<a href="/topics//Amazon.com">Amazon.com</a> launched 14 streaming pilots this past weekend (free for members) with the goal of creating a new series -- or 14 of them -- depending on viewer response, which so far is good. (Viewing pilots is free if you've registered; you'd pay to watch any series.) The retail giant said eight of the 10 most-streamed TV episodes last weekend were their own. The Amazon offerings include six children's shows, and eight comedy pilots, including a remake of "Zombieland" and a show from Onion ("Onion News Empire"). Today, we take a look at "Alpha House," one we particularly like. 
 WHAT IT'S ABOUT Created by "Doonesbury's" Garry <a href="/topics//Garry_Trudeau">Trudeau</a>, this is a satire about a group of congressmen who are bunking together in Washington. They are Gil <a href="/topics//John_Biggs">John Biggs</a> (<a href="/topics//John_Goodman">John Goodman</a>), Andy Guzman (<a href="/topics//Mark_Consuelos">Mark Consuelos</a>), Robert Bettencourt (<a href="/topics//Clark_Johnson">Clark Johnson</a>) and Louis Laffer (Matt Malloy). In the pilot, a senator, Vernon Smits (Bill <a href="/topics//Bill_Murray">Murray</a>), is awakened by Gil, who reminds him that he was supposed to turn himself into the Department of Justice on this day. Vernon is not happy. 
 MY SAY Of all the pilots, this one seems guaranteed to get a green light. Really: Who has pockets deep enough to get <a href="/topics//Bill_Murray">Bill Murray</a> to actually appear in a TV pilot, or even <a href="/topics//John_Goodman">John Goodman</a>? (Although it's doubtful you'll be seeing much of <a href="/topics//Bill_Murray">Murray</a> in the future. As clever as his open is, it all feels like a favor or a debt now paid; in any event, he's on the show for less than a minute.) And, yes, Trudeau has done TV, but the efforts were not entirely memorable or long-lasting. His mockumentary series, "Tanner '88," about a guy running for president, did get a good reaction when it aired on <a href="/topics//HBO">HBO</a> many years ago, but the 2004 TV series spinoff ("Tanner on Tanner") landed quietly in Nowheresville. 
 Meanwhile, Adam Bernstein directed the pilot, and, as one of the biggest comedy directors in television ("<a href="/topics//Scrubs">Scrubs</a>," "<a href="/topics//30_Rock">30 Rock</a>"), you assume the pilot will get off on the right foot -- and it does. 
 "Alpha House" is profane, bitter, hard-edge and often funny. The opening <a href="/topics//Bill_Murray">Murray</a> bit is flawless, while Goodman is Goodman throughout -- exactly how you'd want him to be. Two nice surprises here. Malloy, a TV journeyman who has possibly appeared in every TV show ever made beginning with -- guess! -- "Tanner '88" is one. And <a href="/topics//Mark_Consuelos">Consuelos</a>, who -- darn it -- is a good actor, even if he is best known as <a href="/topics//Kelly_Ripa">Kelly Ripa</a>'s househusband. 
 Can Trudeau turn out a weekly series about the despicable behavior of people behaving despicably in Washington? No reason why not -- there's plenty of material. The downside here: Not a single memorable female character. 
 BOTTOM LINE Raw, funny, open, but no women in sight. 
 GRADE B+

Amazon.com launched 14 streaming pilots this past weekend (free for members) with the goal of creating a new series -- or 14 of them -- depending on viewer response, which so far is good. (Viewing pilots is free if you've registered; you'd pay to watch any series.) The retail giant said eight of the 10 most-streamed TV episodes last weekend were their own. The Amazon offerings include six children's shows, and eight comedy pilots, including a remake of "Zombieland" and a show from Onion ("Onion News Empire"). Today, we take a look at "Alpha House," one we particularly like. WHAT IT'S ABOUT Created by "Doonesbury's" Garry Trudeau, this is a satire about a group of congressmen who are bunking together in Washington. They are Gil John Biggs (John Goodman), Andy Guzman (Mark Consuelos), Robert Bettencourt (Clark Johnson) and Louis Laffer (Matt Malloy). In the pilot, a senator, Vernon Smits (Bill Murray), is awakened by Gil, who reminds him that he was supposed to turn himself into the Department of Justice on this day. Vernon is not happy. MY SAY Of all the pilots, this one seems guaranteed to get a green light. Really: Who has pockets deep enough to get Bill Murray to actually appear in a TV pilot, or even John Goodman? (Although it's doubtful you'll be seeing much of Murray in the future. As clever as his open is, it all feels like a favor or a debt now paid; in any event, he's on the show for less than a minute.) And, yes, Trudeau has done TV, but the efforts were not entirely memorable or long-lasting. His mockumentary series, "Tanner '88," about a guy running for president, did get a good reaction when it aired on HBO many years ago, but the 2004 TV series spinoff ("Tanner on Tanner") landed quietly in Nowheresville. Meanwhile, Adam Bernstein directed the pilot, and, as one of the biggest comedy directors in television ("Scrubs," "30 Rock"), you assume the pilot will get off on the right foot -- and it does. "Alpha House" is profane, bitter, hard-edge and often funny. The opening Murray bit is flawless, while Goodman is Goodman throughout -- exactly how you'd want him to be. Two nice surprises here. Malloy, a TV journeyman who has possibly appeared in every TV show ever made beginning with -- guess! -- "Tanner '88" is one. And Consuelos, who -- darn it -- is a good actor, even if he is best known as Kelly Ripa's househusband. Can Trudeau turn out a weekly series about the despicable behavior of people behaving despicably in Washington? No reason why not -- there's plenty of material. The downside here: Not a single memorable female character. BOTTOM LINE Raw, funny, open, but no women in sight. GRADE B+

Entertainment

ETTEL25.WEB

'Alpha House' review: Amazon series is bitter but funny

Newsday

alpha house cropped

Entertainment trending

Take our quizzes

50 best LI movies

AI's effect on entertainment

Jones Beach summer 2026 concerts

Most Popular

Entertainment Rail Module

"Valley of the Dolls" and "St. Elmo's Fire" were bad, but their songs were music to our ears.

Remember these great songs from not so great movies?

Mayor Mamdani said she paid the city for "the event and the response to the event."

Taylor Swift paid $160G in city permit bill for wedding

There's little new in this docuseries about the L.I. stock firm behind a major fraud,

Take two: 'Real Wolf of Wall Street' rehashes the movie

Robert Montano stars in this NYC show about his life at Belmont racetrack.

Belmont jockey's wild ride: LI man stars in 'Small'

Read this and you'll know the difference between Homer and Homer Simpson.

Get ready for 'The Odyssey' with our handy cheat sheet

Jim Steinman wrote the song for Bonnie Tyler, who never tired of singing it.

'Total Eclipse' got its heart from a Long Islander

Sign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter

Entertainment newsletter widget

More Entertainment

Entertainment Article Bottom Module

This new 'Prairie' home puts a fresher and truer spin on Laura Ingalls Wilder's stories.

Netflix's 'Little House' reboot has a big heart

Nominees "The Diplomat," "The Gilded Age" and "The Beast in Me" all have local ties.

'The Pitt,' 'Hacks' and LI-themed shows are all heavy Emmy contenders

Back in the '60s, the legendary DJ knew was what was happening on New York radio.

Rock, roll and remember: Murray the K, the 'Fifth Beatle'

Here's a look back at the movies, theater, TV and music that captivated us during that glorious year:

Remembering the pop culture of 1976: The Bicentennial year brought us 'Charlie's Angels,' 'Rocky,' 'Disco Duck,' lots more

According to Paramount+, the docuseries "uncovers the explosive true story of Jordan Belfort's meteoric rise, his stunning fall and those he left stranded in his wake."

'Real Wolf of Wall Street' docuseries promises shocking revelations about LI stockbroker left out of Leonardo DiCaprio movie

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

For a quick trip not far from home, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano checks out the Rockaway Hotel.

A getaway close to home for mom

A weaver from Huntington helped hide guns from the British at his home. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

America 250: The arsenal in Huntington

Joe Tosini, owner of River Center Shopping Center in Riverhead, said the businesses in the center lost power during Saturday's storms and that their electricity wasn't restored until late Tuesday afternoon. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

Riverhead shopping center back in business after 3-day power outage

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano joined the volunteers of Save the Great South Bay to clean oysters. The oysters are cleaned weekly and then placed back into the bay, where they'll be able to help filter the water.

Help boost the Great South Bay oyster population

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits Palmer Vineyards, where they host 'summer late nights,' which have become very popular.

Out East: Take a sip at this winery that's ready for summer

A draft rule introduced this month by House and Senate Republicans would significantly limit compensation for service-connected tinnitus and sleep apnea for veterans. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

LI vets concerned about bill that would reduce benefits

Juan Bonilla Lagos, who was arrested by ICE in October near his Plainview home, was freed from jail after nine months.

Plainview man detained by ICE freed from jail after 9 months 

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits L'Etoile in Oyster Bay. The French restaurant is in the building that used to be Snouder's Drug Store.

Historic LI building home to new French restaurant

As boaters set out on the water this summer, they will be paying more at the pump. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Boaters feeling the pinch at the pump 

Newsday food writer Erica Marcus explores the new farmers market at Station Yards in Ronkonkoma.

Farmers market opens at Station Yards

Sitewide Video Playlist

There have been 23 closures due to shark sightings at Queens' Rockaway Beach and that has other South Shore beaches on alert. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'They're coming to visit more often'

Police are only addressing the supply, but demand is what fuels the illicit sex trade, experts say. Newsday political reporter Bahar Ostadan has the story.

'If you don't address demand, you don't address the problem'

DeVuono describes her scheme to an undercover investigator in January 2022.

See the undercover video of the DeVuono sting

'We're still behind'

The foundation paid for staff events at wine bars, a $2,000 limo ride and a Gracie Mansion gala. Newsday investigative reporter Peter D'auria, Richard Kessel, current chairman of the Nassau Health Care Corporation and Albany Law School professor Randle Pollard discuss.

'It should exist for the benefit of the hospital'

It was an unimaginable crime that shattered the idyllic image of a suburbia. On July 4, 1956, little Peter Weinberger, only 32 days old, was snatched out of his stroller on the back patio of his family's home in Westbury and killed. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

'It impacts who I am today, and I'm going to be 80'

Dangerous extreme heat with the possibility of thunderstorms are in store for Long Island and the entire NYC area beginning Wednesday, NewsdayTV's meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.

Possible record temperatures coming

'I fought so hard'

Teachers' median pay on Long Island grew by 1.5% in Nassau and 0.9% in Suffolk from the 2023-24 school year. Newsday education reporter Dandan Zou has more.

'They should make more'

The mother of a 7-year-old who was allegedly tortured and killed is filing a $250 million lawsuit against Suffolk County. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'Multiple systems together that failed at every single point'

The village defended its rejection of a St. James cell tower, proposed by LI Smart Solutions on the campus of the 40-acre Knox School, arguing in a new legal filing the applicant could have revised its proposal to comply with local regulations.

Village defends cell tower rejection

Here's how these Long Island content creators use TikTok to build their careers.

Meet the Long Islanders making it big on TikTok

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

TV - megaslot

Newsday TV critic Verne Gay reviews new TV shows and series from Netflix, Max, Hulu and more. Plus, what Long Island actors are working on and Long Island filming locations.

'Alpha House' review: Amazon series is bitter but funny

Most Popular

Top Stories

Stay logged in.