'John From Cincinnati': Papa don't preach

Um, OK.

So John and Shaun return from what I can only assume is a Laird Hamilton-style surfing tow-in from heaven, outfitted in stylish camo wetsuits.  Shaun has become as incomprehensible as John when asked about where the duo went.  (He replies "Cincinnati.")  John rambles something to Linc about 9-11-14, like he's suddenly read the Book of Revelation and wants to jabber about it.  Cass films the whole scene with her video camera, which has magic Wi-Fi capabilities.  Other hit men come from Hawaii and wander around.  A TV newscaster recognizes Tina from porn.  And Linc convinces the whole family -- John included -- to sign with Stinkweed and have a parade to celebrate Shaun's return.  Mitch stops levitating after the deal is done, which is good because treatment for levitation is totally not covered under Stinkweed's HMO.

And with that, "John From Cincinnati" throws in the towel.

It appeared from early episodes that Linc was the root of all evil, that he was trying to corrupt the Yost family by co-opting their surfing talents into something mainstream and marketable.  And yet, in this episode, it seems as though John favored the family signing up with Linc because it would help get "his father's" word out.  I know there's a group of X Games moto athletes who call themselves Riders 4 Christ, but for some reason I doubt that's what they were going for in "John."

Actually, I take that back -- I have no idea what they were going for with "John."  Or did I just fall asleep during a critical two-minute explanation of what happened and now I'll be forever in the dark?  It's not good for a show to make viewers question if they were actually conscious for the entire episode.

On top of all this, I went to StinkweedUSA.com, a website that was part of the promotional banners in the scene with the parade.  Yep, it's a Time Warner site (check out the privacy policy) -- and there's exactly one mention of Shaun Yost on the whole thing, as far as I can tell, a reference to his "sprained neck" from an earlier episode.  Baffling.  Was the site not updated when the response to "John" didn't go as swimmingly as hoped?  Or is it an indication that there's an entirely parallel story line that was never explored?

Hey, I guess it's like life.  More questions than answers.

-- Ann Donahue

(Photo courtesy HBO)

Comments

[Pat Webber]

Many have said it before, but I have to say it again ... PLEASE BRING BACK 'DEADWOOD'!!!!!

Pat W.

[TMQ]

Worst. Show. Ever.

I can't believe I watched 10 hours of this dreg. The journey was uninteresting. The ending was incomprehensible. So many good actors gone to waste. However, the bad acting and hot babes did draw me in.

You hurt me, Dave Milch. You did.

Especially, the meeting of minds between Link and John in the season ender. That conversation sucked whatever joy I get from television. It'll take a month of t.v. cold turkey to recover.

Curse you, Milch.

[Mlle]

Mitch was still levitating. That is why both Cissy and Butchie were holding him down at the beach

I love this show..different and wonderful

Too bad the rest of the population can't grasp something so different and give it a chance. They always like it in a bow for them

[chris]

"It's not good for a show to make viewers question if they were actually conscious for the entire episode."

Oh Ann, that's where you are so, so wrong...

[Rd]

Yes the season finale could have played out several different ways. Yes some of the acting in the final episode was off, however the then again maybe it wasn’t…I enjoyed every episode, I find it entertaining mind bending and fun. The plots sub culture is real, the acting is honest. I applauded the effort of those enlisted without prior experience; I think that they have done a great job (all of them, even Ger.)

Thanks for the effort, I can’t wait tell next season “PLEASE”!!!!

[Mike]

This show is completely worthless. HBO needs to cancel John From Cincinnati immediately. The writers of this show should never be allowed to write another television series for the following reasons: 1) The characters and their roles had absolutely no purpose. 2) The writing from episode to episode got worse and worse. 3) The series had no plot and no conclusion to any of the flimsy storylines. It seemed like a Deadwood reunion on a crappier show. The overall worst part of this show is that after each episode, I found myself wondering why I just wasted an hour of my life with this completely pointless show. My only answer was: because Entourage came on right after.

[Derrick]

Yeah, ok Mlle... Don't pretend that this show was marvelous and wonderful and that those who didn't like just "didn't get it". There was nothing to "get".

I watched all 10 episodes. It sucked. Period. End of story (thank God!).

[jzb]

“We must listen to our father’s words...”
Our father? Equals god? Read today's reviews. Quick, lazy and silly reference, mefears.

Oh come on. Has the GW sovereignty really poisoned American thinking all that much?

Scanning the various reviews of the season finale today, I have to hope that the series is not finished. It is so entertaining to watch, to interact with... leaving us wanting so much more.

And too many characters? Heck no. We truly needed to see Wu somewhere in the Cincinnati/IB picture... and while he has abandoned his signature “cocksucker” commentary for Hawaiian mobster slang in this latest stratagem, I am ever so enthused to see him surface once more in the Milch genres; happy to wonder where he will emerge in the next phases of the storyline.

Speaking as a hard core fan of both "John" and the fabulous "Deadwood", it is my duty to assert that we need further episodes. I have to wonder if American television audiences (even on HBO) have reverted into some heartbreaking state of pure stupor, lamely waiting to be spoon fed the answers to all plot lines, movies and television narratives. Case in point: the finale of the Sopranos. Are people truly so brain dead as to require that everything be painstakingly clarified, be explained away, in excruciating detail? Think, imagine and add your musings to the saga. It is art, after all. Can’t be considered complete without the viewer’s input.

Go, go ahead, really. Think, imagine, draw your own conclusions. Please. Please, please, please, I implore of you; audience and reviewers, get more creative, please use your head. Please be more critically analytical than that. Please, I beg of you.

And while we are at it, what about that gray skinned guy with the open sores in the background of certain scenes? John seems to see/refer to him rather often, although nobody else does. John has included this poor decomposing creature in more than one scene, in one instance carrying the poor rotten bloke into a situation, himself. Yeah, the decrepit gray guy who has appeared (among other times) in the bar with Shaun drinking iced tea? Only the epileptic could see them... could see him. Isn’t that... couldn’t it possibly be... John’s father? Or is it just some pivotally plot significant, roaming dead guy, in a parallel existence?

And why, why, why... I need to ask; must Jesus be dragged into every religious discussion whenever somebody levitates? Religion, spirituality... what in the world does that have to do with anything remotely Christian?

More, more. Give us even more next season.

[reeder]

To those of you who hated John: You are part of the problem.

And you definitely voted for Bush, at least once.

[todo2509]

Loved it, loved it, loved it. If you don't like to think and question and had rather be spoon fed and paint by numbers, don't watch. I hope for a new season full of signs, wonders, and miracles. I am ready to continue the journey.

[jess]

I hope that HBO gives this show a second chance. I'm actually enthralled with the characters, the acting, and the constant questions. Lots of people didn't like The Sopranos or Deadwood in the first season. I hate to think that we won't give Milch a chance to continue on this crazy journey

[Alex]

Someone on an HBO forum said it best. This was a show you have to feel more than you need to understand. I understood where Milch was going with this.. and it really sucks that it seems most people didn't feel it too. Was it a perfect series? No. But after last night finale, I'm still running through the dialogue in my head... and, most importantly, I'm still smiling. Way to go, D-Milch!

[Susan from Florida]

I think the show is great! Sometimes it is cool to just watch a show for the experience of the show. Not everything has to be a contrived storyline with a beginning, a middle and an end.

This show will keep all of thinking for a while about a lot of issues in our own lives. At the end of the day, isn't that what art is all about?

The show made me want to jump on a board and do a curl...and I don't surf.
I thought the acting was excellent and the cast of characters intreging!

[Peter Noble]

I guess HBO will inflict another season?

This is what happens when Art is confused as boring and entertainment is disdained as mere pandering to the base elements of America.

Thanks HBO for paying more attention to authors in need of a long rest, rather than those of us who deserve some entertainment as we need a rest.

[Mobius024]

A question: Several people said the show ducked, it was a total waste of time, and that they watched 10 episodes. What am I missing? I've never watched more than one, maybe two to see if the first was a bad start, of a show that I thought sucked ...

[Dave From New Jersey]

WOW...all I can say is WOW...the fact that there is this much discussion of the show, from both the pro and the con is PURE PRIME EXAMPLE of why JOHN FROM CINCINNATI was an amazing show...

...there are so many issues this show touches on...religion, politics, society...and the mural created by the interweaving of the different characters is so magnificent, it doesn't even matter that we're all left wondering just what was going on...it's almost as if that's the point...can anyone honestly say they feel comfortable that they know what's really going on in the world WE ALL live in? It's no less confusing that Imperial Beach, is it? I don't think so...

You have a retired cop and a retiring drug lord joining forces to protect a resurrected symbol of purity...an accomplished and successful doctor turning on the politically influences HMO-laden medical profession to help the weak and the poor...a surfer turned junkie and a groupie turned porn-queen redeeming themselves to become part of the most dysfunctional of all-American families...a surfing legend, versed in Eastern religions who levitates...and a live feed to the "big and huge" of the internet...WHAT MORE DO YOU ZOMBIE-AUTOMATON-AMERICAN IDOL/REALITY TV ADDICTED PEOPLE NEED?

What will it take to compel you to come to art for art's sake, and not to be spoon-fed trite garbage while being sold cellular phone calling plans, and chemical-laden junk food? Is having to think, engage your mind, interact with art really such a horrible thing for you to have to do? If so, I'm afraid John may have been more right than any of us realize..."You will all be toast. Getting dusted won't matter."

This show was brilliant...and even if this is the end, at least there was a helping of closure in the final moments of the season finale...but the potential for where the story can go is so limitless, it would be yet another cancellation-sin on HBO's part...don't even get me started on their unjust early-ending to CARNIVALE and DEADWOOD...ROME could've been a bit longer too, come to think of it...why is always the most beautiful offerings are rewarded with a bite on the feeding hand.

PLEASE...EVERYONE...OPEN YOUR MINDS...I IMPLORE YOU...

[Frank]

Is there anyway we can petition HBO to drop this show??!!?? It at least wated 5 hours of my life during which I kept hoping to make sense of it all.

I am sure all the "new age" crowd loving it have good reasons to do so, but I am personally over my reefer days so not everything makes sense to a clear mind...

Bring back Deadwood, Rome, Wire, or even Carnival. Please?!? or otherwise you would force me to find my hidden stash once again

[Casey]

John is cancelled....

http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN1436414520070814

[moonlight lady]

Here's what I loved...Joe Strummer's song and the opening credits, Kai's fabulous hair, seeing Rebecca de Mornay tromp around swearing like the goddess of menopause, the magic and of love redemption.
What I hated was the drivel, the too-many one-dimensional characters looking like the Deadwood cast needed patronage jobs, the preaching shrouded in woefully inept enigma and the wandering focii.
I don't feel I wasted my time, but I do feel unsatisfied.
If it's picked up for another season I recommend Mr. Milch work with outside writers for a while.
ML

[Kimberly]

Brilliant, baffling season ... couldn't have asked for more!

[rule62]

I will really miss this show. It was perfect for falling into a nice gentle sleep after about 20 minutes. Then the Rebecca DeMorney screeching which would inevitably follow at some point in the episode would wake you up just enough so that you could turn the tv off.

[Bill B.]

I thought the show fascinating, but increasingly frustrating and the last show to be nearly incomprehensible. A terrible way to end a season and ultimately the series. I do wish it had not been canceled simply because I would really like to know who or what John was. Milch must know so I hope he at least reveals it to the public. I also liked much of the cast particularly Nichols, Van Holt & O'Neill.

[SufergirlNYC]

I am so sad about this. I loved the first three episodes because they were different, portrayed the kooky surfer extended family lifestyle. There were too many scenes at the motel from characters hard to relate to or understand except for Butchie. What I thought initially as a positive uplifting show turned so negative. I loved the Cissy character until she spewed so much cursing and negativity that I wished that Mitch would just suffocate her and put the entire family and the entire town out of its misery. I didn't blame Shaun for wanting to spend time with his stripper mother who abandoned him because even she was a more positive person than the toxic Cissy. Everything just started spiraling down and the writers seemed self-indulgent. HBO should've reined in the team after viewing episode 3. I don't know how the last two episodes got produced and allowed to air the way they did. I kept tuning in hoping things would get better, but honestly, if HBO didn't shut it down, I probably would've tuned out anyway.

[Bill Jacks]

Yes, there were still more questions than answers, but Milch wasn't done. And to the person who pointed out how wrong the writer was about questioning whether they were conscious for the episode...I'm right there with you. I LOVE that element of their writing style. Not unlike Six Feet Under...there was that bit of fever dream vibe to it. And I fully trusted that he was going to bring a good bit of this back around for us...but now we'll not be afforded that ride. Maybe he'll knock out a synopsis for us before burying this one? I'd appreciate it.

I fear he might once and for all tell HBO to go F themselves. This is a crying shame.

[Andy]

"John" was is a show that makes you think, smile and ask questions. It was entertaining from start to finish, and i wish this was not the end. As far as lacking a plot line from episode to episode, I don't think the last couple of seasons of Sopranos were totally filled of twisting relevant plot lines either. Don't get me wrong, I was a huge fan of the Sopranos, and John certainly can't replace it, but It entertained me from the start. I found myself intrigued by the Yosts and found myself rooting for John to help them and everyone around them. It was truly a very good show, I hope to see more of it.

[Bill Jacks]

They really need to stop cancelling good shows. I thought this would be a lock for a second season, mostly because I assumed it was relatively cheap to make compared to other HBO shows.

If it wasn't for the Wire...which yet again we had to sweat getting cancelled...I'd be cancelling my subscription.

[Charlie]

I'll admit...this was nto the fastest moving show in the world, but after the first few episodes, I loved it and am sad to see it go. It was actually refreshing to watch a show that was mostly dialogue and (at times) slightly confusing...it'd be nice to see it come back some day (heck, even in book format).

Now...if FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS gets the boot....I will be very ticked!

[erik]

A shame, the show had so much potential.

God's back on a surfboard, apostles assembled...let 'em show us what we've forgotten!

Can we have the movie at least?!

[Alicia Pozas]

Sad, Had such potentiol and the writers turk a wrong turn about 4th episode.Weird.Story line Opened doors that were never closed. The last episode was so stupid. A wrong turn turned Hbo's series credit down the tubes. First an un satisfying ending to the long awaited Soprano's Finale. Now this? This show was a disaster. I started out as a strong fan. Sad.

[jltnol]

Ugh!

Thank God that's over!

Sorry but the grandmother was always OVER acting, and Shaun, cute tho he may be, couldn't act to save his poor surfing soul.

Bad Script, Bad Direction, and Bad Acting makes for a Bad Show

[Orrage]

Correction: Mitch's levitation was not cured. Butchie and Sissy were holding him down during Linc's speach.

[Judy Brown]

My husband and I both liked the series a lot. Although some of the scenes and dialogue were incomprehensible, most were not. As a mystical kind of program, not everything was concrete or explainable. Apparently, this feature bothered too many people. Bottom line, we thought the show was about Step Two of Alcoholics Anonymous, "Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity." After all, there was a lot of hearling going on. Sad the show was cancelled, although it was hard to see where it would go. Welcome Home Zippy. Long Live the Jetsons !

[ronnie]

Imagine a religious (sort of) drama that pisses off both blue and red state denizens? Granted, I too, look away from most things religious, although I did like Amy Grants first crossover album, and I did love this show. Whatever message it was Milch was trying to send, I say who cares, because it was so mostly quirky, and quirky I love. As I watched the nine episodes, I knew even as a non-brain surgeon it wasn't coming back, so when episode 9 began with Dylans "A Series of Dreams" I choked it back and smiled. What a cool song to say good bye with. What a totally cool opening scene for a last show. Ever.

[chris]

I really just wish HBO would issue some statement of clarity, and really say what in the heck was going on in that show!?!?!?! just so i can know, i mean its not that i care at all, it will just drive me nuts to think they must have had some sort of direction with this story (or one that was even remotely plausible) or interesting......i just want some sort of closure

but yeah, i watched all 10 episodes, brutal, some what interesting, different, and thats what i usually like about hbo original series shows

[moonlight lady]

Now can we please have Deadwood back?
ML

[Jeff Myers]

Makers of Ambien and other sleep aids probably paid HBO to remove their main competition.

[Linc Stark]

STINKWEEED!!! Come on now people, how can you really go wrong with with with a surfing undertone, drug addicts coming clean, a grandma that cuses like a trucker, a zen master grandpa, hawaiian drug dealers, parrots and little boys coming back from the dead, a porn-star mother, and not to mention a senile Al Bundy, and Dillon McKay and Zack Morris teaming up to run a surfing label. Seriously, the show was definately off the wall, but had me hung on every line, trying to figure out what was coming next. I did feel the show was confusing, BUT THAT'S THE POINT isn't it. To think for yourself, instead of being told what to belive or do!!! I don' t know, Butchie instead.

[Logan]

Wow, I'd really like all the geniuses who loved this piece of crap show to get off their high horses, and explain the show to us, since we are so dim, and not as advanced as you. (I love the idiot above who said if you didn't like this show, you voted for Bush. Kinda odd, since I hated this show, and have worked tirelessly for Al Gore and Democrats all my life.) The simple fact is that if you liked this show, you are a sucker. You were conned. David Milch was f-ing with you. The show didn't mean anything. It had no plot. No story at all. Just a bunch of random scenes and random fine actors spouting out meaningless words. What a waste. This what we get instead of more great installments of Deadwood? Milch should be apologizing in public for his sins. Good god, I hope he didn't fall of the wagon while writing this putrid malarky.

For the fans of the show: Wow, all you have to do is make crap, put the name Milch on it, put it on HBO, and you think it's akin to Bergman.

Meanwhile HBO passed on what is clearly the best show of the summer: AMC's Mad Men.

I guess that's what happens when you have the sort of leadership at HBO that we've read about regarding the character of Chris Albrecht.

I don't know Buthchie instead.

[Neil]

Rent the DVD "Idiocracy" to understand where a culture is going that can't embrace a show like JFC ....

[nicole navarro]

Please keep this show. Besides Jericho it is the best thing on TV in the last ten years. I will not keep my subscription to HBO without it. It is an exceptional, thought provoking, character driven drama. It is not formula tv to be spoon fed like baby food. It is a great show
Nicole

[Pexster]

I am seriously pissed off. This was the most interesting show I've followed in a long time. All you "Where's the plot?" people should go back to watching whatever juvenile crap it is you watch. Yeah, it had its flaws, but it pushed the envelope; maybe like nothing since The Prisoner.

[Brian Mahoney]

Even though I never really knew what the heck was going on…I really enjoyed each episode. Prediction: Ed O’Neal wins an Emmy. Bottom line: I will cancel HBO (Today) if JFC is gone.

[Amber Fonzen]

I think it was so slowly-paced and not as revealing as most full-season story arcs because Milch had big plans for the second season. But now we shall never know.

However, if anyone does have some insight as to where they were going with this show, please email me: afonzen@gmail.com.

Otherwise I will feel I watched the entire season for nothing. If I'm contributing to ratings, at least feed me some plot and character development.

[Jon]

Why are so many writing about the show ending and wanting more?,HEY it was the Season finale not the final episode.
And like all BIG/GREAT stories it takes a good long while just to lay the groundwork, the background of all the characters and their relationships. If you don't who each is, where they are coming from, what they have been through, and more then the story will never make sense to you.
I can't wait to see what the second season brings. To the person who wondered who the gray corpse was, I guess you missed a few things, it's the ghost of the guy, Mr. Rawlins, the one that traumatized Barry, came in his face as John says, and the main reason why Barry bought the motel and was going to tear it down; to kill of his personal demon.
There is a lot more to come, especially in the surfing part, this is after all also the story of a legendary surfing family, and the entrance of the youngest generation into the limelight.
To those complaining go rent a video you can identify with and leave the rest of us alone, we get it you never will.

[Peter Angermeier]

I am shocked to see that there may actually be some individuals out there who sat through an ENTIRE episode of this TV abortion.

I asw 5 minutes of the first episode and quickly decided that life is too short.......

[Aleister Wilson]

One of the best television shows ever, thank you Mr. Milch.
The final seconds of the show cleared everything up. John says that Cass/Kai is/are the mother of God. Thus Christ returns, probably to Kai after her coupling with Butchie, and the entire family has to be "healed" of their traumas in order for the family to raise the new Saviour in the manner he/she is accustomed.
So John? John the Baptist, the fellow who calls in God to the planet and then steps out of the way. Or surfs out of the way in this case. I suppose John will now excel with Stinkweed, win a few surfing contests, and enjoy his life. The others too. Happily ever after, everyone plays out success. Butchie's off of drugs, Mitch will learn how to control his floating and probably use it on the surfboard (floating a tenth of an inch off the board as it flips and flops to shore--what a sight this would be), and the same play for all the rest.
David Milch, somethings you know, that's for sure.
Aleister Wilson

[Stu Baker]

Milch himself said in an inteview that the series was "about" what it might be like if God were to return and speak with us.

Expecting more answers than questions from watching this series was asking it to be more like normal television.

This was brilliant and courageous.

I am left with five words, "Maximum, right now, pow boom!".

... and the universe unfolds.

[Adam]

I love the people who say, "Those of you who hated the show needed it to be spoon-fed to them." To those people, I say, "Please tell me what this show was about." If you got something out of this piece of elephant crap, I'd seriously like to know what it was.

Man, what I'd do for an abrupt ending with 30 seconds of black screen.

[Ben Brown]

Good show and it's cancellation is a bad business decision. JFC had a regular audience of 1.2-1.3 million viewers. It's quirky and spiritual nature, as well as the surfing segments, would have guaranteed itself a cult following. HBO has numerous channels; it could been put on life support and relegated to one of the minor one's for a second season. Then again, it maybe it said all that it needed to be said; the outer space implications as well as the bibical Revelation aspects are something I found quite interesting. One things for sure, we discovered some real ignorant people who harshly criticized the show after only a couple of episodes.

[Brian]

This show was a turd, from day one. What a waste of some great actors and a prime, post Sopranos Sunday night time spot. Can only hope HBO brings back something watchable in the Fall. And we lost Deadwood in the process....Happily, good, well acted and written tv (Mad Men) is available

[jcy]

the funniest scene of the series was when the internet nerd said he was going to turn on the laptop and ed o'neill says:

"OUTSIDE??"

the show needed more of this rhetorical brilliance and character

[George Shuping]

My wife asked every week "Do we have to watch that 'John from Cincinnati' show again?" I painstakedly watched every episode and told her this was the last week, every week. I watched every episode and feel HBO owes me some time of my life back. Please end this horribly written show now. Bring back"Deadwood."

[Fran]

This show had/had a lot of potential. Yes, it left a more questions than answers. I logged on to this site to try and find just that, an answer "key" like the ones you find at the back of the book. But I think that, that is the point. I NEVER logged on to one of these blog sites, I NEVER blogged before in my life. I am very selective about the shows that I choose to TiVo.
But, Sissy and Mitch and especially Butchie and Kai , Link, Cass all got me involved and interested and feeling like I need to understand and protect them, kind of t like the way all of the characters from JFC were trying to protect Shaun. Everyone needs to be surrounded by people that care about them, no matter how imperfect those people are. John introduces spirituality, all people need spirituality in their lives and, of course, it doesn't have to be in the form of formal religion, we all need to respect and protect each other's spirituality.
I love DMilch's characters, I love the setting, I love the music, I just wish they could have tamed ( not eliminated) the weirdness and given us some meaningful answers to all of the questions.

[Jeremy]

I applaud the creative geniuses of John From Cincinnati for not bowing to the pressure of the confused viewers who are only satisfied when everything is neatly explained and contritely wrapped up for them. I absolutely loved the final episode where all was revealed (and yes, it was all revealed. If you missed it, you're blind).

It's similar to what happened with another ground-breaking show, "Twin Peaks"...David Lynch was forced to give away the mystery (and thus the show) after one season because people couldn't handle not having everything completely clear for them. The network forced him to give up his creative vision or be canceled, so he bowed to the pressure and fed the masses what they thought they wanted, but in the end, "Twin Peaks" lost itself and its audience.

Of course, Twin Peaks survived for a 2nd season. "John" hasn't. The bleating of the sheep for more immediate gratification has won out.

For those of you who followed the show and could appreciate an expansive mystery, good for you.

The rest of you...go watch "Will and Grace."

[ray trasso]

different, weird, --twin peaks meets the far side.

[shannon]

I loved the show, very disappointed that it was cancelled, everyone that I knew watched it.

[iacovetti]

John was an excellent show!! I really enjoyed the character interactions and questions raised throughout the series in subtle and non-subtle ways about humanity. It was all over the map @ times but is not LIFE as well!!
I really enjoyed watching how John (Alien or Angel, or both) brought all the characters together, moving towards a sense of purpose for something greater than themselves.And at the same time learning and understanding who they TRULY are, and what events transpired to shape their path in their lifes journey. It's SAD to see that this chapter in the journey is over. Bad decision HBO, you had a diamond in the rough, this series could have been truly great!!

[Johnny Mansbach]

"all the zeros and ones..."

John was simple--both the man and the show. He, from the moment he arrived, had to learn everything... communication, direction, trust... Communicating his purpose was the entire plot. We, as the viewers, were simply a part of the community he was trying to introduce himself to. Our complicated lives are what complicated our understanding of John--both the man and the show.

The zeros and ones make up figures. People. Civilization. If John was supposed to be the Lamb of God, returning to right 2 millennia of wrongs, he could certainly have become out of touch. If our savior has been gone from us, then he would only know what we teach him when he returns (i.e. talking about eradicating ragheads, and screwing Kai.)

I won't pretend I understand it, but it certainly gave me some thought about the way we treat each other. Specifically if we're not paying attention to the details of how our lives affect each other. Mitch was enlightened, Sissy was humbled, Shaun was resurrected, the family was reconnected, and even Bill's bird (while absent for some time) returned at the end. I liked it. Remember in one of the first episodes when John told Kai to "see God" and she convulsed for about 3 minutes? Immaculate conception redux?

"Mother of God, Cass/Kai."

[Tony Hoffmann]

This show made me think! Unlike most of the garbage on television these days.
The reality of it is that dysfunctional families are the norm and people don't want to recognize it. I will miss the characters, but life goes on!

[Vato]

Stare me down?
Stare me down?!

[Gary and Pat]

I thought after a few days I would calm down. WRONG! We are very upset that this "different" show was canceled. HBO....."we've got an eye on YOU"......how about we cancel HBO?.........Showtime here we come!

[Jon Molin]

John From CinCin....We are going to miss you! I just was telling my friend that the season finale came to soon. What was I going to do until next summer? Nothing else like it. Writing,photgraphy,editing,acting,no paralells in TV. Now, it's cancelld? The Best Thing On TV!

Bring It Back!.

[K]

What a fascinating show! It was funny, thoughtful, touching. Nobody is perfect, but there's always a chance for redemption would seem to be the jist of it...
It was like a stream of consciousness from Milch's mind that touched on so many themes. A couple of the characters weren't actors, but that only added to the authenticity of it.
I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. I like to be carried along by something that each viewer can interpret differently...it makes you think, it makes you care.
You do us a great disservice by cancelling it HBO!!!!!
And for those who need to "understand" everything in black and white.....WHY? Enjoy the ambiguity, you might come up with an original idea.

[Tom Horne]

I really enjoyed this show because it was quirky and different! Yeah, I had to think a bit about each episode, but I found every one entertaining. Loved the cast of characters too. Too bad HBO isn't giving it more time.

[Brian Smistek]

There goes my Sunday night pleasure. This series was thought provoking, well acted (in most cases), peppered with reality and glazed in fantasy. It seems as though any program that's not repeatedly interrupted by a laugh track or a gunshot is doomed to failure. The elimination of this series is another sign of where our nation is headed. If the program were a mindless sitcom called John from the Crapper, it probably would have had a longer run.

[Brian Smistek]

Here we go again. Another thought provoking series is deep sixed due to low ratings. Can the reason possibly be that the majority of viewers need something much less stimulating. Can they only hatch thoughts when prompted by a laugh track?

[Pablo]

I must say I'm surprised at how many people liked the show and are defending it, urging the rest of us to "open (our) minds" and imploring HBO to not cancel it.

I wouldn't say the show was horrible, but there comes a point at which things are too obscure and too ambiguous and this show definitely reached that point, and went well beyond it.

I think it's fine to make viewers work some (that's why so many people love mysteries), but innuendo and ambiguity that leaves the viewer wondering what the heck is going on simply isn't good storytelling.

I find it ironic that one of the more supportive posts (by "jzb") didn't seem to realize that the gray man with sores on his face was the man who molested the lottery winner who bought the motel and carried around the teddy bear (his name escapes me) when the man was a boy. Butchie was there, too, but did nothing to stop the incident from occurring.

This failure to connect the dots from someone urging us to "Think, imagine, draw your own conclusions."

Maybe you're doing a little too much drawing your own conclusions.

I guess my final point is that people who ardently defend this show know that it is poorly written, but they just want to be contrarian...believing that they understand something the rest of us have missed...which just isn't the case. The bottom line is the storyline was no good.

[Trystero]

An utterly horrible, incomprehensible, impenetrable show with virtually no likable characters whatsoever. Good riddance, JfC. We're all the better for your cancellation.

[Chris]

What I find amazing is how many people who say they hated JFC watched every episode. That, in and of itself, says a lot.

[Karen]

This show is over the heads of most people. Too bad for them that they didn't "get it".

Hey HBO - I've canceled YOU.
buh bye

[Kimberly]

Is there any grassroots effort underway to pull a Jericho and protest HBO's boneheaded cancellation of this thought-provoking show? My husband and I had a blast each week trying to demystify each other, but we both absolutely adored each and every character Milchesque tweak and twitch.

First 'Black Donnellys' and now this ... must I stop watching the idiot box forever? The rest of you complainers have your much-loved 'American Idol' and reality show universe ... can't we just play quietly in this corner ;-)?

[John Gibson]

Fascinating question in the comments that has gone unanswered...

[quote]
What I find amazing is how many people who say they hated JFC watched every episode. That, in and of itself, says a lot.
[endquote]

Can anyone who watched every episode gander an explanation as to why they continued to watch if they hated it so much?

I've never made it past a couple of episodes of a show that I "hated". What compelled you to come back week after week after week for 10 episodes?

[John Gibson]

One of the crew members from JFC gave the following explanation of where things might have gone if there was a season two:

----

According to David, 9-11-14 deals with a story line in which there was going to be a attempt of a genocide against the Muslims. "Those towel heads are going to get themselves eradicated." The whole purpose of John's visit was to create an "army" to prevent this from happening.
Cissy is the glue of a family that no matter how fucked up it gets, she protects it and keeps it together. She would be the glue that holds the purpose, the army of those against the genocide together.
Cass is the visionary who is also the media to get the word out that danger is lurking.
Mitch was the spokesman (PSA's) who would do the talking, there by getting back into the game.
Linc is the corporation and money who the world would take seriously and listen to. He is the spin doctor.
Barry, Ramon and Dickstein are the three wise men, brought together at the Snug Harbor, a scruffy dirty place sort of like a barn were a young Jesus now lives.
Shaun is a Jesus.
Freddy and Palaka are warriors to do battle against the enemy.
Bill is the law, and a General.
Doc, well, he's the doctor who initially was going to help the poor from latiin America. Joe was going to smuggle them into the country for Doc to work on. There was once a whole story point about the Doc helping children with hairlip malformations.

tid bit: During the "parade" there was a man on the side walk who told Tina that he would jerk off to her movies. That was an incarnate of Mr. Rollins. When John started talking back to him, berating him, Mr. Rollins was suppose to turn into a pile of dust. Digitally of course.

[Randy Westinghouse]

I loved this show if for nothing else by the end of an episode I would go "What the hell was that about?”. Then after watching it again being able to draw my own conclusions. Having aced Carnivale I realized that this show didn't have a chance. The real bad part about this is they probably won't bother putting it out on DVD. Leave to HBO to bow down to the masses... "I got my eye on you"...Classic

[D. Morgan Sheridan]

JFC was ok by me. Intellectually challenging from the start, what made it so good apparently is what Killed it. Especially since that POS Flight of the Concords gets renewed. FOC as a comedy duo are great, as a dummed up series it looses what makes it great on-stage, or rather is just mind numbingly boring dissection so the everyday man can get it.

- JFC is the Galileo of its time, and if HBO and the Public wants to be the POPE who doesn't get it, fine. The earth is still going around the sun no matter what they say.

[SLeimbach]

This was the best show I have ever seen, and I have watched a lot of television in my life. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it is better than most films I have seen, too.

I am so disappointed that it is gone. Deeply disappointed. I loved how fresh and original it was. Well casted, well written, well directed. What a great loss.

Losing the excellent, intensely interesting shows Deadwood and Rome was bad enough. I am thinking about cancelling HBO altogether.

[Brian Mahoney]

I see the blog-activity here has decreased; it is unfortunate that JFC will die a silent death. I have cancelled HBO and would suggest that others do the same. It made me feel better to know I took some direct action.

[Nichole Willcox]

To replace JFC for the Sopranos, you're talking about 2 completely different audiences. To watch JFC, you actually have to use your intellect and think about what is being played out. Has the American viewer actually lost their brains or have we all turned into "on demand" viewers? Somethings are better left to the mind, but oh no, not the majority who watches television. Unfortunately, those who actually got JFC will have to suffer through more pathetic shows. But, I have cancelled HBO, Entourage will have to wait. I can handle not watching any more shows about how a few guys get laid, maybe shot in the head or extort money from the innocent.
"JFC" how long did it take you to figure that acronym out? Maybe that explains why the show has been cancelled.

[Robert Mueller]

hbo,

please do not take this show off television, it is the best show on television

thanks
Bobby

[Michael]

I loved it. But I guess ambiguity just isn't most Americans' favorite artistic mode. Now, thank goodness, Mr. Milch is working on a new show for HBO.