A Cosmic Misadventure 

The Coffee Table is the brainchild of Seattle playwright Scotto Moore. The sci-fi comedy centers on a coffee table which is actually a powerful alien artifact.

After it mysteriously comes into the possession of a close-knit family, the artifact transports them - along with their entire house! - to a strange dimension known only as "The Void."

Desperate to return home, the family must decipher how to operate the coffee table, all while encountering strange aliens and numerous peculiar phenomena on their journey.

The Who Connection

The Coffee Table is a sci-fi comedy that almost defies description - and that's a very good thing!

I must agree with the series producers, who bill the project as a cross between Doctor Who and The Greatest American Hero.

Like the TARDIS of Doctor Who, the titular coffee table is actually a means for transporting its possessors through time and space - although operating it is problematic at best.

Another similarity is the show's tone.  It would not be accurate to describe it as sci-fi parody, straight-forward comedy, or drama.

Instead, Scotto Moore has spliced together from those genres a wonderfully weird animal in a class all its own.

From encountering a chivalrous alien named "Discrete Moment," to visiting a realm that resembles a technicolor Van Gogh painting, this series' singular brand of zaniness also takes a cue from the revered work of Douglas Adams.

Watch the season one trailer for a glimpse into the void:

Step Into The Void

The engaging first season of The Coffee Table is comprised of 15 episodes averaging between 4 to 8 minutes in length.

A total of three seasons are planned, with the story coming to a definite end at the conclusion of season three.  

Fortunately, capital for the second and third season were raised via a successful Kickstarter campaign. Filming for both seasons two and three began concurrently at the beginning of 2014.

Armed with its unique premise, charismatic cast, and solid production value, I found the first season to be refreshingly original - and a delight to watch. 

I'll definitely be back for seasons two and three.

To view the series, visit its channel on YouTube: The Coffee Table.

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