directing, the music, and especially the casting of Dustin Hoffman as Bernstein. However, sometimes it only requires one thing to hook you and keep you watching a TV series. I found two reasons to look forward to this show each week that it airs.

First, they could not have picked a better location for the show; the shots of SA are teriffic. But the main reason I will continue to watch is to follow the gamblers, as they remind me of many real-life people from my past, including those players who were strangers to soap, water, and a razor.

When actor Kevin Dunn opened up the program to mark his P6 horses, I noticed that Mon Gateau was there. This added more reality to the show (for me) as I had wagered on this gray when Warren Stute trained him in 1975.

I don't see "Luck" as anywhere near the quality of "The Sopranos," but that leaves plenty of room for improvement during this initial season.

[bigmack]

http://www.seat42f.com/hbo-renews-luck-for-a-second-season.html
Been picked up for a second season!
HBO executive talks of 3.3 million viewers. That's adding numbers from several showings.

HBO's horse racing series Luck opened slowly out of the gate Sunday.

The drama from Deadwood's David Milch and Michael Mann drew 1.1 million viewers to the premium cable network in its debut, matching the same viewership for its Dec. 11 sneak preview following the second season finale of Boardwalk Empire.

All told, Luck's total viewers -- including its December bow -- totaled 3.3 million in gross audience to date; rebroadcasts at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. drew 711,000 and 420,000 viewers, respectively.

[Light]

From Equidaily, an LATimes review:



They’re in the grandstand every afternoon, carrying well-penciled, well-folded copies of the Daily Racing Form, the statistics-crammed newspaper indispensable to every handicapper. They live in studio apartments or, when they’re really hard up, motels. They drive cabs to raise betting money. Their St. Vincent de Paul wardrobes mark them as guys who’ll bet $200 on a horse, but won’t spend $20 on a pair of pants. They’re willing to sacrifice fashion, jobs, friendships and marriages because they know that one day they’ll hit that life-changing bet, the one that will give them the means to bet even more money.

I'm not sure how I feel about the show stereotyping horse players especially the four pick 6 players. For sure I know players like that, but not ALL horse players have that desperate,low life persona whose image portrays horse players as pathetic losers. The guy who just won the NHC championship did not go crazy or do a dance when he won the million dollars and did not talk with some edge to his voice when interviewed. I know its much more entertaining for Hollywood to portray horse players with these traits,but there were many years when people asked me what I do for recreation and If I told them I play the races,you could just see their little brains thinking all these "loser" thoughts in their heads and conveyed in the form of facial expressions. It came to the point where I would lie if I thought I was talking to someone who couldn't understand. Its because the media portrays horse players as losers. If you say you play poker or blackjack you are taken more seriously and more respected.

[Beachbabe]

If you have On Demand, you can see episode 2 now instead of waiting a week.
Why you can see it on TV ahead of time, I don't know...but you can.

[olddaddy]

If you have On Demand, you can see episode 2 now instead of waiting a week.
Why you can see it on TV ahead of time, I don't know...but you can.

Maybe its because of the superbowl but I am not sure.

[Beachbabe]

Maybe its because of the superbowl but I am not sure.


You've got a point there, olddaddy.

[Kevroc]

That pick six ticket was a few grand easy.. the jumpy guy who wanted to claim the horse plunked down $255 for his share of the ticket.. no way... it cost way more than $1k.

The other P6 nitpick I have is that the tote board read "Tomorrow's pick six over 2.2M" , they would never post that, it wasn't a guaranteed pool ffs. But, moving on...

As great as Hoffman has been throughout his career, I don't buy him here. When he ripped off his shirt in rage sending buttons flying, saying "you want a piece of me??".. I'm thankful I wasn't sipping a beverage at that moment becuase it cracked me up. Take it easy Gramps, you ain't hurtin' anybody...

I dig the poker scenes.. man the handicapper is a hudge fish. (misspelling on purpose)..

Gary Stevens is great. The F bomb made me wince, not very Stevens-like to me but, later on when grumbles "stfu" about the agent, I warmed up to it. :)

John Ortiz is my favorite so far. I love the character.

Overall, I was disappointed in the pilot but, enjoyed the second episode very much and looking forward to more. The stuff around the track.. like the morning workouts and the claiming shakes.. I want more of that and less "Ace" flexing... :lol:

[itrysohard]

Ditto. That's the way it is to a T!

[soupman2]

Just watched Episode 2 on HBO On Demand. It was head an shoulders above the first one. Things start to be filled in. I'm guessing by the end of episode 3 we will be all comfy with the goings on.

[nearco]

As great as Hoffman has been throughout his career, I don't buy him here. When he ripped off his shirt in rage sending buttons flying, saying "you want a piece of me??".. I'm thankful I wasn't sipping a beverage at that moment becuase it cracked me up. Take it easy Gramps, you ain't hurtin' anybody...



he ripped off his shirt to show the guy was wasn't wearing a wire. It wasn't a "you want a piece of me?" action.

[FantasticDan]

Prepping for 2nd season:

http://www.drf.com/news/santa-anita-%E2%80%98luck%E2%80%99-trainers-getting-stable-ready-close-ups

[bigmack]

Prepping for 2nd season:

http://www.drf.com/news/santa-anita-%E2%80%98luck%E2%80%99-trainers-getting-stable-ready-close-ups
Chew admited that his “Luck” responsibilities were taking up a lot of his time, but said that it was worth the effort.

“My business has suffered a little bit,” he said. “This is the chance of a lifetime to work with talented people.”
Poor guy has lived his entire life working with talentless schmucks.

[Blenheim]

Turned on the HBO and was lucky to catch the movie Seabiscuit. I also got to watch most of part one of Luck. Interesting contrast of values between the two - the first embracing what is good about horse racing the second embracing what is bad . . .

How can a horse racing fan embrace a television series that perpetuates the negative stereotypes involved with horse racing? What good can this series do for an already failing sport?

I hope the series fails rather quickly.

[blind squirrel]

Just watched Episode 2 on HBO On Demand. It was head an shoulders above the first one. Things start to be filled in. I'm guessing by the end of episode 3 we will be all comfy with the goings on.


Loved the Second Episode....Got a little Freaky with the "Chicks in The Motel"!
:cool:

[Mr_Ed]

Animal rights group Peta has called for TV and film safety rules to be tightened after two horses were put down during filming for HBO drama Luck.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16979834

[shouldacoulda]

The part that kinda bothered me was the guys that hit the pick six are supposed to be degenerate losers but yet they can afford to go to the track everyday all day, and come up with the scratch and the skill to kill a 2.6mil P6 just like that. They need more characters too.

I think they should also address gambling addiction at some point and display the gamblers addiction hotline at the end of the show. It doesn't apply just to horse racing. Ever get behind a numbers addict in a stationary store? Talk about urinating money away. Other than that it was okay.

I still like let it ride. Maybe they could get Richard Dreyfus on the show and do a recreation of his character or something like it (of course with Teri Garr too). That would be cool. That movie is too funny. JMO :)

[BeatTheChalk]

Hoffman's success over the years has been his knack for playing the
strange - the quirky - the semi off beat characters. I feel he is miscast
in this film.

[Robert Fischer]

Very entertaining. Especially for a racing fan!

flaws?? - I'd like to see Hoffman's character and the show's context be more EXPRESSIVE of his storyline and goals. I have to re-watch and listen carefully, but other than pulling off some big money moves his storyline didn't strike me as expressive enough. The viewer needs to FEEL the drama involved with various events in the story because of how they affect HOFFMAN's character! I don't have that enough yet.

- We are also supposed to have MAJOR plot line questions to worry about regarding the NEXT episode... Will the girl ride???, Will ACE pull something off ? Thought these cliffhangers should've could've been a little more expressive as well.

shock rock: - wasn't crazy about the hooker scene.. they kind of wrapped sex , violence, tits, and kind of a cheap "Tales from the Crypt" horror-shock line over the life insurance policy....
Nothing wrong with some cheap entertainment thrown in, but it can be difficult to balance reality and these kind of scenes and maintain the edge.

[David-LV]

The show Luck is not reality, it is fiction, my advice is to sit back and enjoy the show, and if you don't like what you see grab the remote control and change the channel.
Like everything that we see on TV, some people will like a program and some people will dislike the same program.
So enjoy or switch the channel.

________
David-LV

[Robert Fischer]

The show Luck is not reality, it is fiction, my advice is to sit back and enjoy the show, and if you don't like what you see grab the remote control and change the channel.
Like everything that we see on TV, some people will like a program and some people will dislike the same program.
So enjoy or switch the channel.

________
David-LV

"Hobson's choice"

[thespaah]

The part that kinda bothered me was the guys that hit the pick six are supposed to be degenerate losers but yet they can afford to go to the track everyday all day, and come up with the scratch and the skill to kill a 2.6mil P6 just like that. They need more characters too.

I think they should also address gambling addiction at some point and display the gamblers addiction hotline at the end of the show. It doesn't apply just to horse racing. Ever get behind a numbers addict in a stationary store? Talk about urinating money away. Other than that it was okay.

I still like let it ride. Maybe they could get Richard Dreyfus on the show and do a recreation of his character or something like it (of course with Teri Garr too). That would be cool. That movie is too funny. JMO :)
"SON-OF-A-BITCH! GOD LIKES ME! HE REALLY, REALLY, LIKES ME! WHAT A DAY! WHAT A FABULOUS DAY!

[tzipi]

The part that kinda bothered me was the guys that hit the pick six are supposed to be degenerate losers but yet they can afford to go to the track everyday all day, and come up with the scratch and the skill to kill a 2.6mil P6 just like that. They need more characters too.

I found it funny that they were gamblers and you have a guy asking who they need to win for them to hit the pick six and said during the last race, "can someoen please explain what's going on." HA

[v j stauffer]

I found it funny that they were gamblers and you have a guy asking who they need to win for them to hit the pick six and said during the last race, "can someoen please explain what's going on." HA

I've been in the business 35 years and ask that everyday.

[davew]

DVD of the series being released next month - 11/27

[Shelby]

DVD of the series being released next month - 11/27

Cool!


On a side note, I noticed that Jason Gedrick, who played Jerry, has a small role on Dexter as the manager of a strip club.

[olddaddy]

I wonder if the 1st episode of season 2, which I heard was filmed, will be on the dvd.

[davew]

I watched the series on 3 dvds through Netflix - nothing from Season 2, but some interesting commentary by Dustin / Director / Producer


Now HBO is being sued for ?multiple deaths and abuses?
http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=782770

[johnhannibalsmith]

What I find curious about the suit is that the article takes time to mention seemingly every circumstance surrounding the events that led to the deaths, alleged coverups, and internal battles between AHA and the plaintiff -- but not once does it actually mention that the plaintiff herself took any measures to do what she apparently felt was the right thing to do.

Repeatedly it mentions that she was told not to report this or that by the AHA. But, unless you choose to interpret the last statement about "an attempt to report criminal activity" to not represent her alleged contact with the AHA itself and choose to interpret it as an actual attempt to on her own behalf, then it's hard for me to not wonder why this "altruistic" animal lover didn't go straight to authorities regardless of what her employer told her to do. Her job and income is more important than the horses? That sounds like the conduct that she describes as being the basis of her complaint against the AHA and HBO.

It would be nice if the article actually made a few of the finer points a bit more clear, otherwise I'm left to default to my cynical position that this person is just like everyone else that she objects to - putting herself and her bottom line before the interest of the horses. And now trying to double down on it in court.

[Robert Fischer]

What I find curious about the suit is that the article takes time to mention seemingly every circumstance surrounding the events that led to the deaths, alleged coverups, and internal battles between AHA and the plaintiff -- but not once does it actually mention that the plaintiff herself took any measures to do what she apparently felt was the right thing to do.

Repeatedly it mentions that she was told not to report this or that by the AHA. But, unless you choose to interpret the last statement about "an attempt to report criminal activity" to not represent her alleged contact with the AHA itself and choose to interpret it as an actual attempt to on her own behalf, then it's hard for me to not wonder why this "altruistic" animal lover didn't go straight to authorities regardless of what her employer told her to do. Her job and income is more important than the horses? That sounds like the conduct that she describes as being the basis of her complaint against the AHA and HBO.

It would be nice if the article actually made a few of the finer points a bit more clear, otherwise I'm left to default to my cynical position that this person is just like everyone else that she objects to - putting herself and her bottom line before the interest of the horses. And now trying to double down on it in court.

Looks like she is suing because she got fired and is now making it personal.

[johnhannibalsmith]

Looks like she is suing because she got fired and is now making it personal.

The article is so poorly written and void of facts relating to the actual basis of the suit - wrongful termination - that it is impossible to make an informed decision on the basis of what is presented for consumption. No wonder it is in the entertainment section.

I know we are supposed to read that and think about how horrible HBO and the AHA are, but frankly, it's just as easy to see a person that was dismissed because of what happened on the set. A person that is now blaming her own inaction on the allegation that HBO conspired to make it impossible for her to do her job. A person that said something to someone that they didn't act upon.

There's absolutely zero context to her claims of reports of "abuse" - whether she submitted an overall positive report that simply remarked on the condition of some horses as concerns or if she was rattling off scathing diatribes lamenting abuse. There is merely statements that she witnessed treatment and underweight and sick horses used in filming, which for all we know, may have been a shot of a sick horse in a stall when Dustin Hoffman walked down a shedrow.

If the AHA is conspiring with production companies, that sounds like the sort of story that Joe Drape would beg to jump all over and cover in one of the most widely distributed journals in the country. Being a whistleblower to prevent the AHA from allowing abuse as the primary safety net for animals isn't more important than a suit that likely will preclude her from speaking about pending litigation and end with a settlement that involves a non-disclosure agreement?

What a hero.

[Sysonby]

What doesn't make sense is her being fired if there were concerns about impropriety on the part of AHA. You would think if that were the case they would have wanted to keep her in the tent to avoid just this kind of publicity. Something's not adding up here.

[johnhannibalsmith]

I couldn't take it anymore, had to look for the actual complaint after reading two more articles that were no more illuminating:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/custom/Documents/ESQ/Luck.pdf

I read it fairly quickly, but it sounds like she has a lot of work to do in order to make the case that she was actually prevented from involving authorities and that she was fired because HBO was concerned that she would contact authorities and cable television productions are dictating to the AHA. I'd hate to see what blockbuster films get away with based on the allegations of a thirteen year veteran of the organization. Again, if she was so concerned, where is the statement alluding to that occassion, prior to or after dismissal that she did indeed contact the authorities, or anyone of influence other than a civil attorney, to report what she describes as "criminal abuse"?

Unsurprisingly, her lawyers claim that they want a jury trial. I doubt that they really want a trial at all unless they have a lot of more evidence than all of this "plaintiff believes that..." documented in the general allegations.

I realize that through litigation it is possible that she might be able to enter into the record potentially incriminating evidence, but I still don't get the sense that this is about "protecting animals" and her horror at the conduct of both HBO and AHA. It sounds like a pissed-off former employee that wants to get paid, which may very well be a legitimate gripe. But at the end of the day, in this context, I'd really prefer that she clarify who she believes to actually be the victim of this episode - the mistreated horses or herself - and then make clear if the two aren't mutually exclusive, which seems to be her priority. If her case has merit, I'd prefer that the focus be on the apparent much larger problem rather than her not having a job any longer which I wouldn't assume she would even want after reading the complaint.

[Robert Fischer]

Unsurprisingly, her lawyers claim that they want a jury trial. I doubt that they really want a trial at all ...

Would have been worth a chuckle if it stated that they want to pressure HBO into a fat out-of-court settlement.

[PaceAdvantage]

I found this passage particularly confusing:

Casey adds that after a horse named Hometrader died, the AHA actively interfered with efforts to rectify the situation. According to the complaint, "AHA told its representatives not to document [Hometrader's] death because he was killed during a summer hiatus from filming and therefore did not count."OK, horse who was used in show dies during a long stretch of time when he was definitely NOT being used in the show...presumably LOUNGING around in his stall or in a paddock somewhere. But definitely NOT during filming of the show.

So why should this death count against the show?

Are they implying something was done to him WHILE filming that ended up killing him weeks or months later?

[shouldacoulda]

"SON-OF-A-BITCH! GOD LIKES ME! HE REALLY, REALLY, LIKES ME! WHAT A DAY! WHAT A FABULOUS DAY!

Time to break out that DVD again. I haven't watched it in a long time. One of my all time favorites.

"I'm having a very good day"! and "I'm going to tell my grandchildren about you" too funny.

[raybo]

Yeah, I really enjoyed that series, streamed it on NetFlix. Lot of reality in some of the characters, for sure.

[mountainman]

The horseplayers were too cartoonish. Those characters grew monotonous within half an episode.

[Tom]

Not Jill Hennessy!
And Rosie the jockey certainly had some character development! :eek:

[Robert Fischer]

Thought it was a fun view, although I wouldn't watch it again.

[thaskalos]

I found the box set on DVD at a local Walmart, and was not tempted in the least even to pick it up and give it a look.

Largely forgettable...IMO.

I bought the third season of DEXTER instead...:)

[mountainman]

Not Jill Hennessy!
And Rosie the jockey certainly had some character development! :eek:

That scottish accent killed me. Like the chick who does those booze commercials. Off the charts.

[olddaddy]

I heard that the 1st episode of season 2 was filmed. Its not in the boxed set, so now Im sure it will never be seen.

[MightBeSosa]

The horseplayers were too cartoonish. Those characters grew monotonous within half an episode.

I'm not sure I'd go quite that far, but I get your point. I knew lots of players back in the day that were even stranger.

Thing is, I was expecting something a bit better from Milch, having seen Deadwood. Guess that was lightning striking.

[mountainman]

I'm not sure I'd go quite that far, but I get your point. I knew lots of players back in the day that were even stranger.

Thing is, I was expecting something a bit better from Milch, having seen Deadwood. Guess that was lightning striking.

Loved deadwood-and am still tweaked that promised 4-hour wrap up never materialized-but that show was a similar case of exaggerated reality. Nobody talks like that.

[davew]

That scottish accent killed me. Like the chick who does those booze commercials. Off the charts.

Her name is Kerry Condon, born in Tipperary, Ireland - has a cousin who is a jockey. Her accent is the way she talks.

[mountainman]

Her name is Kerry Condon, born in Tipperary, Ireland - has a cousin who is a jockey. Her accent is the way she talks.

The jockey from luck? Or the chick from the commercials?

[Immanuel Kant]

She was previously in the terrific series "Rome".....the actress, not the chick in the commercial

[rrpic6]

I found the box set on DVD at a local Walmart, and was not tempted in the least even to pick it up and give it a look.

Largely forgettable...IMO.

I bought the third season of DEXTER instead...:)

Different strokes for different folks. I bought the full season DVD sets from Amazon. I'm laid up at home for a few weeks and watching LUCK really was a great way to pass the down time. I thought the acting as well as the race scenes to be top notch. It did bother me the mistakes in Episode #1. There were only 9 horses in the last leg of the pick 6 but the scene showed 12 horses running. The will pays on the tv screens also changed.

I was always a big Gary Stevens fan, and it was a nice coincidence that he makes his amazing comeback while I'm in the midst of watching his portrayal of the PVal-type character. His use of the f-bombs and snorting coke was very believable from Stevens. It shows he has lots of energy and talents on lots of levels.

RR

[rrpic6]

The horseplayers were too cartoonish. Those characters grew monotonous within half an episode.

I enjoyed all those guys. I have a special liking to "Renzo", since he mentions "Youngstown" on his way out of Santa Anita after they hit the Pick 6.

RR

[cj]

Finally getting around to watching this on In Demand...first episode was good.

This is nitpicking, but when they originally showed the will pays the 2 was not a max payout, more like 600k, then they changed it during the race. I always wonder how stuff like this gets missed but you see it in most shows and movies.

[woodbinepmi]

Finally getting around to watching this on In Demand...first episode was good.

This is nitpicking, but when they originally showed the will pays the 2 was not a max payout, more like 600k, then they changed it during the race. I always wonder how stuff like this gets missed but you see it in most shows and movies.

Us horse players catch things like that, the general populous don't. Never understood why it was canceled so quickly. I understand the whole PETA thing and all the horses breaking down, but they could have cut the racing parts down and probably used actual footage for the race scenes.

[ronsmac]

Finally getting around to watching this on In Demand...first episode was good.

This is nitpicking, but when they originally showed the will pays the 2 was not a max payout, more like 600k, then they changed it during the race. I always wonder how stuff like this gets missed but you see it in most shows and movies.
I watched Let it ride for the first time Sunday. There wereso many inexcusable mistakes in that movie. Luck was the greatest series of all time when compared to Let it ride.

[woodbinepmi]

I watched Let it ride for the first time Sunday. There wereso many inexcusable mistakes in that movie. Luck was the greatest series of all time when compared to Let it ride.

Let It Ride has so many one liners in it, and to watch Jennifer Tilly in that red dress, nothing else needs to be said.

[ebcorde]

but the director ruined it with the Horse break leg scene. why? Great story lines , fantastic characters, certainly would have gotten a second year, but he wanted to tick off PETA.

Love the scene when the Trainer at the ticket window looks to left, then to the right to see if the coast is clear, then cashes out.

[MonmouthParkJoe]

Let It Ride has so many one liners in it, and to watch Jennifer Tilly in that red dress, nothing else needs to be said.
I couldn't agree more with this statement. She had a body for days back then. And while there are certainly some things a little off in the movie, still one of my all time favs

[ronsmac]

Let It Ride has so many one liners in it, and to watch Jennifer Tilly in that red dress, nothing else needs to be said.
I'll give you Jennifer Tilly. She was super hot.

[rrpic6]

Finally getting around to watching this on In Demand...first episode was good.

This is nitpicking, but when they originally showed the will pays the 2 was not a max payout, more like 600k, then they changed it during the race. I always wonder how stuff like this gets missed but you see it in most shows and movies.

I just watched all 9 episodes again last week. Also there are 9 horses in the last leg on the pick 6 will pays but they show 12 horses in the race. I ended up buying a book written by one of the writers of a few episodes, John Perrotta. He was the racing manager for Due Process Stables as well as having many jobs in the racing industry. It might have been Perrotta that wrote a script for an episode for the next season that can be found online.

RR

[v j stauffer]

Us horse players catch things like that, the general populous don't. Never understood why it was canceled so quickly. I understand the whole PETA thing and all the horses breaking down, but they could have cut the racing parts down and probably used actual footage for the race scenes.

It was cancelled for the same reason any other television show gets cancelled.

Not enough people watched.

It didn't help that the director and producer Michael Mann and David Milch do not like each other even a little.

It didn't help that it was very expensive to produce.

It didn't help they received negative publicity from the ghoul's at PETA.

But the bottom line was viewership. They didn't have nearly enough.

[thaskalos]

If the cancellation reason was a lack of viewership...would they film two episodes of season 2 before deciding to pull the plug on the show?

[PaceAdvantage]

It was cancelled for the same reason any other television show gets cancelled.

Not enough people watched.

It didn't help that the director and producer Michael Mann and David Milch do not like each other even a little.

It didn't help that it was very expensive to produce.

It didn't help they received negative publicity from the ghoul's at PETA.

But the bottom line was viewership. They didn't have nearly enough.Your ratings angle would hold more weight if in fact HBO relied on commercial advertising. But they don't. Thus, they ALWAYS let shows play out for a while to see what happens.

Lack of viewers is NOT why Luck went away as fast as it did...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2012/01/hbo-renews-luck.html

[olddaddy]

A huge mistake was not putting the episodes in the tank on the dvd. People would have actually bought the dvds just to see the episodes never aired.

[burnsy]

Your ratings angle would hold more weight if in fact HBO relied on commercial advertising. But they don't. Thus, they ALWAYS let shows play out for a while to see what happens.

Lack of viewers is NOT why Luck went away as fast as it did...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2012/01/hbo-renews-luck.html

True, but they probably factor in........"pain in the ass factor" to popularity. I'm sure having Bill Maher comes with a lot of bull crap........but masses tune in to it too..........

Sad, but lets face it, The Kardashian family is more popular than horse racing. That's the world we now live in. There's a huge bias factor on this board, liking horse racing is a no brainer here. That's why you are called Pace Advantage. But out of "our group" (demo), horse racing is probably not worth trying hard for, in these peoples eyes............especially once it starts causing "issues." They could give a crap that Bill Maher pisses many people off.....why?..........because many other people watch it.

[v j stauffer]

Your ratings angle would hold more weight if in fact HBO relied on commercial advertising. But they don't. Thus, they ALWAYS let shows play out for a while to see what happens.

Lack of viewers is NOT why Luck went away as fast as it did...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2012/01/hbo-renews-luck.html

HBO is no different that any other TV network. If people watch their programming they prosper. If not they don't.

Production costs also weigh heavily into this equation.

[PaceAdvantage]

HBO is no different that any other TV network. If people watch their programming they prosper. If not they don't.

Production costs also weigh heavily into this equation.Come on...it didn't even last as long as Milch's prior flop on HBO - John From Cincinnati.

In any event, I will concede that the show's low ratings certainly aided in the decision to cancel that followed the breakdowns and PETA outcry.

If the show was doing extremely well in the ratings department, HBO likely would have defended the show in the hopes that everything would blow over in the time between seasons 1 and 2.

[Tom]

From what I see, it is some kind of policy at HBO to never air anything worth watching. That would explain their everyday line up. LUCK was the lost time I tuned into HBO. :ThmbDown:

[elhelmete]

It was cancelled for the same reason any other television show gets cancelled.

Not enough people watched.

It didn't help that the director and producer Michael Mann and David Milch do not like each other even a little.

It didn't help that it was very expensive to produce.

It didn't help they received negative publicity from the ghoul's at PETA.

But the bottom line was viewership. They didn't have nearly enough.

TV is my day job; Vic is on spot here.

Greenlighting a season 2 is a decision made based on several factors.

With so many 'negatives,' low viewership is probably the last straw.

Additionally (I don't know about this series specifically), there are usually $$ incentives when a show goes beyond its initial season, bonuses to producers, cast, writers, etc. I bet they were HEFTY in this case.

[kingfin66]

Dang, I saw that this thread was rekindled and thought that maybe some unaired episodes were being released. Instead, it is just an argument about why it went off the air in the first place. It is too bad that it went away so quickly as it was really hitting its stride at the time. It seems pointless to argue about the 'why' of it a few years later.

[thespaah]

The issue with a program such as this is that it plays to a niche audience.
Luck should have been sold to a niche channel....
There are literally hundreds of channels which appear on cable and satellite as well as streaming services.

[PaceAdvantage]

None of them could probably afford the salaries the stars of Luck were probably getting...although HBO has always had the reputation of being a cheapskate when it come to paying "names" and often times "names" will do HBO only for the originality of the project.

But even at a reduced rate, I doubt any of those lesser channels could have afforded this show.

[thespaah]

None of them could probably afford the salaries the stars of Luck were probably getting...although HBO has always had the reputation of being a cheapskate when it come to paying "names" and often times "names" will do HBO only for the originality of the project.

But even at a reduced rate, I doubt any of those lesser channels could have afforded this show.
Good point. But with that in mind, one must question the methods by which these niche channels survive.
But for those services being essentially rammed down the throats of cable and sat subs, they would not exist.
Cable and Sat providers are forced to take these bundled channels in order to put more popular channels into their respective lineups. Its TV Welfare.
With that in mind, it would not matter how much the producers had to spend on talent, they shows are there for their small audiences to view anyway.
Anyway, its water under the bridge. I think that stupid PETA thing is what caused the demise of "Luck"....

[ebcorde]

TV is my day job; Vic is on spot here.

Greenlighting a season 2 is a decision made based on several factors.

With so many 'negatives,' low viewership is probably the last straw.

Additionally (I don't know about this series specifically), there are usually $$ incentives when a show goes beyond its initial season, bonuses to producers, cast, writers, etc. I bet they were HEFTY in this case.

okay , you are probably correct. They make mistakes. I watched Seinfeld before it caught on. Seinfeld didn't catch on for a few years.


TV and American movie industry produce way too much crap. Luck had great actors, I watched repeats many times just to admire the acting skills of Dustin Hoffman. It's always the quality of the actors, bad script, bad story a good actor can make it better.

The best series on TV now is Vikings. The freaking History channel of all places. now I got their music humming in my head.

[Robert Fischer]

Luck was the coolest thing ever because it was Horse Racing, legit actors, and HBO staged.

After that 'cool factor' which probably registers to a greater extent with people like us, it just wasn't coming together into the greatest show.

Like some of the challenges racing executives are currently facing, a lot of balls in the air, and a difficult task of reaching the audience.

The Peta issues ultimately provided a graceful exit.

[ebcorde]

based on real-life. The wise cracking guy in the wheel chair would die. Like when you go to the track and people tell you "hey did you hear, Bob checked out!". I lost 2 race track buddies 2 years ago at Delaware Park, I stopped going. It's not the same anymore.

I also wanted to see what Dustin was up too.
The Poker player guy will he lose it all at the casino?

[Robert Fischer]

based on real-life. The wise cracking guy in the wheel chair would die. Like when you go to the track and people tell you "hey did you hear, Bob checked out!". I lost 2 race track buddies 2 years ago at Delaware Park, I stopped going. It's not the same anymore.

I also wanted to see what Dustin was up too.
The Poker player guy will he lose it all at the casino?

:ThmbUp: me too!

Kind of unfair to those of us who were into it, to leave us hanging.
I'm guessing the poker player would lose it all or be in deep trouble(at least from a vague memory of the show). Usually once they reveal a vice in a show like this, it comes back to haunt.

[ebcorde]

low viewership is a cop out after 1 year
.

The list of actors

Dustin Hoffman
Dennis Farina (RIP)
Nick Nolte
Jill Hennessey
John Ortiz (from the movie Miami Vice)
Richie Coster (from True Detective)
Kerry Conden (from HBO's Rome)
Joan Allen

Quality actors, yet They can't make a show last but "Seabiscuit" kicks ass?

I think it was the heat put on by PETA. A couple Horses died on the track when they were filming and they killed a Horse in episode 1.

[v j stauffer]

Luck was the coolest thing ever because it was Horse Racing, legit actors, and HBO staged.

After that 'cool factor' which probably registers to a greater extent with people like us, it just wasn't coming together into the greatest show.

Like some of the challenges racing executives are currently facing, a lot of balls in the air, and a difficult task of reaching the audience.

The Peta issues ultimately provided a graceful exit.

That is spot on correct.

The ship was sinking.

PETA gave them an out.

If the show was rolling, heavily watched and loved they'd have told PETA to stick it.

[Stillriledup]

That is spot on correct.

The ship was sinking.

PETA gave them an out.

If the show was rolling, heavily watched and loved they'd have told PETA to stick it.
I agree, peta wouldn't have stopped this if it was a hit show.

[v j stauffer]

Furthermore. The racing footage, while very cool. Was not necessary to the continuation of the plot.

They could have just as easily used canned footage and saved a boatload of $$. Even that wouldn't have been enough.

A few people were beginning to watch because of the development of the characters.

That's the genius of David Milch. His writing IMO opinion along with the world class actors would have made Luck epic. For us.

Problem is we keep returning to the 1000lb Elephant in the room.

99% of the people in the world, especially the TV watching world, don't give two flying ****s about horse racing.

No initial interest. No time to expand the plot and develop the characters. No viewership. No soap.

The only reason Milch started writing this in the first place is because HE so truly loves our game.

But even the Babe Ruth of screenwriters couldn't get anybody except race trackers to care about a series set at the racetrack.

That's our cross to bear people. We deeply love something that the vast majority of people ARE NOT INTERESTED IN.

Wish I knew how to change that. Wish we could get people to take the time to see what our game really has to offer.

Wish I was a fireman.

Wish I was center fielder for the Yankee's

Wish I was younger. :(

[thaskalos]

Comparisons with that other ill-fated ESPN show TILT come to mind...which sought to capitalize on poker's popularity at that time. Both shows portrayed their respective gambling games in less than what could be considered a "good light". The poker industry was against Tilt...and I got a hunch that the horse racing industry was against Luck.

Just my opinion, of course.

[senortout]

From what I see, it is some kind of policy at HBO to never air anything worth watching. That would explain their everyday line up. LUCK was the lost time I tuned into HBO. :ThmbDown:

I can think of a few I've enjoyed:
The Sopranos
Boardwalk Empire
Deadwood
Game of Thrones(although not one of my favorites, certainly one of the most watched series of all time)

many others which I enjoyed. And Luck was ok.
this thread was crazy, some people even appeared to confuse the movie Let It Ride with Luck...go figger. But, Tom, I know what you meant, was just trying to pull ur chain a bit, all in good humor.

[davew]

HBO as the network (premium channel) probably did not help


even Jockeys lasted longer on AnimalPlanet

but 'reality' shows probably have lower overhead just following people around

(even though my mom feels that 'writers' script what the 'reality' stars say)

[cj]

I can think of a few I've enjoyed:
The Sopranos
Boardwalk Empire
Deadwood
Game of Thrones(although not one of my favorites, certainly one of the most watched series of all time)

many others which I enjoyed. And Luck was ok.
this thread was crazy, some people even appeared to confuse the movie Let It Ride with Luck...go figger. But, Tom, I know what you meant, was just trying to pull ur chain a bit, all in good humor.

I also like Extras and The Newsroom, and probably my favorite show of all time is still The Wire. The first season of True Detective was great, but I didn't make it through Season 2.

[ebcorde]

Furthermore. The racing footage, while very cool. Was not necessary to the continuation of the plot.

They could have just as easily used canned footage and saved a boatload of $$. Even that wouldn't have been enough.

A few people were beginning to watch because of the development of the characters.

That's the genius of David Milch. His writing IMO opinion along with the world class actors would have made Luck epic. For us.

Problem is we keep returning to the 1000lb Elephant in the room.

99% of the people in the world, especially the TV watching world, don't give two flying ****s about horse racing.

No initial interest. No time to expand the plot and develop the characters. No viewership. No soap.

The only reason Milch started writing this in the first place is because HE so truly loves our game.

But even the Babe Ruth of screenwriters couldn't get anybody except race trackers to care about a series set at the racetrack.

That's our cross to bear people. We deeply love something that the vast majority of people ARE NOT INTERESTED IN.

Wish I knew how to change that. Wish we could get people to take the time to see what our game really has to offer.

Wish I was a fireman.

Wish I was center fielder for the Yankee's

Wish I was younger. :(


but VJ, no one gave a shit about Texas Hold em until ESPN put it on TV.

[senortout]

I also like Extras and The Newsroom, and probably my favorite show of all time is still The Wire. The first season of True Detective was great, but I didn't make it through Season 2.

You are spot on 'bout season two of True Detective...total waste of talented actors. Could not have been worse.

[elhelmete]

Two things to check out of you like Luck:

On America's Best Racing, John Perrotta wrote out full chapters of Season 2 and released them as a serial. I think they're still there.

For podcasters...Fresh Air (WHYY, Philly's NPR station) did a long interview with David Milch that should be still archived. Came out right around when Luck launched. Talked about how he got in the game, etc. Really good interview.

[v j stauffer]

but VJ, no one gave a shit about Texas Hold em until ESPN put it on TV.

One is a fictional television story.

One is a live event.

And until the advent of the hole card cams, so we could play along, nobody cared about Poker.

[zappedbythevicar]

Most poker rooms in Vegas were right next to the sports book back in the day. Horse bettors were forced to bet in or near the sports book and had to listen to people screaming for 8 hours or more non stop every saturday and sunday over every play in every game. The overfill would end up sitting in the few seats for horseplayers. Good luck handicapping with that noise. But the only thing SADDER was the poker room with 1 or 2 tables filled with shills to fill games. I remember once when the dealer was replaced and he sat down in the game and played with us! With his uniform still on! WTF? Its a shame that horse racing can't get the miracle that poker got and probably never will. Maybe it's just its destiny

[rastajenk]

I always thought an ensemble comedy a la Taxi or Cheers was the best way to get racing into regular programming. There's no shortage of colorful characters in real life to draw upon for inspiration.

[green80]

I can think of dozens of backside stories and characters that would make for entertaining tv.

[v j stauffer]

I can think of dozens of backside stories and characters that would make for entertaining tv.

I can think of hundreds.

However, if they are based on horse racing, unfortunately only other racetrackers/horseplayers would care.

That's our bane.

[ebcorde]

I can think of hundreds.

However, if they are based on horse racing, unfortunately only other racetrackers/horseplayers would care.

That's our bane.

I hear ya, I will say I've taken friends to the track on derby day, My oldest on derby day, breeder's cup day and they all love it. My son only plays really big days. People like action. I love the big action Dubai, Hong Kong, Australia, UK, South Africa. I think it'll make a comeback , must get the big races on TV from all over the world. Remember ABC wide world of sports? That was my reference to ESPN. Have to keep lobbying ESPN to put on these big days like Crabbie Grand National with the expert handicappers.
See, I think all ESPN's talk TV shows and the 3 repeats a day will wear out and they'll want better programming.

Do that and more people will attend the track I believe that.