Alpha House

Last updated

Alpha House
Alpha House title card.jpg
Genre
Created by Garry Trudeau
Written byGarry Trudeau
Directed by
Starring
Theme music composer Anton Sanko
ComposerAnton Sanko
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes21 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
ProducerAntoine L. Douaihy
CinematographyPatrick Capone
Running time26 minutes
Production company Amazon Studios
Original release
Network Amazon Prime Video
ReleaseApril 19, 2013 (2013-04-19) 
October 24, 2014 (2014-10-24)

Alpha House is an American political satire television series [1] produced by Amazon Studios. [2] The show starred John Goodman, Clark Johnson, Matt Malloy, and Mark Consuelos as four Republican U.S. Senators who share a house in Washington, D.C. It was created by Doonesbury creator Garry Trudeau. The show premiered on Amazon Prime Video on April 19, 2013.

Contents

The series is inspired by several real Democratic Senators who share a row house in Washington D.C. [3] The series has a number of cameos from celebrities such as Bill Murray (as Senator Vernon Smits) and politicians such as Chuck Schumer as himself. Amazon Studios offered the first three episodes of Alpha House for free, with each subsequent episode released weekly thereafter for Amazon Prime members on Amazon Prime Video. [4]

On February 11, 2014, the series was renewed for a second season [4] and the production for the second season began filming in July 2014. [5] The entire second season became available on Amazon.com on October 24, 2014. [6] The series was canceled after the second season. [7]

Cast

Starring

Recurring

Cameos

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1 11September 8, 2013 (2013-09-08)January 10, 2014 (2014-01-10)
2 10October 24, 2014 (2014-10-24)

Season 1 (2013–14)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"Pilot"Adam Bernstein Garry Trudeau April 19, 2013 (2013-04-19)
Re-election battles, looming indictments, parties, their Party... these senators need a drink. And a new housemate.
22"No Shame"Adam BernsteinGarry TrudeauNovember 15, 2013 (2013-11-15)
The senators adjust to their new roommate, and his girlfriend, as preparations for the Congressional Delegation to Afghanistan continue. Meanwhile, Louis' appearance on The Colbert Report takes a wrong turn, leaving him to search for an alternate way to win over voters.
33"All Weapons Red"Adam BernsteinGarry TrudeauNovember 15, 2013 (2013-11-15)
As the re-election battles heat up the four senators travel to Afghanistan as part of a Congressional Delegation and encounter a surprise.
44"Triggers"Jake SchreierGarry TrudeauNovember 22, 2013 (2013-11-22)
After a surprise explosion in Afghanistan leaves Louis recovering from an injury, Adriana makes controversial private arrangements for the group to return home.
55"Hippo Issues"Michael MayerGarry TrudeauNovember 29, 2013 (2013-11-29)
Tempers heat up as Gil John's wife Maddie (Julie White) arrives to help him prepare for his upcoming debate with Digger Mancusi. Meanwhile, Louis continues to recover in the hospital and Senator Armiston (Cynthia Nixon) leads an ethics committee investigation against Robert.
66"Zingers"Bob BalabanGarry TrudeauDecember 6, 2013 (2013-12-06)
Louis continues to gain constituent support as Shelby (Haley Joel Osment) chronicles his recovery. Gil John faces Digger Mancusi in a town hall where he struggles to keep up with his polished and well-liked opponent, despite much help and coaching from Robert and Andy.
77"Prayer Brunch"Bob BalabanGarry TrudeauDecember 13, 2013 (2013-12-13)
Rosalyn (Wanda Sykes) organizes a prayer brunch to celebrate Louis' homecoming from the hospital, but the Senators and their fellow Democrats find it difficult to set aside their differences. Aaron and Tammy's relationship continues to grow and Lola has a surprise in store for James.
88"Ruby Shoals"Michael Mayer Peter Gwinn & Alison McDonald and Garry TrudeauDecember 20, 2013 (2013-12-20)
While on the campaign trail through North Carolina, Gil John blows off a meeting with the governor to visit Ruby Shoals where he becomes re-inspired about his campaign. Robert's pro-fracking visit to a constituent's home in Pennsylvania does not go as planned.
99"The Rebuttal"Jann Turner Will Graham & Jared Gruszecki and Garry TrudeauDecember 27, 2013 (2013-12-27)
Robert proves to the ethics committee that he would never take a mohair suit while Andy prepares to deliver a rebuttal after the State of the Union. Louis is put in the spotlight on his first day back when James mistakenly tweets a photo intended for Lola from the wrong account.
1010"Showgirls"Andrew McCarthyGarry TrudeauJanuary 3, 2014 (2014-01-03)
Louis decides to help showgirls organize, but the Watt brothers stand in his way. A video of Gil John hitting a soldier with a chair in Afghanistan goes viral so Maddie looks for a way to humanize him and Andy's Vanity Fair cover shoot takes an unexpected direction.
1111"In the Saddle"Clark JohnsonGarry TrudeauJanuary 10, 2014 (2014-01-10)
When another senator dies unexpectedly, Gil John is asked to organize the funeral arrangements. Louis wins the Nevada primary, but Robert has to face off in a Pennsylvania debate to cool the competition.

Season 2 (2014)

On February 11, 2014, the series was renewed for a second season. [4] Production for the second season began filming in July 2014, [5] and the entire season premiered on Amazon.com on October 24, 2014. [6]

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
121"The Love Doctor"Michael Mayer Garry Trudeau October 24, 2014 (2014-10-24)
Gil John helps a former player become a war hero, and quickly regrets it. Robert hosts an engagement party for his latest matchmaking success, but isn't prepared for the surprise guest.
132"Gaffergate"Andrew McCarthyGarry TrudeauOctober 24, 2014 (2014-10-24)
Gil John pays a visit to the Watt brothers, Louis worries when an old college friend threatens to share stories, and Andy tries to talk his way out of "Gaffergate," only to learn he's got bigger image problems.
143"The Contest"Michael MayerGarry TrudeauOctober 24, 2014 (2014-10-24)
Andy and Adriana start planning for a future worthy of a first family. Louis preps for the "Funniest Celebrity in Washington" contest, while his opponent, Penn Jillette, preps for their senate race. Back at the house, the Watt brothers find a new way to taunt Gil John.
154"Shelter In Place"Andrew McCarthy Will Graham, Garry TrudeauOctober 24, 2014 (2014-10-24)
Cee Biggs brings her reality show cameras to her father's office - just in time for gunshots that trigger a lockdown on Capitol Hill. Rosalyn (Wanda Sykes) forces Robert to face the truth about his marriage, and Louis is forced to let go of a fantasy.
165"The Apparition"Michael MayerGarry TrudeauOctober 24, 2014 (2014-10-24)
Gil John tries to right things after the Watts brothers "Swift Boat" his former player. Julie shocks Louis and Louise (Amy Sedaris) by announcing she's pregnant from an anonymous donor, while Adriana confronts Marta the housekeeper about Andy. Louis tries to debate Penn Jillette, but he's no match for what the magician has up his sleeves.
176"The Retreat"Andrew McCarthyGarry TrudeauOctober 24, 2014 (2014-10-24)
The senators head to a Republican retreat at a Virginia plantation, where they're haunted by the ghosts of slavery, Ronald Reagan and their exes. After a soul-cleansing bonfire with the housemates, Gil John awakes with a new fire in his belly.
187"The Civility Zone"Jann TurnerGarry TrudeauOctober 24, 2014 (2014-10-24)
Gil John finally breaks through to daughter Cee, then gets a lesson in civility from the women's caucus. Andy heads to Miami to try and win back Adriana, and gets some insights into his "condition" from a therapist. Meanwhile, Robert ignores his advisors and helps register black voters.
198"Bugged"Bob BalabanWill Graham, Garry TrudeauOctober 24, 2014 (2014-10-24)
After a break-in at the Alpha House, the NSA does a sweep, and gets suspicious – which lands Robert a new covert mission. Meanwhile, Gil John goes to bat for the women's caucus bill, earning him a whole new following. And Louis's aides inspire him to publicly "evolve" on gay marriage, much to their chagrin.
209"There Will Be Water"Antoine DouaihyGarry TrudeauOctober 24, 2014 (2014-10-24)
Gil John gets attacked by Sarah Palin and embraced by the media. Pressured by the party chair, Louis nudges Julie to consider a big wedding. Robert is forced to kiss up to his ex-wife's new beau, but gets some help from Rosalyn (Wanda Sykes).
2110"The Nuptials"Adam BernsteinWill Graham, Garry TrudeauOctober 24, 2014 (2014-10-24)
As the election returns come in, Gil John meets with a presidential campaign advisor, while Robert wonders if he still has a job. Katherine and Julie discover their wedding has been turned into a major political event – after they arrive.

Production

Filming took place on stages at Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens. [9] ADR recording was done at Cherry Beach Sound in Toronto. [10]

Broadcast

In Australia, where Prime Video was not yet available, the series premiered on SoHo on July 14, 2014, [11] and returned for season two on February 26, 2015. [12]

Reception

Reaction to Alpha House has been generally positive. [13] Metacritic gives season 1 an average rating of 68/100 based on reviews from 21 critics. [14] Rotten Tomatoes gives season 1 a score of 76% based on reviews from 38 critics. [15] Rotten Tomatoes gives season 2 a score of 83% based on reviews from 6 critics. [16]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipientsResult
2014 Satellite Awards [17] Best Television Series, Comedy or Musical Amazon Studios Nominated
Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical John Goodman Won
2015 Imagen Awards Best Actor - Television Mark Consuelos Nominated
Satellite AwardsBest Television Series, Comedy or MusicalAmazon StudiosNominated
Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or MusicalJohn GoodmanNominated

Related Research Articles

<i>Doonesbury</i> Comic strip by Garry Trudeau

Doonesbury is a comic strip by American cartoonist Garry Trudeau that chronicles the adventures and lives of an array of characters of various ages, professions, and backgrounds, from the President of the United States to the title character, Michael Doonesbury, who has progressed from a college student to a youthful senior citizen over the decades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garry Trudeau</span> American cartoonist (born 1948)

Garretson Beekman Trudeau is an American cartoonist, best known for creating the Doonesbury comic strip. Trudeau is also the creator and executive producer of the Amazon Studios political comedy series Alpha House.

The West Wing is an American serial political drama television series created by Aaron Sorkin that was originally broadcast on NBC from September 22, 1999, to May 14, 2006. The series is set primarily in the West Wing of the White House, where the Oval Office and offices of presidential senior personnel are located, during the fictitious Democratic administration of President Josiah Bartlet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Consuelos</span> American actor

Mark Andrew Consuelos is an American actor. He rose to prominence as a television actor on the ABC soap opera All My Children for his portrayal of Mateo Santos, and subsequently as Hiram Lodge on The CW drama Riverdale (2017–2023). Consuelos currently co-hosts the daytime talk show Live with Kelly and Mark with his wife Kelly Ripa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clark Johnson</span> American film director

Clark Johnson is an American-Canadian actor and director who has worked in both television and film. He is best known for his roles as David Jefferson in Night Heat (1985–1988), Clark Roberts in E.N.G. (1989–1994), Meldrick Lewis in Homicide: Life on the Street (1993–1999) and Augustus Haynes in The Wire (2008).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julie White</span> American actress (born 1961)

Julie K. White is an American actress. She won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in The Little Dog Laughed in 2007. She has also received three other Tony Award nominations for her performances in Airline Highway in 2013, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus in 2019 and POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive in 2022. She played Sam Witwicky's mother in Transformers film series (2007-2011).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Alter</span> American journalist, author, documentary filmmaker, and television producer

Jonathan H. Alter is a liberal American journalist, best-selling author, Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker and television producer who was a columnist and senior editor for Newsweek magazine from 1983 until 2011. Alter has written several books about American presidents, most recently His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life, published in 2020, the first independent biography of Carter. Alter is a contributing correspondent to NBC News, where since 1996 he has appeared on NBC, MSNBC, and CNBC. In 2021, Alter launched a newsletter called "Old Goats: Ruminating With Friends", where he has conversations with accomplished people who share their wisdom and experience. In 2013 and 2014, Alter served as an executive producer on the Amazon Studios production Alpha House, which starred John Goodman, Mark Consuelos, Clark Johnson, and Matt Malloy. In 2019, he co-produced and co-directed Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists," a documentary about the columnists Jimmy Breslin and Pete Hamill, which received the 2020 Emmy Award for Outstanding Historical Documentary.

Matt Malloy is an American actor and producer who has appeared extensively on television, film, and radio. Malloy's break-out performance was his co-starring role alongside Aaron Eckhart and Stacy Edwards in the 1997 black comedy movie In the Company of Men, which he co-executive produced. He also co-starred in the Amazon Prime Video comedy series Alpha House as Mormon GOP Senator Louis Laffer from Nevada.

<i>Betas</i> 2013 TV series

Betas is an American television series produced by Amazon Studios. The show stars Joe Dinicol and Karan Soni as "dating app" developers in Silicon Valley who are looking for an investor.

<i>Luther</i> (TV series) British crime drama television series

Luther is a British psychological crime thriller television series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther and Ruth Wilson as Alice Morgan, written by Neil Cross. The detective Luther must make cases against criminals while the murderer Morgan has a complicated relationship with him. The first series is composed of six episodes which ran in May and June 2010. A second series of four episodes aired on BBC One in June and July 2011, and a third was commissioned in 2012 composed of four episodes which aired in July 2013. A two-episode fourth series was broadcast in December 2015, and a fifth series of four episodes premiered on 1 January 2019. BBC Studios handled distribution for the TV series.

<i>The West Wing</i> season 6 Season of television series

The sixth season of the American political drama television series The West Wing aired in the United States on NBC from October 20, 2004, to April 6, 2005, and consisted of 22 episodes.

<i>House of Cards</i> (American TV series) American political drama TV series

House of Cards is an American political thriller television series created by Beau Willimon. It is based on the 1989 novel of the same name by Michael Dobbs and an adaptation of the 1990 British series of the same name by Andrew Davies, also from the novel. The first 13-episode season was released on February 1, 2013, on the streaming service Netflix. House of Cards is the first TV series to have been produced by a studio for Netflix.

Girls is an American comedy-drama television series created by and starring Lena Dunham, executive-produced by Judd Apatow. The series depicts four young women living in New York City. The show's premise was drawn from Dunham's own life, as were major aspects of the main character, including financial isolation from her parents, becoming a writer, and making unfortunate decisions. The series is known for its post-feminist commentary and conversation around body politics and female sexual subjecthood.

<i>The 100</i> (TV series) 2014 American science fiction television series

The 100 is an American post-apocalyptic science fiction drama television series that premiered on March 19, 2014, on The CW, and ended on September 30, 2020. Developed by Jason Rothenberg, the series is loosely based on the young adult novel series of the same name by Kass Morgan. The 100 follows post-apocalyptic survivors from a space habitat, the Ark, who return to Earth nearly a century after a devastating nuclear apocalypse. The first people sent to Earth are a group of juvenile delinquents who encounter descendants of survivors of the nuclear disaster on the ground.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy Biggs</span> American politician (born 1958)

Andrew Steven Biggs is an American attorney and politician who represents Arizona's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. The district, which was once represented by U.S. Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake, is in the heart of the East Valley and includes most of Mesa and Chandler and all of Queen Creek and Biggs's hometown of Gilbert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona</span>

The 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Arizona were held on November 8, 2016, to elect the nine U.S. representatives from the state of Arizona, one from each of the state's nine congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections. The primaries were held on August 30.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willa Fitzgerald</span> American actress (born 1991)

Willa Fitzgerald is an American actress. She is known for her starring role as Emma Duval in MTV's Scream. She has played cheer coach Colette French in the USA Network's television drama series Dare Me and officer Roscoe Conklin in the Amazon Prime Video television series Reacher. Her other notable roles include Amazon Studios' television series Alpha House, the USA Network's drama series Royal Pains, and Netflix's horror miniseries The Fall of the House of Usher.

Patriot is an American comedy-drama television series created by Steven Conrad. It premiered on November 5, 2015, on Amazon Prime Video, with the remaining first-season episodes released on February 23, 2017. It stars Michael Dorman, Kurtwood Smith, Michael Chernus, Kathleen Munroe, Aliette Opheim, Chris Conrad, Terry O'Quinn and Debra Winger. In April 2017, Amazon announced that it had renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on November 9, 2018. In July 2019, Amazon announced that it had no plans for a third season.

<i>Jack Ryan</i> (TV series) American television series

Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan is an American political action thriller television series based on characters from the fictional "Ryanverse" created by Tom Clancy. Replacing the characters of the novels with those set in modern time, it depicts CIA analyst Jack Ryan who is played by John Krasinski. The series was created by Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland. Cuse and Krasinski serve as executive producers, alongside Michael Bay, and Mace Neufeld, among others.

<i>Modern Love</i> (TV series) American anthology television series

Modern Love is an American romantic comedy anthology television series developed by John Carney, based on the weekly column of the same name published by The New York Times, that premiered on Amazon Prime Video on October 18, 2019. In October 2019, the series was renewed for a second season, which was released on August 13, 2021.

References

  1. "Alpha House: TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. November 14, 2013. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  2. Lazarus, Susanna (May 29, 2013). "John Goodman's Alpha House given full series by Amazon's new pilot scheme". Radio Times . Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  3. Correspondent, By Dana Bash, CNN Chief Congressional (December 4, 2013). "The real 'Alpha House': Yes, this is where some Senators actually live - CNNPolitics". CNN. Retrieved November 26, 2020.{{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. 1 2 3 Cavna, Michael (February 11, 2014). "Trudeau puts daily 'Doonesbury' on long-term hiatus to work on renewed 'Alpha House'". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
  5. 1 2 Dionne, Zach (March 12, 2014). "Amazon Ordered Four of Its Pilots — Including 'Transparent' — to Series". Grantland. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Alpha House on Amazon.com". Alpha House on Amazon.com. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  7. Heil, Emily (August 8, 2016). "Amazon's 'Alpha House' gets the ax". Washington Post. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  8. "Cast details from imdb.com". IMDb . Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  9. Gavin, Patrick (November 6, 2013). "'Alpha House': D.C. in the details". Politico . Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  10. "Post production for Alpha House in the studio via ISDN". Cherry Beach Sound. October 7, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  11. Purcell, Charles (July 14, 2014). "New this week: The Recruit, The Bridge, OITNB, Rake (US), RHONJ, Super Rugby finals and The British Open". Foxtel. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  12. Purcell, Charles (February 26, 2015). "NEW THIS WEEK: NAB Challenge, V8 Supercars, Alpha House, Project Runway All Stars and more". Foxtel. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  13. "Amazon says its original show "Alpha House" is a hit (critics say it's OK) — Tech News and Analysis". Gigaom.com. November 19, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  14. "Alpha House - Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  15. "Alpha House: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  16. "Alpha House: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  17. "2013 Nominations". International Press Academy. Retrieved December 27, 2013.