Cancelled,?Its truly a shame this show had so much potential. Separating itself from all the heaviness in the dc world and marvels TV show it actually brought a different perspective and silliness comic-book movies and shows are lacking.,was it perfect no but the ingredients were there to make a really good funny show with heart and as a comic book fan who is powerless wondered how normal or not so normal people worked around chaos that superhero n villains create .its such a shame i hope somehow it can be picked up by some other network
53 Reviews
cute series that was getting really good towards its untimely end
cherold21 June 2017
My initial impression of Powerless was that it was cute, innocuous and funny enough to keep watching. It had an interesting premise and some solid actors. At times it seemed rather generic, but there were also moments of cleverness and wit.
Those moments of cleverness increased as the show progressed. By the halfway mark the series was much funnier and cleverer, and towards the end there were things like the brilliant No Consequences episode.
Alas, by that time the series had been cancelled. This is the problem with a slow start. It's a shame; I think season 2 could have been really great.
Those moments of cleverness increased as the show progressed. By the halfway mark the series was much funnier and cleverer, and towards the end there were things like the brilliant No Consequences episode.
Alas, by that time the series had been cancelled. This is the problem with a slow start. It's a shame; I think season 2 could have been really great.
Potential to be a Great Show, Just Finding Its Footing
nowoverandout5 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Very surprised to see the number of negative reviews. Sure there is room for improvement, but very few TV series are ever a 10/10 in their first season.
Overall, the show's premise is novel (a commendable feat for the superhero genre) and offers great potential for interesting and funny plot lines (i.e. what do you do if you realize you're dating a super villain's henchman?).
The cast is superb; and while there are few corny lines, overall it's an enjoyable show. I'm looking forward to watching the series develop (and hoping NBC gives it time to find its stride and fan base).
Overall, the show's premise is novel (a commendable feat for the superhero genre) and offers great potential for interesting and funny plot lines (i.e. what do you do if you realize you're dating a super villain's henchman?).
The cast is superb; and while there are few corny lines, overall it's an enjoyable show. I'm looking forward to watching the series develop (and hoping NBC gives it time to find its stride and fan base).
An Uneven Comedy With Two Saving Graces
atlasmb20 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The show takes place in Charm City, a metropolis plagued by so many superheroes they practically have to call traffic control to schedule their fly-overs. The superheroes--and the villains they battle--do collateral damage to the city and its citizens, as we know from previous shows about superheroes, especially Superman.
This comedy revolves around the boss (Alan Tudyk) and employees of a security company that protects its clients from said collateral damage. Emily Locke (Vanessa Hudgens) who is new to the city and the company, wants to fit in.
The first episode sets up the premise, but is otherwise a waste. In the next two episodes, Tudyk and Hudgens manage to keep things interesting. Michael D. Cohen, as Human Resources Manager Samuel Greene, gets some meaty lines that poke fun at H.R. (He bullies employees with threats that they will have to sit through a 6-hour anti-bullying video!)
The basic theme of the show is that Emily has to bail out her inept boss, who is clueless when it comes to any aspects of business. The superhero concept allows the show to be more whimsical than the usual office comedy.
This is an uneven comedy at best, but it has its lol moments.
This comedy revolves around the boss (Alan Tudyk) and employees of a security company that protects its clients from said collateral damage. Emily Locke (Vanessa Hudgens) who is new to the city and the company, wants to fit in.
The first episode sets up the premise, but is otherwise a waste. In the next two episodes, Tudyk and Hudgens manage to keep things interesting. Michael D. Cohen, as Human Resources Manager Samuel Greene, gets some meaty lines that poke fun at H.R. (He bullies employees with threats that they will have to sit through a 6-hour anti-bullying video!)
The basic theme of the show is that Emily has to bail out her inept boss, who is clueless when it comes to any aspects of business. The superhero concept allows the show to be more whimsical than the usual office comedy.
This is an uneven comedy at best, but it has its lol moments.
Not great, but definitely not bad
howhandy12 March 2017
I feel this show is not something to go out of your way to watch, but if you're looking for a show to eat some time and not hit you emotionally, this is perfect.
The show definitely gets better after the first two episodes (thus far), and it has some jokes that land surprisingly well, but don't have high expectations for it. Obviously the three big actors are often the best part of the show.
I've watched every episode (mostly because I have insomnia), and I have never felt annoyed or even disappointed after watching an episode.
I strongly believe my rating will increase to a 7 by the end of the first season. If they add new writers (and possibly directors), this show has the potential to be an 8.
The show definitely gets better after the first two episodes (thus far), and it has some jokes that land surprisingly well, but don't have high expectations for it. Obviously the three big actors are often the best part of the show.
I've watched every episode (mostly because I have insomnia), and I have never felt annoyed or even disappointed after watching an episode.
I strongly believe my rating will increase to a 7 by the end of the first season. If they add new writers (and possibly directors), this show has the potential to be an 8.
upset it was canceled
jamescorreu31 October 2017
I really liked this show. For the simple fact that it did not take itself seriously and had a really nice twist on the genre. This is just the kind of thing that I can relax to in a see full of copies and rip-offs. But it has just enough heart to it. I liked how they played around with the heroes and villains as well.
Gormless, charmless, humorless
eviltimmy4 February 2017
I was really trying, until the "that was a permanent marker" cliché not even halfway through the first episode. Is your writer's room really that shallow? How do you have a cast with Alan Tudyk, Ron Funches, and Danny Pudi, all of whom are hilarious, and turn them into flat unfunny stereotypes? I halfway expected them to mug right at the camera at the end of their lines. Vanessa Hudgens plays a paint-by-numbers small town girl in the big city, and in a show set in a world of comics and superheroes, she's unbelievably cartoonish. I've heard Better Off Ted name dropped a few times in reference to Powerless, but Ted had carefully constructed satire and deep, biting sarcasm, whereas this doesn't even hit the level of a Chuck Lorre laugh-tracked sitcom. If this show makes it to season two and has a chance to retool there might be a diamond in there somewhere, but for now it seems like it's all rough.
Not sure why the negative reviews
nikoladamov8 March 2017
I'm not sure why all the negative reviews. As a comedy show, it works very well. It is certainly not a superhero show and it does not try to be one, which I appreciate very much. The jokes are rather refreshing although at times can be a bit predictable. But it is very enjoyable and the 20 something minutes seem to fly. Again I think people were expecting a superhero show and are disappointed because it is not. If you are expecting costly production with expensive CGI superhero TV show, you will not get that. But it is comparatively low cost funny show. Show does not need to be expensive to be funny.
Canceled too soon.
Navstar8619 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Although not very funny in the beginning. The show was just starting to get funny with later episodes. Given enough time it could have become one of the best comedies on television.
They did make a fundamental mistake on making the company Wayne Tech. It could have been a lot funnier had it been LexCorp and all the characters evil little Lex minions.
They did make a fundamental mistake on making the company Wayne Tech. It could have been a lot funnier had it been LexCorp and all the characters evil little Lex minions.
Please no.. don't
jay_jeed3 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I was actually quite disappointed with this. So many big names dropping from the comics etc made me really excited, but I felt it all fell flat. So much comedy, and not great comedy either. It was the kind of jokes you hear someone tell you and you feel like you need to laugh to not create an awkward moment, but deep inside you feel like "can we move on now?".. but it doesn't happen, because the next weird section pops up right in your face again and again. And to mention to citizens.. nobody reacts to the heroes/villains fighting? Where is the tension? Is there even a need to even create/invent these tools/gadgets if people don't even care? This new-introduced so called "cousin" as well.. if there ever was someone like that in the main plot of Batman, would there even be a need for the creation of Batman and his struggle of having no family left alive? But to also know for fact that this person is a "Wayne", a respected family for generations.. and this guy acts like a total jacka**. So many plot holes that just don't fit in for me. Long rant, sorry. I love DC and all it's characters.. but seeing this immature creation was just a big 'No'.
Good if you don't expect superhero-ish stuffs
commandor_data1 December 2017
If you want to laugh (or at least smile), this show will certainly deliver. If you take it as a comedy show (and not superheroes), it is really funny and light.
I'd compare it to Big Bang Theory someheow (not geek humor but same atmosphere). The actors are very good and have great potential, same for the writers. The tone is just what it needs to be, which is not easy considering the concept. I think it just didn't find its public yet.
I'd compare it to Big Bang Theory someheow (not geek humor but same atmosphere). The actors are very good and have great potential, same for the writers. The tone is just what it needs to be, which is not easy considering the concept. I think it just didn't find its public yet.
wacky comedy tries hard
SnoopyStyle25 April 2017
Small town girl Emily Locke (Vanessa Hudgens) arrives in Charm City to work for Wayne Enterprises. Her new boss is Van Wayne (Alan Tudyk), the idiot cousin of Bruce Wayne, who is desperate to be promoted to the head offices in Gotham. Jackie (Christina Kirk) is his weary assistant. Emily struggles to carrel her workers Teddy (Danny Pudi), Ron (Ron Funches), and Wendy (Jennie Pierson) to create products dealing with the superhero fights in the city.
This short-lived TV show tries to be a wacky comedy in the superhero universe. Some of it worked but there isn't enough. Alan Tudyk is the best and the funniest of the bunch. Mostly, it stays light. Vanessa Hudgens tries her best but her effort is showing and that's not good. It's also surprising that she has no romantic partner right from the start. Overall, there is some fun without enough effect. It was canceled after nine episodes.
This short-lived TV show tries to be a wacky comedy in the superhero universe. Some of it worked but there isn't enough. Alan Tudyk is the best and the funniest of the bunch. Mostly, it stays light. Vanessa Hudgens tries her best but her effort is showing and that's not good. It's also surprising that she has no romantic partner right from the start. Overall, there is some fun without enough effect. It was canceled after nine episodes.
What were they even thinking?
Luna-Phaedra9 February 2017
The story idea is awkward, but perhaps had to potential to be doable. Ordinary people in a comic book superhero universe could provide an interesting and funny take. However, what comes out of this show is less comic book and more cartoon-ish. I feel like the best way to describe it would be to imagine what Moulin Rouge would look like if it was stripped of its musicality and nice sets. The dialogue is awkward. The characters are more two-dimensional than their comic book origins. No, really, they are just extreme representations of one personality trait (exceedingly pretentious, sweet, robotic, pathetic, etc). The setting, and the lead for that matter, and sickeningly sweet and would be better placed in the set of a live action version Power Puff Girls. Honestly, I'm not even sure what they're trying to achieve with this show. Child's shows take their audiences more seriously than this.
How can a show with superpowers powers be so bad?
molly-mortensen3 February 2017
I like Alan Tudyk, and most everything superheroes. This show sounded so awesome! Spoiler alert, it wasn't.
I had one chuckle, one.
The superhero battle at the beginning was a nice introduction and probably cost a lot, but what makes a comedy work is the jokes not the special effects. Put the budget into the writing!
A horrible plot is kinda expected in a show like this, but it needs good characters. Unfortunately, I couldn't stand any of them! The main character is way too cheerful and positive, and the rest of the cast is too depressing. None of them have any personality!
Spoiler if you care...
Bruce Wayne was right, he should fire all of these people.
I had one chuckle, one.
The superhero battle at the beginning was a nice introduction and probably cost a lot, but what makes a comedy work is the jokes not the special effects. Put the budget into the writing!
A horrible plot is kinda expected in a show like this, but it needs good characters. Unfortunately, I couldn't stand any of them! The main character is way too cheerful and positive, and the rest of the cast is too depressing. None of them have any personality!
Spoiler if you care...
Bruce Wayne was right, he should fire all of these people.
fun and different
jimvandemoter-5023626 December 2019
This just proves the studios think the public are a bunch of morons. This was a fun and smart show that never got a chance because the studio execs think the public are as dumb as they are. This show should've been given at least a couple of seasons to catch on. Just because the studios have the attention span of a gnat doesn't mean everybody does. This is also why I don't have cable. I find everything I need on line where there is still some smart content.
No, I don't think the producers came up with their next big idea. I am just not feeling it....at all.
Ed-Shullivan2 February 2017
Alan Tudyk who plays CEO Van Wayne is usually astute at getting involved with successful films and television series. Add the star power of the young up and comer Vanessa Hudgens who plays Emily Locke the company idea person who is the companies fifth (5th) team leader this year and you would think the show has some decent talent to turn this comedy into a hit. The team is not very good at creating new superhero concepts in Gotham, but they seem to be great at being a bunch of negative Nancy's who are all just sitting around without any of their own super powers waiting to get their walking papers.
I didn't seem to be able to relate to any of this cast of plastic characters who as I said are a bunch of negative Nancy's and Emily who is the "we can do it" motivator. There seems to be a smell permeating from my TV set, or is it just the stench of some really rotten episode writing.
To be fair I will give it a 2 out of 10 but if the stench keeps up how low can they go? Wellllllll?
I didn't seem to be able to relate to any of this cast of plastic characters who as I said are a bunch of negative Nancy's and Emily who is the "we can do it" motivator. There seems to be a smell permeating from my TV set, or is it just the stench of some really rotten episode writing.
To be fair I will give it a 2 out of 10 but if the stench keeps up how low can they go? Wellllllll?
Nice, light, funny
stu-doug-nic14 March 2017
I personally really enjoyed this. It is light, its relaxing, its fun... Its not one of those hectic heavy shows that you need to prepare yourself for in order to watch it.
Alan Tudyk is really funny and like I said, something light to watch at the end of the day when you cant decide what to put on..
Alan Tudyk is really funny and like I said, something light to watch at the end of the day when you cant decide what to put on..
Forced, unfunny, embarrassing
gregoryblanch885 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This is the worst kind of comedy, everyone straining to be over the top weird and wacky, with not a truly funny moment in sight. Weak premise, recycled oddball characters and clichés (for example the hostile fat girl who bullies spineless nerdy guys, who we will later no doubt find out has a heart of gold) I could almost write the series plot arc without seeing another episode, which I most certainly will not.
22 minutes was way too long, the automatic flop detector should have cut this off in 10. Alan Tudyk and Vanessa Hudgens should fire their agents.
How did this even get to air in a golden age of television?
Turkey rating 10/10
22 minutes was way too long, the automatic flop detector should have cut this off in 10. Alan Tudyk and Vanessa Hudgens should fire their agents.
How did this even get to air in a golden age of television?
Turkey rating 10/10
Alan Tudyk - Jewel in a Crown of S**t
agnosticprophet12 February 2017
This is a cancelled show, waiting to happen. Pros: -Alan Tudyk is hilarious,(as usual). -No laugh track.
Cons: -The rest of the cast fade in to a blandness that takes a painful effort to watch (even Danny Pudi). -With the promise of such an interesting idea for a show, the plot is(at best) utterly boring. -Some of the sets look so pathetically cheap, it's startling. Even with the multi camera shooting, the main set has the appearance of a 'made for studio audience' show.
I was really looking forward to this one. What a disappointment.A tragedy for anyone who wastes minutes of their precious life on this dog of a show. At least Tudyk's getting a pay cheque.
Cons: -The rest of the cast fade in to a blandness that takes a painful effort to watch (even Danny Pudi). -With the promise of such an interesting idea for a show, the plot is(at best) utterly boring. -Some of the sets look so pathetically cheap, it's startling. Even with the multi camera shooting, the main set has the appearance of a 'made for studio audience' show.
I was really looking forward to this one. What a disappointment.A tragedy for anyone who wastes minutes of their precious life on this dog of a show. At least Tudyk's getting a pay cheque.
Superhero Popcorn
onehigginsdavid9 March 2017
I really enjoy this show. It isn't an 'epic drama'; but it was never meant to be. It is supposed to give fans of the 'Super-Hero' genre a fun 'junk food snack' and it does that in spades. It is set in a 'universe' of Super-Heroes but just not at the center of it; that what makes it fun. It is like peeking into that universe through a keyhole.
Awful, Just Awful
lynxx5524 February 2017
Very awkward and stilted. Jokes are forced. Of course we recognize the clichés of working for a big company, but simply to apply them to a comic book city is just not that funny or intelligent.
Alan Tudyk did his best with the material given, but it did not support his brilliant comedy talent. The lead actor (what's her name?) is a properly perky chipmunk, but it is all for nothing. Story? What story? It's merely a random thought stretched to try to fill twenty- two minutes. Also, a superhero story has to have mandatory special effects, but here the use of cgi is minimal and sad.
Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.
Alan Tudyk did his best with the material given, but it did not support his brilliant comedy talent. The lead actor (what's her name?) is a properly perky chipmunk, but it is all for nothing. Story? What story? It's merely a random thought stretched to try to fill twenty- two minutes. Also, a superhero story has to have mandatory special effects, but here the use of cgi is minimal and sad.
Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.
A refreshing change of pace
adaa-5153121 April 2017
It was exactly what I expected from the previews: a superhero show that doesn't take itself too seriously. By far my favorite part is that the show takes a world filled with superheroes and makes the characters find it boring—which, if super-villain attacks happened as frequently as the comic books make them seem, would absolutely happen. Reminds me of Steelheart, by Brandon Sanderson, although those books take themselves far more seriously.
Also, the costume and casting, etc, serve to make the show look like a comic book. I don't normally notice stuff like that, but I thought the behind the scenes work was spot on. It's still growing, but I think it's definitely got a lot of potential. Of course, it'll probably be canceled before it can reach it, which will be disappointing.
Also, the costume and casting, etc, serve to make the show look like a comic book. I don't normally notice stuff like that, but I thought the behind the scenes work was spot on. It's still growing, but I think it's definitely got a lot of potential. Of course, it'll probably be canceled before it can reach it, which will be disappointing.
Had potential, but really missed the mark.
LiquidPoetry19219 March 2017
'Powerless' could have been really good, but unfortunately there was too much mundane slapstick comedy along with the occasional witty writing.
Intended to be a comedic spoof based on DC characters, the show stars Vanessa Hudgens as Emily Locke, Director of Research and Development for Wayne Security ~ a subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises. Based in the fictional Charm City, this company makes products for ordinary humans to ward off the consequences of battles between DC superheroes and supervillians.
Performing poorly in the ratings from the first episode, 'Powerless' is in strong contention for cancellation by NBC. That's a shame, because if the show had been handled differently it might have been a very entertaining comedy. Sadly, I don't think even the original Batman (Adam West) guest starring on an upcoming episode, will have the bat-strength to save it.
Intended to be a comedic spoof based on DC characters, the show stars Vanessa Hudgens as Emily Locke, Director of Research and Development for Wayne Security ~ a subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises. Based in the fictional Charm City, this company makes products for ordinary humans to ward off the consequences of battles between DC superheroes and supervillians.
Performing poorly in the ratings from the first episode, 'Powerless' is in strong contention for cancellation by NBC. That's a shame, because if the show had been handled differently it might have been a very entertaining comedy. Sadly, I don't think even the original Batman (Adam West) guest starring on an upcoming episode, will have the bat-strength to save it.
"Better off Ted" (2009) in the DC Universe.
Skydomeforever22 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The show is nothing but a poor and lazy rip off of "Better off Ted" (2009) that happens to be set in the DC universe. A backdrop which is only through name dropping and logos. Interesting idea of normal people among superheroes as a premise for a sitcom. But this show just doesn't work. Even with a very talented cast including Alan Tudyk and Danny Pudi.
Great show!
jodyscott318 September 2021
Powerless is such a great and unique show. The cast is full of comedic actors who all play their characters so well. My personal favorite is Alan Tudyk. The writing is so good in this series as well, I am so sad that there is only one season. And as a side note, why is Jennie Pierson not included in the opening credits of the show or in the series photo along with her 5 co-stars?! Seems like a major oversight to me.
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