"Six Feet Under" (2001) TV series 2001-2005

User Rating:

9.3/10   

Creator:

Alan Ball

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

3 June 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Every Day Above Ground Is A Good One.

Plot:

A drama series that takes a darkly comical look at members of a dysfunctional California family that runs an independent funeral home.

Plot Keywords:

Funeral | Funeral Home | Prodigal Son | Death | Dysfunctional Family

Awards:

Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 43 wins & 117 nominations

Cast

Peter Krause	...	Nate Fisher (63 episodes, 2001-2005)
Michael C. Hall	...	David Fisher (63 episodes, 2001-2005)
Frances Conroy	...	Ruth Fisher (63 episodes, 2001-2005)
Lauren Ambrose	...	Claire Fisher (63 episodes, 2001-2005)
Freddy Rodríguez	...	Federico 'Rico' Diaz (63 episodes, 2001-2005)
Mathew St. Patrick	...	Keith Charles (63 episodes, 2001-2005)
Rachel Griffiths	...	Brenda Chenowith (63 episodes, 2001-2005)
Justina Machado	...	Vanessa Diaz (41 episodes, 2001-2005)
Jeremy Sisto	...	Billy Chenowith (31 episodes, 2001-2005)
James Cromwell	...	George Sibley (27 episodes, 2003-2005)
Brenna Tosh	...	Maya Fisher (27 episodes, 2003-2005)
Bronwyn Tosh	...	Maya Fisher (27 episodes, 2003-2005)

Runtime:

55 min (63 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

France:U | Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:MA (some episodes) | Portugal:M/12 (DVD rating) | Singapore:M18 (cable rating) (cut) | Singapore:(Banned) (video rating) | New Zealand:R16 | South Korea:15 (season 1) | South Korea:18 (seasons 2-5) | Argentina:16 | Canada:14A | Finland:K-15 (DVD rating) | Germany:12 (DVD rating) | Netherlands:AL | UK:18 | USA:TV-MA

Filming Locations:

2302 W. 25th Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Home Box Office (HBO)

Trivia:

Frances Conroy is not quite 12 years older than Peter Krause, whose mother she plays on the show.

Quotes:

Celeste: Creepy Colin Farrell just left me another creepy message; can't we do something about that, y'know legally?

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "American Dad!: Con Heir (#1.11)" (2005)

Entrancing, confronting, charming, absolutely mindbending. Feels like an insult to call it television

And I rarely even watch television. I'm a book person.

Not since the "X-Files" has a TV show been so intriguing. Every time I watch an episode, I am struck back be depth of storyline, the intricate characters and the left-of-the-middle storytelling. I literally cannot control myself from discussing each new episode with (bored) family members.

SFU is a very introverted show - it resembles more a book or play than television. While the latter is extroverted and relies on events happening to characters (eg: the overboard emergencies of ER or the romances in soaps) to carry the story, Six Feet Under wants to communicate the deepest feelings and ideals of the people on screen. As a result, it not only stimulates the mind but also helps us analyse ourselves.

In the hands of any other creators, this would make for a very dull hour of suburban spirituality, but Allan Ball's menagerie of ghosts, (past characters influencing the present) trippy daydream sequences, surreal atmosphere and some wicked black humour make for a very entertaining show and sell what would otherwise be a marketing disaster to the masses. On top of that, every component from acting to directing to screenplay is flawless. (the dead boy's ghost in "a private life" still chills me to the bone).

Most, of all I admire the characters: some of the most complex and enchanting creatures ever to grace the idiot box. After a few episodes, they feel like a second family.

While I do have my complaints about the amount of obscenity, (I can swear that sometimes the writers want to offend us just for fun) I have to give my show the highest commendations. There are, of course, moments when I feel like throwing my chair at the television, but that is simply the consequence of watching a show that challenges me, rather than offer cheap amusement.

SFU may take a while to get into, but the rewards are bountiful.