MovieChat Forums > Bull (2016) Discussion > I really want to like this show but....

I really want to like this show but....

posted 8 years ago by silverr8c
16 replies | jump to latest

There are too many "Ain't rights to over look" I normally only need between one and three episodes yo decide but I am going to give it one oe two more episodes.

Where does the money come from?

How do they get these ghost juries to spend their time (money issue?) How do they find people that are such a close march?

I also have the same problem with criminal minds as to how the are able to hit a few keys on their computer and find out anything they need to know in seconds.

There is more but I'll just leave it at that.

The most important thing is sincerity. If you can fake that you've got it made.

[–] ariesgirlgo 8 years ago

I can't honestly say I've ever thought about, or pondered, where the entities on tv show got their money, or what their finances were. It appears this now bothers, or maybe intrigues is a better word, some.

For example, when I watch a medical drama, I don't wonder what type of health insurance the patients have. Or if the hospital is in their PPO.

When I heard MW was leaving NCIS and then Bull came into the picture, I was definitely predisposed to wanting to like it. And I do like it, even more than I thought I would and although I think MW has done a great job of putting Tony behind him, I like it too because it's smartly written and has a good supporting cast.

Yes it's slick with a lot of fancy techno stuff but that doesn't overwhelm the story and I really don't care how or who pays for the stuff. JMO

[–] readerf61 8 years ago

You know, I read comments from people who really know guns or computers or about flying airplanes, and they are so upset with misinformation in an episode, and I'm like you, I just shrug. I understand their frustration, but I don't see it.

But the use of an independent contractor is not an occurrence in a random episode. It is the premise of the show. We see this huge company with multiple full time employees and temporary employees (the mock and mirror juries) week after week.

So, yeah, usually it's something I shrug off, but they are not making it easy by already showing 2 pro bono cases in 3 episodes.

In Lie to Me, and it really shares a lot with that show, the Lightman group had financial problems. They nearly went bankrupt. Their financial insecurity was discussed early and multiple times until they were purchased by a guardian angel. I'm not complaining just to see my words in print. This is a huge hole in this show. It would not have taken much to address it and be done with it. But they don't. I'm not sure if this is poor writing or a blind spot on the part of the showrunners and producers. But it is very distracting.

[–] AnonGuest33 8 years ago

Bull's company was the go to guy for the airline's attorneys. They called him as the bodies were being pulled from the wreckage. He also had attorney's gearing up for a class action suit calling him at the same time. That tells me that he is among the best in the business and corporations with deep pockets and trial attorneys who put together high dollar class action suits come to him when they are in a jam. Add to that his wealthy clients and he has plenty of money to do pro bono work.

[–] readerf61 8 years ago

So, because of the response to an airline disaster--for which he didn't make a penny, btw--you're assuming a lot of other income that has never been shown or duscussed. We have yet to see a class action suit or even a business client.

He may well have that kind of income, but rather than show us he is respected and in demand, all we've seen is how disrespectful he has been with just about every lawyer he has worked with. And *that* will get him a reputation among high powered attorneys.....just not the one you are suggesting.

[–] bluelithium 8 years ago

...you're assuming a lot of other income that has never been shown or discussed.

Rich daddy in the first episode, and last week commenced with a rock musician being prepped for court - the guy who gave Bull the guitar as a thank you. Both of whom, no doubt, paid large fees for his services.

It's a show you need to pay attention to or you actually miss something, which is a bit of a surprise to those of us used to doing other things whilst NCIS is on of recent years.

---
You have a Life?
Well make the most of it; you never know when it might be gone.

[–] readerf61 8 years ago

Bluelithium: I saw and remembered both of those paying clients. I also saw, and remember, two non-paying clients that took a lot of time and man hours. I want to know how Bull can continue to maintain pricey NYC real estate, all the techno babble equipment he has and all the staff--full time and temporary. (And I'm not even discussing the utility bill which must be through the roof and other realities....)

I live in an expensive area. I'm not kidding when I say that the wealthy paying clients probably paid enough money to cover 6 months rent. And that's granting that they probably paid in the millions. i suspect my whole problem with the show is that I am paying complete attention, and falling through the cracks in the veneer of the show.

I think I'll give up on it, and check back to see if they ever address the realities of running a private consulting firm in Manhattan. I'm pretty sure they won't. They reviewers that give positive response like different aspects completely. One even said they hoped it got even more like a comic book. With a full time villain. There's a scary thought.

[–] silverr8c 8 years ago

I think I'll give up on it, and check back to see if they ever address the realities of running a private consulting firm in Manhattan. I'm pretty sure they won't. They reviewers that give positive response like different aspects completely. One even said they hoped it got even more like a comic book. With a full time villain. There's a scary thought.

You are better off sticking with it instead of quitting and coming back. Unless you stream old episodes to get you up to date you will be totally clueless. Three episodes is usually the limit as to how many shows I need to watch before I decide to quit but I just have the feeling that this show just needs a little more time.

I know the show kind of sucks
right but maybe all it needs is a bit of fine tuning. I am giving it two more episodes, and this may sound odd for somewhat said the show has a lot of problems but maybe will get better if you give it a couple more weeks. I guess you may be different than me, but once I cancel a show I don't look back and second guess myself.

Another thing to consider is there aren't many new shows on TV so if you cancel this show there isn't a heck f a lot going on.

PS where do you live that is so expensive. I lived on Long Island most of my life then moved to SC 9 years ago. The property taxes on my NY house(Hauppauge, Suffolk County Long Island) were $15,000 a year 9 years ago and I am sure they went up. I am guessing that an apartment in NY City that is the same size as my house probably costs ten to twenty times as much.

My house in SC is much bigger and nicer and the taxes are about $3,000 a year
The most important thing is sincerity. If you can fake that you've got it made.

[–] readerf61 8 years ago

Actually, the show doesn't seem to have any serial aspect at all. I know they are hinting at some darkness with Bull, the first jury member talked to him about it, and sometimes his linguistics specialist, or whatever his second in command is, but I don't think it would be difficult to catch up if I decide to watch again. It is a pretty basic procedural.

There aren't too many good shows this season, are there? It's been rather disappointing, though some new shows haven't premiered yet. Although, our dvr discovered a new season of Vera for us, so we have some new episodes to watch.

I have discussed where I live before, but after watching everyone loosing their privacy in Bull, I think I won't mention it. If you're truly interested, send me a PM and I'll answer it. Rents are outrageous--$1600-2200/month for a small studio! Yeah, I can't even imagine what business properties cost......

[–] bluelithium 8 years ago

Fair enough, Reader.

We all find different things that interest and entertain us and we all have different things that bother us - the world would be very boring and there would be little innovation if that wasn't the case.

For me we have been shown enough that I accept there is adequate income from the rich clients to cover the pro bono clients. From what I read, for others there still isn't enough in what we have seen to change their minds that this sort of 'justice' is only for the rich.

The things that bother us most tend to be those that we know most about, I am from the UK and cringe at the portrayal of the UK and those of us from here, on US television. And, come to think of it, there were things about the portrayal of the actual plane crash in the 2nd episode that bothered me a bit.

I was surprised to find just how much attention we need to pay to the show, but I rather like it. I like the difference compared to other shows. Is it gimmicks that I will get bored with? Possibly.

I'm a Harmon fan, though I quite like Weatherly, and Weatherly is what made me make the effort to try this show - and so far I am entertained by it enough to keep watching.

I have no issues with people like you who are just not grabbed by this show.
The people I have issues with are those that wish failure on it (or NCIS) because it doesn't offer what they want.

---
You have a Life?
Well make the most of it; you never know when it might be gone.

[–] readerf61 8 years ago

Thanks, bluelithium. I'm really sorry this bugs me so much, I really liked the second episode. It was an aspect of jury consultation I don't think we think about that often, although I have seen shows where lawyers think men or women would be more sympathetic to their client. This was a case where the men *and* women had a deep, unrecognized bias that would hurt the client.

All shows disseminate poor information about some things, and fortunately I don't know enough about those things to be bothered by it. I never realized how much I must have been listening to my brother talk about his consulting firm! I just can't get past everything on Bull; it doesn't make sense as it is shown.

[–] AnonGuest33 8 years ago

He was one of the first calls of both the airline and trial attorneys already putting together a class action lawsuit. Remember the numerous calls that came in as they were looking at the news footage of the crash? Given that it seems very clear that he and his team have a stellar reputation on both sides of the courtroom and are very much in demand So much in demand that it was entirely Bull's choice on who he was going to work with.

Add to that rich daddy in the first episode and the rock star in episode two he has a lot of money coming in. More than enough to pay pricey rents and salaries and do some pro bono work.

A couple of real world examples.
- If you saw American Crime Story: The People Vs. O.J. you saw exactly how high on the hog Cochran lived and how much money was being thrown around for that defense.
- Apple vs. Samsung. In the first trial Samsung was ordered to pay Apple $1.094 Billion. Then in the second trial that was reduced to a "mere" $119M. That series of trials lasted three years and the real winners were the legal team for each company (which surely included trial consultants) who pocketed tens of millions.

Given that we have been both told and shown Bull is among the best in the business it isn't a stretch at all to assume he has been on more than one of these types of cases. Maybe you didn't connect those dots but I certainly did.

[–] readerf61 8 years ago

Why do you respond to me? You don't like my opinion. I'm not trying to change yours, but you think if you just bully me enough I'll see the error in my ways, drop to the ground, raise my arms to the heavens and sing an Hallelujah! Bull is clearly the best thing on tv!

But it isn't. I know you love it. But I can't see it, it just screams of some ridiculous fantasy as apposed to looking like a reasonable, even by tv standards, consulting firm.

[–] AnonGuest33 8 years ago

And I am discussing the show. You responded with an "uh no they didn't I simply pointed out that in my opinion yes they did and referred to different plot points we have seen so far. Things that they have shown that doesn't make the show a ridiculous fantasy.

For example you seem fixated on what he would be paying in rent and how there is no way he could cover it with what we have seen so far. Fixated to the point that in another thread you decided that those who don't think it is an issue are ignorant of what a balance sheet and the need for a company to pay the bills is. Disagreeing with you on that isn't bullying you.

[–] readerf61 8 years ago

Ah, you decided my words meant you were ignorant. Just like I see your continually following me around, from thread to thread, as bullying.

Got it.

[–] AnonGuest33 8 years ago

"lacking knowledge or awareness in general."

You posted

But I'm beginning to wonder if it's actually possible that people don't understand the simple bottom line of a spread sheet: the income *has* to equal the output

You may not like the word ignorant but that is exactly what you were wondering - if those of us who don't see the finances as an issue were ignorant of the simple bottom line of a spread sheet.

By the way I am not following you around from thread to thread. I read every thread and if I have a response to something someone posted I will respond.

[–] readerf61 8 years ago

And I stand by what I said. The responses I was getting made me wonder if people were simply unaware of how finances work. You would be surprised at the number of people who are confused by rather simple things, because no one ever taught them. Ignorance isn't a negative thing to me, but it clearly has negative connotations to you. But how can one learn things unless one is aware that they don't know something? When I am searching for answers, it takes me about 3-4 silly questions until I get a handle on what I'm really looking for, and then the questions get more fine tuned, whether I'm looking for health insurance, new windows for the house or opening a IRA vs a 401K.

And yeah, you sorta are stalking me, but I'm worth it....