Deadbeat (TV series)

Deadbeat
Title screen from seasons 2 and 3
GenreSupernatural sitcom
Created by
  • Cody Heller
  • Brett Konner
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes36 (list of episodes)
Production
Running time22–23 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkHulu
ReleaseApril 9, 2014 (2014-04-09) –
April 20, 2016 (2016-04-20)

Deadbeat is an American supernatural sitcom created by Cody Heller and Brett Konner about medium Kevin Pacalioglu, played by Tyler Labine, and was first released on Hulu on April 9, 2014. Three seasons were broadcast before Hulu canceled the series on June 5, 2016.[1][2]

Plot

Kevin "Pac" Pacalioglu (Tyler Labine) is a lazy slacker, and a medium for hire, who attempts to solve various ghosts' unresolved issues, so that they can move on to a final resting place. During Season 1 and 2, with the help of his best friend and drug dealer, Roofie (Brandon T. Jackson), Kevin was interfering with Camomile White (Cat Deeley) to stop her from causing harm to people as a false medium. During his issues with Camomile he tries to date her quiet and reluctant personal assistant, Sue Tabernacle (Lucy DeVito), who dies in an accident and ends up as a ghost who can't move on living in Kevin's apartment.[3] In Season 1, Pac competes against Camomile for work, whereas in Season 2, Camomile becomes a TV Host while blackmailing Kevin into being her "bodyguard" and takes advantage of his talents for her gain. After the events in Season 2, Kevin moves into an apartment with Clyde (Kal Penn[4]) and works with a medium known as "Danny Poker" (Kurt Braunohler) who uses his talent to win at Poker competitions.[5]

Cast and characters

Main

  • Tyler Labine as Kevin "Pac" Pacalioglu: a stoner and medium who uses his ability to communicate with ghosts as a means to make a living.
  • Brandon T. Jackson as Rufus "Roofie" Jones (seasons 1-2): Kevin's only friend and drug dealer.
  • Lucy DeVito as Sue Tabernacle (seasons 1-2): Camomile's timid assistant.
  • Cat Deeley as Camomile White (seasons 1-2): a famous medium, and occasional rival of Kevin, who lacks the actual ability to communicate with ghosts.
  • Kal Penn as Clyde Shapiro (season 3): Kevin's roommate.
  • Kurt Braunohler as Danny Poker (season 3): another medium who uses his skills for profit.

Recurring

Title screen from Season 1.

Guest

Overview

Main article: List of Deadbeat episodes
Season Episodes Release date
1 10 April 9, 2014 (2014-04-09)
2 13 April 20, 2015 (2015-04-20)
3 13 April 20, 2016 (2016-04-20)

Reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the first season received a score of 80% based on 10 reviews with an average rating of 5.5/10. The site's critical consensus states, "Deadbeat aims low and scores high thanks to its promising, crass comedy and willingness to indulge in the bizarre."[6]

International broadcasters

In Australia, the series premiered on April 15, 2015 on The Comedy Channel.[7] In India the show premiered on July 8, 2015 on Comedy Central India. In Spain the show was broadcast by Comedy Central Spain. In Canada the show is on the streaming service Crave TV.

Home media

In 2014, Season 1 was released on DVD exclusively through Target.[8]

Season Region 1 Region 2 Region 4 Discs Extras
One 2014 N/A N/A 1
  • "Meet Camomile and Sue" featurette
  • "Meet Pac and Roofie" featurette
  • "Medium For Hire - What is Deadbeat?" featurette

References

  1. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 5, 2016). "'Deadbeat' Canceled By Hulu After 3 Seasons". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  2. ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (June 5, 2016). "'Deadbeat' Cancelled at Hulu After Three Seasons". Variety. Retrieved June 7, 2016.
  3. ^ O'Malley, Gavin (August 27, 2013). "Hulu Teams With Lionsgate Television For 'Deadbeat'". MediaPost. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  4. ^ Spangler, Todd (October 13, 2015). "Kal Penn Joins Hulu's 'Deadbeat' Supernatural Comedy for Season 3". Variety. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  5. ^ McCabe, Bret (24 May 2016). "For these Johns Hopkins alumni, comedy pays the bills". Johns Hopkins Magazine. Johns Hopkins University. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Deadbeat". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  7. ^ "APRIL on FOXTEL: Game Of Thrones, Mad Men, Wentworth, Deadline Gallipoli and 200+ other new shows". The Green Room. Foxtel. March 30, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  8. ^ Anderson, Derek (16 June 2014). "Season One of Deadbeat Coming to DVD". DailyDead.com. Retrieved 26 April 2015.