America's answer to Hustle is here, and it's so similar you'd be forgiven for thinking it's a con.
Hit US scam show Leverage is not officially a Hustle spin-off, but its resemblance is remarkable: Just like the British show it follows a team of diverse fraudsters as they form elaborate plans to con greedy millionaires out of money. Even the background jazz music and filming technique appear to have been lifted directly from its London-based predecessor.
With those similarities in mind you'd think Leverage must be as good as Hustle, right? Wrong. All-though it's clear more money has been invested in Leverage, the pilot, which premieres on British TV for the first time this Thursday, already looks dated--even though its international debut was only a year and a half ago. The show's storylines are also less polished and more predictable (yes, it's possible) than the original BBC version, while its main characters carry convoluted background stories that will make you cringe.
Middle-aged do-gooders with personal problems reign supreme on the American channel TNT, for which Leverage is produced, and as such the team's leader, Nathan Ford, is exactly that: An ex-insurance investigator who turns to a life of crime to avenge the death of his recently-deceased son. At least he's played well by Oscar-winning actor Timothy Hutton, who adds depth to an otherwise exhausted stereotype.
That's not to say if you like Hustle, or TNT's other shows (think The Closer and Saving Grave), you won't like this new series. Leverage shares the same feel-good, easy-to-watch tone, and though it's not as gritty, or believable as other shows it is far more action-packed. Across the pond it's proved popular enough to secure two more seasons, the first two of which have already been picked up by British digital channel Bravo. We doubt they'll fare as well in the UK though, even with the addition of Star Trek's Jeri Ryan in the second series.
When Hustle first aired on American network AMC it didn't translate well and as the US series is distinctly American it's likely to face the same problem here--especially as it's airing in the shadow of Hustle's sixth series, which is currently broadcasting on BBC One.
See what you make of it for yourself -- Leverage's first season starts on Bravo at 9pm on Wednesday, January 20.
I've seen both and I must say that they are different. I prefer leverage for it's comic effect and more action oriented point of view. Hustle has indeed a better team chemistry (no earpieces, etc) and somewhat different cons, but in my opinion when they lost two of their actors they lost a lot of popularity, giving leverage the edge.
havent seen leverage yet, but im sure it wont be even close to Hustle.. Hustle is just brilliant!
i just recentally discovered Leverage, i watched it because i heard it was like Hustle and i love Hustle ive watched every episode back to back 10 times each but there's just not enough so i started watching Leverage and it's not as good it's like the con's on leverage have a magical thing to them like an office, computers, it just dosnt have the same effect as Hustel its unrealistic. Like that guy who can beat up 15 guys within a few seconds while being held at gunpoint what is with that. Im going to carry on watching Leverage but Hustel wins the real gold for me
I much prefer Leverage over Hustle. I find the Hustle team just too damn smug with themselves and how so very-very clever they are. And all that smirking at the camera... urrgh!! Not won over by Gina, and those eps where she couldn't do much apart from hide her baby bump behind clipboards, well they were just painful, but I am most pleased about there being a Season 3 :)
As someone who has watched both shows from the beginning, Hustle has it hands down. Now I do agree with danbambridge in that the teams are different. This is very true. On Leverage the only have one "true grifter," leaving the majority of the team to be pretty much newbies to the idea of grifting. Mostly, however, the team on Leverage just seems convoluted. The cons are not nearly as well organized or as ingenious as the ones of Hustle, and as of late leave me wanting more. The difference between the two is that there is a bit more laughs built into Leverage, which is ok by me, but the brilliancy of Hustle is the cohesiveness of the team. They play like a well oiled machine with Mickey operating each individual part for the amazing reveal at the end, and Leverage while they try to do the same, it just falls apart. Their cons are boring, and just look lackluster compared to Hustle. I say that as someone who has been watching both of the most recent series concurrently. For me Leverage is like a ready made meal and Hustle is Filet Mignon.moreless
Hustle is a lot better than Leverage but it might be due to the fact that there are only 6 Hustle eps per season compared to 14ish. still the brits have create a smart show that trumps the us attempt. hope theres a season 7 becasue the new hustle cast (since season 5) is really good. seasons 5 and 6 have been the best so far
I watch both Leverage and Hustle and although I do like Leverage I much much prefer Hustle. The dynamic between the Hustlers is much better than the Leveragers. Hustle is more slick and the cons a lot cleverer. Also, I love the way Hustle relies a lot more on the characters thinking on their fit. Leverage is too technical - they have gadgets and ear-pieces etc - the Hustle crew work together with no need for expensive toys. In Hustle you don't know a lot about the background story of the characters - you get it fed to you in small drips. The Leverage crew have too much of a complicated back story - it makes the cons too personal and it loses some of its lustre.
I watched Leverage before Hustle and even though Hustle is better, the shows aren't completely the same. The premise is similar but the people that make up the crews are different. Leverage has a more versatile crew with the computer whiz and the martial arts guy, plus they have a full time thief. Hustle might provide better episodes but the characters are no better - apart from Danny.
Having seen the first season of Leverage and not just the pilot I have to say I prefer it to Hustle & I certainly wouldn't describe it as predictable. Bigger cons, more action, funnier scripts, great performances from Hutton, Gina 'Coupling' Bellman and the rest of the team make for an altogether more entertaining show. As for 'airing in the shadow of Hustle' that wont be a problem for long as (thanks to the unique way the bbc is funded) although Hustle just started back this month it finishes a week into February. If you love a good con then give this show a chance. Who knows how long we'll be waiting for another handful of ep's from the beeb...
...concept doesn't float my boat...
No watched yet but I can't imagine it being any were as good as hustle