4/21/14

TV TUESDAY S02E11: SURVIVING JACK [2014]


UPDATE: MAY 7, 2014 - SURVIVING JACK cancelled

Very loosely adapted from his autobiographical I Suck At Girls book, Surviving Jack is from the mind of Justin Halpern.  HERC has read the book and while it is funny and oftentimes hilarious in its own right, there is very little carryover from page to screen.  Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.  This is Hollywood we're talking about after all. (Speaking of which, is HERC the only one that thinks Rob Sheffield's books could make for some entertaining TV?) Halpern and his writing partner Patrick Schumacker wrote the pilot before settling into their roles as executive producers along with Bill Lawrence (creator of Scrubs, Cougar Town and Ground Floor) and others.  Watch the official trailer below before continuing on.  Please.



Set in 1991, the show's fresh casting combined with both funny and heartfelt story lines has made for an enjoyable four episodes broadcast as of this writing.  HERC recommends Surviving Jack on those merits alone but its the soundtrack that has made it his favorite of the Spring 2014 mid-season.  From the show's opening theme, a heavily edited for length version (think brief intro with ending tacked on) of Social Distortion's "Story of My Life", the show's music supervisor Tony Von Pervieux has done a wonderful job of peppering viewers with songs to establish the series setting. What becomes somewhat tiresome is the use of songs that tie rather directly into the action on screen - this is a television show not a music video, people.  The links below are to music videos of the songs heard in the series.  HERC will update the list as new episodes reveal even more songs.

Wild Wild Life - Talking Heads (1986)
Good Vibrations - Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch (1991)
She Drives Me Crazy - Fine Young Cannibals (1989)
Been Caught Stealing - Jane's Addiction (1990)
Freedom '90 - George Michael (1990)
Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover - Sophie B. Hawkins (1992)
Add It Up - Violent Femmes (1983)
Unbelievable - EMF (1991)
Just Like Heaven - The Cure (1987)
Mama Said Knock You Out - LL Cool J (1990)
The Choice Is Yours - Black Sheep (1991)
Strike It Up - Black Box (1990)
Never Tear Us Apart - INXS (1987)
More Than Words - Extreme (1991)
Shiny Happy People - R.E.M. (1991)
Here Comes Your Man - Pixies (1989)
Jump Around - House Of Pain (1992)
Bust A Move - Young MC (1989)
No Rain - Blind Melon (1992)
Love Shack - The B-52's (1989)
Poison - Bell Biv Devoe (1990)
Groove Is In The Heart - Deee-Lite (1990)
The Humpty Dance - Digital Underground (1990)
Crazy - Seal (1991)
All 4 Love - Color Me Badd (1991)
Friday I'm In Love - The Cure (1992)
My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It) - En Vogue (1992)
Suicide Blonde - INXS (1990)
Now That We Found Love - Heavy D & the Boyz (1991)
Need You Tonight - INXS (1987)
Get Ready For This - 2 Unlimited (1992)
Good Thing - Fine Young Cannibals (1989)
Insane In The Brain - Cypress Hill (1993)
Motownphilly - Boyz II Men (1991)
Funky Cold Medina - Tone Loc (1989)
What's Up? - 4 Non Blondes (1992)



FOX's official Surviving Jack playlist


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