The 'Cavemen' panel: Can't we all get along? (No, we can't.)

Reporters had a message Wednesday for the producers of ABC's new comedy "Cavemen:" Ugh.

Spun off from a celebrated series of commercials for Geico insurance, "Cavemen" may have formidable built-in recognition factor for a new series. But at the TV press tour in Beverly Hills, the homo sapiens behind the show -- about three misunderstood Cro-Magnons living in the modern world -- got clubbed by questioners who felt "Cavemen" is nothing more than a primitive and not-too-funny racial allegory.

"We never saw them as a stand-in for one group," executive producer Josh Gordon said of the title protagonists.

Pressed further, executive producer Mike Schiff added that the ethnic prejudice theme was a "background to the show ... but it's not a driving force."

This explanation was not well-received among the TV critics and reporters, however, one of whom noted that all eight of "Cavemen" panelists were white men. (In their defense, the producers said that ethnic minorities and women are among the show's writers and directors).

The atmosphere grew so tense that actor Nick Kroll, who plays the sardonic caveman Nick, aimed for something between comic relief and gallows humor.

"I was told there was gonna be a laugh track here," Kroll told the mostly stone-faced press tour crowd, "but I guess that's not the case."

-- Scott Collins

(Photo: Craig Sjodin / ABC)

Comments

[Peter]

It is very sad that the press core had to beat up on this show, we have had cave men in prime time before.
It was a show called "It's About Time" produced by the group that gave us Gilligans Island.
The show could really work..I personally hope it's a hit and opens the flood gates to the fantasy comedy genre again.
all I can think for these hard line critics is lighten up fella's it's not rocket science.

[stefano]

... and you are actually surprised? i would like to know who actually approved its production in the first place.
the whole premise was ludicrous: you take a STUPID commercial, and make a WHOLE SHOW around it???
these studios really need to become more selective when it comes to picking new shows!!!

[just me]

All the Moves I ever saw with cave man and woman
they have all been white so what's the bid deal...????????

Where is Al S. ..???

[Linda Magoon]

I am not going to watch it! Main reason is because they did not use the actors from the Geico commercials I normally watch a new show to see how it goes but not this one

[Tony L.]

In the age of political correctness, is Fred Flinestones a bigot? I’m sure the media will find something on Fred…he treats his wife and friend Barney really bad. Please people; stop judging everything as BAD for everyone. I grew up normal, and I watch the Flinestones when I was a kid! The moral of the story…no matter what you put on TV is all about your family values. Society starts at home!

[Lucy]

I can't WAIT to see it! I used to watch "It's About Time" years ago, as well, and it was pretty cute.

We need some more decent comedy. There's too much reality to deal with.

[Chris]

It would have been better if they had just done the smart thing and gotten a group of REAL cavemen and just did a reality show about them. Now that I would watch!

[pgreenwood@rapidcable.com]

One last note to the producers of Caveman, When "Gilligans Island" was previewed by CBS in 1965...ALL the critics without exception went crazy trying to kill it.
Can you name any of those guys...just ignore them, you have a great group of talented comedy guys working on this show.
Let's hope ABC has some guts and hangs tight with the show until it gets a solid footing.
As for using the same actors..give me a break..it's the script that's the thing and the way it's produced...who cares what's under three inches of latex, just so long as they are funny.

[Natalia]

They replaced the George Lopez show for this? "Ugh" is right.

[too dark human]

Actually, it's not the show's fault: Two of the actors from the commercials simply were not available to do the series. One of the Geico ad actors IS joining the show.

I hope the show lasts a long time. Many Americans walk around every day knowing that we are outsiders... would be nice once to see a show that reflects the hell we call life. The GEICO ads mean so much to me because A) they're funny... and B) they are SO true-to-life. But this is America, where people are essentially idiots, and any show that appeals to me will never make it in the vile mainstream. So it goes... but I'll enjoy it (I hope) while it's here, cursing you mainstreamrs along the way.

[Dan Wilcox]

Lopez show was an embarrassment to Latinos. He is not funny and neither were the dumb writers.