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| Scene from Holey Moley |
Welcome to a new column called Channel Surfing, in which I sporadically look at current TV shows and talk about them. These are not ones that I care to write weekly recaps for and are instead reflections either on the episode, the series, or particular moments. This will hopefully help to share personal opinions as well as discover entertainment on the outer pantheon that I feel is well worth checking out, or in some cases, shows that are weird enough to talk about, but should never be seen.
With exception to a certain type of person, golf is generally seen as a boring sport. It's one that requires a certain patience and quiet that most people don't have the energy for. However, the world of putt golf is much different. It may be more rooted in novelty, but it still manages to produce kitschy imagery as you perform the same task of getting the ball to the hole. Few people in 2019 love the game more than basketball player Stephen Curry. Just a few weeks off losing the NBA finals with The Warriors, he is back on TV with a series that was advertised constantly throughout the playoffs. Holey Moley is a show that's tied to the player's heart as something he's dreamed about doing since he was a child. As a producer, he hasn't just created one of the most involved courses ever for such a mundane sport but has made one of the best competition shows of the summer.
ABC's brand in recent years has catered to rehashing game shows every summer as something called "Summer of Fun." It's an easy concept, especially given that it doesn't involve competing with the rigorous narratives that flood networks like Netflix and HBO. It's a chance to make something goofy and allow audiences to enjoy their evenings without much conflict. The only issue with their format is that most of their series caters to the recent trend of reboots, most notably Family Feud, Match Game, and $100,000 Pyramid, which have dominated the format in spite of being decades old shows. Even recent additions, Press Your Luck and Card Sharks, feel like variations of the shows currently habiting over on Buzzr, just with modern hosts and guests. There's nothing wrong with them, but they're not particularly revolutionizing the format either.
To some respects, the only advantage that Holey Moley has is that it isn't a reboot nor has there really been a putt golf challenge in this form. With that said, it does feel like a variation of a popular trend from elsewhere, mixing golf with the physical challenges of shows like Wipeout and Ninja Warrior. These aren't merely golf courses with a few hidden bumps and curves. It's an entire world where the golfer must challenge themselves to even get through the course. As the first player quickly demonstrates as she navigates a ball through giant windmills, there's a challenge to not bumble (or face penalties). It's all in comic fun as two anchors Rob Riggle and Joe Tessitore riff on the slapstick. It's a tired format that will appeal to those willing to give into silliness and slapstick as they witness the courses in their elaborate detail.
To Curry's credit, he is more than a producer who made cameos in the trailers. He seems passionate enough to throw himself into the entire project. Along with supposedly designing the courses, he involves himself throughout Holey Moley with comedic interstitials where he plays a rich man in a lavish mansion with the most absurd paintings behind him. He also has a round where he is offered the choice to shoot for a player or a robot. While it's odd that an NBA player would be as skilled at golf as he is here, it still works as a novelty for the series. He brings a personality to the series that is vital, maybe even helping the show to feel like something greater.
Is the show revolutionizing the wheel? Not even close. However, it feels like the type of show that will, in its best form, produce dozens of episodes over seasons with different courses that will air on various networks - much in the same style that made Ninja Warrior an international phenomenon. The novelty may wear off eventually, but for now, there's so much passion for the esoteric take on golf that it can't help but be charming. It's a mix of a "boring" sport with a sense of action and dumb jokes. It's in some ways disposable, but much like the rest of the programming here, it's entertaining enough for a throwaway summer program. Curry has definitely made a show that's worthwhile in the world of competitive shows. It lacks any substance besides getting the ball to the hole, and sometimes that's enough.
Holey Moley is a solid start to summer's carefree programming. There's not much to it and in a bland output for ABC, it stands out as something new and invigorating. The interest in putt golf may differ from person to person, but for those willing to check it out it's going to produce something fun. These are real golfers trying to keep things straight as they navigate a course. It has the passion behind it that gives it at least some appeal, and Curry is at least involved in a way that's far superior to most celebrity producers. It may not always work, but with colorful characters and a great concept, it feels like the start of another en masse series. Enjoy it while it's new and has a passion in it.
ABC's brand in recent years has catered to rehashing game shows every summer as something called "Summer of Fun." It's an easy concept, especially given that it doesn't involve competing with the rigorous narratives that flood networks like Netflix and HBO. It's a chance to make something goofy and allow audiences to enjoy their evenings without much conflict. The only issue with their format is that most of their series caters to the recent trend of reboots, most notably Family Feud, Match Game, and $100,000 Pyramid, which have dominated the format in spite of being decades old shows. Even recent additions, Press Your Luck and Card Sharks, feel like variations of the shows currently habiting over on Buzzr, just with modern hosts and guests. There's nothing wrong with them, but they're not particularly revolutionizing the format either.
To some respects, the only advantage that Holey Moley has is that it isn't a reboot nor has there really been a putt golf challenge in this form. With that said, it does feel like a variation of a popular trend from elsewhere, mixing golf with the physical challenges of shows like Wipeout and Ninja Warrior. These aren't merely golf courses with a few hidden bumps and curves. It's an entire world where the golfer must challenge themselves to even get through the course. As the first player quickly demonstrates as she navigates a ball through giant windmills, there's a challenge to not bumble (or face penalties). It's all in comic fun as two anchors Rob Riggle and Joe Tessitore riff on the slapstick. It's a tired format that will appeal to those willing to give into silliness and slapstick as they witness the courses in their elaborate detail.
To Curry's credit, he is more than a producer who made cameos in the trailers. He seems passionate enough to throw himself into the entire project. Along with supposedly designing the courses, he involves himself throughout Holey Moley with comedic interstitials where he plays a rich man in a lavish mansion with the most absurd paintings behind him. He also has a round where he is offered the choice to shoot for a player or a robot. While it's odd that an NBA player would be as skilled at golf as he is here, it still works as a novelty for the series. He brings a personality to the series that is vital, maybe even helping the show to feel like something greater.
Is the show revolutionizing the wheel? Not even close. However, it feels like the type of show that will, in its best form, produce dozens of episodes over seasons with different courses that will air on various networks - much in the same style that made Ninja Warrior an international phenomenon. The novelty may wear off eventually, but for now, there's so much passion for the esoteric take on golf that it can't help but be charming. It's a mix of a "boring" sport with a sense of action and dumb jokes. It's in some ways disposable, but much like the rest of the programming here, it's entertaining enough for a throwaway summer program. Curry has definitely made a show that's worthwhile in the world of competitive shows. It lacks any substance besides getting the ball to the hole, and sometimes that's enough.
Holey Moley is a solid start to summer's carefree programming. There's not much to it and in a bland output for ABC, it stands out as something new and invigorating. The interest in putt golf may differ from person to person, but for those willing to check it out it's going to produce something fun. These are real golfers trying to keep things straight as they navigate a course. It has the passion behind it that gives it at least some appeal, and Curry is at least involved in a way that's far superior to most celebrity producers. It may not always work, but with colorful characters and a great concept, it feels like the start of another en masse series. Enjoy it while it's new and has a passion in it.
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