Betas
GenreComedy
Written by
  • Alan Cohen
  • Alan Freedland
  • Evan Endicott
  • Josh Stoddard
  • Alex Blagg
  • Matt Patterson
  • Alison Bennett
  • Lisa Parsons
  • Ken Cheng
  • Aaron Hilliard
  • Michael Platt
  • Barry Safchik
Directed byMichael Lehmann
Starring
Opening theme"Power Lines" by Telekinesis
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes11 (list of episodes)
Production
Running time26 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkAmazon Prime Video
ReleaseApril 19, 2013 (2013-04-19) –
January 17, 2014 (2014-01-17)

Betas[1] is an American streaming television series that was produced by Amazon Studios.[2] The show starred Joe Dinicol and Karan Soni as "dating app" developers in Silicon Valley who are looking for an investor.

Amazon offered the first three episodes of Betas for free on November 22, 2013, with each subsequent episode released weekly thereafter.[3] In March 2014, Amazon declined to renew for a second season.[4]

Cast

Series regulars

Recurring characters

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Pilot"Michael LehmannEvan Endicott & Josh StoddardApril 19, 2013 (2013-04-19)
In Silicon Valley, the right algorithm can make you a success and these four friends think they have some successful code.
2"Kid Charlemagne"Michael LehmannEvan Endicott & Josh StoddardNovember 22, 2013 (2013-11-22)
With their invitation to join the reputable Accelerator run by George "Murch" Murchison, the boys settle into the city with big dreams. That swagger is soon quelled by the reality of their competition within Velocity; they need momentum and they need it fast. Trey spots an opportunity in tech journalist Jordan Alexis, ignoring both Hobbes' warning of her anti-Midas touch and Lisa's mandate to lay low. Blinded by his own ambition, Trey gives Jordan just the dirty secret she's after, and then must enlist the help of Mikki and the guys to spin the story she weaves into a successful launch of the BRB beta.
3"Waiting for a Girl Like You"Michael LehmannAlan R. Cohen & Alan FreedlandNovember 22, 2013 (2013-11-22)
Nash's parents visit the guys and demand that Nash go on a blind date with a girl they picked for him. With an investment from Nash's parents at stake, Trey and Lisa must accompany Nash on his date.
4"One on One"Todd Strauss-SchulsonAlex BlaggNovember 29, 2013 (2013-11-29)
In the aftermath of Trey and Lisa's hookup, Trey tries to get some clarity on their relationship while Lisa tries to stand up to The Murch. Meanwhile, Mitchell worries that Murch is going to buy, and ruin, his beloved indie wrestling league.
5"Takin' It to the Streets"Michael LehmannMatt Patterson, Evan Endicott & Josh StoddardDecember 6, 2013 (2013-12-06)
When BRB is hacked right after the beta launch, Trey and Hobbes get to know each other better as they desperately search the city for their prime suspect, a hacktivist from Hobbes's past. Meanwhile, Mikki takes care of an anxious Mitchell after he runs out of Adderall.
6"Lowdown"Andy TennantAlison Bennett, Evan Endicott & Josh StoddardDecember 13, 2013 (2013-12-13)
With Demo Day fast approaching, Trey discovers that BRB does not have enough female users to fulfill his vision of a truly social app. Despite pressure from Nash to focus on BRB's strengths, Trey is unwilling to alter his vision. Meanwhile, Hobbes spirals out of control due to a personal crisis, and the team needs to figure out how best to deal with his increasingly volatile behavior.
7"Strange Magic"Jeff MelmanEvan Endicott & Josh StoddardDecember 20, 2013 (2013-12-20)
With the team in disarray before Demo Day, Murch sends Trey and the boys to a team-building retreat in the woods. Once there, they quickly reject the retreat's itinerary and go rogue. In the end, their trip yields insights into the future of BRB and brings them closer together, in ways they never expected.
8"Show & Tell"Alex WinterEvan Endicott & Josh StoddardDecember 27, 2013 (2013-12-27)
When BRB receives a lukewarm response from investors at Demo Day, Trey and Nash must choose between conflicting courses of action in order to secure the future of their company. Meanwhile, both Nash and Mitchell are forced to evaluate their personal lives and face some inner truths.
9"Steppin' Out"Lev L. SpiroEvan Endicott & Josh StoddardJanuary 3, 2014 (2014-01-03)
When a scandal puts the Murch on ice, BRB's potential investors begin to pull out. Desperate, Trey must turn to an unlikely source for help, even if it means straining his relationship with Murch. Meanwhile, Mikki's wayward mother drops in unexpectedly, hoping to pick up right where they left off.
10"Blinded by the Light"Michael LehmannMichael Platt, Evan Endicott & Josh StoddardJanuary 10, 2014 (2014-01-10)
Having turned his back on Murch, Trey arrives in L.A. to run the Silicon Beach investor circuit with Victoria. Back in San Francisco, Mitchell accompanies Nash to Michael Lau's birthday bash, and Hobbes gets closer with Trevor's mom, Joanne.
11"This Is It"Michael LehmannEvan Endicott & Josh StoddardJanuary 17, 2014 (2014-01-17)
Armed with insider information from Jordan, Trey must decide whether or not to sell BRB. He mends fences with Murch and seeks his advice after the rest of the team votes to take Casper's deal.

Reception

Metacritic gave season 1 an average rating of 69/100 based on reviews from 8 critics.[5] Rotten Tomatoes gave the show a score of 85% based on reviews from 13 critics.[6]

References

  1. ^ Hale, Mike (November 20, 2013). "Techies Striving for the Next Big Thing". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on August 21, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  2. ^ "Betas HD: Season 1: Amazon Video". Amazon.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  3. ^ Bentley, Jean (November 24, 2013). "Startup Comedy 'Betas' Tries To Be Too Cool With 'Girls'-Type Humor". Mashable.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  4. ^ Spangler, Todd (March 31, 2014). "Amazon Greenlights 6 Series, Including Chris Carter's 'The After,' and Renews 'Alpha House'". Variety. Archived from the original on November 15, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  5. ^ "Betas - Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 21, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  6. ^ "Betas: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on August 21, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2021.

External links

Amazon Prime Video original programming
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