THE CRAZY ONES Much "Improved"

Article first published as THE CRAZY ONES Much "Improved" on TheTVKing.

CBS's freshman comedy The Crazy Ones was funny from the start, but somewhere along the way, it has become so much more. It has found the perfect blend of heart and humor, often dwelling into deep pathos to find the laughs. This seems a natural direction for series star Robin Williams to go in, and the perfect ensemble surrounding him has tapped into the same vein.

This week's episode, "Dead and Improved," has a great illustration of a laugh out loud scene that will make you cry. A jingle writer that works for Simon (Williams) has died and his daughter, Melora (Missi Pyle, Big Fish), begs Simon to send him off right. The problem is, no one, Simon included, liked the man, making it super difficult to strike the 'wow' note in a eulogy that Melora seeks.

The story is so much more than this simple plot, though. Simon begins to look at his own legacy when faced with mortality. There is raw doubt in his eyes as he wonders if he's all show, no substance. His daughter, Sydney (Sarah Michelle Gellar) assures him that he's a good man who has had a lasting effect on the world. Through Sydney, Simon begins to see what Melora saw in her own dad, which allows him to find his speech, one that will make everyone laugh and cry at the same time.

It's very hard to serve a plot like this and to do it well. The Crazy Ones nails it. We have Williams, Gellar, and Pyle delivering knock-out performances with a brilliant script. It's full of nuance and meaning, one sure to ring true to many a viewer out there. Anyone who has parents or children can relate to this, making an excellent scene on its own mean something personal to those watching at home, providing connection for the audience.

"Dead and Improved" takes the idea of legacy a step further by tying the B plot into it, too. A Charmin rep, Mitchell (Kurt Fuller, Psych), is disowned by his company as he becomes unstable after his wife leaves him. Zach (James Wolk), Andrew (Hamish Linklater), and Lauren (Amanda Setton) feel obligated to set Mitchell right again, not to just turn him out on the street. Their sympathy continues even after he strips naked in their lobby.

The Mitchell thread weaves seamlessly into the A story, ending with Mitchell looking satisfied at the funeral, and doesn't even feel like a segregated tale. This cohesion is a strong selling factor for The Crazy Ones. Though it's an ensemble cast and each individual does have their own motivations and side stuff, the characters are very much part of a team, and it always feels like that. Simon and Syndey have moments with Mitchell, and Zach, Andrew, and Lauren are involved with Melora and the funeral. It's all inter-connected, and they all help one another out.

I also like how The Crazy Ones ties in enough reality so that it doesn't just feel like a cartoonish parody of the world. The excellent rendering of the Rice Krispie theme song at the beginning and Mitchell working for Charmin, with a bit of a real Charmin commercial played in the episode, really make the firm feel authentic. Not to mention, voice actor Fred Melamed gamely recurs as himself, including a couple of scenes in "Dead and Improved."

Most of this year's batch of new comedies has failed to resonate with viewers. While The Crazy Ones' ratings are modest, there is a special spark present that is lacking in most of its peers. The relationship between Simon and Sydney alone is worth watching for, and if you haven't had the opportunity to check this show out yet, please do, in case it soon becomes too late to do so.

The Crazy Ones airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.

Crazy for THE CRAZY ONES

Article first published as THE CRAZY ONES Review on Seat42F.

THE CRAZY ONES is the new CBS sitcom starring Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Given the caliber of talent on the project, as well as the fact that Williams tends to go big or go home, it seems like the project will either be absolutely terrible, or terribly terrific. After viewing the “Pilot,” I am leaning towards the latter.

Williams (Good Will Hunting, Night at the Museum) plays Simon Roberts, an advertising executive who runs his own firm along with his daughter, Sydney Roberts (Gellar, Buffy the Vampire Slayer). He is going off the rails, losing his edge, but still prone to jumping off a cliff without a net, taking the big risks that made him successful. She, on the other hand, is sensible, and often able to clean up her father’s messes, but soon sees that sometimes his method is the one that’s needed.

The characters kind of are THE CRAZY ONES compared to everyone else, but that doesn’t make this show just a zany version of Mad Men. Instead, the title refers to an old Apple commercial, in which brilliant minds are highlighted as having been considered crazy by their peers. Are Simon and Sydney creative and smart enough to be included in this group? Perhaps not, but it’s who they aspire to be, and influences their attitudes towards work and life, informing on their personalities.

Williams is allowed to do what he does best, launching from manic bit to manic bit, swiftly rolling through his impression index. However, he isn’t doing it only to be silly. It’s a symptom of the insecurity he feels and the control he is losing. It actually exposes a layer of vulnerability that nicely shows through, and makes the character not only funny, but highly sympathetic.

We do feel Sydney’s frustration with her father, worrying he is losing his marbles or his touch almost as much as he is, but also putting on a brave face. She covers for him when she has to, speaks her mind in private when she can, and basically tries to roll with his punches, respecting who he is and what he has accomplished, while still supporting him in her own way. It’s a great complement to the other role.

Gellar and Williams have an unexpectedly natural chemistry. Their every line radiates a shared history, both loving and bumpy. They seem very familiar with one another, and while they are quite a bit different in temperament, there is still a family resemblance that bleeds through in the best, subtle ways.

Interestingly, THE CRAZY ONES feels more like a drama or cable half hour than your typical network sitcom. This may be the darker style, largely avoiding the slapstick except when it’s couched in deep feeling. There’s a serious undercurrent. Unfortunately, this may make it a little less accessible to some viewers, though this makes it a better series.

Williams and Gellar are buoyed by a strong supporting cast. James Wolk (Mad Men) stands out as Zach Cropper, a buddy to Simon, perhaps being similar to Simon in his heyday. Zach is smooth and magnetic, something needed in the world of advertising, charming most and actually backing that up with a good work ethic. Wolk is sure to become a fan-favorite here, the way he has in other efforts. There’s also Hamish Linklater (The Newsroom) as a grumpy guy who works closely with Sydney and Amanda Setton (The Mindy Project) as an enthusiastic, though perhaps not overly bright, assistant.

Were the “Pilot” left up to only this ensemble, I think I would have found it even more enjoyable than I did. Unfortunately, the story soon veers into wooing Kelly Clarkson (herself) for a McDonald’s commercial. This is where things falter, as Kelly does not come across as a likable individual and engages in odd activities that don’t quite match the other scenes. I’m not sure it’s Kelly fault, but her part of the half hour just doesn’t rise up to the rest of it, and isn’t in sync.

Of course, this is only a “Pilot.” If THE CRAZY ONES can build upon its positive elements, which are definitely plenty, it could end up being a serious contender on the fall schedule. Hopefully, that’s what will happen.

THE CRAZY ONES premieres Thursday, September 26^th and 9 p.m. ET.

The Mindy Project celebrates "Thanksgiving"

One conceit of television that sort of goes against reality is that Thanksgiving is a time for families, but usually casts of characters gather with friends instead. Sure, we get the occasional relative stopping by as a guest star. But it's not the same as the main characters each returning to their homes every year for the holiday, which is what most of us do in real life. I was surprised, then, that while The Mindy Project did not exactly divide up everyone, there were distinct groups who split up.

The most realistic thread involved Betsy (Zoe Jarman) visiting her clan, with Jeremy (Ed Weeks), who isn't native to America, tagging along. Too bad Betsy is also the least interesting character on the series. Jeremy gets along splendidly with her relations, as he almost always does with whoever he happens to be in the presence of, while Betsy reverts to childlike behavior. Sadly, it didn't seem all that interesting or novel for Betsy to act like this, and Jeremy is just along for the ride.

The better story involves Mindy (Mindy Kaling) and Morgan (Ike Barinholtz) attending Gwen's (Anna Camp) large party. True, this isn't a family affair, but it does give Mindy the chance to pine over Josh (Tommy Dewey), while also bumping into her ex, Dennis (Ed Helms). Ex may be too strong a word, considering they only shared one date (in the first episode of the series), but Dennis functions here as if they'd been in a relationship. Mindy's antics, while over-the-top, as expected, are amusing. It's just too bad there isn't more for Morgan to do.

Meanwhile, Shauna (Amanda Setton) goes minibar hopping with her girlfriends. If any character would blow off their family on Thanksgiving, it would be Shuana, so this actually makes sense, even though she is barely seen and doesn't actually get plot in the episode. This is typical for her, which is probably why her character will soon be departing the show. Too bad, because her personality isn't matched by any other character, and she shifts the group dynamics in an interesting way.

While I am slowly warming up to The Mindy Project, I do feel like the best characters sometimes get shafted in favor of less intriguing people. I'm not complaining about Mindy, the star of the show, who is doing just fine with her arcs. But I really like Morgan and Shauna, and they take back seats to Jeremy and Betsy, who aren't nearly as compelling. A few tweaks to the formula would be nice.

The best part of The Mindy Project, week in and week out, is Danny (Chris Messina). In "Thanksgiving," he hangs out alone in the empty office. This totally gels with his character, and he seems happy while doing it. Other shows might force him to eventually show up at a gathering, regretting his decision to fly solo. Not The Mindy Project. This is who Danny is, and while he may want to be with Mindy, he is patient enough to wait for her to want to be with him, and he's not going to show up at some party he doesn't want to be at to speed things along. He kind of already does that with the dance club a few weeks ago, and so now he has learned his lesson and stays true to himself.

Of course, The Mindy Project doesn't abandon the friends-getting-together trope entirely. At the end of "Thanksgiving," they all send each other pictures with their camera phones. This shows that they do think of each other as family, and it will not be surprising if the main cast gathers together in some future holiday episode. Let's hope not, though, because if Mindy just sticks to the things about it that set it apart from the rest of the fodder out there, this could be a really good series.

The Mindy Project airs Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episode I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter! This article was first posted on TheTVKing

Keep working on The Mindy Project

Grade: 73%

I really wanted to like THE MINDY PROJECT. The star and creator, Mindy Kaling, has not only played Kelly Kapoor on The Office for all of these years, but has also written some of the funniest episodes of that show. It is time for her to get her own vehicle, and to let her voice be heard outside of the protective bubble of the long-running, popular sitcom.

Sadly, it’s really hard to be a fan of this new effort. At least, the “Pilot” isn’t very good. The jokes are predictable, the situations a little too “been-there, done-that,” and the characters don’t seem fresh. It may grow into something great, and I really hope it does. But it is not there yet, as of the first episode.

Kaling’s character, not coincidentally named Mindy, is a lot like Kelly, though toned down slightly to be more realistic. She is a relatable girl, smart and cute, even if she worries about her weight issues. She loves romantic comedies, and longs so much for her life to be one. But, like many girls who can relate to this attitude, her dreams will not come true. She struggles to find any guy who can live up to her ridiculous standards, but even those who fall far below that seem to be scarce. She doesn’t help herself by sleeping around, a habit hinted at, but not shown in the “Pilot.” All in all, the best adjective to describer this character, meant on a couple different levels, is sad.

The writing is as uneven as the character herself. There are lots of great pop culture references, which might date the show in the future, but seem timely enough for now. But the delivery of them isn’t goofy, like Kelly, or witty, as in other shows. Instead, it just adds to the mental delusions that keep Mindy out of touch with reality. Perhaps if she had a little more confidence, or didn’t sound like she believed them so sincerely, they would land better.

Much of the first episode is given over to Mindy’s romantic adventures. First, there is an oral surgeon (Saturday Night Live’s Bill Hader) who dumps her to marry a younger model. Then, there is the sane and handsome first date (Kaling’s former co-star, Ed Helms), who may be scared off by her crazy. The thing is, neither of these men feel like they have chemistry with Mindy, making the whole thing seem off.

Of course, the man Mindy is supposed to be with is right in front of her face and she is blind to it. His name is Danny (Chris Messina, Damages, The Newsroom), and he is a man’s man, as well as a co-worker. While Mindy is seeking romance, he tries to tell her to alter her expectations and look for a “real” guy. She ignores him, not willing to abandon her mission.

If THE MINDY PROJECT would allow Mindy to calm down and ditch her silly, unrealistic ideas, it would work much better. Danny isn’t just the opposite of what she thinks she wants, but really needs, he is also someone who will challenge her and help her to grow. An element that takes a back seat in the first episode is that Mindy is a doctor, and Danny is her competition. He is driven at work, and if she’d stop seeing Danny as an obstacle, but rather, someone she can have a friendly game with, things would change for her. This will probably happen. Eventually.

No one else really stands out in the “Pilot.” The cast is full of wonderful performers like Anna Camp (True Blood, The Good Wife), Stephen Tobolowsky (Californication, Glee), Richard Schiff (The West Wing), and Amanda Setton (Gossip Girl). But none of them are given much to work with, and if one wasn’t familiar with their other work, one probably wouldn’t notice them here. THE MINDY PROJECT is the type of show that screams for an ensemble, and has a very capable one. It just needs to figure out how to use it.

THE MINDY PROJECT premieres Tuesday, September 25th at 9:30 p.m. ET on FOX.