Editor’s Note: Now that the first two episodes of Galavant have premiered, we’re happy to share our thoughts with you. With names like Alan Menken and Glenn Slater onboard, we expected some good songs, but nothing could have prepared us for this combination of catchy tunes and bitingly self-aware lyrics. The delightful (and plentiful) moments in which the characters break the fourth wall by tipping their hats to the conventions of the medieval fairy tale garner consistent laughs–and just try to get the opening number “Galavant” out of your head.
Timothy Omundson’s King Richard steals the show; around midway through the pilot, you’ll find yourself smiling whenever he appears in anticipation of the wacky antics that are about to ensue. His soft-shoe number (during which he lists all the ways he’d like to maim Galavant) and its accompanying choreography will convince you that for the next three weeks, your Sunday nights are booked.
Strong secondary characters also punctuate each episode, with King Richard’s weary manservant Gareth (Vinnie Jones) delivering some especially punchy one-liners. John Stamos makes a wonderfully bizarre appearance in the second episode as eccentric knight Jean Hamm; his jousting match with Galavant gave us our biggest belly laugh yet in a series that promises many. Keep an eye out for a little twist with the show’s narrator—we hope we’ll be seeing more of him in later episodes.
If you missed the first two episodes of Galavant, you can watch them both on WATCH ABC by logging in with your cable provider. The next two episodes premiere this Sunday, January 11 at 8|7c on ABC.
Previously posted:
The January 4 premiere date of ABC’s new limited-time TV event, Galavant, is fast approaching.
A comedic adventure filled with knights, maidens, wizards, and hilarious musical numbers, Galavant promises to upend every Arthurian cliche it can get its noble, armored hands on. Following in the tradition of fantastical farces like Monty Python and the Holy Grail and The Princess Bride, Galavant promises to be a fresh take on stories we think we’re familiar with, but have never seen quite like this. And to make it even more of a must-see event, the series will feature all new music by 8-time Oscar winner–and Disney Legend–Alan Menken, who has teamed up once again with fellow Disney animation and Broadway alum Glenn Slater.
We managed to get our hands on some behind-the-scenes photos from Galavant that not only show off the series’ gorgeous production design, but also hint at some of the modern sensibilities of the humor at play. To get an even closer look, be sure to watch ABC’s 22-minute special about the show where you’ll get an in depth preview of the story, the music, the cast and the crew.
Here’s the official synopsis for the film:
From the writer of Crazy, Stupid Love, Dan Fogelman and Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken (Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and The Beast) comes a spectacular new television production and comedy extravaganza. With guest stars Ricky Gervais, Weird Al Yankovic, John Stamos, Rutger Hauer and Hugh Bonneville, Galavant is an epic 4-week long adventure, comedy, romance and storybook tale of a legendary hero.
Galavant premieres on Sunday, January 4th 8|7c on ABC.
