HBO's The Deuce thread 2

The Deuce, part Deuce.

Is next week the season finale?

Yep r2, only eight episodes.

Then season two will jump to the late 70s.

I thought there's only been 6 so far.

I thought Ashley had a look on her face like she wasnt sure she'd made the right decision when she left. Or at the very least had swindled Abby out of some money. The vulture reviewer seemed to be under the impression that she had left the life, but the writers of the wire rarely gave their characters a break, so I find it hard to believe the deuce will be any different. It seems unlikely to me she ditched C.C that easily and just walked away. Unless they want to throw the viewers a bone, give us a false sense of hope that if Ashley can leave hooking behind maybe they all can and then shatter that illusion as one hooker after another is beaten, contracts HIV, ODs, finds herself permanently trapped.

I think Ashley looked fine going up that escalator. You bitches read way too much into it. I do think she’ll end up with AIDS and die, though.

So you're saying r6 when the show moves to the 80s the writers are going to take the show to Bumfuck Idaho or wherever she's moved to and catch up with Ashley to see how's she's going?

I think she either disappears from the show or struggles with small time life and comes back to NY in the next episode where a very pissed off C.C is waiting for her, with serious consequences.

No matter what Keri Russell does on the final season of The Americans, the Best Actress Emmy is going to Maggie Gyllenhaal.

No, R7, I think it’s her fate. And she was going to upstate NY, not Idaho. She’ll definitely be back for some reason.

Keri Russell has never won and probably wasn't going to win anyway r8.

Porn was much better when it was shown on theaters, not on computers for us to whack off to.

I love this show.

Also, I actually think that Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys will BOTH win next year. That final season of The Americans is going to be incredible.

Maggie G will definitely be nominated though.

Maggie G is the new Jessica L

Tonight’s the season finale for Maggie’s sagging titties!

What an underwhelming season finale!

Oh no r15, I haven't seen it yet. I was hoping it would go out with a bang. My bf says if it doesn't have strong finish he's not bothering with season two.

Actually I started getting into it this last episode, I liked the Deep Throat tie in.

[quote]What an underwhelming season finale!

Sadly I had the same thought.

Were you expecting some big cliffhanger? That's not what David Simon does.

I thought it was very enjoyable and eagerly await the next season.

I actually enjoyed it. Not great but good. And poor Ruby!

So they gave Maggie G a gay brother eh...?

I liked it too. I suspected someone would die, David Simon likes to kill people we like, and when I saw Ol Thunder thighs walking the streets I knew it would be her. Poor thing.

I liked they continued the theme of duality. Vince torn between the brothel and the bar, between his loyalty to his cheating wife and Abby who is "allowed" to cheat, the pimps trying to keep up appearances and trying make money outside pimping, Vince's brother in law buying the same ring for his mistress and his wife, candy making her way up the stairs to a better life while thunder falls to her death. And the young hookers trapped in between, still fucking for money but on screen now, Alston deciding between his career and his love life.

I still don't understand why Candy became a hooker. Obviously her dads an asshole who had her brother institutionalised for being gay and was critical of her for getting knocked up out of wedlock, but that still doesn't explain why she's a hooker. Her dad's attitude wouldn't be unusual in 1972 and it seems a bit extreme to become a self loathing hooker out of spite.

Why did the hooker end up in jail? Did she buy drugs or guns for her pimp? I kept getting distracted with phone calls, then I forgot to watch the later repeat. I wanted to watch the Ray Donovan season finale.

She was doing a drug transaction for him, a large one apparently.

"I liked the Deep Throat tie in."

It's like this show is trying to be the Forest Gump of porn. Last week there was the tie-in to Boys in the Sand.

I'm glad that they made sure to made sure to show that runaway success of "Boys in the Sand" came FIRST, then "Deep Throat" happened.

I dont understand all of the comments here about needing subtitles.

I hope it’s not true that the show is going to have a time jump.

These are complicated stories and characters, and I’d like to see them play out more.

I feel like movie actors only want to be on limited series. I think the show needs more than 3 seasons, but if it must be that way then atleast make it 10+ episodes.

Here is David Simon talking about it in an interview from two days r28. It has been said all along that is the plan.

[quote]What are you comfortable saying about where the story will be when we return? Simon: We’re still figuring out explicitly where we want to drop in and where we want to come out, but it will be in the late 70s. And the third season, should it be approved, and go forward, would be in the mid-1980s.

Watching the show, I am overwhelmed by how disgusting NYC was in the 70's. I was a student then and had to go there frequently. It was hell. The show captures this well.

[quote]Watching the show, I am overwhelmed by how disgusting NYC was in the 70's. I was a student then and had to go there frequently. It was hell. The show captures this well.

It might have been hell for flyovers, but we native New Yorkers dealt with it. That's why I always get a huge kick out of all the annoying spoiled trust find bitches who now live in a boring sanitized NYC and think it was always the high-end overpriced vanilla paradise it is now. Nearly ever rough neighborhood, including the ones in Brooklyn and Queens are overrun with big ugly glass buildings which are accommodating all those complaining spoiled poseur flyovers.

Welcome to NYC bitches, you'll soon get bored and hopefully fuck off back to your snoozy red states and Eurotrash cities. I reckon most of you poseurs would never have been able to survive NYC when it was rough, dirty and scary.

R32 Well you certainly prove that the city is still the world center for arrogant losers. So garbage blowing around on the streets is heaven?

I love this show, but I dearly wish it had a GoT-level budget so they could truly recreate '70s Times Square and the general neighborhood. That would be heaven.

[quote][R32] Well you certainly prove that the city is still the world center for arrogant losers. So garbage blowing around on the streets is heaven?

Arrogant losers? Nay, I'm just realistic and truthful. I know what I see and the types of people I deal with every day of my life, most spoiled wealthy flyovers wouldn't have lasted one fucking minute in the NYC of the 1970s! The fact is, native New Yorkers and hard working immigrants, cleaned up NYC, not flyovers and Eurotrash.

Today's NYC wouldn't be functioning if it weren't for the real NYC natives as well as the hard working low wage immigrants who keep the city running. All these people work extra hard so douchebag wealthy flyovers and Eurotrash can live their cushy fantasy lifestyles in NYC. Most native New Yorkers are quite aware of this, it has nothing to do with New Yorkers being arrogant, just being truthful. Yeah, I know, the truth usually hurts.

Here's an experiment, stop every other wealthy annoying poseur hipster in Brooklyn, pretty much all of them are from another state or another country. I'm sure most wealthy flyovers and Eurotrash hipsters have no clue that Bushwick used to be a working class neighborhood of blacks, whites and Puerto Ricans.

Congrats to Maggie on her Golden Globe nomination So well deserved

'The Deuce' star Maggie Gyllenhaal on a Weinstein-Trump link and a possible move behind the cameras

Yeah, was happy to see Maggie got some love. She really has been doing fantastic work for this show.

Next up for her will be an Emmy nomination.

Maggie has been great in this. No over acting, just a natural performance.

Still would love to know why her character became a hooker. I guess the second series will provide some info.

Maggie Gyllenhaal Won't Win a Golden Globe for The Deuce But Damn, She Should

Maybe she'll win the SAG Award.

The Deuce is done thanks to Franco. No Season 2. Production has been abandoned according to my crew friend.

HBO literally put out a statement today saying that production is continuing r43. Which they didn't have to do if they wanted to close it.

Nope, R44. It ain’t happening. My crew friend told me they got an email that production has been abandoned.

Oh shit!

Damnit first House of Cards, now this show will be ruined.

Such a shame, for the storyline and the crew and actresses like Maggie Gyllenhaal. I would have preferred someone else to play Franco’s parts anyhow: maybe they can replace him, à la Spacey/Plummer? Any suggestions?

They should pull a Family Matters and just never mention his character again like they did with the youngest daughter who went on to do porn.

Who is this "my friend who's on the crew" person? They have stated publicly that filming is still happening for season 2. So either you're lying or your "friend" is.

Can he be replaced or does he own a piece of the show?

He is a producer of the show r51, but so was Kevin Spacey for "House of Cards"

Yes, but Franco'w production company may co-own the rights, R52. Spacey's production company did not on HOC.

Honestly, I never cared for either of his characters. It was the women who were the most interesting. Move them all front and center.

The Deuce co-creator David Simon says HBO is “trying to discern what is or isn’t there” regarding the allegations against James Franco

Uhhhh...a lot is there. The Deuce as we know it is toast. Maybe they’ll rewrite and regroup and start shooting in the summer without Franco’s characters. The time jump would seem to support that.

[quote]Uhhhh...a lot is there.

Not really. The allegations against him are pretty thin.

Uhhhh...no, they aren’t, R57.

r58, he fucked them up the ass and wiped his dick on the drapes going out the door, right?

The allegations depend on the drapes.

My crew friend just told me prep has been suspended until it’s determined what to do about Franco. He’s facing possible criminal allegations.

The Deuce is a piece of cold crap. I hope it's pulled. A producer was involved in a coke death. Franco is a try-hard snooze. Consistently boring. Cancel it and make room for a good show.

Change focus to pancake titty whore transitioning into female porn producer.

Well, it is now happening, after all, but Franco’s participation now is still “under review.” My crew friend told me a new set being built will be a successful gay bar like Uncle Charlie’s South was in the 70s. And Studio 54 will also figure in the show.

they may recast Franco.....

He's baa-aack!

Eurgh.

I love the longer feathered hair 70's hair on men

Maggie Gyllenhaal (‘The Deuce’) on how the series reflects today’s social climate: ‘The system is fundamentally misogynistic’ [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW]

bump

When does season 2 start?

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Maggie Gyllenhaal Fought Hard for Us to See a Woman Masturbate and Come on TV

Maggie Gyllenhaal On 'The Deuce' Season 2 And The Difficulties Of Filming So Many Sex Scenes

theyr showing all of last seasons shows....guess they are revin up for the new season. Do we gotta look at Maggie g's old saggy teats again? luv that james franco tho, nasty perve he is...

Franco is hot as fuk. Ide pay good $ to stick my tongue way the fuk up his shithole...

I've heard season 2 is set from 1978-1980.

That maggie is hard to look at, she ruins every scene she is in for me. wtf?

Any new celebs in the new season? Wonder how it will be different, last season way dark, kinda kool.

Hoping they show more man ass this season, Franco's was mighty tasty..

When is The Douche coming back on?

online says release date pending for season 2

Did anyone blow franco bak in the day when he was climbing that well trod ladder to stardom?

I pissed next to him at the Barrymore theatre toilet

an licked his urinal when he was done

DAT COUNT?

Maggie Gyllenhaal fought to keep orgasm scene in 'The Deuce'

ive heard she is a bitch on set to get along with....

R85 No she's not. She's a very nice person actually she’s very kind and friendly

Maggie Gyllenhaal on Playing a Prostitute in 'The Deuce' (Full Interview)

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Season 2 teaser

The Deuce Season 2 trailer

I can't wait for the season premiere tomorrow

I thought the first new episode was already HBO OnDemand, I checked earlier, there were only last seasons episodes.

Two weeks ago, HBO had an unaired episode of "Insecure" listed OnDemand. It was supposed to have been aired at it's regular Sunday time slot , but was OnDemand almost a week before. HBO have made this mistake many times before.

Premiere today, though I won't be able to catch it til tomorrow.

Season two premiere episode was ho-hum. I understand it's a character study that keeps the drama simmering where it never boils over, but jeez, this episode was so dull. (Best thing about the the premiere was the music, fashion and set design.) Hopefully it gets better in the coming episodes.

I enjoyed it and watched it twice. I don't think it was the most exciting but it's setting the rest of the season up to be good.

It wasn't bad, and Franco's performance wasn't as annoying as last season's, but I was certainly expecting something more with a bang as the season opener. Then again, David Simon isn't a flashy storyteller, so I don't know why I expected that. Good to see David Krumholtz, and man, did he lose a tremendous amount of weight! And as usual, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dominique Fishback and Gary Carr are killing it in their roles.

Can't wait to see Gbenga Akinnagbe's pimp character Larry become a porn performer. I've always had a huge crush on him and if there's a chance to see him showing more skin, that will certainly keep me as a faithful viewer.

Franco and his girlfriend are annoying. Why does he never see his kids? Even mention them in passing? I laughed when Maggie said Santa didn't bring her the tits she wanted. I will miss Ruby and Ashley.

They hopped from story line to story line too quickly. This would be more enjoyable if I didn't get the feeling that we're just keeping time until a few of the characters get brutally murdered by the end of the season

It's funny that they gave the brothers different haircuts because James' acting certainly wasn't going to do the differentiating.

Oh and the same guy who beat up Candy was the the same one who threw Ruby out the window. More whites, less Francos

Franco drags the show down. Fire him.

Uh the whites in r102 should read "whores". The gay couple have a way more compelling storyline too. Even the cop stuff is better than deadbeat dad and his gambler brother. I did like the pimp's crib tho.

[quote]They hopped from story line to story line too quickly. This would be more enjoyable if I didn't get the feeling that we're just keeping time until a few of the characters get brutally murdered by the end of the season

Well, TBH, Tariq Trotter had to get back to work on Fallon's show, his pimp character was never going to be long term.

They need to focus on the sex workers more I agree Franco and the girlfriend are dull.

Anyone catch that Ashley is back as feminist advocate for prostitutes? It almost made Abby and Vince's slog to Corny Island and skeeball lesson worth it.

The first episode of this season was a mess. They need to drop at least six storylines. Also, watching #metoo James Franco is a very uncomfortable experience.

It is. Putting aside that, he's a really bad actor and always looks high.

The use of Barry White in the long opening of EP 1 when Maggie enters the club was so perfect.

How is it possible to make a show about the most interesting time in NYC history so BORING. Hate the actors - esepdially Franco. The storylines are dull, its slow moving, the sex messages are so heavy handed, the pimps are unbelievable, everyone is a little too nice. What a wasted opportunity.

They're really pc, which is sort of unbelievable, but also welcome because otherwise it becomes porn for 4Chan

I really enjoyed the second episode. I loved Candy getting some useful feedback from a new mentor in Genevieve Fury, although it was refreshing that she blatantly admits from the start that she doesn't like other women. I've known several women like that. Also got a kick out of the conversation the pimp had with Candy about doing some "acting" for her. The closing shot of Ashley was great.

The quick reveal that the guy from Koch's task force is gay was unexpected.

I'm really glad that Lawrence Gillard plays the cop, because I would not give a shit otherwise.

One of those annoying Dexter-Jones siblings was in last night's episode. Years ago, they were all over the NYC gossip columns like roaches.

Annabelle Dexter-Jones to be precise, Who the hell did she play?

Was she the annoying new hooker? James Franco is the worst at least one if the twins need to die.

r99 Ashley showed up on last night's episode, she is now part of the feminist group trying to help the hookers

I enjoy the show but a better depiction of the time is Tales of Time Square I loved that book. The author also did a podcast with a few of the interviews from the book.

Pretty good prosthetic hard cock scene in the most recent episode. Cute guy too. Shame there were no pubes, it was above the pants.

So taking out the plexiglass in the peeps was to give handjobs or what? Then it should've been the guys dick stuck in it.

[quote]So taking out the plexiglass in the peeps was to give handjobs or what?

No, it was so the guys could touch the girls.

I missed Ashley!

r122 she has darker hair and glasses now so she looks a bit different

When will James Franco's twins die? What's the point of the speed pills if we never see the downside? I did like when the other director told her to quit using whites because they're dead around the eyes and Candy averted hers.

Do you mean "whores" R124? I liked that scene as well.

This was a solid episode, but it drags each time either of Franco's twin characters are on screen.

Yes, whores. Autocorrect doesn't know me at all.

Oh wow, are we going to get to see Gbenga naked next week? I'm going to be looking forward to that scene.

Maggie continues to slay as Candie. That little laugh she gives right before giving the producer head was fantastic.

[quote] Oh wow, are we going to get to see Gbenga naked next week? I'm going to be looking forward to that scene.

God, I hope so! I've been waiting to see that beautiful man nude forever, and it looks like our wish may very well come true in next week's episode.

This was another solid episode. So many great moments: Candy negotiating with that Hollywood producer to only get slapped in the face when he demands a blowjob in exchange for a fraction of the money for her movie; Larry using Darlene as a ploy to get hired as a porn performer; CC seeing Ashley for the first time since she ran away from him in season one. Gary Carr does so many things with his eyes, he was awesome in this episode. (Hard to believe this is the same dude who gave that embarrassing performance in Downton Abbey a few years ago.)

I never saw Carr in Downton Abbey - didn't even know he was a Brit until I saw him in one of the after episode interviews. But yes, he is fucking killing it. I'm also loving skinny David Krumholz as Harvey, even more than fat David Krumholz last season.

[quote]Oh wow, are we going to get to see Gbenga naked next week?

Didn’t he do a nude scene in an off-Broadway play a season or two back?

I wish they'd use the same lighting director as on Insecure. The lighting on the black characters is a hate crime.

At this rate, by the end of the season the couple will have amassed about 10 minutes of screen time.

^Whoops, the GAY couple.

Can someone PLease please tell me who played Liam, the guy who lost his dry cleaning business to Frankie at poker? I know the actor from somewhere and cannot place him. He isn't listed on IMDB.com.

Too slow -- stopped watching.

Besides, I'm getting sick of the anachronistic bullshit.

I was hoping Lori would just stay in LA

I think she’ll be running away to California cuz C.C. won’t chase her there; fear of flying and all that.

That actor seemed very familiar to me too, R134. But I can't place him either.

I've tried and tried but I just CAN'T get into this. I watched last season but I'm barely making it thru s2. I love Franco but he is TERRIBLE in this...at least his performance as the legit brother is bad. He's always been good at playing sleazy, so he excels at playing the dirtbag one. That whole fucking dynamic is weird. And I just don't believe a word that comes out of Gyllenhaal 's mouth. She tries wayyyy too hard to be gritty. I like Chris Coy but his character is barely on. I'm glad he's finally not playing a creep tho. I think they have too many characters.

I haven't checked out season 2 yet, but sad to hear our gay character is barely getting screen time.

[quote] I'm getting sick of the anachronistic bullshit.

Plus they keep making mistakes with the time period.

The show's been cancelled anyway. Next season is the last one.

David Simon said that his goal was to only do three seasons. He says he had it all planned out in the beginning that it would end in season three.

So is the club the gay couple is opening going to be a The Townhouse?

R138 it finally hit me who he is and I confirmed it watching the closing credits. His name is Cameron Scoggins. I know him from the recently ended series NASHVILLE where he played Zach Wells.

Wasn't he on that Jennifer Lopez cop show Shades of Blue as well, R145?

He's a great actor.

The pimp posed naked for some schlub photographer. There are so many fake dicks on this show, is his real?

Yep r143, even before the first season premiered David Simon said it was going to be a three season show. That has always been the plan.

HBO greenlit three seasons and Franco committed to do all three so that’s why it made it to air. After they blew $100+ million on VINYL (which sucked) they probably wanted to reuse the sets, too. Win/win.

Let's talk more about Gbenga Akinnagbe's dick, please. Loved the scene for the porn shoot, and the way that Darlene looks out for him. Also, nice to see Nan Goldin do a cameo staring at her own photograph. Didn't recognize her at first, although I knew the work.

It was a fake dick (obviously).

R51, the actor, though born in Washington D.C. is of Nigerian descent , so that means the penis may be real.

[quote]I think they have too many characters.

This show reminds me of David Simon's Treme more than any of his other shows. Treme also had a huge cast and got complaints about it, and the emphasis on character over plot. I really liked it and I like The Deuce as well.

[quote]There are so many fake dicks on this show, is his real?

I'm not sure, but I don't think so

Lord have mercy, Gbenga did not disappoint! I think that dick is real, doesn't look fake to me. The fact it's that long without it being hard makes me wonder how many inches it can get when he's erect!

Fuck the storyline, fuck all the other enjoyable actors from this episode, Gbenga's dick STOLE the show last night!

[quote]Besides, I'm getting sick of the anachronistic bullshit.

Like what?

The only time it's really interesting is when the show focus's on the pron world or the hookers. The women are all really interesting, the actresses really bring it. But the storyline about the bars etc is sooo tiring. I don't really give a fuck about any of the guys. The mafia storyline is mildly interesting, especially last night when they just off a guy like that. The police story line is a big who give a flying fuck as well.

Also, the whole funeral thing lastnight, REALLY??? That was a little much, especially having it rain during the funeral. Puhleeze. They do get the gritty look of NY in the 70 s right though. But they are missing so many opportunities to take us back to that time.

I'm curious about Harvey's backstory. How is it that a cultured Jew like Harvey, someone who knows a great deal about literature and films, end up as a some bottom of the barrel porn director? He throws out quotes from revered playwrights and novelists, have arthouse film posters on his wall, yet he directs porn on a shoestring budget?

I'd imagine someone like Harvey would be a university professor in comparative literature department. Like Candy, there's a lot of missing pieces to his character that doesn't add up or explain why he does what he does for a living.

[quote]I think that dick is real, doesn't look fake to me.

Delusion, convince yourself

You say 90%, so there's a 10% chance that Gbenga's is the real deal! 🤤

Besides, if it wasn't real, at least we got a chance to see his beautiful ass.

[quote]I'm getting sick of the anachronistic bullshit.

Yeah...but that’s so hard to avoid when you think about it because it’s so subtle. I mean 95% of what they've created is pretty authentic that something's bound to slip through the cracks. At least it doesn't hit you over the head. You must be a fellow OCD sufferer like myself. I really notice it with the Black actors on this show. Their performances are great...but they'll say or do something that's clearly contemporary vernacular. it's understandable though.

The amount of trash on the sidewalks seems a bit much, but it's hard to say for sure.

This show has gotten boring. Imagine porn being boring.

The Best Part of “The Deuce” Is Maggie Gyllenhaal's Emerging Auteur

[quote] So is the club the gay couple is opening going to be a The Townhouse?

Crossed my mind too, but Rounds would be more like it?

Big black dick in the first scene!

I’m not the poster who brought it up, R156, but Larry’s line “I’m just sayin’” felt too modern to me.

The one I found jarring was when CC called the whores "hos."

Will Candy's backstory ever be revealed?

She grew up in what looks like a fairly decent household. How the hell did she end up hooking on Times Square?

It's not as if she was supporting her son and having to struggle to pay rent etc, the son has been living with her mother all along. Candy couldn't remain at home and get a secretarial job or something? Or go back to school and work part-time? She seemed to have a place to stay, her mom's house. Having to hook seems like the act of a desperate woman, yet, she doesn't appear to be one. She's not a junkie etc.

Whatever we know of her backstory doesn't make much sense. Did her father throw her out because she got knocked up, yet allowed the mother to raise the son? I gather the father is dead? Or is the mom divorced?

Non-native New Yorkers have no clue how dangerous and disgusting Times Square was back then.

R169, my guess is her father sexually molested her, which is why she expressed a dislike for those story lines.

I forgot, does Candy have any siblings?

Candy has a gay brother whose in an insane asylum. It was hinted that their dad was/is homophobic and that's what pushed the brother over the edge.

*who's

Candy's father was shown in the first season, she was at her parents house visiting with her son and mother and she had to quick leave before her father got home.

I like the guess that Candy was kicked out for having a baby.

I binged the first season via OnDemand. I liked it, especially the gritty theme as the beginning credits rolled. Mistake to change the theme. I only watched the first episode of season two - lost interest. I suppose at some point they'll relocate to LA where historically, porn took off in a big way during the 1980s.

[quote]I suppose at some point they'll relocate to LA where historically, porn took off in a big way during the 1980s.

I don't think so. Like most David Simon shows, it's about a specific place as much as it is about people.

Next season will deal with AIDS devastating the porn and prostitution industries.

And I really like the new opening theme.

[quote]I don't think so. Like most David Simon shows, it's about a specific place as much as it is about people.

The show is literally called the Deuce. It is named after a place.

[quote] Candy's father was shown in the first season, she was at her parents house visiting with her son and mother and she had to quick leave before her father got home.

He probably molested her.

All the brothers getting their dicks out tonight.

I'd like something bad to befall CC.

CC is such a disgusting character--the most vicious out of all the pimps on the show--but kudos to Gary Carr who plays him extremely well. It was nice to see Carr show some skin in the opening scene, however it was ruined when CC beat up Lori.

I thought this episode was excellent, especially the final scene that gave us gays something to appreciate.

Lori should have taken her shot, flew out to LA and never come back.

I was not ready for that scene with Big Mike and the trans girl.

I stopped watching after episode two. How many have I missed? I may watch to get up to speed again, but it just wasn't grabbing my attention this time.

[quote] I was not ready for that scene with Big Mike and the trans girl.

Same here! Wasn't expecting that scene at all. And Big Mike fucked that trans girl hard, too. It made me sweat just watching it! Mustafa Shakir is one sexy man!

I liked how these hyper-masculine black actors in the last few episodes are showing a lot of skin.

Don't mind a bit r186

R185 How many have I missed?

10 episodes

Maggie Gyllenhaal on How #MeToo Is Pushing Women to No Longer Compromise on Set

[quote]Same here! Wasn't expecting that scene at all. And Big Mike fucked that trans girl hard, too. It made me sweat just watching it! Mustafa Shakir is one sexy man!

Mustafa was the guy, Victor, who got his throat slit in The Night Of. Victor was the dude who kept raping Petey in Rikers. While Riz Ahmed's Naz character distracted the floor's main guard, Micheal K. William's Freddy Knight character killed Victor. Victor was killed because Petey committed suicide due to the rapes. Petey's mom was the heroin connection for Freddy and his crew.

I also recognized another actor from The Night Of, he played a cop in TNO and he plays one, yet again, in this series.

Well, nice to know HBO keeps their actors and actresses working!

Bobby (the guy in his mid 50s who ran the massage parlor) is such an uninteresting character-who gives a shit about him and his family?

[quote] CC is such a disgusting character--the most vicious out of all the pimps on the show--but kudos to Gary Carr who plays him extremely well.

Carr is doing a great job to make us hate him. I loved it when Ashley, his former prostitute confronted him. But CC is dangerous. I think he's going to kill Lori if she leaves him. The only way she can be rid of him if she takes a flight to LA. He's scared of flying.

R191 that actor was also the least interesting person on TRUE BLOOD (and that is saying a lot).

That same actor pops up in a lot of HBO shows.

Perhaps Candy takes Lori to LA?

Bobby is a pig, doesn't he have a baby with one of the working girls? Then comes home and bosses his wife around and acts like an ass towards her.

And yet they have Bobby and others insisting that he doesn’t have sex with his girls-give me a fucking break.

Also Bobby was/is married to Frankie/Vincent's sister. You'd think they would be pissed off he's such a shit husband to their sister.

In the “Inside The Deuce” segment following the episode Chris Coy, who has really short hair and has gained weight, describes the spot where Paul goes cruising as “mysterious, full of beautuful people.” Yeah, the guy he chose to have sex with was good looking but what about that creepy ho who first beckoned him? And Coy describes it like the place is a wonderland. It’s probably the place where Paul fucking contracted HIV!

That guy was also in a season ofThe Wire (the season at the docks) and was excellent as the union guy. And speaking of The Wire, this show can't hold a candle to it.

R200 - he played the almost saintly Frank Sobotka.

His final scene walking to his almost certain death was heart breaking.

R201, that scene from The Wire sticks with me to this day. Season two often gets shitted on by many fans, but I felt it was an intricately plotted season that weaved so many themes together while also providing strong performances from many of the actors involved, especially Pablo Schreiber.

James Ransone, almost ruined the season with that annoying ass character Ziggy.

He’s still a fucking bore as Bobby on THIS show and I’m totally fast-forwarding through all his scenes.

I think they must have deleted the scene where Vinnie got blown by Candy while he was writing out the check.

[quote]That guy was also in a season ofThe Wire (the season at the docks) and was excellent as the union guy. And speaking of The Wire, this show can't hold a candle to it.

The Wire was great, but there's zero comparison. This is a show about the Times Square area in the 1970s, different cities, different subjects. Why compare any HBO series? They're all different. It's like comparing "Westworld" or "GOT" with this one. Besides, we all have our personal opinions why we enjoy a series or a film. I usually never go by what a critic says.

I really enjoyed "The Night Of". A lot of people said the lead actor Riz Ahmed "wasn't acting enough". WTF does that even mean? This actor is excellent. He's done tons of diverse roles over the years and continues to do so. I have no idea what the fuck that was supposed to mean. He did a lot of acting silently, with his eyes and facial expressions. He went from a nerdy emasculated college kid to an almost hardened criminal while at Rikers. That's what good acting is about. Even John Turturro raved about his acting. Riz got an EMMY, he must be doing something right.

btw, the actor who plays Bobby was on an NBC series for many years, "Third Watch", he played the husband of a female EMT or cop. He was also the brutal killer, Machine, in the Nicholas Cage film about the missing girl involved in a snuff film, "8MM".

[quote] I think they must have deleted the scene where Vinnie got blown by Candy while he was writing out the check.

On the Inside The Deuce segment after the show, David Simon said the scene where Candy and Vinnie pinky swear through the gated fence was something that Maggie and James came up with and wasn't in the script. It makes me wonder if there was a scene of Candy blowing Vinnie, but because of that poignant moment, Simon decided to stick with that one instead.

We all know that Candy never passes up a chance to blow someone if there's money to gain from it.

I've only watched two episodes of The Night Of, and so far, I've been impressed by Riz Ahmed, who I'm happy to see is working consistently on a variety of projects.

[quote]I've only watched two episodes of The Night Of, and so far, I've been impressed by Riz Ahmed, who I'm happy to see is working consistently on a variety of projects.

Riz seems to get a lot of flack because he's very political and always mentions being Muslim, I just focus on his acting. I've been a fan since I saw him in "BRITZ" on BBCAmerica in 2007 , I also knew he was rapper back in the UK.

He's got two very different films out now, VENOM and The Sisters Brothers, which has been getting great reviews, from critics (well, the ones I do respect, I mostly don't listen to critics) and fans. For his next film, Sound of Metal, he dyed his hair blond and muscled up to play a rock drummer who suddenly goes deaf.

He's also working on a BBC series about three generations of a British Pakistani family, which he originally just going to write and direct, the producers then talked him into acting in it. He's also working on a modern version HAMLET for Netflix. He's a very busy actor.

Where would the Chris Coy cruising scene have been happening in the city specifically?

He said to the taxi driver “West and 11th,” meaning West Street and 11th Avenue.

[quote]Where would the Chris Coy cruising scene have been happening in the city specifically?

Yes, West Street & 11th/12th Avenues definitely. Better know as 'The Piers'.

I wonder if they'll show him going to the Mineshaft!

[quote]Why compare any HBO series? They're all different

People compare and rank TV shows against each other all the time. Especially so in a situation like this when they are both from David Simon.

Anyway, The Wire is David Simon's mangum opus. I think he is aware he will never do anything as special.

[quote]People compare and rank TV shows against each other all the time. Especially so in a situation like this when they are both from David Simon. Anyway, The Wire is David Simon's mangum opus. I think he is aware he will never do anything as special.

Well, I don't, most people I know don't either. I don't see the point. It's not as if two or three series are being made from the same exact script but with different performers and directors etc, only then can anyone truly compare the end product.

Well welcome to your first day on earth r212. Maybe you will notice the that every critic does their best shows of the year, and rankings of best shows of all time come out pretty commonly. You might have heard of websites like imdb, metacritic and rotten tomatoes that give nice little numbers for "how good" a show is.

Awards season is all about recognizing what is the "best" and comparing things against each other. It's a central concept of the whole business.

But anyway, this is silly to derail the discussion.

[quote]Well welcome to your first day on earth [R212]. Maybe you will notice the that every critic does their best shows of the year, and rankings of best shows of all time come out pretty commonly. You might have heard of websites like imdb, metacritic and rotten tomatoes that give nice little numbers for "how good" a show is.Awards season is all about recognizing what is the "best" and comparing things against each other. It's a central concept of the whole business. But anyway, this is silly to derail the discussion.

I made a point upthread of saying, I DON'T CARE WHAT CRITICS HAVE TO SAY. If I enjoy a performer and their films and TV series seem interesting, I will watch them. I could give a flying fuck what most critics think, most are failed directors, writers etc.

Are you SERIOUS, can you walk with one foot in front of the other. Are you a millennial? Must you be spoon-fed EVERYTHING, including what TV shows and films are "the best"?! In fact, years ago, a very famous actress said that the Oscars, and other award shows, are ridiculous because the performers are all being nominated for different roles.

No wonder the world is going straight into the shitter, people like you cannot think for themselves! Who the hell seriously cares what critics think, ever hear of payola? You actually believe most of these critics truly enjoy everything they praise?! Who the hell reads polls about TV shows and films? Ridiculous.

Derail the thread?! LOOOOL, you must be new here, pretty much EVERY DL thread veers into something else. Grow up and get a mind of your own while you're at it.

[quote] The amount of trash on the sidewalks seems a bit much, but it's hard to say for sure.

It was that bad, and in almost every large northeastern city. Seedy ruled the day.

I'm not the poster you're addressing R214 but you just spoiled a perfectly good thread. Lighten up.

[quote]I'm not the poster you're addressing [R214] but you just spoiled a perfectly good thread. Lighten up.

I spoiled nothing and you know it! The level of 'control-freak-ism' and the presence of so many school monitors at DL has become ridiculous, it shows how many neurotics post at DL.

So what, the topic veered off a bit, though, you should also address the poster who compared this series to The Wire.

Actually, I was addressing the people comparing The Deuce with other HBO shows, I didn't go too much off topic. The other person came in with their absurd argument about 'best' lists. Deal.

Can the freak who is ruining this thread politely excuse herself? Get out.

I thought this was the strongest episode of the season and we’re really seeing some storylines start to gel. CC’s increasing redundancy is not going to end well for with Lori or Ashley (most likely the former). Love the reveal that Big Mike has a trans side-piece. And he fucked her really hard! I will admit to popping a little wood and watching that scene a few times. I was surprised that they got out of that robbery so cleanly. I’m interested to see where that goes. I don’t think Frankie understands his role as a producer at all. He’s already offering buy-ins to every Tom, Dick, and Harry he runs into.

Who is Big Mike? Why don't I remember who he is?

Listen to the blowhard @R218. She's Siskel and Ebert rolled into one.

Who cares if you popped wood.

Stop GOING OFF TOPIC fuckface!

R216 and R218 each wrote one line about the annoying poster at R217, and he/she gets all offended and does a "Lindsay Graham" and writes long posts about how upset it is? Man, you're annoying.

Maggie Gyllenhaal: ‘The Deuce’ Should Not Be Shut Down Over James Franco Misconduct Allegations

The Deuce, a TV show that empowers sex work and the porn industry, has done nothing about the allegations James Franco. @jdry on why Franco's continued involvement has ruined the show

At this point James Franco's characters aren't that interesting, they could write him out

[quote]The Deuce, a TV show that empowers sex work and the porn industry, has done nothing about the allegations James Franco. @jdry on why Franco's continued involvement has ruined the show

Hardly. When was the last time anyone heard or read about those allegations?

The show's great, really enjoying it. And I love watching him.

Gyllenhaal said. “We spoke to every woman on the crew and in the cast to find out if they felt respected and what their experience of working with James was and everyone said that they had been totally respected by him.”

Gyllenhaal often comes off as a ninny. That little girl voice sure doesn’t help.

"At this point "Franco's characters aren't that interesting, they could write him out"

Many watching don't realize...The Deuce is based on real events and real people. Franco's twins are inevitably the most crucial.

Maggie Gyllenhaal said something similar to Terry Gross. That she felt the set of the Deuce is safe and they have checks in place to make sure actors are alright.

James Franco's characters may have been necessary in the beginning but not now. The supporting actors are pretty good and can probably carry the whole show. One of the twins Franco plays is very obnoxious and irresponsible, the other twin is supposedly the stable one and richer. Both of his characters are one-dimensional and uninteresting. If they cut him out, the show would go on.

I actually enjoy the irresponsible one (Frankie) more than Vincent. I found the scene between him and Candy actually really fun and well-written. But I would agree that both of the twins seem rather unnecessary this season. It really seems like their characters have been sidelined in the writing (perhaps purposely so given Franco’s various #MeToo issues).

[quote][R216] and [R218] each wrote one line about the annoying poster at [R217], and he/she gets all offended and does a "Lindsay Graham" and writes long posts about how upset it is? Man, you're annoying.

At this point, DL should change it's name to CONTROL FREAK CENTRAL hosted by Hall Monitor.

I guess ignoring and not responding to posts which bother you cannot be done for some strange reason? This obvious concept seems to be lost on so many newbie DL posters.

What a bunch of annoying whiny little douchebags. Do you all need to have your hands held too?

Franco’s also directed two episodes this season. He’s hardly been sidelined.

Man that one poster who has been having a temper tantrum all over this thread has more issues than Natural Geographic. Get help, maybe take a walk outside.

R235 = Archie Bunker

R224 and others "At this point James Franco's characters aren't that interesting, they could write him out".

From the beginning, David Simon had the entire series mapped out, and estimated how many episodes it would take to tell the full story - (which will be spread out over three seasons). Franco's twin brothers are tantamount to the entire story. Their screen time might be limited for the time being, but they are mostly prominent to the very end.

I suspect if the show were to suddenly become a huge hit, Simon could add one or additional seasons, but he's pretty firm on all that is now set to happen. So to suddenly dismiss Franco would throw the entire series off.

I love The Wire, I don't mind James Franco at all, I have always admired Maggie G....but there is something missing in this show. I do indeed like it very much, but there's a phoniness to it I can't quite put my finger on. The Wire was so authentic. Maggie seems miscast in this; I just see her acting, I don't see a character, as opposed to a lot of the supporting cast, especially Emily Meade as Lori. Franco also sticks out to me as James Franco in a wig, not a character.

^I've never watched "The Wire" though I have access to it. Why is it such a good piece of original HBO programming?

Franco and that girl who plays his girlfriend are both wearing wigs and it's so obviously bad. Why couldn't she cut her hair?

Because that's the look that was popular in the 1970's. Nobody looked that great.

When I watch a show or movie and the actors' wigs are obvious, there is a problem. I am talking specifically about Abby and the gay guy.

People’s hair was so bad back then that they, in fact, DID look like they were wearing wigs.

[quote]I do indeed like it very much, but there's a phoniness to it I can't quite put my finger on.

I know what you're saying. I think one of problem with this series, it seems they are trying to make it appear as if being in porn was/is a normal work trajectory. Porn will never be normalized. It will always be considered the worst possible job choice. Most people in porn do have mental issues.

Porn will always be associated with young people being exploited by sleaze bags and pervs. No one goes into any city in the world and decides, I'm going to be a street hooker or make porn films, because they are such positive choices.

This series is making it appear as if Candy is now some type of underground film auteur. The series isn't very realistic, especially in the sense that all these people in the porn and prostitution world were dealing with some very dark and scary scenes. Sure, we got to see the mafia dude shoot that guy, but most of what's going on is sugar coated.

Highly recommend watching Maggie G. in The Kindergarten Teacher on Netflix.

[quote] I know what you're saying. I think one of problem with this series, it seems they are trying to make it appear as if being in porn was/is a normal work trajectory. Porn will never be normalized. It will always be considered the worst possible job choice. Most people in porn do have mental issues.

Well said. The show does seem too "nice" if you can believe it.

The actress playing Red Riding Hood, CC's main chick, looks a bit like Debbie Harry, especially her pouty lips.

Too bad VINYL was an epic failure, the subject matter was great, the 1970s downtown NYC music scene, which was amazing. So much was going on; MAX's, The Mercer Arts Center, AREA and so many other great clubs.

This actress could have played Debbie.

I wish Lori would get on the next flight to LA before CC kills her.

Who were guys fucking at the bathhouse?

The cum on Candy’s face, the beating she took, too nice? No way.

They should've dubbed the person who played Sarah Vaughan with an actual real recording rather than have the actress sing that tune herself. She had the look down, but sounded like an intoxicated Sarah with a cold.

AV Club loved it.

HBO Renews 'The Deuce' for Third and Final Season

With Season 2, HBO’s The Deuce Is a Show in Transition—And That’s a Good Thing

No mention of the guy from the mayor's office being on the down low? Loved the baths scene, although have no idea if it was authentic.

r248 I wonder if CC will end up taking his frustrations about Lori out on Dorothy/Ashley, his girl who got away and is now trying the help the prostitutes. Whenever she is with CC I get a bad feeling and it seems like she is still drawn to him.

Paul and the mayor assistant at the baths, when AIDS hits it is going to take out some of the cast.

Someone on the crew told me that three girls who worked in Season 1 as extras in the bar scenes were specifically Must-Hires by Franco to give him blowjobs in his trailer between camera set-ups.

^^True or not, we all on DL know the irony is...if Franco were gay, there'd be a line-up of men willing to do it for free.

R255, what about that scene wouldn’t have been authentic? Have you never been inside of a bathhouse?

Is that mayor’s assistant going to reappear in the next season? He seemed to get a lot of screentime this episode. We also saw his family and his house.

Did we r260?

Yes, R261. His son was reciting U.S. presidents at the breakfast table.

Holy crap you are right r263, my mind is going lol and I am only 54.......which also means I can tell some of the other posters the sex club / pier sex scenes were 100% spot-on.

That cop beating his girlfriend to death in his car was pretty brutal.

I very much fear for Lori after this episode.

Not much sex in this episode. though a couple of relationships are demonstrating their openness.

Is next week the season finale?

No, there are two more episodes.

Fuck! I just found out who the actor is playing Joey, Bobby's son, who tried to elope with the hooker. It's Michael Gandolfini. son of James. Did everybody else know that?

I just noticed this week the scenes from Red Hot in the opening credit sequence. Have they always been there?

I feel as The Deuce nears the late ‘70s they need a Liza Minnelli character at the High Hat

This is nit-picky. On it's own, I like Elvis Costello's This Year's Girl. I just think it's all wrong for the opening credits. Anyone else agree?

However, I absolutely love the theme played at the end. It sounds like it's straight out of one of those old 1970's Detective Series.

I agree, R271. The reason why Curtis Mayfield's If There's A Hell Below We're All Going Go worked so well as the opening credits for season one because it gave the show Blaxploitation grittiness, which was very appropriate giving the subject matter, time period, and David Simon's fascination with urban life and crime. Plus, the song symbolized the subject of the series better than This Year's Girl.

I agree too. I LOVE that closing theme!

R269 I had no idea. Makes me feel really old. I remember seeing his father pushing him on a swing at a park in NYC about 15 years ago.

Which college town in Vermont was that supposed to be? Middlebury? I might have to watch that scene again because they showed the sign of the bar/restaurant Vincent went to (“Est. 1934).

Totally agree with R271 and R272. It threw me off in the first episode of the season. Just doesn't fit, although I do like the song. Then again, I think Curtis Mayfield is perfect for just about anything.

No mention of Larry's bubble butt?

Good gay content in the most recent episode.

I like the Season 2 opening sequence. This year’s girl acknowledges the emergence of punk in NYC which was also going on at the time (even if Costello was never a punk, it’s an alternative).

I noticed a little goof in the opening credits for this season. The setting is supposed to be the late 1970s, but one of the movie marquees has the movie Scanners, which David Cronenberg didn't make until 1981.

You want her broken with her mouth wide open cos she’s this years girl

R275, I think Middlebury is a good guess, although that town looked a bit busier than Middlebury. Bennington College maybe?

[quote]No mention of Larry's bubble butt?

It rendered us speechless.

[quote]This is nit-picky. On it's own, I like Elvis Costello's This Year's Girl. I just think it's all wrong for the opening credits. Anyone else agree?

I'm a huge Costello fan and this song is all wrong for this series. Not to mention the female voice cut into the song is completely awful. That's a singing voice? She sounds as if she's drunk or OD-ing while 'singing'. I vaguely remember the original song used on The Deuce, but it was a better choice.

That period in time was more about disco and pop music, sure, the British bands were becoming popular again in the US, Costello & company were getting a foothold, as was British ska and odd British pop songs, but "This Year's Girl" just doesn't merge with the subject matter at all.

The type of people going to discos and gay bars weren't into that type of rock music or any rock music, for that matter.

[quote]I like the Season 2 opening sequence. This year’s girl acknowledges the emergence of punk in NYC which was also going on at the time (even if Costello was never a punk, it’s an alternative).

This series isn't "VINYL", it's about the Times Square sex trade and porn scene. Sure, the Franco character's GF had a punk/alternative band play at the bar, but that sure wasn't the music that most gay men and people into dancing were into.

I have friends who work in the music biz, there weren't many punk bands playing Times Square dive bars back in the mid to late 1970s, their focus was downtown, the LES and Max's Kansas City.

The problem with so many of these TV series and films which focus on specific eras, the research doesn't seem to be complete. Or the writers are way too young to have experienced any of it.

R284 ".Not to mention the female voice cut into the song is completely awful."

lol I'm the one who first posted about the song and was kind of thinking the same thing. I don't think she's completely awful, just slightly irritating. But her voice reminded me of somebody else and I finally figured out who it was - well sort of. Someone on the Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack sounds exactly like her. I don't know who, but maybe a music sleuth here knows the answer.

[quote]But her voice reminded me of somebody else and I finally figured out who it was - well sort of. Someone on the Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack sounds exactly like her. I don't know who, but maybe a music sleuth here knows the answer.

I know who you're talking about but the character's name escapes me, Magenta? IIRC, most of the people in the film weren't actually singers, except for Meat Loaf and Tim Curry did sing but he was more well known as an actor. Susan Sarandon sure isn't a singer.

You're probably thinking about Nell Campbell or the other redhead with the frizzy hair, Patricia Quinn.

R287 You are probably right. But did Campbell and Quinn do their actual singing?

You all know the "female voice" is the legendary should-have-been-a-superstar Macy Gray?

[quote]You all know the "female voice" is the legendary should-have-been-a-superstar Macy Gray?

That's NOT Macy Gray's voice cut into Costello's This Year's Girl. It's a singer named Natalie Bergman from a band called Wild Belle. Read this article and learn something.

So it was confirmed that the gay club really IS The Townhouse?

cant get franco's big fat chunky tits outta my head.

they scream suck me till theyr raw

but Maggie g's fugly face makes me wanna cut my face off.

Lots of Sopranos-type stuff in this last episode: James Franco, like Vito Spatafore, on the run from the mob in a quaint New England town. The murder of the prostitute girlfriend, which echoed Ralphie killing his mistress. And, of course, the presence of Mr. Gandolfini the younger.

Too much of the fucking mob. I want more scenes of the cute gays

yep, more of the boys, with no shirts, and less lady teat, less Maggie g

franco get ur tits out all u can its why we there, plus ur fat ass is AWESOME BB

Can't stand the mob idiots. They're kind of ruining the series.

Well, that's the second pimp down! Bye-bye.

We knew C.C. would meet his demise but not this soon. I wanted to see him waste away in the 80s.

Why did CC suddenly demand money? he just scored 15K. He had to know he was pushing his luck. Didn't make sense to me. But we got some peen and Franco butt. I don't buy the guy who plays the porn star. He's a little too chubby and balding to be considered hawt.

Also even though Franco is playing twins, the one he plays with the shorter hair seems cuter.

Loved the closet police guy!

Why didn't the rich old broad score some young dick from the SCREW magazine personals?

CC's death was satisfying, and it made sense to me that he would demand more money for the film Red Hot because it was his last attempt to show he still had some control over Lori. Of course, it backfired on him, but it wasn't out of character for him to push his luck like that. It's too bad he died so soon though, I wanted to see the phenomenal Gary Carr take the character to other places once the show was set in the 80s.

Next week's episode, the last episode of the season, looks to be entertaining.

Why The Deuce Got a New Theme Song

David Simon, creator of The Wire and The Deuce, was suspended from Twitter after tweeting that one Trump supporter "should die of a slow moving veneral rash that settles in your lying throat."

[quote]but Maggie g's fugly face makes me wanna cut my face off.

Anything we can do to speed this up?

Here I was worried about CC killing Lori or Dorothy/Ashley

Was that Eddie Cibrian who played the writer? Who was that? It was they guy who hooked up with the mayor's assistant.

its a damn kool show, gritty sexy and pervy…

but everytime that bitch Maggie G's face comes on

the show crashes into fugly mediocrity...

she should have od'd in the first episode.

They say its cancelled after the next season. Hope it can go longer I like the gay stuff Im attracted to J Franco.

That Maggie broad has the most vacant angel dust expression......ciggy in hand, natch.

Sometimes that show seems like one long ciggy ad...

I found the solution to the Maggie problem.... I tape it and fast forward thru every part she in.

finito...

r294 You're right. I can't stand mob stories. They are all the same.

I liked how they recreated the Gaiety, how I miss that place. I didn't like how both gay scenes only showed the couples after the sex was over.

Damn fine scene of Franco tonight: fuckin some broad: great show of his tits and ass. The xtra weight looks god damn good on him.

Wasn't the show always going to be three seasons rather than it being cancelled?

R313 yes

[quote] Here I was worried about CC killing Lori or Dorothy/Ashley

Something tells me that Dorothy/Ashley is going to die. Too much of it was foreshadowed in this episode, how she’s posing off the pimps, alienating her colleagues, annoying the hookers, .etc.

*pissing off

[quote]Why The Deuce Got a New Theme Song

I posted the same link @290. Do any of you know how to read a thread?

And NO, the female singer added to Costello's vocal is NOT Macy Gray.

Gary Carr must sound sexy with his actual British accent. He did a great job with his American accent. RIP CC.

British actors and actresses are so much better than their US counterparts.

I was surprised Gary Carr is British. The way he walks, talks and carries himself as CC reminds me of Prince. If they ever make a movie about Prince, they need to offer it to him first. He is hot and pretty.

I was also surprised that CC did not want Ashley hurt, he actually respected her.

Seems like CC actually had feelings for Lori

I think CC and Lori loved each other but CC was too controlling over her, even when he "sold" her. Lori went from being owned by CC to the being owned by the mob which might even be worse.

I wanted to see if CC would change. CC showed some humanity in that one scene when he forbade the other pimps from hurting Ashley. Gary Carr did such a great job with this character, he deserves recognition for it (like an Emmy).

I want to bang Gbenga so badly.

I was afraid CC was going to do something like cut Lori's face to ruin the possibility of a career. Wasn't sad to see him screwdrivered and hammered...ouch.

Me too r323.

The elocution is so poor on the opening credits that until I searched for the lyrics I could not understand fully.

What was the point of Armand Assante's appearance in this past episode? He was virtually incoherent.

Could they not get Nick Cage?

^^^That would have been amazing, R328.

Is the gay porn star supposed to be Cal Culver (Casey Donovan)?

I think you are probably right, R330. If they follow history, that character will eventually die of AIDS.

Armande Assante used to be such a beautiful man.

Did he have a stroke? I couldn't understand what he was saying either. His mouth looked off.

Assante can be seen these days on reruns of the daytime soap The Doctors. He was hot but too much chest and back hair for my taste. His fellow castmates Chandler Hill Harben and Gil Gerard, however, were right up my alley.

more nudie franco !!!

[quote]The elocution is so poor on the opening credits that until I searched for the lyrics I could not understand fully.

Is English your second language? Elvis Costello's vocals are completely coherent.

The marble mouth female 'singer' added to the song absolutely SUCKS. The song wasn't re-recorded, her crap vocals were simply added.

Why the producers and director chose this woman is beyond me. There was no reason to add female vocals. If the powers-that-be really insisted on doing so, there are so many great female vocalists out there, this was the best they could do? She's completely horrible.

I wish Amy Winehouse was still around, she was amazing! I could see her actually singing with Costello.

I like the song a lot. I also like the addition of the female vocal whose style reminds me of artists of that time like Marianne Faithful, Patty Smith, etc.

Friend on the crew told me to brace myself for “several deaths” in the season finale on Sunday.

I predict Lori will die of a drug overdose when she learns of CC's death and one of the pimps will kill Ashley.

I thought they'd be saving the deaths for next season -- I imagine at least half the cast will die of AIDS when the series jumps forward to the mid-80s.

Next season's death: Paul the bartender and the closeted city councilman or whatever he is (he'll run for office and then learn he has AIDs)..

There will be female casualties as well, R340.

R340, I think Paul’s ex, the one he opened The Townhouse with, will be the first AIDS death on The Deuce. And then maybe the sweet young black hooker-Darlene?

Maybe the pimp who wants the drugs will get killed robbing a pharmacy, and also maybe Shay the hooker who is back on drugs will die.

[quote]I like the song a lot. I also like the addition of the female vocal whose style reminds me of artists of that time like Marianne Faithful, Patty Smith, etc.

Perhaps you should listen to the original version, with just Costello's vocals.

Marianna Faithfull's voice sounds like she smokes three packs of cigs a day! She sounds NOTHING like the singer used. The only time Marianne had a sweet voice (which still wasn't as bad as the singer whose vocals were added) was in the 1960's when she was young, wasn't yet a junkie and had her first hit "When Tears Go By". You sure know little about her singing.

Patti Smith's voice also sounds nothing like the singer added to Costello's vocals. Do any of you people have functioning ears?!

The added vocals were not needed at all. This version is awful, the added vocal completely ruins the song. They might as well have added an equally crap 'singer', such as Taylor Swift!

If they wanted a female voice, they should have had a good female singer re-record the entire song. It's not as if there aren't any good female singers out there.

Oops, Marianna's hit song was "As Tears Go By".

Yeah, Shay seems doomed i think Irene, the lesbian manager of the peep show, might also end up a casualty.

There will be a mob hit since they seem to take up 1/2 the episodes each week.

Maggie g will die a cruel tormented death, bound and gagged, she will be thrown off the top of the Chrysler bldg.

johns and whores walk over her, the woman was not respected.

both James Francos will be bought by a diamond merchant, and shipped to Saudi Arabia for years of whoredom.

That bitch Victoria’s English accent wasn’t terribly convincing.

I was surprised that older lady was filmed nude, I like how Frankie thought he was playing her and she tells him to leave.

love the show, wish it was goin 5 seasons.....the franco twins are a hoot, be so fab to see it go into the millemium.

[quote]I was surprised that older lady was filmed nude, I like how Frankie thought he was playing her and she tells him to leave.

That woman obviously does that a lot, picks up much younger guys and fucks them. Did you see the expression on the doorman as Frankie was walking into the elevator.

The actress who played Victoria (Amanda Barron) has only very minor credits on IMDB so I think she would have let them do a close-up of her clit if they wanted it. I bet a lot of better known actresses turned the role down.

[quote]That bitch Victoria’s English accent wasn’t terribly convincing.

Just looked at her profile and she was born in England

I like the female singer too. And I’m a huge Elvis Costello fan.

kool music on the show fer shure

R355, all of her credits seems to be from here, though. Her accent was very watered down. I suspect she’s lived most of her life here.

R342, nah, don't even suggest such a thing. Ain't nobody better touch my girl Darlene. I want to see if she gets out and hooks up with the nice Senegalese man.

I think Darlene will end up with the nice Senagalese man and a nice job in that vintage store but still die from an AIDS-related infection, possibly passing it on to her newborn.

Now that's a great female rock SINGER, Chrissie Hynde, she should have been added to the Costello song. Not that mumbling fool added to "This Year's Girl"!

Why did they have the gay porno actor use the term “casting agent”? Was it to make him sound ignorant? Because the term “casting director” was ALWAYS the correct term.

Frankie and Vince are totally irrelevant to this particular story. They should have Vince reunite with his wife and Frankie living sonewhere else offscreen.

Darlene is so going to be an AIDS casualty next season.

I guess Eileen’s kid will be graduating from high school if they do a significant time jump. At least we finally saw her father. Yeah, he probably molested/raped her when she was a child.

How ironic that they wanted to clean up NYC and the most corrupt cop who comes to a robbery with a liquor bottle, ends up a hero.

R8 I hope so. Keri Russell is a flat, soulless piece of cardboard. Maggie Gyllenhall is one talented, dynamic bitch. Love that she takes chances too. Many actresses won't nowadays.

Ive never seen a show where every scene of every episode has the leads smokin cigs its overkill makes the whole thing look weak bozo dumb ass clowns with sticks in their mouths, loses credibility.

Actors use cigarettes as a crutch in a scene. These turds need a lot of crutches... weak cast Nuff said

I think in next year’s final season the gay porno actor boyfriend will be on a daytime soap like Dennis Parker was. And, of course, he’ll die from an AIDS-related illness.

It's an accurate depiction of that time period, R365.

I called it that Rodney and Dorothy/Ashley would be killed. Felt bad for Candy with her family and that her producer friend won't make any money off the film because of the mob. Vince is good looking, I won't mind a tumble with him but his brother in law is ugly and now his son thinks he is a pimp.

r365 you must not have watched Mad Men, tons of smoking on that show too

This show takes the cake though, more smoking than in any previous tv show ever. Turns it into a sarcastic piece of shit.

I'm the guy who posted about liking the Elvis Costello opening credits song, but just didn't think it was a good choice. Not knowing the actual release date, I felt it poorly represented the time and feel of the show.

Of course, I've heard it many times now. The song has grown on me. Even the female singer that lots of you are critical of. I do enjoy listening to it. But it's STILL the wrong choice! (lol)

Also overusedm - (and perhaps too dead on) - Andrea True's More More More might have been perfect, (was it played in one of the bar sequences?) Or just some big disco song from 1976 that was hugely popular but very much a song of the time, one that is seldom ever played anymore. Can anybody think of a better choice?

Le Freak, c'est chic!

[quote]This show takes the cake though, more smoking than in any previous tv show ever.

Well, the show is set in bars (where practically everyone seemed to smoke non stop back then) and porn parlors.

To me it's so normal for the time, I never thought twice about it.

For those of you complaining about the smoking,..how old are you? I can only imagine that you are too young to remember what it was like when 30% of the population smoked.

[quote]I can only imagine that you are too young to remember what it was like when 30% of the population smoked.

And about 90% of the people that hung out in bars.

The funniest part was a few episodes back when a cop lit up in an elevator. I'm getting second hand smoke just by watching this show. But yes, EVERYONE smoked everywhere and all the time back then. Cigs were like 50 cents a pack.

Everyone smoked back then. My dad smoked 5 packs of Camels back then.

People forget. Smoking in bars in NYC until the mid 90s.

So if CC didn’t murder Ashley/Dorothy, who did? I think it was the hispanic pimp.

Ashley was killed? I must have been out of the room. Must have been one of the pimps who was annoyed that she was trying to talk all their hookers out of working for them. It could have been any one of those pimps.

Ralph Macchio's character, Officer Haddix ,simply shot Rodney for no reason, there appeared to be no warning from Haddix. Did Rodney point his gun at him? I know Rodney shot the pharmacist and killed him, but Office Haddix had no idea what Rodney did at the point. That was some very poor writing.

[quote]I know Rodney shot the pharmacist and killed him, but Office Haddix had no idea what Rodney did at the point. That was some very poor writing.

I think the point was being made that many NYC cops of that era had no constraints and no conscience.

As much as I like this show, that was a pretty predictable finale.

[quote]I think the point was being made that many NYC cops of that era had no constraints and no conscience.

Sure, of course. yet NYC cops are just as bad today!

That aside, the scene was poorly written. It also appeared that Haddix didn't recognize Rodney. After he blasted 6-8 bullets into Rodney, then he says something like, "Oh no! RODNEY?" I guess that was to show Haddix was also a racist? That all black men look the same? 🙄🙄🙄

[quote]As much as I like this show, that was a pretty predictable finale.

Did you notice how large the dive bar looked when they panned out for the closing scene of people dancing in the bar?? It looked like a completely different place. Ridiculous.

loved that ending

damn james looks sexy with some beef on his tits and belly...

I hope the writers have gotten the mob characters out of their systems. I'd love to not see those characters again.

I thought the scene where Candy attempts to pick up her son and confronted by her father was so heartbreaking. You can tell she’s trying to do right by her son and create a bond with him, but many of her bad decisions has created a huge divide between them. I believe that was the first time her father made a full appearance on the show.

This season finale was good. I thought Lori’s breakdown after learning about CC’s death was great acting from Emily Meade. I agree with someone who said earlier that the should be great in a Debbie Harry biopic.

I find it hard to take any scene that Maggie g. is in seriously,

she too soap opera ish.

The Deuce's bloody finale caps great season about feminist film theory and real estate: EW review

I know it's stupid and unrealistic but I love Darlene and wanted her to have a happy ending. I hope they just let her character run away and be happy.

I’m not sure that will happen, R392. It seems highly likely that Candy will still be alive by the end of the series finale, though.

Candy and Larry had the only happy ending in the finale. At least they saw other paths they could take and they said goodbye as friends. James Franco and his twin brother are totally useless. They have the least interesting stories.

I am more intrigued on how the city plans to clean up The Deuce.

Correction: I meant Darlene and Larry, not Candy.

if the ho that Maggie g plays had been killed in the first season,, it would have lent such divine just pathos to the piece...

I used to read Sepinwall reviews but seems like he has gone downhill a bit, thanks for the link r375

R397, had to unfollow him on Twitter because the amount of self-promotion he tweeted and re-tweeted was a pain in the ass.

I hope Darlene doesn’t return in season 3 with AIDS, I want her to finally get out.

I wondered how Candy’s talk show appearance might impact her son and we found out it involved a black eye for him. I can’t imagine how many more he’ll receive when his mother’s porn films soon start popping up on his friends VHS tapes. She never once considered that possibility.

I wonder what Lori’s vomiting is, pregnancy, Anorexia, cocaine abuse, HIV? Lori’s crying and laughing at hearing about CCs death was great. Shame Dorothy died the same week as CC and never knew the same relief.

Meanwhile the junkie hooker has 9 lives. She survives time and time again like cockroach.

I need a few more seasons of James Franco's beefy tits and ass

The boy is lookin fit as fuk

R399 I bet Lori is pregnant.

cant we have a gay scene with the franco brothers f g sake????

Do you mean Dave and James r402? Or the fictional twins played by James? Because I’m not that’s possible.

R401 if Lori’s pregnant with CCs baby and is too high most of the time to realise she’s knocked up so doesn’t abort the baby, it will inevitably mess up her burgeoning porn star career. With no lien career she’ll switch to cheaper drugs and quite possibly make her resentful of the kid. I can’t see things ending well for Lori.

At this point she’s the opposite of Darlene who got rid of the kid, got an education and a straight job. Problem for Darlene is that with the release of VHS her former life might be harder to run from.

Damn, I had no idea that was the season end. The seasons are too damn short.

I thought Lori was puking because of her intense anxiety/fears (mixed with heavy-duty coke use) over C.C.

But that would be interesting if she was pregnant (which I thought initially she was but then changed my mind when I saw how much coke she was inhaling and how paranoid she was about C.C.). Her arc would definitely be the polar opposite to Darlene, whose character I liked a lot and I hope we won't see return in Season Three (unless it's a brief cameo where we see her happy, healthy and with a straight life).

[quote]if the ho that Maggie g plays had been killed in the first season,, it would have lent such divine just pathos to the piece...

What a ridiculous statement! Maggie G's character is one of the main and important characters on the series. What would be the point in having her killed off in the first season?!

Many other character's storylines revolved around Candy's trajectory from street whore to porn director, guess you don't seem to comprehend that. As a porn director, all of the characters Candy has been dealing with, their lives have changed, mostly in the positive due to Candy's career change. Larry wants to become a serious actor, Darlene has left prostitution, Lori is getting famous etc.

I agree with r406. I thought she was puking because of her anxiety. Does too much coke make you puke? I didn't know that...

We still don’t know why Candy became a hooker. She clearly hates her dad in season 1, although it seemed to be in part because he sent her brother to an asylum for being gay which she was furious about. We don’t know what Candy’s relationship was with him, but she allows her son to live with her parents so obviously she doesnt think he’ll be abused in their care.

On top of that she doesn’t have a drug problem, or a dirt poor upbringing, or a pimp she’s trapped with. So I want to know what drove her to it. I know in the 80s being a single mother was a frowned upon but it wouldn’t have made her go unemployable that she would have been driven to prostitution.

^^the 70s not 80s

[quote]^^the 70s not 80s

The series is entering the early 1980s. The song played at the end of the season finale, The Pretenders Mystery Achievement was released in January of1980. So, it's assumed the series had already entered the early 1980s.

Yes r411 but Candy has been a hooker since the early 70s.

R412, I think Candy probably started hooking in - at least - the early 1960's. The show started in 1971 and she seemed like she had already been doing it for awhile.

Dorothy/Ashley's first citation was mentioned as 1959.

The question was why did she start hooking. We still don’t know.

Then we would have to know the backstories of everyone which would take too much time since everything is focused on the useless Franco brothers.

Yes, that's true, R414. But the question was also WHEN did she start hooking.

We never saw Candy's gay brother this season. Will be institutionalized shield him from the coming AIDS virus? Is he even still alive?

It really doesn't make a lot of sense. She should have been a call girl under a madam.

[quote] I think Candy probably started hooking in - at least - the early 1960's. The show started in 1971 and she seemed like she had already been doing it for awhile.

Early 1960s?! How old is she then, in her 40s? Street hookers have a short span. That life is extremely rough.

Have you seen the HBO documentary series, "Hookers at the Point"? Those women were in their 20s and 30s, they were already starting to look rough. Candy would have long been aged out of hooking. Who wants to fuck an old looking hooker? I guess men who use street hookers aren't looking for a beauty queen, but still.

R415 Candy is a main character, you would think there would be some look at her back story. I know nice girls from the suburbs can become hookers too, but usually there’s a reason, such as trauma, addiction, a history of sexual or physical abuse. Hopefully there’s some insight in season 3

Some hoes do it for life look at Cleo from hookers at the point.

Candy wasn’t doing it for “the life”. She hated it r420

[quote]Candy wasn’t doing it for “the life”. She hated it [R420]

That's not what R420 meant. They meant Cleo from "Hookers at the Point", was doing it 'forever', until she died or was too exhausted to continue.

Most of the "Hookers at the Point" were incredibly stupid. Candy is not as dumb as the real life hookers on the HBO series. If you have HBO, check out the series, it might still be up OnDemand.

the butch franco twin will come out in the next season

Maggie G will come out as a vile cunt from Outer Mongolia who desires to be ridden like an ox.

[QUOTE] I know nice girls from the suburbs can become hookers too, but usually there’s a reason, such as trauma, addiction, a history of sexual or physical abuse.

Yeah, I grew up in a wealthy background and had no trauma or abuse of any kind during my childhood. I escorted throughout college for the simple thrill of it. I saw Jane Fonda in Klute and thought there was something hot about how much control she had over men. So, not everyone in "the life" is arriving at it from a place of trauma.

[quote]So, not everyone in "the life" is arriving at it from a place of trauma.

Yet there had to be something 'off' about what you did. You surely must have had some sort of sex addiction?

I don't know many men, or women, who would escort. Fucking lots of people who are not all that attractive would be a huge factor in not doing it. Fucking or blowing men with questionable hygiene or eating out an unwashed pussy or ass, all pretty gross. It seems like something most normal people would not do as a first choice to make extra money.

I remember a cable show documenting the porn industry, porn actress Jenna Jameson was complaining about doing a scene with another actress who didn't wash her pussy and ass! I'm paraphrasing what Jenna said,, "That actress was disgusting. She was attractive but had very poor hygiene, I couldn't finish the scene, I almost vomited!"

I’m sure wealthy girls with no history of abuse occasionally take up prostitution, but we all know they’re far and few between r425. It’s not so serious if you have the option to walk away. But Candy wasn’t doing it for the thrill, she hated the life, the pimps, the Johns and the beatings yet she stuck at it. She only got out when porn became an alternative. The mystery was why she didn’t go home to her son while she was still hooking. This was the 70s, no social media so her secret could have remained secret, and then she could have started over. Or was she afraid of her dad? But if so why let her son live with him?

What was the point of Franco nailing that elderly British frau?

R428 i thought the point was that he thought he was shit hot, considered himself wealthy and a good catch, but in reality he’s just a mildly big fish in a small pond. Outside of seedy Times Square he is nothing and no one, some dodgy dumb ass that bored (genuinely) wealthy wasp women can slum it with for an hour and then throw out on the street like yesterday’s garbage. He’s not the lothario he thinks he is, just a bottom feeder whose meagre fortunes come and go and who will never be taken seriously outside the sex industry.

R425 is an alternate universe Abby storyline on this show.

Frankie was “her bit of rough,” obviously.

I don't care who bitch franco nails as long as we can see his big fat man ass as he pounds her old cunt. of course he smokes while nailing her.... he smokes while on the shitter he smokes while eating he smokes while sittiing in church he smokes while robbing houses he smokes while climbing trees for fun.

You’re a trip, R432. And I kinda dig it.

His assshole tastes like menthol.

I thought the British lady did a good acting job of Franco making her cum, for what its worth.

am I shallow I dream of sucking franco's asshole out for hours...

SPOILER alert! Just heard from a cast member that there's an episode ahead where Jame Franco dies---in the arms of James Franco! Even worse, the episode is directed by .... James Franco! Cast doesn't like him.