One of the most intriguing Netflix originals currently in the works is A Series of Unfortunate Events, based on the book series by Lemony Snicket. Any adaptation that would be at all faithful to Snicket's saga would have to be as darkly hilarious as it is fantastical, and fans of the novels have only been able to cross their fingers and hope that Netflix will pull it off. Now, the first look at the upcoming series has finally hit the web, and it's definitely worth a few laughs. Check it out!
Is there any more perfect way to tease a show called A Series of Unfortunate Events than by sending the narrator out on screen to warn viewers to stay away and watch something a bit more fortunate? Patrick Warburton strolling out on a ghost town of a set to advise Netflix subscribers to watch something else strikes the right balance of comedy and mystery to do justice to the Lemony Snicket plot, even without much in the way of footage. The trailer certainly makes it clear that Warburton was a solid choice for the role of Lemony Snicket. His distinctive deep voice and classic good looks give him a timeless quality in the subdued colors that is pretty perfect.
The only real shame is that we didn't get a look at any of the Baudelaire kids in the teaser. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are the center the the unfortunate events for more than a dozen books. It would have been exciting to get a glimpse of the Netflix versions of the character, if only to compare them to the versions presented in the 2004 movie. I did get a kick out of Neil Patrick Harris' voice cameo in the teaser. The slightly unhinged laugh is a good sign that Harris should be able to nail the crazy role of Count Olaf.
I'm not sure what is my favorite part of the trailer. The Count Olaf laugh is certainly a highlight, and I could listen to Patrick Warburton narrate the phone book, but I might have to go with the delightfully dire wordplay as Warburton tries to warn viewers away from the series. If I can find a way to incorporate "avoid the cruel whimsy and whimsical cruelty" into daily conversation, I absolutely will.
Fortunately, the end is in sight for any who have been anxiously awaiting the debut of the series. A Series of Unfortunate Events will premiere on Netflix on Friday, January 13, 2017. Check out our fall TV premiere schedule to see everything you can catch on the small screen in the meantime, and take a look at a list of the best Netflix originals to see what else the streaming service has to offer.
