User reviews

It's been 17 years since 'Dead like me' prematurely left Showtime's programming line-up, and despite many quality shows on many platforms, there's still not been another quite like it.

The premise is simple enough to parse: Georgia "George" Lass is an 18-year old trying to find her way in life when it comes to an untimely end. But instead of enjoying a peaceful ever-after, she finds herself in a new body as "Millie" to join the ranks of the local Reapers, individuals that have also "passed on" and who are tasked with tapping souls for collection before they depart the mortal realm.

Throughout the show's excellent two seasons, we're treated to very dry, morbid humor that occasionally diverts into screwball territory. At the same time, George experiences the growth she never had in life as she meets the people she's supposed to reap, and gets closer to her fellow reapers. By following her as a protagonist we're given some deeply heartfelt moments: There's also the shattered family George leaves behind, including her younger sister, and the bubbly supervisor at the temp agency that George spurned in life but finds herself befriending in her second existence as Millie.

Beyond the basic concept of the show, we're also treated to glimpses of deeper lore in the 'Dead like me' universe: There are gravelings, diminutive and gangly gremlin-like creatures responsible for arranging the deaths of those being reaped. There are also other authorities that the reapers seemingly answer to, never seen, who give them their assignments for each day.

The latter especially offer an example of the bigger questions that the characters ponder even in death, and which extend into thoughts for viewers to consider: There's seemingly a cosmic plan, an order to How Things Are Done, but why? Are there tangible consequences for defying the path laid out for us, or is it just forbidden because it upsets some unknown and unknowable sense of order?

Every character very much has their own personality that they bring to the tapestry of the show, and everyone in the cast portrays them so very well. Ellen Muth shines as George, plucky and sarcastic, who comes to learn that things aren't as simple as her angst-ridden teenage self was able to understand. Mandy Patinkin is, as ever, a gift; his performance as Rube offers a father figure for George, and for the other reapers, a surly but caring anchor providing structure to the afterlife as they know it. Callum Blue is irresponsible but endearing as Mason; Jasmine Guy both intimidating and reliable as Roxy; and Laura Harris readily embodies Daisy with both the haughtiness she presents as a facade, and the vulnerability she keeps hidden away. And those are just George's fellow reapers, to say nothing of the outstanding performances by Britt McKillip (Reggie, her sister), Cynthia Stevenson (Joy, her mother), or Christine Willes (Delores Herbig, the supervisor at the temp agency).

Show creator Bryan Fuller left very soon after it began, citing an impossible work environment, and original cast member Rebecca Gayheart followed suit, giving free-spirited reaper Betty a scant few episodes to befriend George. 'Dead like me' was apparently cancelled before it ever truly got off the ground, which is deeply unfortunate and makes me grateful that we somehow at least got two seasons. Moreover, thankfully, those two seasons are very solid, and if anything only plumbed deeper and further engaged viewers before the show met its own untimely demise.

Viewers were promised movies to help finish telling the story of 'Dead like me' after it ended, but regrettably we only got one, and 'Life after death' doesn't nearly meet the standard set by the preceding 29 episodes. There were a couple heartfelt character moments, and a very promising ending, but otherwise the direct-to-video offering mostly felt like a lazy attempt to give the audience resolution without really trying. Fans are better off giving it a pass, or trying to forget they watched it.

Like other shows that were cancelled prematurely, there's certainly no hope now, many years later, of seeing the beloved series brought back. We're left only with the memories (and DVD sets) of what we had - and in that, at least, we are blessed. 'Dead like me' was a fantastic, unique show, as worthwhile in 2021 as it was in 2003-2004. There are no particular weaknesses to discuss, and bearing in mind frank discussion of death and typical content notices for TV viewers, I'd recommend it to anyone.

Absolutely watch it if you have the chance.

This show was totally unexpected for me. It has an atmosphere I've never seen in any other show. I found it so addictive to watch that I was upset there was only 2 seasons made. Looks like someone came to their senses because They started to make a season 3 as of 2008... YaY. This show gives you a different look at life and death. Imagine if you were to become a Reaper when you died and helped others move on to a better place while you are stuck on Earth and not even allowed to have anything to do with your old life. The whole Idea of the show is interesting. The relationships between the characters are complicated and sweet in some ways. Each character seems to be in a family relationship, but totally alone. I think most people will find this show interesting, entertaining and will get caught up in this show.

I read a few of the comments regarding this show. As we're all entitled to our opinion, I have to say I thought this show was great.

Mandy Patinkin & Ellen Muth work so well together. She conveys the frustration of being given a job that you do not want to do but have no choice in the matter. He does not - quite rightly - totally fill the role of Father figure but has a tenderness toward her that grows.

Cynthia Stevenson as the mum was an inspired choice & I thought the scenes between her and Britt McKillip as the younger daughter sparked. The child who was almost better prepared or better able to cope than the adult to deal with grief.

Greg Kean conveyed the tiredness and regret of his character with such empathy. The husband and wife of twenty years dealing with such loss and finding out where their relationship has gone was touching.

I would have wished that Rebecca Gayheart's character had lasted longer but Laura Harris sold me the moment she came. The chemistry between her and Callum Blue was so good that you rooted for them to get together.

Christine Willes was just a delight as Millie's boss and for me the star of the office was Crystal. Always in the background but the force to be reckoned with and such fun was had with her character.

The individual stories and the overall arc was set that I think had season three come it would have been the best one. I have so many questions and I'm hoping the DVD will answer some of them.

I miss the cynical voice over of Ellen Muth's character. It's entertainment I know but it's helped me deal with the subject of death and loss. Yes, death is sad but it is part of life and this show put it in a way that took some of the sting away and left a little more smile! Well worth a look if you can.

This show is a combination of extremely clever plot lines, a unique and unusual musical score, contemporary editing, and outstanding character casting. The chemistry of characters with this cast is more than exceptional. The ability to give such realism to such an absurd story premise is bewildering and you find yourself taken for a ride down this fairytale as if it were real life. This is perhaps the best program that no one has ever heard of yet and I wouldn't be surprised if it rose to one of the best series of this decade when the show becomes better known to the public. Once you start watching this show, there is now going back. It is ultimately the most addictive show I have ever witnessed. If you haven't seen it, you need to.

Would love a reboot with original cast! Great mix of comedy, cast, drama, twist etc!!

It's been 16 years now, I revisit this from time to time as I have the box set. Few shows grab me like those one did and still does, funny, sad, poignant. The cast did well together although I liked Betty more than Daisy. It lasted 2 years so I guess that will have to do and don't try the movie, it wasn't very good.

Dead Like Me is such a great series in that it gives the viewer a way to laugh at the greatest fear we all have, death. The reapers are all too human,... in-humans. They use their undead persona's to better their plight, within reason, under Rube's loose supervision. There are hints of teen rebellion, tempered by ironic twists where the children are more mature than the adults. Toilet Seat Girl, (Ellen Muth) is a reaper who hasn't experienced much in her short 18 years on earth. Her eyes are opened as a reaper to a world that she never knew, or gave a chance to. Her introduction as a dark, cynical slacker gives the viewer little reason to bond. Mason,(Callum Blue) the English teen who also died too young, starts her on new life by bringing her to a mass murder scene. She learns that to survive as a reaper, she'll have to work...At the very place where she died. Her inability to give up her family, who she couldn't stand to be around when she was alive, is one of the most touching aspects of the series. She becomes a far more sympathetic character, dead, than she ever was in her life. You see this through flashbacks of her short, yet turbulent life. Stewart Copeland's musical direction is spot on and the great characters from Roxy to Delores Herbig ("as in her big brown eyes") carry this show. SciFi has been running the 1st season, hope the second makes it on. And oh yeah did I mention that you'll be rolling on the floor with laughter.

Loved this series so much I saw it thrice when I first found it. There's no series quite like this one, with both plot and just clever writing. I wish they would pick up where they left off if it were possible.

Much like the characters, this show's life was cut short. It deserved way more than 2 seasons and a movie.

The type of show done exceptionally well by network cable that stays under the radar from the big entertainment news, but becomes a jewel nonetheless.

I have just finished watching the final episode and feel that it had many directions to explore if it had been renewed. A distinct "What Next" anticipation.

It had begun to discover its' true foundations in the realm of the "Meaning of Life". The characters and their backgrounds were completed and it appeared that the overall story arc was beginning to grow.

I never would have seen it, except for a chance viewing of the repeats on the SciFi channel. I then went and purchased the series on DVD and became engrossed by it.

Another example of how ratings and popularity deem very little to a shows value, Dead Like Me demonstrated innovative Television rarely seen in the banal TV landscape of today. Far above a good deal of what is being pushed by the networks, it is a pity that this show only lasted 2 (cable) seasons.

It is easy to believe that the shows star Eleen Muth is a member of mensa, as her intellect certainly shines through in her cognitive acting ability's. She has an unique presence that demands attention from even the most casual of viewers.

For me, Mandy Patinkin was never better received in a Television series than in the role of the irascible, but brilliant Dr. Jeffrey Geiger on Chicago Hope. However, here his performance is a close second and causes us to be grateful that the actor does not limit his talent to the theater.

If you are just catching this show on the Sci-Fi Channel, you may be a bit perplexed by some of the shows risqué humor. Keep in mind however, that its original airing was on Showtime, where I guess a more graphic approach to language is mandatory. I know some well learned adults that are sent to the internets "urban dictionary", to seek an explanation to an elusive joke.

For me, TV hit a golden age during the early-mid 80's. It's been a long time since I've been as moved by a television show as I was with Dead Like Me.

Dead Like Me features Ellen Muth, who plays an 18 year old kid who gets killed by a toilet seat from the space station MIR. Her death introduces us to the fascinating world of the Grim Reaper. Full of workplace rules, guidelines, assignments, and generally horrific deaths, Dead Like Me explores the subject of death in a very unusual, yet original way.

When George(Muth) becomes a reaper, her whole world as she knows it changes. She, and her group of reapers, lead by Rube(Mandy Patinkin), use a German waffle house as their base of operations, receiving post-it notes with the names and times of their reaps. Another sub-plot of the show centers around George's family, and the adjustment that they go through after George's death.

Throughout the two seasons(currently available on DVD), the viewer follows life through the eyes of George, and also though her quirky narration. We see George grow into a more confident young woman, and also witness the interactions amongst the various characters and their reaps.

This show is without a doubt one of the most interesting shows out there, and with any luck, Showtime will decide to re-visit this show. I watched for about two minutes and was hooked. I'm certain you'd enjoy this show, too.

This series is finely made. The mock-traditions turn it takes is refreshing and it is comedically extremely well made. The casts' acting spirits creates a feeling and conversation easy to immerse one's mind into. The blend of talents from the cast and crew meshes smoothly and constructively in one of the most productive ways I've seen.

The greatly differing personalities of the main characters creates beautiful realistic conflict. The Dark-Comedy genre it falls under can make it unsuitable for children.

If you liked the series, Google the 'Dead Like Me Petition' and show your support for the uptake of Season 3. Showtime canceled the show. Curse them!

Made me laugh, made me cry.. Every episode touches your soul in so many ways. It has it all!!

This is one of my all-time favourite TV series that I've now seen and seen again. I'm assuming it took me a few episodes to really appreciate it, but honestly I don't even remember a time when I didn't love it. I found it thru suggestions in the wake of Pushing Daisies and Wonderfalls, and while those were both excellent, Dead Like Me feels much more real and gritty. The acting and writing go hand in hand perfectly--it's whimsical, yes, but not technicolour, doused in saturation whimsy. All of the characters have their own charm. Mandy Patinkin is always great to watch, and Ellen Muth and Laura Harris grew on me too. The soundtrack is mouth-watering! At times charming/upbeat and at times desperately haunting...

There's kind of a fine line between disliking (or liking) a show because it's up your alley vs. because it's well-done. Dead Like Me isn't exactly a drama, or comedy, or fantasy, or some surreal art piece, and because of that in many ways it feels almost subdued, but there is a lot of wit and story-telling and beauty in it.

IMHO 'Dead Like Me" is the all-time best television series. Of course I like off-kilter stuff that still makes sense and tries to build themes into the story. For those who have not discovered this gem, imagine a cross between "Tru Calling" and "Welcome to the Dollhouse" that pushes the envelope of irreverence about as much as "The Family Guy". Then imagine that behind all the surface irreverence is a transcendent reverence for the human condition. If that level of complexity appeals to you, "Dead Like Me" is something you should immediately track down.

I was permanently hooked by the conclusion of the "Pilot" episode when the resolution did not take the traditional happy path. Instead of being able to intervene and change the destiny of the little girl, George (Ellen Muth) is forced to do her job as a reaper. They go out to the strains of "Que Sera Sera", normally very corny but here very ironic. The song was originally written for Hitchcock's "The Man Who Knew Too Much", a film about parents trying rescue their child which has parallels to what George is attempting and on another level the little girl is symbolic of George. And the song's lyrics are a perfect fit for the "randomness of life" theme of "Dead Like Men".

Each episode has subtle details like this, which may require repeated viewings just to uncover elements that you missed initially. I recommended purchasing a DVD of each season just to have the flexibility to watch several times at your convenience.

"Dead Like Me," has the mark of writers who aren't thinking about audience reaction or how the Showtime executives will relate to it. The story just pours out with a lot of verve, wit, and audacity.

Any series that focuses on a teenager killed by a falling toilet seat from the space station Mir has something going for it. George is sometimes called Miss Toilet Seat. She is assigned to Rube (Mandy Patinkin from "Chicago Hope"), who is kind of a platoon sergeant for a small group of "not always grim" reapers (soul collectors) who meet in a German Waffle House (listen for the occasional yodeling in the background).

The story is told from the point of view of 18-year-old jaded slacker Georgia "George" Lass (Muth), whose voice-over commentary sometimes contradicts what is happening on the screen. Her intelligence and advanced maturity give a world-weary "whatever" to the endless bizarre situations she must deal with; "it looks like death was just my wake-up call".

There is a running side story about the family George left behind. Her grieving unhappy mother Joy (Cynthia Stevenson), her professor father, Clancy (Greg Kean), and her sister Reggie (Britt McKillip) who collects toilet seats and may remind you of Dawn Weiner.

The reapers might technically be the undead but they interact with the living 24-7; although in a different body than they had when they were alive. There is no pay but they need a place to stay and food to eat so they get day jobs or relieve the dead of their spare cash. They even have pets; George keeps Mr. Blinky, the little girl's frog from the pilot episode.

Rube gives each reaper a yellow sticky note with a name, address, and an ETD; it's up to the reaper to collect the soul-ideally just before the actual death, and guide them to the next life. Reapers don't know why they got the job or how long they will be performing it; they accept it because it affords them the opportunity to continue to experience the things they liked and disliked about living; and they are not ready to give these up.

As a series "Dead Like Me" establishes a complex and consistent set of rules that viewers embrace. The writers are good about playing within this set of constraints and not cheating when they feel lazy or it is otherwise convenient.

Humor of various kinds is the predominant emotion but things often get serious and philosophical in a believable and intelligent fashion.

"When I was just a little girl I asked my mother what will I be? Will I be pretty? Will I be rich? Here's what she said to me.

Que sera, sera. Whatever will be, will be. The future's not ours to see. Que sera, sera... "

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Dead Like Me is one of those pop culture phenomena that while not a all-out success in its first run, proved ubiquitous, influencing pop culture in many different ways.

The concept of the show made a vague reference to Six Feet Under, and other predecessors, but was original; its take on death and the hereafter, and the way this was visualized was remarkable. The show was not a great success, surviving only a few seasons, but has gone on to prove incredibly influential.

Imitations of Dead Like Me's theme music, fashions, special effects, etc, have since appeared everywhere. And while one could argue that Dead Like Me drew some concepts from Six Feet Under, one could not claim that Medium and Ghost Whisperer were not created primarily to exploit the buzz created by Dead Like Me.

The Dead Like Me phenomena is extremely unique in America, for, while the entertainment industries of the UK, Australia, and certainly Canada, are OK with a singer, film or TV show going sub-culture, the American entertainment industry is more pragmatic, and wants to see the money roll in ASAP. Dead Like Me was a fantastic anomaly.

So, as Dead Like Me becomes legend for its great concept, excellent cast, and ubiquitous style, I hope it also becomes noteworthy for its very unique place in television history.

What can i say about dead like me? Excellent, terrific and most importantly why the hell was it canceled.

Being a English person we often join the best shows late, usually well after they are canceled. This is the case with dead like me, that i found late one night whilst channel surfing on satellite.

The show has so much dead plan humour in it which endeared me to the character of george, who was the main character throughout the first season (until the other characters started to being evolved in season 2) The show is done in very much the style of the wonder years where the main character george does the voice-over explaining certain things.

If you like dead pan humour with lots of weird and wonderful ways to die then this is the show for you. So either check you TV listings for details (hint sci fi in the UK has just started showing season 1). But does make you wonder when great shows like this get canned after 30 episodes yet certain shows run for years and yeats that are trash.

I like the premise, the plot, the whole story - oh, don't forget the music! - but the actors are either bad or very bad, especially the lead. This series would be AMAZING with a different cast. Such a shame. I hope the person who was in charge of casting for DLM isn't working on TV anymore.

I've never been much of one for television or serial programing in general. I watch a lot of movies, but know nothing about what is on TV. Coming across this was a matter of chance, strolling through a video store and happening upon one of the slip covers, a grim reaper playing golf. Checking the title and reading the description I figured it sounded quirky enough to watch the pilot. I rented it, headed home and threw it on. 73 minutes later I was back in my car, anxiously speeding to the video store to get the rest of the season; bottom line I was hooked.

The story concerns a cynical 18 year-old girl by the name of Georgia (Ellen Muth) who has a penchant for being a smart-ass and ignoring/challenging authority. On her first day of work at a dismal clerical job, she is struck and killed by an orbital toilet seat. Rathing than passing on, she is less than relieved to find herself taking on a whole new profession, Reaping. Georgia has been picked by the powers that be to join a group of the undead who specialize in the collection of violent-death souls (murders, suicides, and accidents). For poor Georgia, it seems it took dying for her to start learning about living.

For something I have nothing but glowing comments for, where to begin. Since everything starts with a story, why not there. The writing is, in a word, excellent. From the concept to the characters to the cleaver dialogue and on to the details, everything about it is drenched in wit and originality. It is also carefully and complexly constructed; each episode is a self contained story inside a much larger overall fable. The dialogue is pitch perfect for this kind of dark comedy, it contains both humor and drama without veering too far in either direction. And the characters are all evolved and interesting.

Speaking of the characters, the actors chosen for them couldn't be better. While all are excellent, I put special emphasis on Muth, Mandy Patinkin and Christine Willes. The three of them are given the shows best bits to play with and come off superbly. Muth has the angst-ridden-yet-maturing teen bit down pat, she can be funny and heart breaking all in the same scene. Patinkin's pseudo-father figure to Georgia adds just the right amount of reason to the otherwise strange proceedings. And Willes as Dolores Herbig is the perfect counter-balance to the often somber proceedings, eternally (almost stupidly) optimistic as Georgia's pseudo-mother and employer (yes, the undead still have day jobs).

Elements are equally top-notch on the technical side of things. The direction is refreshingly brisk and energetic; often utilizing simple, yet effective, camera and editing tricks to add flair and give the show a very distinct look. And I must make special mention of the composer Stewart Copeland, who has orchestrated a wide variety of pieces for the show that are as catchy as they are befitting.

When the final moments of the first season came to a close, I found myself in something of a slump. Not that the show had ended badly, but that it had to end at all. I simply needed more. Shortly thereafter, I discovered the untimely demise of the program and was most displeased. Fortunately, the second season was coming to DVD, so all was not grim, much like the (un)life of curious Georgia.

I can only hope that 'Dead Like Me' is able to find life else where in some other form, but for now I will be content with what I have. Lesson learned.

10/10

No, I guess this wasn't for me. Before I start I should say I haven't watched more than 5 episodes, but I really didn't have motivation to keep going. The point is I could be wrong in some of my complaints. The reason I started watching was because of the reviews on here. You all seemed to think it was a ''exellent'' or if not a good series. Well- well, I'm gonna have to disagree. The number one issue is the character development. They're all flat and empty! Am I the only one who thinks so? As the story goes along we get to follow this extremely bored and uncharismatic girl that is trying to soak in to the whole ''being-dead-situation''. I'm not a fan of hers. I get that she's meant to be the way she is, but if you're gonna have such a boring and uninteresting head-character, you got to have other supporting roles to make it interesting to watch. Though, there is only one actor that felt real, and that is Mr. Mandy Patinkin as her ''teacher''. The rest of the supporters are flat and their dialog feels forced and unnatural, so does the dark humor the director miserably fails with. The Acting isn't that great either.

With all these flaws I couldn't keep watching it anymore. Why would I really? Uninteresting, flat in most ways, and as the berry on the cake: it's seemingly unfunny. The only thing I thought was funny was the whole idea. A young girl dies and is given the task to be a grim-reaper!

I'm just saying, It's a shame that it wasn't executed better.