* Considering the nature of this Arthurian bit of awesome, our review may contain language and GIFs that are not NSFK. Also, spoilers abound.
Butt-clenching adventure, silly musical numbers, slapstick sex gags, zingy one-liners, singing knights and soft-shoeing noblemen, British accents, incorrigible bravado and modern wit – it’s all the perfect imperfection that is ABC’s camp-tastic “GAAAAAAAA-LAAAAAAAA-VANT!”
(Never going to be able to stop singing his name.)
The television embodiment of Monty Python’s Spamalot and The Princess Bride, Galavant is beautifully dumb and ridiculously engaging and all ours for the watching. For the next four weeks anyway.
Upending every fairy tale and Arthurian cliche from the get-go, the premise itself is pretty unique. Handsome (read: HOT) Galavant (Joshua Sasse) and his long-haired-like-Cersei-Lannister lady love Madalena (Mallory Jansen) are separated by a horny and evil-ish boffo King Richard (played by the delightful Timothy Omundson) and his leather-clad muscle (Vinnie Jones.)
When Galavant sets out to rescue his damsel not-so-much in distress, she ends up choosing fame and fortune with King Dick (that’s his name) over true love. Galavant soon becomes bedfellows with drink and B.O., and it’s only when the spurned lover is conned into believing that Madalena wants him back by a scheming Princess Isabella (Karen David) that he gets back on the horse. Literally.
Henceforth, the questing begins with lots of shirtlessness, armored hands-on training montages, cameos (John Stamos and his Stamosness are eternally youthful with yo mama jokes to boot) squire Sid (Luke Youngblood, otherwise known as Lee Jordan from Harry Potter, who has finally grown into his face), hilarious interludes, and singing. ALL THE SINGING.
And instead of feeling better suited for the stage over the silver screen (we’re totally expecting this to go right to Broadway though, so get on that Galavant writers and Disney peoples), Galavant‘s quick pace and white-knuckled, yet completely endearing commitment from every single cast member makes it all work as if by magic. It’s the House of Mouse midas touch methinks, but still. LOVE.
No idea how eight whole episodes are going to come from it all, but I’m kind of nerdy excited to find out. My sundial is already set for the next several Sunday nights, because there’s really no better way to close out the first month of the new year than with this comedic extravaganza.
That and guest stars Ricky Gervais, Weird Al Yankovic, Rutger Hauer, Hugh Bonneville and Sophie McShera are up next. My abs already await the laugh-induced workout that is to come.
Photo credits: ABC
Tumblr credits: alessiamars, lassiessternumbush, therapeutic-nihilism, somekindofspacegod, geckowinchesters
Wow, television coming out with something new, so surprising and refreshing. As fans of Spamalot and Princess Bride, I’ll have to give it a look.
As major Monty Python fans, we think you’ll really love this. Two episodes have already aired, but be sure to check your local listings for repeat airings before this Sunday’s next installment.
I can totally see my husband loving this show! We’ll definitely have to tune in.
It’s very cheeky. Let us know what you think!
You just had to put that bucket GIF in there, didn’t you.
This looks like it will be a lot of fun!
Indeed, m’lady.
I love that new shows are starting to add more singing to the mix. It’s such a lost art in the tv world and can be so much fun!