Alpha House
Television series | |
---|---|
German title | Alpha House |
Original title | Alpha House |
Country of production | United States |
original language | English |
Year (s) | 2013-2014 |
Production company |
Amazon Studios |
length | approx. 25 minutes |
Episodes | 21 in 2 seasons ( list ) |
genre | Comedy , political satire |
idea | Garry Trudeau |
production |
Garry Trudeau , Elliot Webb, Jonathan Alter, Antoine L. Douaihy |
music | Anton Sanko |
Initial release | April 19, 2013 (USA) on Amazon Instant Video |
First publication in German |
February 26, 2014 on Amazon Instant Video |
Alpha House is an American comedy series about four senators who live together in a rented house in Washington, DC . It is produced by Amazon Studios and premiered on April 19, 2013 on Amazon Instant Video . In Germany, the series was first published on February 26, 2014 via Amazon Instant Video. The series idea is based on the real story of four Democratic senators who live under one roof in Washington.
The series was discontinued after the second season.
action
The Republican US Senator Louis Laffer has turned his house in the American capital, Washington, into a kind of political flat share : in addition to him, three other party friends live there. Alpha House tells the political and private everyday life of the four senators fighting for re-election - a mixture of political series and satire.
Louis Laffer ( Matt Maloy ), Senator from Nevada , is not only the owner of the house, he also takes care of the housekeeping, subjects cleaning candidates to an elaborate cleaning knowledge test, and has an unusual interest in women's fashion.
As a former basketball coach, Gil John Biggs ( John Goodman ), a senator from North Carolina , is apparently more interested in sports than in his political responsibilities and likes to leave strategic decisions to his wife.
Robert Bettencourt ( Clark Johnson ) represents the state of Pennsylvania and has a weakness for fine suits. His attempts to pair up allegedly perfectly matched staff and factional staff regularly cause horror and embarrassing moments.
Andy Guzman ( Mark Consuelos ), a Florida Senator with ambitions for the presidency, has just moved in at the beginning of the series . The womanizer is the son of Cuban immigrants, politically extremely fickle and tries to hide the fact that he speaks very bad Spanish.
occupation
Role name | Actress | Brief description | Voice actor | Episodes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gil John Biggs | John Goodman | North Carolina Senator , former basketball coach | Hartmut Neugebauer | 1.01-2.10 |
Robert Bettencourt | Clark Johnson | Senator from Pennsylvania | Walter von Hauff | 1.01-2.10 |
Louis Laffer | Matt Malloy | Senator from Nevada | Claus Brockmeyer | 1.01-2.10 |
Andy Guzman | Mark Consuelos | Florida Senator | Matthias Klie | 1.01-2.10 |
Adriana de Portago | Yara Martinez | Cuban-US billionaire heiress, lover of Andy Guzman | Stephanie waiter | 1.01-2.10 |
Tammy Stackhouse | Alicia Sable | Chief of Staff to Gil John Biggs | Farina Brock | 1.01-2.10 |
Maddie Biggs | Julie White | Wife of Gil John Biggs | Dagmar Heller | 1.01-2.10 |
Aaron Stimsons IV | Kobi Libii | Philipp Brammer | 1.01-2.10 | |
Rosalyn DuPeche | Wanda Sykes | Democratic Senator from Illinois , neighbor | Maria Boehme | 1.03-2.10 |
Louise Laffer | Amy Sedaris | Wife of Louis Laffer | Bettina Kenter | 1.02-2.10 |
Vernon Smits | Bill Murray | former Senator | 1.01–2.01 | |
Shelby Mellman | Haley Joel Osment | Reno Post-Tribune reporter | 1.02-2.05 |
Episode list
season 1
No. ( total ) |
No. ( St. ) |
German title | Original title | First broadcast in the USA | German language first broadcast () | Director | script |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | - | pilot | April 19, 2013 | Feb. 26, 2014 | Adam Bernstein | Garry Trudeau |
Senator Smits is imprisoned so that a place becomes free in the Senator's shared apartment. Senator Andy Guzman moves in for him, with his very rich girlfriend Adriana in tow. The love life of the two causes unrest among the other roommates, who have to prepare for their reelection. | |||||||
2 | 2 | - | No shame | Nov 15, 2013 | Feb. 26, 2014 | Adam Bernstein | Garry Trudeau |
Senator Laffer engages in a wrestling match with the presenter on a television show, while Senator Bettencourt is threatened with disciplinary proceedings. To distinguish themselves, the senators decide to take part in a troop visit to Afghanistan. | |||||||
3 | 3 | - | All Weapons Red | Nov 15, 2013 | Feb. 26, 2014 | Michael Patrick Jann | Garry Trudeau |
The senators go to Afghanistan under the protection of a private security company. Adriana and the local journalist Shelby from Laffer's home state Reno will be there . Senator Laffer is injured in the leg in a rocket attack. | |||||||
4th | 4th | - | Triggers | Nov 22, 2013 | Feb. 26, 2014 | Jake Schreier | Garry Trudeau |
The journalist Shelby who traveled with him stylized Laffer as a war hero because of his wounding. During a friendly basketball game between Biggs employees and two soldiers, a scandal breaks out when Biggs beats up one of the soldiers. Meanwhile, Adriana organizes the group's return flight in a private jet. | |||||||
5 | 5 | - | Hippo Issues | Nov 29, 2013 | Feb. 26, 2014 | Michael Mayer | Garry Trudeau |
Laffer is celebrated as a hero. Bigg's wife arrives in Washington to prepare for a television debate with his challenger. Guzman meets with campaign manager Graydon Talbot. | |||||||
6th | 6th | - | Zingers | Dec 6, 2013 | Feb. 26, 2014 | Bob Balaban | Garry Trudeau |
Biggs meets his opponent Diggers and doesn't cut a good figure. Meanwhile, Laffer's colleague James and his daughter Lola get closer via the Internet. Talbot slips Guzman's associate, Katherine, on a bill for an unpaid holiday at a meeting. | |||||||
7th | 7th | - | Prayer brunch | Dec 13, 2013 | Feb. 26, 2014 | Bob Balaban | Garry Trudeau |
At the initiative of the democratic Senator DuPeche, who lives in the neighborhood of the Senator's WG, Laffer organizes a cross-denominational and cross-party “prayer brunch”. While those involved cannot bring their different views together, Biggs associate Tammy and Bettencourt associate Aaron get closer. | |||||||
8th | 8th | - | Ruby Shoals | Dec 20, 2013 | Feb. 26, 2014 | Michael Mayer | Peter Gwinn, Alison McDonald, Garry Trudeau |
Biggs settles in his hometown of Ruby Shoals on a campaign tour. He is followed by a journalist who ultimately shoots a very personal video of him on the beach. This causes unexpected reactions. Senator Bettencourt visits a family who campaigns for fracking and sets their house on fire. | |||||||
9 | 9 | - | The Rebuttal | Dec. 27, 2013 | Feb. 26, 2014 | Jann Turner | Will Graham, Jared Gruszecki, Garry Trudeau |
Bettencourt can impressively refute the allegations of bribery made against him, and the recovered Laffer returns to the Capitol. Guzman has the honor of speaking out against President Obama. During the broadcast, a headlight falls over and just barely misses Guzman. | |||||||
10 | 10 | - | Showgirls | Jan. 3, 2014 | Feb. 26, 2014 | Andrew McCarthy | Garry Trudeau |
Laffer is supposed to help dancers from Las Vegas form a union and takes on the Watts brothers. These are both casino operators and Laffers large donors. Biggs catches up with the Afghanistan trip when a viral video emerges of his beating. | |||||||
11 | 11 | - | In the saddle | Jan. 10, 2014 | Feb. 26, 2014 | Clark Johnson | Garry Trudeau |
Senator Mower passes away and Biggs is asked to host the funeral for him. Guzman starts an affair with Martha, the housemaid of the senator's flat share. Laffer comes to terms with the fact that his chief of staff Julie is a lesbian and tries to distinguish himself with it. |
season 2
No. ( total ) |
No. ( St. ) |
German title | Original title | First broadcast in the USA | German language first broadcast () | Director | script |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12 | 1 | The love doctor | The Love Doctor | Oct. 24, 2014 | March 20, 2015 | Michael Mayer | Garry Trudeau |
On the initiative of Senator, Colonel Grimmel, a former player of his, receives the Medal of Honor . The Colonel tells Biggs a little later that he will run against him as a Democratic candidate. Meanwhile, Senator Guzman is confronted with the charge that the headlight accident was only staged. | |||||||
13 | 2 | Gaffergate | Gaffergate | Oct. 24, 2014 | March 20, 2015 | Andrew McCarthy | Garry Trudeau |
Senator Biggs contacts the casino owners Watts to help him with the campaign against Col. Grimmel. The TV commercial produced by the Watts brothers met with a mixed response and Biggs had to act. Guzman has to deny the rumors about the alleged accident and Senator Bettencourt suffers from the divorce from his wife. | |||||||
14th | 3 | The competition | The contest | Oct. 24, 2014 | March 20, 2015 | Michael Mayer | Garry Trudeau |
Senator Laffert makes a fool of himself at a Senate hearing on a law to protect homosexual soldiers. Guzman and Adriana are planning their wedding. The senators attend a comedy show in which Laffert and Senator DuPeche appear as stand-up comedians. | |||||||
15th | 4th | Alarm in the Capitol | Shelter in Place | Oct. 24, 2014 | March 20, 2015 | Andrew McCarthy | Will Graham, Garry Trudeau |
Bigg's daughter Charlotte, a reality soap star, plans to shoot at the Capitol with other Senatorial daughters. Senator Stanchion waves a pistol on a Capitol tour, which leads to a major alarm. Senator Biggs clears the situation while Adriana overhears a phone call between Senator Guzman and the housekeeper Martha. | |||||||
16 | 5 | Served off | The Apparition | Oct. 24, 2014 | March 20, 2015 | Michael Mayer | Garry Trudeau |
Senator Biggs publicly apologizes for the defamation campaign against Democratic candidate Drimmel. Bettencourt has romantic feelings for a lottery winner while Adriana leaves Guzman. Senator Laffert's team learns that Julie is pregnant from a sperm donation. The Senator faces his rival candidate Penn Jillette and loses approval. | |||||||
17th | 6th | The retreat | The retreat | Oct. 24, 2014 | March 20, 2015 | Andrew McCarthy | Garry Trudeau |
The senators drive to the annual Republican retreat. Guzman has an affair with a communication coach. Biggs decides to raise his profile with female voters while Bettencourt gets intimate with the lottery winner. In the end, the four senators end up around the campfire. | |||||||
18th | 7th | Ripped off | The Civility Zone | Oct. 24, 2014 | March 20, 2015 | Jann Turner | Garry Trudeau |
Senator DuPeche gives a meal for her women's committee in Laffer's house. Since everyone is away, Biggs gives the host, which opens up unimagined possibilities for him. Guzma tries to win back Adriana to no avail. Laffert lets himself be ripped off by his opponent in a casino. | |||||||
19th | 8th | Geouted | Bugged | Oct. 24, 2014 | March 20, 2015 | Bob Balaban | Will Graham, Garry Trudeau |
After Guzman sought advice from his ex-wife and psychologist, Adriana gave him an ultimatum. Laffert gets bad press as a homophobic Mormon. At a press conference he outed his colleague Julie as a lesbian. Senator Biggs succeeds in getting a Senate bill for the Women's Committee and is celebrated for it. | |||||||
20th | 9 | The Lady Whisperer | There will be water | Oct. 24, 2014 | March 20, 2015 | Antoine Douaihy | Garry Trudeau |
Senators Laffert and Farkus persuade Julie and her friend to marry, which they want to cannibalize for election campaigns. Bettencourt and Senator DuPeche go to a fundraising gala with a surprising outcome. Biggs is targeted by Senator Sarah Palin for his engagement . | |||||||
21st | 10 | The wedding | The Nuptials | Oct. 24, 2014 | March 20, 2015 | Adam Bernstein | Will Graham, Garry Trudeau |
Laffert's opponent withdraws his candidacy, so that his re-election seems certain. The other senators also have good cards except Bettencourt, who trembles over the result until the end. Guzman and Adriana make up. Meanwhile, the preparations for Julie and Katherine's wedding are in full swing. |
reception
Alpha House received mostly positive reviews. The first season achieved a Metascore of 68% on Metacritic based on 18 reviews, on Rotten Tomatoes 72 percent of the 25 reviews were positive.
Web links
- Alpha House in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- "Four men in one boat" ( Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung , November 24, 2013)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Mark Leiboich: Taking Power, sharing Cereal , The New York Times - website, January 18, 2007. Retrieved on October 5, 2014.
- ↑ Alpha House Canceled By Amazon - No Season 3 . In: RenewCancelTV.com . August 7, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
- ↑ Alpha House - Season 1 Reviews . In: Metacritic.com . Retrieved October 7, 2015.
- ↑ Alpha House: Season 1 . In: RottenTomatoes.com . Retrieved December 18, 2014.