Richie and Zak mellow out in LA on this weeks Vinyl.
Vinylseason 1, episode 7.
Vinyls The King and I episode takes the young men west.
The American Century Records visionary sees a lean future and lets everyone go hungry.
But he also spoiled the buffet at Zaks daughters Bat Mitzvah while he was on his binge.
It looks like its going to be a long, dry trip for Finestra.
The last white-guy impersonation that came out of the mail room was the best.
He rolls a joint out of Jamies (Juno Temple) familial disappointment.
But really, he should have gotten his ass kicked anyway.
Youd almost think he could find that piece of Richie that got lost.
But Richies not quite hooked on a feeling, no matter what makes the charts on the Sunset Strip.
Bo Dietl plays my favorite character onVinyl, Ill admit it.
Small roles are like onions in sauce on HBO.
They sweeten the pot and this guy just cracks me up with every veiled threat and nuanced rejoinder.
The episode centers on a meeting with the King.
He succeeded Frank Sinatra as the voice that could move teens and units.
But those early Sun session recordings were dynamite, as Zak remembers so fluidly.
A bare band backing produced by Pops Staples?
What a perfect match.
Keith Richards got to assemble a band for Chuck Berrys comeback.
This scene had to come from a similar desire.
The scene is ultimately very sad, though.
Zak wants to hear Mystery Train, and the Colonel takes away Richies chance to make that happen.
Romano and Cannavale are really well paired.
They offer each other a balance, both with the characters and the space they give each other.
They are relaxed and tense and you really wouldnt want to leave your money with either one of them.
It comes out like passive aggressive street fighting, while Cannavales Finestra doesnt bother to duck and weave.
He goes for the quick knockout and dances around if he misses his chance.
When theyre of one mind it is contagious.
We hope its a wild ride.
Richie even gets to fulfill two of Zaks rock and roll bucket list fantasies.
Then Richie gets to make good on Zaks demand that he unfuck him.
He condemns himself a sad, ultimate failure on the spot.
But it doesnt matter if hes sober or straight, Richie Finestra is a world class douche bag.
Even at his best behavior, this guy has no socially redeeming values.
That happens to be the name of an unsigned punk band whos CDs I own.
Richie Finestra would have found them a perfect fit for Alibi Records.
He is a punk.
He will head bang before the series ends.
The King and I was written by David Matthews and directed by Allen Coulter.
Rating:
4 out of 5
