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Luck(TV series)

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Luck
GenreDrama
Created byDavid Milch
Starring
Opening theme"Splitting the Atom"byMassive Attack
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No.of seasons1
No.of episodes9
Production
Executive producers
ProducerDustin Hoffman
Running time47–67 minutes
Production companyHBO Entertainment
Original release
NetworkHBO
ReleaseDecember 11, 2011(2011-12-11)–
March 25, 2012(2012-03-25)

Luckis an American dramatic television series created byDavid Milchand starringDustin Hoffman.Set in the world ofhorse racing,the pilot episode was directed byMichael Mann.The series premiered January 29, 2012. HBO aired the first episode on December 11, 2011, as a preview.[1]It was immediately renewed for a second season of 10 episodes, scheduled to air beginning in January 2013.[2]However, the series was canceled on March 14, 2012, due to animal safety concerns. Three horses died during production of the series. The first season's remaining episodes continued to air.[3]The complete first season was released onDVDandBlu-rayNovember 27, 2012.[4]

Cast

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Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
1"Pilot"Michael MannDavid MilchDecember 11, 2011(2011-12-11)1.14[5]
Ace Bernstein is released from prison after three years and begins to plot his revenge on the associates who had him sent away. Ace's lieutenant, Gus, acts as front for an investment in the race horse, Pint of Plain. Pint of Plain's trainer, Turo Escalante, manipulates the odds in favor of one of his other horses, Mon Gateau. The four railbirds — Jerry, Marcus, Renzo and Lonnie — pool their resources to place a Pick Six bet, with Mon Gateau as the centerpiece. Veteran trainer Walter Smith's newThoroughbred,Gettn'up Morning, sparks an on-track rivalry between untested jockey Rosie and the more experienced Ronnie, represented by agent Joey Rathburn. Ace's plan against his former colleagues includes reviving the Santa Anita racetrack with casino gambling.
2"Episode Two"Terry GeorgeJohn R. PerrottaFebruary 5, 2012(2012-02-05)0.425[6]
Ace loses his temper during a meeting with two of the men who sent him to prison, DiRossi and Cohen. Marcus advises the other railbirds to not flaunt their newfound wealth from the Pick Six. Compulsive gambler Jerry ignores the warning and sits in at high-stakes poker games. Renzo wishes to claim one of Escalante's horses. Lonnie parties with two cunning women. Rosie asks Walter for a chance to ride Gettn'up Morning.
3"Episode Three"Allen CoulterBill BarichFebruary 12, 2012(2012-02-12)0.549[7]
Gettn'up Morning's jockey, Ronnie, takes a tumble in a race, and Walter is forced to call on Joey to help locate the inexperienced Rosie. Ace meets the young and cocky Nathan Israel, and hires him with the intent of getting closer to his revenge against his former associates. Ace is approached by Claire with a business opportunity. The railbirds attempt to buy back Mon Gateau from Mulligan, and hire Escalante to train him.
4"Episode Four"Phillip NoyceJay HovdeyFebruary 19, 2012(2012-02-19)0.445[8]
Ace faces off with his one-time partner, Mike, over Ace's plan to take control of the Santa Anita racetrack. Claire proposes a business venture to Ace, who wishes to have a more personal relationship with her. Chan challenges Jerry to a private poker game. The railbirds have to save Jerry from gambling away his life. Rosie has the race of her life on Gettn'up Morning.
5"Episode Five"Brian KirkScott WillsonFebruary 26, 2012(2012-02-26)0.501[9]
Escalante has entered Pint of Plain in a race with Leon as the jockey, under the premise of needing to appease the gaming board, but he ultimately scratches him. Ace sees through the lies and forces Escalante to swap out Leon for a more experienced jockey. Marcus has health concerns. Joey loses Ronnie as a client. Ace gives Claire a large check and invites her to watch Pint of Plain's first race.
6"Episode Six"Henry BronchteinRobin ShushanMarch 4, 2012(2012-03-04)0.686[10]
Israel is offered a chance by Mike to work as a double agent against Ace. An earthquake puts things into perspective for Joey. Leon's actions during his race on Mon Gateau has Escalante and the railbirds worried. Rosie ignores Walter's advice, and he is met with unwanted consequences. Jo wonders about her future with Escalante.
7"Episode Seven"Brian KirkAmanda FergusonMarch 11, 2012(2012-03-11)0.474[11]
Ace and Claire take a tour of a prison outreach horse retirement farm. Walter defends his right of ownership to Gettn'up Morning. Jerry and Naomi try to enter a poker tournament. Israel represents Ace against Mike. Lonnie claims another horse named Niagara's Fall. Walter has a decision to make. Rosie asks Joey for representation. Ronnie attempts to get his life back on track.
8"Episode Eight"Allen CoulterJohn R. Perotta & Jay HovdeyMarch 18, 2012(2012-03-18)0.459[12]
Ace makes his move to purchase control of the track, going around his former partners. Mike makes a move of his own. Walter enters Gettn'up Morning in the Western Derby against Pint of Plain. Leon loses his ride. Joey comes through for Rosie as her new agent. Jo's budding pregnancy is put into jeopardy.
9"Episode Nine"Mimi LederEric RothMarch 25, 2012(2012-03-25)0.440[13]
The Western Derby, pitting Gettn'up Morning and Pint of Plain against each other, serves as the backdrop for other events. Jerry tries to figure out a new big score. Escalante awaits word about Jo. Renzo's mother arrives in town. Ace feels guilt for Israel's fate. Gus goes to extreme lengths to protect Ace.

Production

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I hope it's a love letter. By saying that, I'm not saying it's a story coming through rose-colored glasses. To me, the track is what the river was to Mark Twain. Where you see the most life and interesting people, go there. That's what I've done.[14]

—David Milch, about his love for horse racing.

The pilot is about a bunch of intersecting lives in the world of horse racing... It's a subject which has engaged and some might say has compelled me for 50 years. I find it as complicated and engaging a special world as any I've ever encountered, not only in what happens in the clubhouse and the grandstand, but also on the backside of the track, where the training is done and where they house the horses.[15]

—Milch, about the series.

Before creatingLuck,David Milchhad worked in television for three decades. He started as a writer on the seriesHill Street Bluesbefore co-creatingNYPD BluewithSteven Bochco,and creating theHBOseriesDeadwood.

Milch had been fascinated by horse racing from an early age because his father would take him to the track. "My dad started taking me to Saratoga at age 5 or 6. You have so many associations from childhood that stay with you."[14]He stated that he had been thinking about creating the series for 25 years, and always pictured that it would be set atSanta Anita Park."It's the most beautiful setting for horse racing that I've seen, and I'd include Saratoga," he said.[14]

The character of on-the-skids jockey Ronnie is portrayed by racing fixtureGary Stevens,aHall of Famejockey who won theKentucky Derby,thePreakness Stakesand theBelmont Stakesin the course of his career. Stevens portrayed jockeyGeorge Woolfin the 2003 film,Seabiscuit.

The series used 50 horses trained by Matt Chew at Santa Anita. Milch stated, "Because it's a natural tendency for horses to want to be a part of a herd, most adapt to it very well. We have a couple individuals that have been taught to be race horses; we're not going to get that out of their system. We'll just have to adapt to it. But of the 50 horses, I'd say 45 of them have adapted to it real well."[16]

Safety concerns and cancellation

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The safety of the series's working environment was called into question byPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals(PETA), which criticizedLuckover the injury andeuthanizationof two horses during filming for the pilot and the seventh episode.[17][18]TheAmerican Humane Association(AHA) said that both racehorses "stumbled and fell during short racing sequences", and that "the horses were checked immediately afterwards by the onsite veterinarians and in each case a severe fracture deemed the condition inoperable".[19]

HBO pointed out that precautions had been taken; each horse was "limited to three runs per day and was rested in between those runs".[20][21]On March 13, 2012, HBO agreed to suspend all filming involving horses while investigations took place over the death of a third horse.[22]The AHA insisted that the stoppage remain in effect until a comprehensive investigation was completed; it also noted the horse's injury did not occur during filming or racing.[23]The following day, HBO canceled the series, saying that, although it "maintained the highest safety standards throughout production... accidents unfortunately happen and it is impossible to guarantee they won't in the future."[24]

At the time of the series's cancelation, the second episode of the second season was in production.[25]Footage shot for the second season has not been released publicly.

Reception

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Critical reception

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On thereview aggregatorwebsiteRotten Tomatoes,82% of 50 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.23/10.[26]Metacritic,which uses aweighted average,assigned the series a score of 75 out of 100, based on 29 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[27]

Linda Stasi from theNew York Postsaid in her review, "With an impossibly good cast, writing so spot-on it's poetic, and slow-build stories, I, for one, was left wanting more—even after watching the entire season."[28]

Alessandra StanleyofThe New York Times,on the other hand, found the show "needlessly opaque".[29]

Newsday's Verne Gay praised the talent behind the series: "There are three excellent reasons—Milch, Mann and Hoffman—why your faith will be rewarded."[30]

Alan SepinwallfromHitFixcalled the series "clear and engaging", and singled out Hoffman's performance. "Hoffman is the big name, and gives an impressively buttoned-down performance."[31]

Andrew AnthonyofThe Guardiancomplained about the inaudibility of the dialogue and the delivery of the actors.[32]

Ratings

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The December 2011 preview episode garnered a total of 1.14 million viewers on its original airing, with a 0.36 ratings share among adults 18–49.[5]The official series premiere, which aired January 29, 2012, garnered 1.06 million viewers with a 0.3 ratings share.[33]The viewership reached its second lowest mark with the seventh episode, at 474,000 viewers and 0.14 share.[34]

Music

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The theme song for the series is "Splitting the Atom"byMassive Attack.

International distribution

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Country Channel Premiere date Source(s)
Denmark
Finland
Norway
Sweden 		Canal+ Series March 4, 2012 [35]
Germany TNT Serie October 9, 2012 [36]
Ireland
United Kingdom 		Sky Atlantic February 18, 2012 [37]
Portugal TVSéries February 5, 2012 [38]
South Africa M-Net August 24, 2012 [39]

References

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  1. ^Pennington, Gail (December 10, 2011)."HBO places its bets on new series 'Luck'".St. Louis Post-Dispatch.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2020.RetrievedDecember 12,2011.
  2. ^Pennington, Gail (January 31, 2012)."HBO renews" Luck "- latimes".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on July 20, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 31,2012.
  3. ^Villarreal, Yvonne; Flint, Joe (March 14, 2012)."HBO cancels" Luck "after third horse death".Show Tracker (blog).Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2020.RetrievedMarch 14,2012.
  4. ^Lambert, David (August 9, 2012)."Luck - Blu-rays, DVDs for HBO's David Milch-Created Series Starring Dustin Hoffman".TVShowsOnDVD.Archived fromthe originalon August 12, 2012.RetrievedAugust 9,2012.
  5. ^abSeidman, Robert (December 12, 2011)."Friday Cable Ratings:" Gold Rush "Wins Again +" Smackdown, "'Sanctuary,'" For Better or Worse "& More".TV by the Numbers.Archived from the original on January 8, 2012.RetrievedDecember 15,2011.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^"Sunday's Cable Ratings:" Shameless "Wins Super Bowl Leftovers Battle".The Futon Critic.February 7, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on September 11, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 2,2016.
  7. ^"Sunday's Cable Ratings:" Walking Dead "Returns Big for AMC".The Futon Critic.February 14, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on February 3, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 2,2016.
  8. ^"Sunday's Cable Ratings:" Walking Dead "Overshadows the Competition".The Futon Critic.February 22, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on February 4, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 2,2016.
  9. ^"Sunday's Cable Ratings:" NBA All-Star Game "Sneaks Past" The Walking Dead "".The Futon Critic.February 28, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on February 4, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 2,2016.
  10. ^Bibel, Sara (March 6, 2012)."Sunday Cable Ratings:" The Walking Dead, "'Storage Wars,'" Army Wives, "'Real Housewives' & More".TV by the Numbers.Archived fromthe originalon March 8, 2012.RetrievedMarch 6,2012.
  11. ^"Sunday's Cable Ratings:" Walking Dead "Still Unstoppable for AMC".The Futon Critic.March 13, 2013.Archivedfrom the original on September 11, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 2,2016.
  12. ^Bibel, Sara (March 20, 2012)."Sunday Cable Ratings:" Walking Dead "Season Finale Laps the Field + 'Khloe & Lamar,'" Frozen Planet, "'Army Wives' & More".TV by the Numbers.Archived fromthe originalon March 22, 2012.RetrievedMarch 21,2012.
  13. ^"Sunday's Cable Ratings:" Mad Men "Leads Viewers, NBA Tops Demos".The Futon Critic.March 28, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 2,2016.
  14. ^abcPugmire, Lance (December 25, 2011)."Q&A: David Milch on horse racing and iconic TV series".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 22,2012.
  15. ^Fleming, Michael (January 5, 2010)."Mann, Milch in" Luck "with HBO".Variety.RetrievedAugust 6,2011.
  16. ^Golden, Ed."Stable Notes by Ed Golden:" Luck "Horses Learn Their Roles from Matt Chew for HBO Series".Santa Anita Park.Archivedfrom the original on March 6, 2016.RetrievedMarch 15,2012.
  17. ^"HBO Cancels 'Luck'".People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.March 14, 2012.RetrievedOctober 23,2023.
  18. ^Masters, Kim (March 27, 2012)."PETA vs. 'Luck': The Backstory".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedOctober 23,2023.
  19. ^Grant, Drew (February 6, 2012)."HBO Responds to Racing Show Luck's Real-Life Horse Fatalities".The New York Observer.Archived fromthe originalon February 7, 2012.RetrievedApril 5,2012.
  20. ^"HBO show Luck attacked over horse deaths".BBC News.February 10, 2012.RetrievedDecember 6,2023.
  21. ^"TV Review – HBO Series: Luck".Humane Hollywood.January 27, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon February 29, 2012.
  22. ^"HBO suspends filming with horses on" Luck "".Associated PressviaMSN.March 13, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon March 15, 2012.RetrievedMarch 14,2012.
  23. ^"Third Horse's Death Forces HBO's" Luck "to Suspend Production with Animals".CBS Local Media. March 14, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2020.RetrievedMarch 14,2012.
  24. ^Kenneally, Tim (March 14, 2012)."'Luck' Canceled After Latest Horse Death ".The Wrap.Archived fromthe originalon March 16, 2012.RetrievedMarch 15,2012.
  25. ^Verrier, Richard (March 28, 2012)."Cancellation of" Luck "TV series leaves crew members in the lurch".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 20,2020.
  26. ^"Luck:Season 1 ".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango Media.RetrievedMay 28,2023.
  27. ^"Luck:Season 1 ".Metacritic.Fandom, Inc.RetrievedMay 28,2023.
  28. ^Stasi, Linda (January 26, 2012)."'Luck' horse-track characters are best since 'Sopranos'".New York Post.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 28,2012.
  29. ^Stanley, Alessandra (January 27, 2012)."Review: Where Fortune Is Just Around the Bend".New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 30,2012.
  30. ^Gay, Verne (January 25, 2012)."Review: As" Luck "has it, we like the handicap".Newsday.
  31. ^Sepinwall, Alan (January 25, 2012)."Review: Dustin Hoffman and Nick Nolte head to the track in HBO's 'Luck'".HitFix.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 28,2012.
  32. ^Anthony, Andrew (January 25, 2012)."Rewind TV: Luck; Lucian Freud: Painted Life; Big Fat Gypsy Weddings – review".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2020.RetrievedDecember 17,2016.
  33. ^Gorman, Bill (January 31, 2012)."Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Kourtney & Kim' Finale Goes Large + Atlanta" Housewives, "'Ax Men, 'Mob Wives 2,'" Shameless "& More".TV by the Numbers.Archived fromthe originalon February 2, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 1,2012.
  34. ^Kondoloy, Amanda (March 11, 2012)."Sunday Cable Ratings:" The Walking Dead "Dominates, 'Oprah's Next Chapter' Sees Series High".TV by the Numbers.Archived fromthe originalon March 13, 2012.RetrievedMarch 15,2012.
  35. ^"Luck".Canal+(in Swedish). Archived fromthe originalon January 11, 2012.RetrievedMarch 6,2012.
  36. ^"TNT Serie zeigt" Luck "in Deutschland".quotenmeter.de(in German). August 8, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2020.RetrievedAugust 8,2012.
  37. ^"Sky Atlantic Sets UK Premiere Date For Luck".TVWise.February 3, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2020.RetrievedFebruary 4,2012.
  38. ^"HBO estreia Luck na América Latina"[HBO premieres Luck in Latin America].HBO Brazil(in Spanish). January 24, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on September 24, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 4,2012.
  39. ^"Luck - new racing TV series on Mnet".September 3, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon January 16, 2013.RetrievedAugust 10,2012.
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