The series pretends to be an epic series made in the late 1970s, self-produced by the insane director who adapted it from his own novel, and shoved in a vault until now. The comedy is very much in the style of the Zucker Brothers or Mel Brooks, in that they'll take a joke anywhere and anyhow. There are puns, sight gags, parodies, prop jokes, sarcasm -- anything. There are jokes about bad writing, bad acting, bad directing -- hammy line deliveries, overwrought dialogue, horrific framing and editing. And if a joke doesn't make you laugh, not to worry, because there will be another one in a couple seconds.
Adding to the demented, hard-to-define proceedings (and greatly increasing the appeal) is the eclectic cast assembled, as varied as the humor itself. You have everyone from A-list stars to hardworking character actors to where-are-they-now child prodigies. You have established comedians and veteran dramatic actors. Specifically, you have Tobey Maguire, Kristen Wiig, Tim Robbins, Carey Mulligan (voicing a character portrayed on screen by a department store mannequin; yes, really), Will Ferrell, and Val Kilmer. Future episodes promise appearances by Michael Sheen, Haley Joel Osment, and Jessica Alba.
What I've seen so far is not the sort of thing to have you in stitches throughout. But it's hard to imagine that you won't laugh out loud at least occasionally, given its crazed, shotgun approach to comedy. It's almost -- almost -- like somebody made The Room on purpose. (Not that anyone could truly capture by intent the insanity that movie managed in earnestness.) And if you missed the first two parts that aired last night, not to worry; IFC is rerunning them in perpetuity all this week and next until the next part comes around.
Based on what I've seen so far, The Spoils of Babylon gets a B+. But don't take my word for it. It really is the sort of thing you have to see for yourself. (And then maybe still not quite believe.)
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