Jump to content

House of Lies: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
 
(37 intermediate revisions by 30 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{For|a 2024 Bollywood drama-thriller film|House of Lies (2024 Indian film)}}{{Short description|American television series}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
|name = House of Lies
| image = House of Lies title card.png
⚫
| caption =
|image = House of Lies title card.png
⚫
| genre = [[Comedy drama]]
⚫
|caption =
⚫
| creator = [[Matthew Carnahan]]
⚫
|genre = [[Comedy]]
⚫
| based_on = {{Based on|''House of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Then Tell You the Time''|[[Martin Kihn]]}}
⚫
|creator = [[Matthew Carnahan]]
⚫
| starring = {{Unbulleted list|[[Don Cheadle]]|[[Kristen Bell]]|[[Ben Schwartz]]|[[Josh Lawson]]|[[Dawn Olivieri]]|Donis Leonard Jr.|[[Glynn Turman]]}}
⚫
|based_on = {{Based on|''House of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Then Tell You the Time''|[[Martin Kihn]]}}
⚫
| country = United States
⚫
|starring = {{Unbulleted list|[[Don Cheadle]]|[[Kristen Bell]]|[[Ben Schwartz]]|[[Josh Lawson]]|[[Dawn Olivieri]]|Donis Leonard Jr.|[[Glynn Turman]]}}
⚫
| language = English
⚫
|country = United States
⚫
| num_seasons = 5
⚫
|language = English
⚫
| num_episodes = 58
⚫
|num_seasons = 5
⚫
| list_episodes = List of House of Lies episodes
⚫
|num_episodes = 58
⚫
| executive_producer = {{Unbulleted list|[[Matthew Carnahan]]|Jessika Borsiczky|[[Stephen Hopkins (director)|Stephen Hopkins]]|[[Don Cheadle]]}}
⚫
|list_episodes = List of House of Lies episodes
⚫
| producer =
|production company =
⚫
| runtime = 30 minutes
⚫
|executive_producer = {{Unbulleted list|[[Matthew Carnahan]]|Jessika Borsiczky|[[Stephen Hopkins (director)|Stephen Hopkins]]}}
⚫
| company = Crescendo Productions<br />Totally Commercial Films (seasons 1–3)<br />Refugee Productions<br />[[Matthew Carnahan|Matthew Carnahan Circus Products]]<br />[[Showtime Networks]]
⚫
|producer =
⚫
| network = [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]]
⚫
|runtime = 30 minutes
⚫
| first_aired = {{Start date|2012|1|8}}
⚫
|company = Crescendo Productions<br />Totally Commercial Films<br />Refugee Productions<br />[[Matthew Carnahan|Matthew Carnahan Circus Products]]<br />[[Showtime Networks]]
⚫
| last_aired = {{End date|2016|6|12}}
⚫
|network = [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]]
⚫
|first_aired = {{Start date|2012|1|8}}
⚫
|last_aired = {{End date|2016|6|12}}
|website = http://www.sho.com/sho/house-of-lies/home
}}
}}


'''''House of Lies''''' is an American [[comedy]] [[television series]] created by [[Matthew Carnahan]].<ref name="thr greenlight">{{cite news|last=Ng|first=Philiana|title=Showtime Greenlights 'Homeland,' 'House of Lies'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/showter.com/live-feed/showtime-greenlights-homeland-house-lies-176151|accessdate=June 23, 2011|newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=April 7, 2011}}</ref> The show, which premiered on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] on January 8, 2012, is based on the book ''House of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Then Tell You the Time,'' written by [[Martin Kihn]], a former consultant at [[Booz Allen Hamilton]]. It follows a group of [[management consulting|management consultants]] who stop at nothing to get business deals done. On May 17, 2016, Showtime canceled the series after five seasons, with the series finale airing June 12, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/05/17/house-of-lies-cancelled-showtime-season-5/|title=House of Lies Cancelled at Showtime|publisher=TVLine|first=Michael|last=Ausiello|date=May 17, 2016|accessdate=May 17, 2016}}</ref>
'''''House of Lies''''' is an American [[comedy drama]] television series created by [[Matthew Carnahan]].<ref name="thr greenlight">{{cite news|last=Ng|first=Philiana|title=Showtime Greenlights 'Homeland,' 'House of Lies'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/showter.com/live-feed/showtime-greenlights-homeland-house-lies-176151|access-date=June 23, 2011|newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=April 7, 2011}}</ref> The show, which premiered on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] on January 8, 2012, is based on the book ''House of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Then Tell You the Time,'' written by [[Martin Kihn]], a former consultant at [[Booz Allen Hamilton]]. It follows a group of [[management consulting|management consultants]] who stop at nothing to get business deals done. On May 17, 2016, Showtime cancelled the series after five seasons, with the series finale airing June 12, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/05/17/house-of-lies-cancelled-showtime-season-5/|title=House of Lies Cancelled at Showtime|publisher=TVLine|first=Michael|last=Ausiello|date=May 17, 2016|access-date=May 17, 2016|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116222707/https://tvline.com/2016/05/17/house-of-lies-cancelled-showtime-season-5/|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Premise==
==Premise==
The show focuses on both the personal and business lives of Marty Kaan ([[Don Cheadle]]), a manipulative, immoral, driven and cold management consultant.
The show focuses on both the personal and business lives of Marty Kaan, a manipulative, charming and opportunistic management consultant.


Originally, Marty was a highly successful partner at consultancy firm Galweather Stearn, where he headed up a pod consisting of engagement manager Jeannie van der Hooven ([[Kristen Bell]]) and associates Clyde Oberholdt ([[Ben Schwartz]]) and Doug Guggenheim ([[Josh Lawson]]). He later leaves this position to head up his own firm, Kaan & Associates.
Originally, Marty was a highly successful partner at consultancy firm Galweather Stearn, where he headed up a pod consisting of engagement manager Jeannie van der Hooven, and associates Clyde Oberholt and Doug Guggenheim. He later leaves this position to head up his own firm, Kaan & Associates.


In addition to the questionable business practices of Marty and his team, the series also focuses on Marty's personal life. He deals with his disagreeable management consultant ex-wife Monica ([[Dawn Olivieri]]), his retired-psychiatrist father Jeremiah ([[Glynn Turman]]) and his confidently flamboyant son Roscoe (Donis Leonard, Jr). The main character, Marty, often [[breaks the fourth wall]]; he talks to the viewers in a freeze-frame bit in which he alone moves and the others in the background 'freeze' but continue where they left off. Alternatively, he talks to the audience while everyone moves but the others seem oblivious to the fact that he is on a monologue.
In addition to the questionable business practices of Marty and his team, the series also focuses on Marty's personal life. He deals with his disagreeable management consultant ex-wife Monica, his retired-psychiatrist father Jeremiah and his confidently flamboyant son Roscoe. The main character, Marty, often [[breaks the fourth wall]]; he talks to the viewers in a freeze-frame bit in which he alone moves and the others in the background 'freeze' but continue where they left off. Alternatively, he talks to the audience while everyone moves but the others seem oblivious to the fact that he is on a monologue.


==Cast and characters==
==Cast and characters==
Line 36: Line 34:
===Main cast===
===Main cast===
* [[Don Cheadle]] as Marty Kaan, the immoral and deceitful proprietor of consultancy firm Kaan & Associates. Before he started his own firm, he led a pod for Galweather-Stearn. Marty is willing to do anything to close the deal and, as such, alienates the vast majority of people he comes into contact with, a fact that he cares very little about. Due to questionable business practices, Marty spends several months in prison before the start of season 4, and this adds even more strain to his already-tense relationship with Roscoe and Jeremiah.
* [[Don Cheadle]] as Marty Kaan, the immoral and deceitful proprietor of consultancy firm Kaan & Associates. Before he started his own firm, he led a pod for Galweather-Stearn. Marty is willing to do anything to close the deal and, as such, alienates the vast majority of people he comes into contact with, a fact that he cares very little about. Due to questionable business practices, Marty spends several months in prison before the start of season 4, and this adds even more strain to his already-tense relationship with Roscoe and Jeremiah.
** Cheadle also served as executive producer through his Crescendo Productions banner.
* [[Kristen Bell]] as Jeannie van der Hooven, a partner at Kaan & Associates with whom Marty has a complex relationship. She was part of Marty's pod before he left Galweather. She later led her own pod in Galweather before ditching them for Kaan & Associates, where she becomes a partner. Jeannie was inadvertently responsible for the [[FBI]] bust on Kaan & Associates. Consequently, Marty blames her for his stint in jail. In season 4, Jeannie is pregnant with Marty's child, but he is reluctant to be involved as he has not forgiven her.
* [[Kristen Bell]] as Jeannie van der Hooven, a partner at Kaan & Associates with whom Marty has a complex relationship. She was part of Marty's pod before he left Galweather. She later led her own pod in Galweather before ditching them for Kaan & Associates, where she becomes a partner. Jeannie was inadvertently responsible for the [[FBI]] bust on Kaan & Associates. Consequently, Marty blames her for his stint in jail. In season 4, Jeannie is pregnant with Marty's child, but he is reluctant to be involved as he has not forgiven her.
* [[Ben Schwartz]] as Clyde Oberholdt, a member of Marty's consultant pod who specialises in marketing and spin. He was part of Marty's pod before he left Galweather. He briefly became part of Monica's pod in Kinsley & Associates when he and Marty had a falling-out. He eventually worked his way into Kaan & Associates. He has a jealous, arrogant and often cruel personality, and very rarely shows any real emotions. Clyde struggles with drug addiction throughout the later seasons.
* [[Ben Schwartz]] as Clyde Oberholt, a member of Marty's consultant pod who specialises in marketing and spin. He was part of Marty's pod before he left Galweather. He briefly became part of Monica's pod in Kinsley & Associates when he and Marty had a falling-out. He eventually worked his way into Kaan & Associates. He has a jealous, arrogant and often cruel personality, and very rarely shows any real emotions. Clyde struggles with drug addiction throughout the later seasons.
* [[Josh Lawson]] as Doug Guggenheim, a member of Marty's consultant pod who specialises in numerical analysis. He was part of Marty's pod before he left Galweather. After Marty left, he briefly became a part of Jeannie's pod before they both left for Kaan & Associates. It is also known that he graduated from [[Harvard Business School|Harvard]], he is seen constantly reminding this fact to everyone. He marries Sarah ([[Jenny Slate]]) (Season 2) but after he sends her a drunken text message, she cleans out his bank accounts and leaves (Season 4).
* [[Josh Lawson]] as Doug Guggenheim, a member of Marty's consultant pod who specialises in numerical analysis. He was part of Marty's pod before he left Galweather. After Marty left, he briefly became a part of Jeannie's pod before they both left for Kaan & Associates. It is also known that he graduated from [[Harvard Business School|Harvard]], he is seen constantly reminding this fact to everyone. He marries Sarah ([[Jenny Slate]]) (Season 2) but after he sends her a drunken text message, she cleans out his bank accounts and leaves (Season 4).
* [[Dawn Olivieri]] as Monica Talbot (starring seasons 1–3, recurring seasons 4 & 5), an ex-partner at rival firm Kinsley & Associates, and Marty's ex-wife. She and Marty often taunt and abuse each other when they meet, and often engage in angry sex.
* [[Dawn Olivieri]] as Monica Talbot (starring seasons 1–3, recurring seasons 4 & 5), an ex-partner at rival firm Kinsley & Associates, and Marty's ex-wife. She and Marty often taunt and abuse each other when they meet, and often engage in angry sex.
Line 81: Line 80:
* [[John Carroll Lynch]] as Gil Selby, one of Galweather-Stearn's senior partners.
* [[John Carroll Lynch]] as Gil Selby, one of Galweather-Stearn's senior partners.
* [[Mekhi Phifer]] as Andrew "Dre" Collins, cofounder of DollaHyde, a hip-hop fashion label. He was a former drug dealer.
* [[Mekhi Phifer]] as Andrew "Dre" Collins, cofounder of DollaHyde, a hip-hop fashion label. He was a former drug dealer.
* [[T.I.]]. as Lukas Frye, cofounder of DollaHyde, a hip-hop fashion label. He was also a former drug dealer.
* [[T.I.]] as Lukas Frye, cofounder of DollaHyde, a hip-hop fashion label. He was also a former drug dealer.
* Brad Schmidt as JC, part of Jeanie's new pod.
* Brad Schmidt as JC, part of Jeanie's new pod.
* [[Daniel Stern (actor)|Daniel Stern]] as Robert Tretorn, CEO, president, and founder of Free Range Foods.
* [[Daniel Stern (actor)|Daniel Stern]] as Robert Tretorn, CEO, president, and founder of Free Range Foods.
* [[Bex Taylor-Klaus]] as Lex, Roscoe's partner who turns out to be a bad influence on him.
* [[Bex Taylor-Klaus]] as Lex, Roscoe's partner who turns out to be a bad influence on him.
* [[Milana Vayntrub]] as Christy, part of Monica's pod. She was arrested and fired for stabbing Monica in "Power"
* [[Milana Vayntrub]] as Christy, part of Monica's pod. She was arrested and fired for stabbing Monica in "Power"
*Rhea Seehorn as Samantha, Jeannie's friend at the Department of Justice
* [[Rhea Seehorn]] as Samantha, Jeannie's friend at the Department of Justice


====Season 4====
====Season 4====
Line 93: Line 92:
* [[Valorie Curry]] as Kelsey, a confident computer programmer who both Clyde and Doug chase romantically
* [[Valorie Curry]] as Kelsey, a confident computer programmer who both Clyde and Doug chase romantically
* [[Alicia Witt]] as Maya Lindholm, a brilliant engineer and former partner of Ellis Gage
* [[Alicia Witt]] as Maya Lindholm, a brilliant engineer and former partner of Ellis Gage
* [[Fred Melamed]] as Harvey Oberholt, the father of Clyde, who has a difficult relationship with son and is dying of cancer
* [[Fred Melamed]] as Harvey Oberholt, the father of Clyde, who has a difficult relationship with his son and is dying of cancer


====Season 5====
====Season 5====
Line 111: Line 110:


===Development===
===Development===
On December 13, 2010, ''House of Lies'' was given a pilot order.<ref name="its official">{{cite news|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=It's Official: Showtime Picks Up Comedy Pilot 'House of Lies' Starring Don Cheadle|url=https://www.deadline.com/2010/12/its-official-showtime-picks-up-comedy-pilot-house-of-lies-starring-don-cheadle/|accessdate=July 20, 2011|newspaper=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=December 13, 2010}}</ref> On April 7, 2011, the series was given a 12 episode pick-up by [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]].<ref name="house and home">{{cite news|title=Showtime(R) Moves Into House and Home: Network Orders 12 Half-Hours of "House of Lies", 12 One-Hour Episodes of Drama "Homeland"|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2011/04/07/showtime-moves-into-house-and-home-network-orders-12-half-hours-of-house-of-lies-12-one-hour-episodes-of-drama-homeland-22212/20110407showtime01/|accessdate=July 20, 2011|newspaper=The Futon Critic|date=April 7, 2011}}</ref> The series is based on [[Martin Kihn]]'s book, ''House of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Then Tell You the Time''.<ref name="thr 5">{{cite news|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|title=5 Things to Know About 'House of Lies'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/5-things-know-house-lies-201562|accessdate=June 23, 2011|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 15, 2011}}</ref> David Nevins, president of entertainment at Showtime, announced during the 2011 [[Television Critics Association]] press tour that the show was set to premiere on January 8, 2012.<ref name="premiere reuters">{{cite news|last=Sellers|first=John|title=TCA: Steve Carell Set to Produce Showtime Interview Series|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/04/idUS278110126820110804|accessdate=August 9, 2011|newspaper=[[Reuters]]|date=August 4, 2011}}</ref>
On December 13, 2010, ''House of Lies'' was given a pilot order.<ref name="its official">{{cite news|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=It's Official: Showtime Picks Up Comedy Pilot 'House of Lies' Starring Don Cheadle|url=https://deadline.com/2010/12/its-official-showtime-picks-up-comedy-pilot-house-of-lies-starring-don-cheadle-90467/|access-date=July 20, 2011|newspaper=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=December 13, 2010|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116222750/https://deadline.com/2010/12/its-official-showtime-picks-up-comedy-pilot-house-of-lies-starring-don-cheadle-90467/|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 7, 2011, the series was given a 12 episode pick-up by [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]].<ref name="house and home">{{cite news|title=Showtime(R) Moves Into House and Home: Network Orders 12 Half-Hours of "House of Lies", 12 One-Hour Episodes of Drama "Homeland"|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2011/04/07/showtime-moves-into-house-and-home-network-orders-12-half-hours-of-house-of-lies-12-one-hour-episodes-of-drama-homeland-22212/20110407showtime01/|access-date=July 20, 2011|newspaper=The Futon Critic|date=April 7, 2011|archive-date=September 14, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914054836/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2011/04/07/showtime-moves-into-house-and-home-network-orders-12-half-hours-of-house-of-lies-12-one-hour-episodes-of-drama-homeland-22212/20110407showtime01/|url-status=live}}</ref> The series is based on [[Martin Kihn]]'s book, ''House of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Then Tell You the Time''.<ref name="thr 5">{{cite news|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|title=5 Things to Know About 'House of Lies'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/5-things-know-house-lies-201562|access-date=June 23, 2011|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 15, 2011|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116222713/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/5-things-know-house-lies-201562|url-status=live}}</ref> David Nevins, president of entertainment at Showtime, announced during the 2011 [[Television Critics Association]] press tour that the show was set to premiere on January 8, 2012.<ref name="premiere reuters">{{cite news|last=Sellers|first=John|title=TCA: Steve Carell Set to Produce Showtime Interview Series|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUS278110126820110804|access-date=August 9, 2011|newspaper=[[Reuters]]|date=August 4, 2011}}</ref>


===Casting===
===Casting===
Casting announcements began in December 2010, with [[Don Cheadle]] as the first actor to be cast, as Marty Kaan, "a highly successful, cut-throat consultant who is never above using any means (or anyone) necessary to get his clients the information they want". The next actor to be cast was [[Dawn Olivieri]] who plays Monica, "Marty's crazy, pill-popping ex-wife and biggest professional competition as her consulting firm is No. 1 compared to Marty's No. 2."<ref name="female lead">{{cite news|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=Showtime's Comedy Pilot Starring Don Cheadle Finds A Lead|url=https://www.deadline.com/2011/01/showtimes-comedy-pilot-starring-don-cheadle-finds-female-lead/|accessdate=July 20, 2011|newspaper=Deadline.com|date=January 20, 2011}}</ref> [[Ben Schwartz]] and [[Josh Lawson]] were cast next, Schwartz playing Clyde Oberholt, a member of Marty's team and his closest friend, and Lawson as Doug Guggenheim, Marty's Harvard-educated associate.<ref name="join pilots">{{cite news|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=TV CASTINGS: Ben Schwartz, Sherri Shepherd, Jeffrey Nordling Join Pilots|url=https://www.deadline.com/2011/01/tv-castings-ben-schwartz-sherri-shepherd-jeffrey-nordling-join-pilots/|accessdate=July 20, 2011|newspaper=Deadline.com|date=January 24, 2011}}</ref> Last cast were [[Kristen Bell]], who plays Jeannie van der Hooven, "a razor-sharp, Ivy-League graduate who works at Marty’s firm", Donis Leonard Jr. as Roscoe Kaan, Marty's son, and [[Glynn Turman]] as Jeremiah Kaan, Marty's psychoanalyst father.<ref name="bell to costar">{{cite news|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=Kristen Bell To Co-Star In Showtime's 'House of Lies' Comedy Pilot|url=https://www.deadline.com/2011/01/kristen-bell-to-co-star-in-showtimes-house-of-lies-comedy-pilot/|accessdate=July 20, 2011|newspaper=Deadline.com|date=January 31, 2011}}</ref> Later, [[Richard Schiff]] was cast as Marty's boss.<ref name="schiff cast">{{cite news|last=Ben Block|first=Alex|title=Showtime's 'House of Lies' Adds Richard Schiff
Casting announcements began in December 2010, with [[Don Cheadle]] as the first actor to be cast, as Marty Kaan, "a highly successful, cut-throat consultant who is never above using any means (or anyone) necessary to get his clients the information they want". The next actor to be cast was [[Dawn Olivieri]] who plays Monica, "Marty's crazy, pill-popping ex-wife and biggest professional competition as her consulting firm is No. 1 compared to Marty's No. 2."<ref name="female lead">{{cite news|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=Showtime's Comedy Pilot Starring Don Cheadle Finds A Lead|url=https://deadline.com/2011/01/showtimes-comedy-pilot-starring-don-cheadle-finds-female-lead-98494/|access-date=July 20, 2011|newspaper=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=January 20, 2011|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116222730/https://deadline.com/2011/01/showtimes-comedy-pilot-starring-don-cheadle-finds-female-lead-98494/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Ben Schwartz]] and [[Josh Lawson]] were cast next, Schwartz playing Clyde Oberholt, a member of Marty's team and his closest friend, and Lawson as Doug Guggenheim, Marty's Harvard-educated associate.<ref name="join pilots">{{cite news|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=TV CASTINGS: Ben Schwartz, Sherri Shepherd, Jeffrey Nordling Join Pilots|url=https://deadline.com/2011/01/tv-castings-ben-schwartz-sherri-shepherd-jeffrey-nordling-join-pilots-99602/|access-date=July 20, 2011|newspaper=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=January 24, 2011|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116222709/https://deadline.com/2011/01/tv-castings-ben-schwartz-sherri-shepherd-jeffrey-nordling-join-pilots-99602/|url-status=live}}</ref> Last cast were [[Kristen Bell]], who plays Jeannie van der Hooven, "a razor-sharp, Ivy-League graduate who works at Marty’s firm", Donis Leonard Jr. as Roscoe Kaan, Marty's son, and [[Glynn Turman]] as Jeremiah Kaan, Marty's psychoanalyst father.<ref name="bell to costar">{{cite news|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|title=Kristen Bell To Co-Star In Showtime's 'House of Lies' Comedy Pilot|url=https://deadline.com/2011/01/kristen-bell-to-co-star-in-showtimes-house-of-lies-comedy-pilot-102348/|access-date=July 20, 2011|newspaper=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=January 31, 2011|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116222727/https://deadline.com/2011/01/kristen-bell-to-co-star-in-showtimes-house-of-lies-comedy-pilot-102348/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later, [[Richard Schiff]] was cast as Marty's boss.<ref name="schiff cast">{{cite news|last=Ben Block|first=Alex|title=Showtime's 'House of Lies' Adds Richard Schiff|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/showtimes-house-lies-adds-richard-236074|access-date=September 16, 2011|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 15, 2011|archive-date=November 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116222715/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/showtimes-house-lies-adds-richard-236074|url-status=live}}</ref>
|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/showtimes-house-lies-adds-richard-236074|accessdate=September 16, 2011|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 15, 2011}}</ref>


===House of Lies Live===
===''House of Lies Live''===
On December 29, 2013, Showtime presented "House of Lies Live" which featured members of the main cast and guest actors on the show performing at the UCB theatre in the first broadcast of long form improv.
On December 29, 2013, Showtime presented ''House of Lies Live'' which featured members of the main cast and guest actors on the show performing at the People's Improv Theater in the first broadcast of long form improv.


==Reception==
==Reception==
Line 124: Line 122:
Throughout its run, ''House of Lies'' has received mixed reviews from critics.
Throughout its run, ''House of Lies'' has received mixed reviews from critics.


''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'}}s [[Ken Tucker]], reviewing the pilot episode, thought the show's premise "sounds terrific in concept", that "Cheadle and Bell are each in their own way exceedingly charming performers with a devilish aspect to their images", and that it has debuted at a good time: "at this time in history, who doesn't want to see undeservingly wealthy people get fleeced, or at least brought low by their avarice?" But ultimately Tucker found ''House of Lies'' wanting, writing that it is actually not "all that interesting", and that its "crucial weakness is its dead language". For Tucker, "there's no novelty or freshness in House of Lies' patter or its penis-placement" (the latter comment being a reference to House of Lies' "butt-load of the sort of sexual activity one can get away with on pay-cable").<ref name="watching-tv1">{{cite journal| url=http://watching-tv.ew.com/2012/01/08/house-of-lies-showtime-don-cheadle-kristen-bell/ |journal=Entertainment Weekly |last=Tucker |first=Ken |title='House of Lies' premiere review: Too often, a house of pain |date=January 8, 2012 |accessdate=March 31, 2013}}</ref> He later included it on his Top 5 Worst TV Shows of 2012, taking the fourth spot.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tucker|first1=Ken|title=10 Best (and 5 Worst) TV Shows of 2012: Ken Tucker's Picks|url=https://www.ew.com/gallery/10-best-and-5-worst-tv-shows-2012-ken-tuckers-picks/594749_worst-4-house-lies|website=ew.com|accessdate=6 August 2015}}</ref>
''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'}}s [[Ken Tucker]], reviewing the pilot episode, thought the show's premise "sounds terrific in concept", that "Cheadle and Bell are each in their own way exceedingly charming performers with a devilish aspect to their images", and that it has debuted at a good time: "at this time in history, who doesn't want to see undeservingly wealthy people get fleeced, or at least brought low by their avarice?" But ultimately Tucker found ''House of Lies'' wanting, writing that it is actually not "all that interesting", and that its "crucial weakness is its dead language". For Tucker, "there's no novelty or freshness in House of Lies' patter or its penis-placement" (the latter comment being a reference to House of Lies' "butt-load of the sort of sexual activity one can get away with on pay-cable").<ref name="watching-tv1">{{cite magazine |url=http://watching-tv.ew.com/2012/01/08/house-of-lies-showtime-don-cheadle-kristen-bell/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |last=Tucker |first=Ken |title='House of Lies' premiere review: Too often, a house of pain |date=January 8, 2012 |access-date=March 31, 2013 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116222712/https://ew.com/article/2012/01/08/house-of-lies-showtime-don-cheadle-kristen-bell/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He later included it on his Top 5 Worst TV Shows of 2012, taking the fourth spot.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Tucker|first1=Ken|title=10 Best (and 5 Worst) TV Shows of 2012: Ken Tucker's Picks|url=https://www.ew.com/gallery/10-best-and-5-worst-tv-shows-2012-ken-tuckers-picks/594749_worst-4-house-lies|website=ew.com|access-date=6 August 2015}}</ref>


In stark contrast, Matt Rouch, writing for ''[[TV Guide]]'', thought that "as a pitiless, biting satire of the debauched state of American big business, it's no lie to call this one of the smartest, funniest shows of the new year", praising its being "[d]eeply cynical, garish in its raunchiness and always rudely, lewdly hilarious". It "swims in a shark tank of such appalling survival-of-the-nastiest bad behavior it could launch its own channel: Human Animal Planet". Where Tucker finds ''House of Lies''{{'}} lines and dialogue poor, Rouch praises Don Cheadle's character's lines: Cheadle's character "often steps out of a freeze-frame to deliver scathing stylized asides to the audience, talking straight to the camera to teach us his lingo and soulless trade secrets".<ref>{{cite web |title=Weekend Reviews: Downton Abbey, House of Lies, AbFab and More! |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/weekend-reviews-downton-1041303/ |work=TV Guide |first=Matt |last=Roush |date=January 6, 2012 |accessdate=March 31, 2015}}</ref> (By contrast, Tucker found these freeze-frame asides a "visual gimmick" and complained of derivative lines: "Creator Matthew Carnahan [...] loads his new show with lines that sound borrowed from ''[[Glengarry Glen Ross]]'' ("Closing is what I do!")."<ref name="watching-tv1"/>
In stark contrast, Matt Rouch, writing for ''[[TV Guide]]'', thought that "as a pitiless, biting satire of the debauched state of American big business, it's no lie to call this one of the smartest, funniest shows of the new year", praising its being "[d]eeply cynical, garish in its raunchiness and always rudely, lewdly hilarious". It "swims in a shark tank of such appalling survival-of-the-nastiest bad behavior it could launch its own channel: Human Animal Planet". Where Tucker finds ''House of Lies''{{'}} lines and dialogue poor, Rouch praises Don Cheadle's character's lines: Cheadle's character "often steps out of a freeze-frame to deliver scathing stylized asides to the audience, talking straight to the camera to teach us his lingo and soulless trade secrets".<ref>{{cite web |title=Weekend Reviews: Downton Abbey, House of Lies, AbFab and More! |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/weekend-reviews-downton-1041303/ |work=TV Guide |first=Matt |last=Roush |date=January 6, 2012 |access-date=March 31, 2015 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116222726/https://www.tvguide.com/news/weekend-reviews-downton-1041303/ |url-status=live }}</ref> (By contrast, Tucker found these freeze-frame asides a "visual gimmick" and complained of derivative lines: "Creator Matthew Carnahan [...] loads his new show with lines that sound borrowed from ''[[Glengarry Glen Ross]]'' ("Closing is what I do!")."<ref name="watching-tv1"/>


Sarah Huges of ''[[The Independent]]'' called House of Lies "A Comedy for the One Per Cent," saying it's a "half-hour comedy about wealthy slicksters screening right in the middle of one of the biggest economic depressions America has experienced." Although calling the cast and production outstanding and funny in an artistic and technical way, the UK reception - by the standards of the Independent - seemed less positive than the rest. "House of Lies is asking us not simply to laugh at this bunch of chancers, but to admire them for the way in which they rip people off," she writes, calling for a check-up on corporate America.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/house-of-lies-a-comedy-for-the-one-per-cent-dont-make-me-laugh-7237328.html], Sarah Huges, The Independent,</ref>
Sarah Huges of ''[[The Independent]]'' called House of Lies "A Comedy for the One Per Cent," saying it's a "half-hour comedy about wealthy slicksters screening right in the middle of one of the biggest economic depressions America has experienced." Although calling the cast and production outstanding and funny in an artistic and technical way, the UK reception - by the standards of the Independent - seemed less positive than the rest. "House of Lies is asking us not simply to laugh at this bunch of chancers, but to admire them for the way in which they rip people off," she writes, calling for a check-up on corporate America.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/house-of-lies-a-comedy-for-the-one-per-cent-dont-make-me-laugh-7237328.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116222715/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/house-lies-comedy-one-cent-don-t-make-me-laugh-7237328.html|date=2020-11-16}}, Sarah Huges, The Independent,</ref>


==Awards and nominations==
==Awards and nominations==
Line 148: Line 146:
| rowspan="1" | [[Golden Globe Award]]
| rowspan="1" | [[Golden Globe Award]]
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy|Best Actor TV Series – Comedy or Musical]]
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy|Best Actor TV Series – Comedy or Musical]]
| Don Cheadle<ref name="Award">{{cite web| title=All the winners from the 2013 Golden Globes |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/golden-globes-awards-winners-list/story-e6frfpmi-1226553541084 |work=[[news.com.au]] |date=January 14, 2013 |accessdate=March 31, 2013}}</ref>
| Don Cheadle<ref name="Award">{{cite web |title=All the winners from the 2013 Golden Globes |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/golden-globes-awards-winners-list/story-e6frfpmi-1226553541084 |work=[[news.com.au]] |date=January 14, 2013 |access-date=March 31, 2013 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116222715/https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/awards/golden-globes-awards-winners-list/news-story/33762c5528c2a6e726ae0dcd84d4f603 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
|-
|-
Line 159: Line 157:
| rowspan="1" | [[Critics' Choice Television Award]]
| rowspan="1" | [[Critics' Choice Television Award]]
| [[Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series|Best Actor in a Comedy Series]]
| [[Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series|Best Actor in a Comedy Series]]
| Don Cheadle<ref name="Award2">{{cite web |title=HBO, FX Lead Critics’ Choice TV Awards — But Where Are ‘Mad Men’, ‘Modern Family’? |url=https://www.deadline.com/2013/05/hbo-fx-lead-critics-choice-tv-awards-but-where-are-mad-men-modern-family/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=May 22, 2013 |accessdate=May 25, 2013}}</ref>
| Don Cheadle<ref name="Award2">{{cite web |title=HBO, FX Lead Critics' Choice TV Awards — But Where Are 'Mad Men', 'Modern Family'? |url=https://deadline.com/2013/05/hbo-fx-lead-critics-choice-tv-awards-but-where-are-mad-men-modern-family-505822/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=May 22, 2013 |access-date=May 25, 2013 |archive-date=May 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523064408/http://www.deadline.com/2013/05/hbo-fx-lead-critics-choice-tv-awards-but-where-are-mad-men-modern-family/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| {{nom}}
| {{nom}}
|-
|-
Line 216: Line 214:
{{Showtime Network programming}}
{{Showtime Network programming}}


[[Category:2010s American LGBT-related comedy television series]]
[[Category:2010s American LGBTQ-related comedy television series]]
[[Category:2010s American LGBTQ-related drama television series]]
[[Category:2010s American comedy-drama television series]]
[[Category:2012 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:2012 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:2016 American television series endings]]
[[Category:2016 American television series endings]]
[[Category:Showtime (TV network) original programming]]
[[Category:Fiction about interracial romance]]
[[Category:English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Showtime (TV network) television dramas]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Los Angeles]]

Latest revision as of 05:15, 9 December 2024

For a 2024 Bollywood drama-thriller film, see House of Lies (2024 Indian film).
House of Lies
GenreComedy drama
Created byMatthew Carnahan
Based onHouse of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Then Tell You the Time
by Martin Kihn
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes58 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Running time30 minutes
Production companiesCrescendo Productions
Totally Commercial Films (seasons 1–3)
Refugee Productions
Matthew Carnahan Circus Products
Showtime Networks
Original release
NetworkShowtime
ReleaseJanuary 8, 2012 (2012-01-08) –
June 12, 2016 (2016-06-12)

House of Lies is an American comedy drama television series created by Matthew Carnahan.[1] The show, which premiered on Showtime on January 8, 2012, is based on the book House of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Then Tell You the Time, written by Martin Kihn, a former consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton. It follows a group of management consultants who stop at nothing to get business deals done. On May 17, 2016, Showtime cancelled the series after five seasons, with the series finale airing June 12, 2016.[2]

Premise

[edit]

The show focuses on both the personal and business lives of Marty Kaan, a manipulative, charming and opportunistic management consultant.

Originally, Marty was a highly successful partner at consultancy firm Galweather Stearn, where he headed up a pod consisting of engagement manager Jeannie van der Hooven, and associates Clyde Oberholt and Doug Guggenheim. He later leaves this position to head up his own firm, Kaan & Associates.

In addition to the questionable business practices of Marty and his team, the series also focuses on Marty's personal life. He deals with his disagreeable management consultant ex-wife Monica, his retired-psychiatrist father Jeremiah and his confidently flamboyant son Roscoe. The main character, Marty, often breaks the fourth wall; he talks to the viewers in a freeze-frame bit in which he alone moves and the others in the background 'freeze' but continue where they left off. Alternatively, he talks to the audience while everyone moves but the others seem oblivious to the fact that he is on a monologue.

Cast and characters

[edit]

Main cast

[edit]
  • Don Cheadle as Marty Kaan, the immoral and deceitful proprietor of consultancy firm Kaan & Associates. Before he started his own firm, he led a pod for Galweather-Stearn. Marty is willing to do anything to close the deal and, as such, alienates the vast majority of people he comes into contact with, a fact that he cares very little about. Due to questionable business practices, Marty spends several months in prison before the start of season 4, and this adds even more strain to his already-tense relationship with Roscoe and Jeremiah.
    • Cheadle also served as executive producer through his Crescendo Productions banner.
  • Kristen Bell as Jeannie van der Hooven, a partner at Kaan & Associates with whom Marty has a complex relationship. She was part of Marty's pod before he left Galweather. She later led her own pod in Galweather before ditching them for Kaan & Associates, where she becomes a partner. Jeannie was inadvertently responsible for the FBI bust on Kaan & Associates. Consequently, Marty blames her for his stint in jail. In season 4, Jeannie is pregnant with Marty's child, but he is reluctant to be involved as he has not forgiven her.
  • Ben Schwartz as Clyde Oberholt, a member of Marty's consultant pod who specialises in marketing and spin. He was part of Marty's pod before he left Galweather. He briefly became part of Monica's pod in Kinsley & Associates when he and Marty had a falling-out. He eventually worked his way into Kaan & Associates. He has a jealous, arrogant and often cruel personality, and very rarely shows any real emotions. Clyde struggles with drug addiction throughout the later seasons.
  • Josh Lawson as Doug Guggenheim, a member of Marty's consultant pod who specialises in numerical analysis. He was part of Marty's pod before he left Galweather. After Marty left, he briefly became a part of Jeannie's pod before they both left for Kaan & Associates. It is also known that he graduated from Harvard, he is seen constantly reminding this fact to everyone. He marries Sarah (Jenny Slate) (Season 2) but after he sends her a drunken text message, she cleans out his bank accounts and leaves (Season 4).
  • Dawn Olivieri as Monica Talbot (starring seasons 1–3, recurring seasons 4 & 5), an ex-partner at rival firm Kinsley & Associates, and Marty's ex-wife. She and Marty often taunt and abuse each other when they meet, and often engage in angry sex.
  • Donis Leonard Jr. as Roscoe Kaan, the flamboyant 15-year-old son of Monica and Marty. He wears eyeliner and experimental clothing and often has an attitude problem towards his father. In season 4, it is shown that Roscoe has fallen in with the school burn-outs and has begun smoking marijuana.
  • Glynn Turman as Jeremiah Kaan, Marty's ex-psychiatrist father and Roscoe's main caregiver. Jeremiah detests Monica, and is frequently forced to act as a mediator between her and Marty for Roscoe's sake. He is dating Chantelle, a much younger psychology student. The relationship has been happily accepted by the rest of the family.

Recurring cast

[edit]

Season 1

[edit]
  • John Aylward as K. Warren McDale, CEO/president of Metro-Capital.
  • Griffin Dunne as Marco "The Rainmaker" Pelios, president, CEO, and senior partner at Galweather-Stearn.
  • Megalyn Echikunwoke as April, Marty's law student girlfriend.
  • Mo Gaffney as Principal Gita, principal of the school Roscoe attends.
  • Greg Germann as Greg Norbert, CFO of Metro-Capital.
  • Anna Camp as Rachel Norbert, wife, and then ex-wife of Greg Norbert.
  • Richard Schiff as Harrison "Skip" Galweather, senior partner and co-founder of Galweather-Stearn.

Season 2

[edit]
  • Bess Armstrong as Julianne Hofschrager, interim CEO of Galweather-Stearn.
  • Adam Brody as Nate, CEO/president of an adult sex toy company.
  • Kevin Dobson as Mr. Pincus, owner of the Emerald casino in Las Vegas.
  • Lisa Edelstein as Brynn, assistant/political advisor for Carl Criswell.
  • Taylor Gerard Hart as Alex Dushkin, co-owner of Las Vegas Nightclub War.
  • Evan Hart as Kyle Dushkin, co-owner of Las Vegas Nightclub War.
  • Ronete Levenson as Tessa, Monica's vegan chef ex-girlfriend.
  • Nia Long as Tamara, Galweather & Stearn's newest employee and Marty's classmate from business school.
  • Eden Malyn as 'Zanna, the pod's personal assistant.
  • Michael McDonald as Carl Criswell, CEO/president of US National Bank.
  • Elimu Nelson as Kevin, Tamara's husband.
  • Jenny Slate as Sarah Guggenheim, Doug's girlfriend and, later, wife.
  • Larenz Tate as Malcolm Kaan, Marty's brother.
  • Mather Zickel as Michael Carlson, owner of the Vibrato casino in Las Vegas.

Season 3

[edit]
  • Genevieve Angelson as Caitlyn Hobart, part of Marty's new pod.
  • Eugene Cordero as Everett, part of Monica's pod.
  • Brigid Coulter as the wife of Andrew "'Dre" Collins.
  • Eliza Coupe as Marisa McClintock, the youngest of the McClintock family. She was founder of MediaWolfOnline newspaper and later became the chairwoman of entire McClintock Media Group after some help from Clyde.
  • Ryan Gaul as Will, part of Marty's new pod.
  • Rob Gleeson as Jeffrey, part of Marty's new pod.
  • Lauren Lapkus as Benita Spire, part of Jeanie's new pod. She leaked info to the press that led to the demise of Galweather under The Rainmaker.
  • Alice Hunter as Chantelle, a young PhD candidate who is dating Jeremiah.
  • John Carroll Lynch as Gil Selby, one of Galweather-Stearn's senior partners.
  • Mekhi Phifer as Andrew "Dre" Collins, cofounder of DollaHyde, a hip-hop fashion label. He was a former drug dealer.
  • T.I. as Lukas Frye, cofounder of DollaHyde, a hip-hop fashion label. He was also a former drug dealer.
  • Brad Schmidt as JC, part of Jeanie's new pod.
  • Daniel Stern as Robert Tretorn, CEO, president, and founder of Free Range Foods.
  • Bex Taylor-Klaus as Lex, Roscoe's partner who turns out to be a bad influence on him.
  • Milana Vayntrub as Christy, part of Monica's pod. She was arrested and fired for stabbing Monica in "Power"
  • Rhea Seehorn as Samantha, Jeannie's friend at the Department of Justice

Season 4

[edit]
  • Mary McCormack as Denna Altshuler, a tough, highly successful white knight investor and owner of Global Investments, who is also Marty's "fuck-buddy"
  • Demetri Martin as Ellis Gage Hightower, a shark-in-the-waters businessman and godhead of electrics cars whom Marty befriends in prison, who also owns Gage Motors
  • Valorie Curry as Kelsey, a confident computer programmer who both Clyde and Doug chase romantically
  • Alicia Witt as Maya Lindholm, a brilliant engineer and former partner of Ellis Gage
  • Fred Melamed as Harvey Oberholt, the father of Clyde, who has a difficult relationship with his son and is dying of cancer

Season 5

[edit]
  • Brianna Baker as Tess Symington, Green Point owner, Dungeons & Dragons player and briefly Doug's girlfriend
  • Steven Weber as Ron Zobel
  • Wanda Sykes as Rita, Jeremiah's partner
  • Glenn Howerton as Seth Buckley, a mayoral candidate, who has gotten romantically involved with Jeannie
  • Donald Faison as Donald, friend and golfing partner of Marty
  • Michael Cudlitz and Stacey Hinnen as Kohl brothers, businessmen who have business plans in Cuba and want to acquire K&A

Episodes

[edit]
Main article: List of House of Lies episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
112January 8, 2012 (2012-01-08)April 1, 2012 (2012-04-01)
212January 13, 2013 (2013-01-13)April 7, 2013 (2013-04-07)
312January 12, 2014 (2014-01-12)April 6, 2014 (2014-04-06)
412January 11, 2015 (2015-01-11)March 29, 2015 (2015-03-29)
510April 10, 2016 (2016-04-10)June 12, 2016 (2016-06-12)

Production

[edit]

The series is executive produced by Matthew Carnahan, Jessika Borsiczky, and Stephen Hopkins, with the pilot written by Carnahan and directed by Hopkins.

Development

[edit]

On December 13, 2010, House of Lies was given a pilot order.[3] On April 7, 2011, the series was given a 12 episode pick-up by Showtime.[4] The series is based on Martin Kihn's book, House of Lies: How Management Consultants Steal Your Watch and Then Tell You the Time.[5] David Nevins, president of entertainment at Showtime, announced during the 2011 Television Critics Association press tour that the show was set to premiere on January 8, 2012.[6]

Casting

[edit]

Casting announcements began in December 2010, with Don Cheadle as the first actor to be cast, as Marty Kaan, "a highly successful, cut-throat consultant who is never above using any means (or anyone) necessary to get his clients the information they want". The next actor to be cast was Dawn Olivieri who plays Monica, "Marty's crazy, pill-popping ex-wife and biggest professional competition as her consulting firm is No. 1 compared to Marty's No. 2."[7] Ben Schwartz and Josh Lawson were cast next, Schwartz playing Clyde Oberholt, a member of Marty's team and his closest friend, and Lawson as Doug Guggenheim, Marty's Harvard-educated associate.[8] Last cast were Kristen Bell, who plays Jeannie van der Hooven, "a razor-sharp, Ivy-League graduate who works at Marty’s firm", Donis Leonard Jr. as Roscoe Kaan, Marty's son, and Glynn Turman as Jeremiah Kaan, Marty's psychoanalyst father.[9] Later, Richard Schiff was cast as Marty's boss.[10]

House of Lies Live

[edit]

On December 29, 2013, Showtime presented House of Lies Live which featured members of the main cast and guest actors on the show performing at the People's Improv Theater in the first broadcast of long form improv.

Reception

[edit]
Promotional poster for the first season of House of Lies.

Throughout its run, House of Lies has received mixed reviews from critics.

Entertainment Weekly's Ken Tucker, reviewing the pilot episode, thought the show's premise "sounds terrific in concept", that "Cheadle and Bell are each in their own way exceedingly charming performers with a devilish aspect to their images", and that it has debuted at a good time: "at this time in history, who doesn't want to see undeservingly wealthy people get fleeced, or at least brought low by their avarice?" But ultimately Tucker found House of Lies wanting, writing that it is actually not "all that interesting", and that its "crucial weakness is its dead language". For Tucker, "there's no novelty or freshness in House of Lies' patter or its penis-placement" (the latter comment being a reference to House of Lies' "butt-load of the sort of sexual activity one can get away with on pay-cable").[11] He later included it on his Top 5 Worst TV Shows of 2012, taking the fourth spot.[12]

In stark contrast, Matt Rouch, writing for TV Guide, thought that "as a pitiless, biting satire of the debauched state of American big business, it's no lie to call this one of the smartest, funniest shows of the new year", praising its being "[d]eeply cynical, garish in its raunchiness and always rudely, lewdly hilarious". It "swims in a shark tank of such appalling survival-of-the-nastiest bad behavior it could launch its own channel: Human Animal Planet". Where Tucker finds House of Lies' lines and dialogue poor, Rouch praises Don Cheadle's character's lines: Cheadle's character "often steps out of a freeze-frame to deliver scathing stylized asides to the audience, talking straight to the camera to teach us his lingo and soulless trade secrets".[13] (By contrast, Tucker found these freeze-frame asides a "visual gimmick" and complained of derivative lines: "Creator Matthew Carnahan [...] loads his new show with lines that sound borrowed from Glengarry Glen Ross ("Closing is what I do!")."[11]

Sarah Huges of The Independent called House of Lies "A Comedy for the One Per Cent," saying it's a "half-hour comedy about wealthy slicksters screening right in the middle of one of the biggest economic depressions America has experienced." Although calling the cast and production outstanding and funny in an artistic and technical way, the UK reception - by the standards of the Independent - seemed less positive than the rest. "House of Lies is asking us not simply to laugh at this bunch of chancers, but to admire them for the way in which they rip people off," she writes, calling for a check-up on corporate America.[14]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Awards and nominations for House of Lies
Year Association Category Nominee(s) Result
2012 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Don Cheadle Nominated
Golden Globe Award Best Actor TV Series – Comedy or Musical Don Cheadle[15] Won
2013 NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series Don Cheadle Won
Critics' Choice Television Award Best Actor in a Comedy Series Don Cheadle[16] Nominated
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Don Cheadle Nominated
Golden Globe Award Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy Don Cheadle Nominated
2014 Golden Globe Award Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy Don Cheadle Nominated
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Don Cheadle Nominated
Outstanding Art Direction for a Contemporary Program (Half-Hour or Less) Episodes: "Wreckage", "Middlegame", "Zhang" Won
2015 NAACP Image Award Outstanding Comedy Series Nominated
Golden Globe Award Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy Don Cheadle Nominated
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Don Cheadle Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ng, Philiana (April 7, 2011). "Showtime Greenlights 'Homeland,' 'House of Lies'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
  2. ^ Ausiello, Michael (May 17, 2016). "House of Lies Cancelled at Showtime". TVLine. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  3. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (December 13, 2010). "It's Official: Showtime Picks Up Comedy Pilot 'House of Lies' Starring Don Cheadle". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  4. ^ "Showtime(R) Moves Into House and Home: Network Orders 12 Half-Hours of "House of Lies", 12 One-Hour Episodes of Drama "Homeland"". The Futon Critic. April 7, 2011. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  5. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (June 15, 2011). "5 Things to Know About 'House of Lies'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
  6. ^ Sellers, John (August 4, 2011). "TCA: Steve Carell Set to Produce Showtime Interview Series". Reuters. Retrieved August 9, 2011.
  7. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 20, 2011). "Showtime's Comedy Pilot Starring Don Cheadle Finds A Lead". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  8. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 24, 2011). "TV CASTINGS: Ben Schwartz, Sherri Shepherd, Jeffrey Nordling Join Pilots". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  9. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 31, 2011). "Kristen Bell To Co-Star In Showtime's 'House of Lies' Comedy Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  10. ^ Ben Block, Alex (September 15, 2011). "Showtime's 'House of Lies' Adds Richard Schiff". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  11. ^ a b Tucker, Ken (January 8, 2012). "'House of Lies' premiere review: Too often, a house of pain". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  12. ^ Tucker, Ken. "10 Best (and 5 Worst) TV Shows of 2012: Ken Tucker's Picks". ew.com. Retrieved 6 August 2015.
  13. ^ Roush, Matt (January 6, 2012). "Weekend Reviews: Downton Abbey, House of Lies, AbFab and More!". TV Guide. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  14. ^ [1] Archived 2020-11-16 at the Wayback Machine, Sarah Huges, The Independent,
  15. ^ "All the winners from the 2013 Golden Globes". news.com.au. January 14, 2013. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
  16. ^ "HBO, FX Lead Critics' Choice TV Awards — But Where Are 'Mad Men', 'Modern Family'?". Deadline Hollywood. May 22, 2013. Archived from the original on May 23, 2013. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
[edit]
Wikiquote has quotations related to House of Lies.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=House_of_Lies&oldid=1262020593"