USA Not Likely to Be BENCHED For New Sitcom

Article first published as TV Review: 'Benched' - 'Pilot' on Blogcritics.

USA’s newest comedy, premiering this week, is called Benched. A smart lawyer named Nina (Eliza Coupe, Happy Endings, Scrubs) suffers a breakdown after being dumped by her fiance, Trent (Carter MacIntyre, Undercovers, Drop Dead Diva), and being passed over for promotion at her company. Her explosion is spectacular, and leaves her lucky to find employment in the crummy public defender’s office. Here, though, she might just find a sense of purpose amid the downtrodden misfits.

Benched doesn’t have much that one could call fresh and original. The Jerry Maguire-opening and tale of a person who finds deeper meaning than money is nothing new. There are quite a few other shows like it on television, both dramas and comedies, and so it seems like USA is just repeating a common structure. But there’s something charming and breezy about Benched that makes for good entertainment, even if it’s not exactly high quality.

One thing Benched has going for it is the quirky supportive cast. Like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, our lead is surrounded by a number of cartoonish players who give the proceedings a hyper reality. Sheryl (Maria Bamford, Adventure Time) looks to be very near the edge, even as she’s flighty enough to not let much in her day bother her. Oscar Nuñez plays Carlos, a role that, at first glance, seems quite similar to his part in The Office, non-showy, but still funny. Micah (Jolene Purdy, Under the Dome) keeps Nina going, the intern who tells the hard truths. Phil (Jay Harrington, Better Off Ted), a compulsive gambler, serves as a love interest and cautionary tale for Nina. And Trent is still around, often facing Nina in court. Because of these various personalities, I like the show.

Coupe is a great leading lady. She has proven her worth as part of an ensemble, and as much as I enjoy seeing her do that, she can also carry a program as the protagonist on her own. The second fiddle here is Harrington, who has been desperately missed on television, a few years having passed since his last starring role, and together the pair have terrific chemistry. It’s a no-brainer match, one audiences are sure to eat up. I did.

In the first episode, a lot of time is spent establishing the premise. We have to see Nina get to where she’s going to be. Still, it seems like there is time for her to start to find her footing, giving viewers an idea of what Benched will be on a regular basis. Nina spends time in the court room, sparring with Trent, Judge Nelson (Fred Melamed, Silk Stalkings), and a grumpy bailiff (Cedric Yarbrough, Reno 911!). While the case isn’t all that important, just watching the cast interact is good enough, and will probably be the best part of any installment.

Benched is genuinely humorous, well-crafted by creators Michaela Watkins (last see on-screen in Trophy Wife) and Damon Jones (Tammy). Even if they didn’t come up with many ideas of their own (maybe they were instructed not to by the network?), they show great talent in putting the various pieces together to make them work. Not every effort in this vein is nearly as good as Benched is. It takes some people who know what they’re doing to pull it off, and given the small writing resumes of the creators, this is a fine first big effort to be proud off.

Benched is far from perfect, and it has a lot of work to do if it wants to become anyone’s favorite show. Yet, there are some excellent ingredients here, well stirred, so it’s worth checking out. Given how funny those involved can be, it is likely there will be payoff if you start watching and stick with it.

Benched premieres Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. ET on USA.

Happy Endings Visited By "Brothas & Sisters"

Article first published as Happy Endings Visited By "Brothas & Sisters" on TheTVKing.

ABC's Happy Endings completes its third season with "Brothas & Sisters." The gang attends the wedding of the eldest Kerkovich sister, the unseen-before-now Brooke (Stephanie March, Law & Order: SVU). Hijinks ensue as sibling rivalry rears its ugly head, and rumors spread like wildfire, whether they are true or not.

Now that we've met the entire Kerkovich clan, I'm not sure I'm satisfied with the casting. Jane (Eliza Coupe) and Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) are great, but their chemistry with Brooke is cold and stilted. Part of this could be because Brooke has such an off-putting personality in the first place, but it just doesn't feel like she has the same sister bond with them as they do with each other, which is disappointing. It's also understandable, given she isn't around, and yet still seems off.

Their parents (Harry's Law's Christopher McDonald and Airplane's Julie Hagerty) also don't gel with their daughters. It makes one wonder how Jane is as put together as she is, given such flighty parents. Alex's personality, on the other hand, makes sense.

That being said, it is fun to see Jane struggle to please someone who is unpleasable, like Brooke is. The characters say early in the half hour that when Brooke appears, Jane reverts to Alex and Alex stays the baby. I disagree with that assertion. Jane never gets dumb and silly, she just gets clumsy and frazzled. She's a whole different kind of mess than Alex is, and it's a new side of Jane we've yet to see, which makes it surprising and fresh.

Penny (Casey Wilson) is just as thrown off her game as Jane by Brooke, who continuously pretends she doesn't know Penny, though they have met many times. However, this is nothing new for Penny, who is rarely on her game, and so while amusing, it isn't quite as exciting as seeing Jane act that way.

I really like the dynamic between Brad (Damon Wayans Jr.) and his new brother-in-law, Elliot (James Lesure, Las Vegas). Though not really similar people, Elliot brings out both insecurity and kinship in Brad simultaneously as they try to relate to one another. It's a fine line that Wayans walks in his handling of the role in "Brothas & Sisters," yet he succeeds in creating a new relationship that I hope is explored further on Happy Endings in the future.

Penny and Max (Adam Pally) can't keep their mouths shut at the wedding, spilling the beans to many attendees that Alex and Dave (Zachary Knighton) have broken up. They then try to cover themselves by making up other lies. What results is a very large comedy of errors, combining with Jane's screw ups to disastrously ruin the ceremony.

All of this is too much. Happy Endings skews cartoonish from time to time, but "Brothas & Sisters" takes this to an extreme. I wonder if part of the failing of this episode is its attempt to include guest stars in a meaningful way. I find the series is best when concentrating on the main group. However, even a weak episode of Happy Endings, which I consider this season finale to be, compared to other outings, is still more entertaining than most sitcoms, given the excellent chemistry among the core cast, and it still earns laughs.

It's depressing that Alex and Dave break up, though. Their reasons are solid, that they've never really been with other people, and they're not sure they should be together, romantically. Yet, just getting them back together this year, after witnessing their falling out in the series premiere, it's sad to think their relationship is over again. Hopefully, this is temporary.

Happy Endings has not been renewed for a fourth season, and that's why the hanging Dave/Alex plot, as well as Penny's unresolved crush on Dave from last year, makes me uneasy. I do hope they get to come back, whether on ABC, TBS, or somewhere else, as it's a show I always look forward to watching, and there are easily many more stories to tell about this group of people.

Happy Endings not just for dummies

Grade: 89%

ABC’s HAPPY ENDINGS returns this week with “Cazsh Dummy Spillionaires.” This being a sitcom, there aren’t a lot of huge, game-changing moments. But there are some really amusing moments, great one-liners, and plenty of laughs courtesy of one of the best comedy casts on television. I guess what I’m saying is, it’s funny. Very funny.

It will not be surprising to learn that Max (Adam Pally) and Penny’s (Casey Wilson) plot is the most outlandish of the three in the season premiere. Penny is hurt falling down a bunch of stairs, and Max takes advantage of her injuries to move in on the hot physical therapist. This goes as far as drugging her and putting off her doctor’s appointment, keeping her in a body cast longer than necessary.

Does this stray HAPPY ENDINGS away from realism? Yes, yes it does. Unlike Better Off Ted and Community, sitcoms that paint in broad strokes, and never try to pretend they are real, HAPPY ENDINGS has the illusion of reality because it’s just about a bunch of friends, bringing to mind shows like, well, Friends. But it straddles the line between being relatable and being hilarious. Somehow, it manages to stay a series that people believe, even after outrageous events occur. What’s more, it manages to not always be completely obvious that what is happening would never happen, until one stops to think about it.

This is a deft trick that few can pull off. Laughing at Penny falling down the stairs and ending up in a body cast is cartoonish. Yet, because of the way the “ahmahzing” cast sells it, it doesn’t take viewers out of the moment. Max relishing in the fact that he’s mocking the film Misery makes him seem harmless, even when what he’s doing is unthinkably horrible. And the pay off at the end makes it all worth it.

Similarly, Brad (Damon Wayans Jr.) lies to Jane (Eliza Coupe), making her think that he is unemployed, spending his days at home, pursuing hobbies. The lengths to which he must go to convince her of this are crazy, and the fact that he doesn’t get caught sooner than he does (it doesn’t spoil anything to tell you that, as everyone knows she will, Jane finds out) is nothing short of ludicrous. But again, seeing Brad soaking wet in a suit, covered in bubbles, is enough to make you forget that HAPPY ENDINGS isn’t something that could occur if you just had the right group of friends.

I think the reason that the show can sell this is the authentic relationships and strong level of heart. Even when characters are being mean or lying to each other, viewers can totally tell that they love each other deeply. The actors have such fun in the roles, playing together, it’s impossible not to have fun watching them. They interact so well that they come across as real people, even when real people wouldn’t perform the actions that they do.

In the third story this week, HAPPY ENDINGS plays it a bit safer, going with a well-worn thread. Dave (Zachary Knighton) and Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) announce that they are in a casual relationship, sleeping together, but not committing to one another emotionally. This goes exactly how one would expect it to, with both dating other people, and seeing each other dating other people, and then getting jealous. It’s completely predictable, and it’s been done a million times.

Yet, like the rest of the episode, it works with these particular performers. It helps that Penny’s role in the triangle is kept subtle, not overdone, and played sweetly. It also helps that Dave and Alex totally cheese to the camera, providing contrast. But whatever the reason, it doesn’t completely feel like an old premise, even though there is no denying the entire time that it is.

HAPPY ENDINGS is back in its best form, maybe a little goofier than when we last saw it, but every bit as entertaining. New episodes air Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

'Happy Endings' gets one of its own

ABC's Happy Endings wraps up their second season last night with "Four Weddings and a Funeral (Minus Three Weddings and One Funeral)." As the long title implies, the gang attends the nuptials of their friend Derrick (Stephen Guarino, The Big Gay Sketch Show). Jane (Eliza Coupe) is the only one not in the wedding party, but after a last minute drop out, she is soon taking charge of the entire event. Penny (Casey Wilson) finds herself stuck at the Skype table, which pays off when she meets a cute guy (Brian Austin Green, Desperate Housewives, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles). And two former lovers consider reconnecting.

Happy Endings continues to be consistently funny, and not just because of the awesome episode title. From the visual of a table full of laptops at a wedding, to crazy Jane making the food and drinks last longer, to Max (Adam Pally) headlining a Madonna cover band, this episode has many high points. The cast is top notch, and have really grown comfortable in these characters, continuing to delight week after week.

Of course, it's not just the humor that hooks viewers. There must also be some emotional punch to the characters that fans have been made to care about. Penny's recent crush on Dave (Zachary Knighton) is one such example, though it is tempered by her meeting the hunky guest star this week. Which is OK, because Happy Endings instead chooses to pursue a possible Dave / Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) reunion in "Four Weddings and a Funeral (Minus Three Weddings and One Funeral)."

Dave and Alex break up in the very first episode of Happy Endings, and that past is constantly hanging over these two characters. Will they be a Ross and Rachel, who get together in the end after years of fans longing for it to happen? Or will they just need some closure to move on? Somehow, Happy Endings has avoided either possibility for two seasons. It seems like Alex and Dave are going to need to get back together at some point, even if only briefly, to answer these questions. Their recent tryst did not satisfy this, and it's gratifying that the series isn't just ignoring that.

Plus, anyone rooting for Dave and Penny to be a couple needs to see Dave get past Alex first, so the sooner a reconciliation happens, the quicker he can begin to move on.

Interestingly, for those keeping count, season two of Happy Endings comes up one episode short, even though "Four Weddings and a Funeral (Minus Three Weddings and One Funeral)" is billed as the season finale. If one remembers, last summer a random episode of the show aired. Only people with DVRs really caught this, and other fans may still be unaware of it. It looks likely to happen again, as there is currently no room on the schedule to stick this half hour. Either that, or it will be shoved into next season somewhere. Sometimes things like this just happen, but it's a curiosity, to say the least.

Happy Endings also stars Damon Wayans Jr., and will return to ABC next fall.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! To buy Happy Endings streaming episodes, please click here.

Happy Endings - 'The Butterfly Effect Effect'

This week, on ABC's Happy Endings, "The Butterfly Effect Effect," the gang wait for Brad (Damon Wayans Jr.) and Jane (Eliza Coupe) to have their annual fight to signal an end to winter. Assuming that they have grown past that phase, Brad and Jane instead stage a fight for their friends' benefits. But with their hearts not in it, it does not have the intended effect, as everyone can sense something off about the situation. Though, soon enough, a real fight between the couple breaks out, and balance is restored.

It's a little weird that everyone is so involved in Brad and Jane's relationship, isn't it? Sure, on ensemble sitcoms where two of the ensemble are married, their private lives are always minimized in favor of group dynamics. Happy Endings has done a pretty good job balancing the parts up til now, but the events of "The Butterfly Effect Effect" just seem a bit too intrusive into the union. Of course, friends will be there to comfort Brad and Jane during any rough patch. But when everyone else gets involved in the fight so much, it just feels wrong.

Not to mention the fact that Penny (Casey Wilson) and Dave (Zachary Knighton) actually try to goad the fight into existence. Other shows have proved that selfish, uncaring characters can be funny (see Seinfeld and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia). Happy Endings is different because the group is infused with a sense of loving warmth. They may tease one another, but they don't actively try to sabotage the others for their own gain. Again, until "The Butterfly Effect Effect."

Meanwhile, Max (Adam Pally) has gone into a bear-like state of hibernation. He stumbles around the apartment with a full beard, bundled up, eating honey with his hands. There's also a cheap gay joke in here somewhere that, thankfully, the episode avoids. This whole thing is very, very funny, allowing Pally some of his best visual gags yet, but it doesn't make sense for his character. Where is his boyfriend? How long has Max been allowed to hide in the apartment? Surely, not for long. Just last week he was shown out and about. Then he just drops the whole act when the others tell him to. It's a great one-note joke, but doesn't fit in the continuity.

It's not that "The Butterfly Effect Effect" is a bad episode; the main actors in Happy Endings are far too good for that. It just feels like it's an episode of a different series. It loses the spirit of many of the characters just for the sake of a few laughs. This could be chalked up to winter doldrums setting in, and the characters not feeling like themselves, but if so, there needs to be some explanation of that on screen. Instead, winter is touched upon, but not used as an excuse for personality changes. In this, Happy Endings fails to live up to the generally high standards that the series has been setting.

That is, until the last minute of the episode. When everyone makes up, and they all force Brad to buy them dinner at the Chop House, the true tone of the show returns. Which is why it is so glaring that most of the rest of the half hour doesn't match up. The series remembers its identity at the last moment, and pulls itself away from this side trip. Good course correction, but it's a shame it needs to be made at all.

Happy Endings airs Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

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"Grinches Be Crazy" on Happy Endings

     ABC's Happy Endings celebrates Christmas in a fashion true to itself in "Grinches Be Crazy." Jane (Eliza Coupe) accidentally gives housekeeper Gita (Jamie Denbo, Suburgatory, Terriers) her and Brad's (Damon Wayans Jr.) Christmas vacation money, rather than the intended tip. Jane tries to steal it back, but feels guilty as Gita proclaims her an angel. Max (Adam Pally) agrees to play Santa for Penny (Casey Wilson), and discovers some true benefits to the persona. Dave (Zachary Knighton) cashes in all of the coupons Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) gifted him over the years, including one for a kiss.

     Jane is a true type-A personality, and because of that, she can be a little cold sometimes. But viewers get to see what Brad sees in "Grinches By Crazy," in that Jane does the right thing in the end. Yes, she goes to great lengths to steal poor Gita's gift back, which leads the police to try to arrest Max and Brad for the crime, the latter hilariously, because of race stereotypes. This is OK, and really funny, because the arresting officer (Gary Anthony Williams, Boston Legal, The Boondocks) is also black. But Jane also cannot disappoint anyone, so she lets Gita take the trip. It's to Brad's credit and maturity that he doesn't get upset with Jane, recognizing that she only makes a mistake, and does her best to make up for it.

     Max's turn as Santa is pretty hilarious, too. It is well documented that Max does not like kids, but sometimes can relate to them, under the right circumstances. Of course, he does relate to them in "Grinches By Crazy," touched by a moving story from a child. But the true greatness of the subplot comes when he, just by being in costume, saves Penny from a mugging, then the two cluelessly ignore the mugger hitting someone else right behind them. Bonus points for Alex falling into the donation bin in the background of another scene featuring Max.

     The chemistry between Alex and Dave is palpable. Alex runs a little crazy, and Dave is neurotic, so it's realistic that they didn't work out. But they must also have great sex, and affection for each other, because they can't seem to stay apart. They've tried, but they also keep being drawn back together, which means they probably have a little growing to do, but will eventually get a happy ending with each other. How can they not, after that higly charged kiss?

     In "Grinches Be Crazy," Dave and Alex bond as Alex goes to great lengths to fulfill her coupons. They are goofy ideas that she never expects to have to do, especially not all at once. But give the girl credit for throwing herself into the tasks whole heartedly. The thing about Alex is that commits. This is reflected in Cuthbert's acting. The actress is the least funny member of the ensemble, but it's clear that she tries really hard, so she remains likable and sympathetic.

    Happy Endings is a series that deserves to be watched, and it's not out of line to consider it this decade's Friends, given the consistent talent and success it is currently enjoying. It will return in January to ABC.

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Some Happy Endings for "Blax, Snake, Home"

    The second season premiere of ABC's Happy Endings, "Blax, Snake, Home," finds Penny (Casey Wilson) buying herself a new home to kick off "Year of the Penny." Unfortunately, the place might be cursed. Max (Adam Pally) feels left out when Brad (Damon Wayans Jr.) blows him off to hang out with his "black friends." Jane (Eliza Coupe) unwisely suggests that Dave (Zachary Knighton) and Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) could use some honesty in their friendship, now that they've been split a year.

     To get viewers up to speed on who the characters are, "Blax, Snake, Home" is a worthy episode. Penny over thinks things and has trouble with confidence, while staying overall upbeat. Dave and Alex work better as friends, instead of in an open, communicating relationship. Jane likes to get into everyone else's business. Max is very insecure. Brad loves his friends, but sometimes also loves some time apart from them. He also has a great marriage to Jane, as they forgive each other their eccentricities. Each of these core character elements are focused on in the season premiere, a wise move for a still-new series.

     Happy Endings is some pretty funny stuff. These distinct personalities all love each other, but still clash from time to time. The six actors who portray this update, new version of Friends have perfected the roles in the short time they've played them, so the timing and delivery of punch lines, as well as the chemistry in the group, are already locked in. It's a rare feat for a sitcom to be so finely honed in such a short amount of time, as Happy Endings premiered last spring. But once done, the writers and producers can relax a little bit. Happy Endings has reached that point.

     Of course, I'm not saying to get lazy. It's just that the show has already begun to look effortless, a vital element in a comedy that may run for at least a few years. It's business as usual, with no need for stunt or unnecessary drama. The characters do what they do, and everyone sits back and enjoys it.

     It's hard to name a standout in the group because they are all so good. Wilson is proving why Saturday Night Live cast her, though they never used her effectively. Coupe matures into a much more dynamic actress than allowed on Scrubs. Wayans is so good, one wishes he had time to do both this series and The New Girl, a pilot he made that was picked up. Pally stays just north of the annoying line, managing to stay likeable enough, which playing a very selfish character. Cuthbert and Knighton have the harder, straight man roles, but both also the the opportunity to play around, and reveal unexpected weirdness.

    If you're not watching Happy Endings, you should be. It airs Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

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     To buy Happy Endings streaming episodes, please click here.

Happy Endings bears witness to "The Shershow Redemption"

      ABC's Happy Endings started slow, but by the season finale, "The Shershow Redemption," the series is finding its way. Like a modern, more diverse friends, it is establishing itself a fine following for a modern sitcom. In the episode, the gang attends the wedding of their old friend Shershow (T.J. Miller, Carpoolers, Cloverfield). Shershow used to be a screw up, but he has things together, and is marrying a beautiful woman, Melinda (June Diane Raphael, Funny or Die Presents..., NTSF:SD:SVU). While several among the group wonder who has become the new Shershow, others seek to redfine their relationships. The real meaning of love and marriage is explored.

     The series begins with Alex (Elisha Cuthbert) leaving Dave (Zachary Knighton) at the alter. It takes awhile for them to get back to a place of friendship, but they must, because they share the same mutual friends. In "The Shershow Redemption," Alex suggests they play each others' wingman, a move that will totally prove they are over each other. But, she isn't, as is soon revealed when Dave overhears Alex confess she may have made a mistake to Melinda. In most sitcoms, the fact that Alex caught Dave sleeping with a bimbo earlier in the episode would prevent her from being able to reconnect with him. In Happy Endings, they choose the more mature route, not even discussing the other woman. Instead, Alex's confession comes after the incident. It's a real touching moment, not only demonstrating some sophisticated writing and storytelling, but opening the door to a possible season two reconnection, or at least a rexploration of the feelings they have.

     Brad (Damon Wayans Jr.) and Jane (Eliza Coupe) have already been married for a numbers of years, but learn that Max (Adam Pally) was not licensed when he performed their wedding, thus nulling the union. Again, some sitcoms might exploit this fact for some overreaching story where it matters they are not legally wed. Again, Happy Endings goes in a different direction. Jane thinks about planning a huge redo so she can have the perfect wedding she didn't get before, but when Brad goes along with her plans, somewhat reluctantly, but with little complaining, she realizes they already have a solid marriage, whether the government recognizes it or not. It's heartwarming, and together with the aforementioned plot, puts Happy Endings head and shoulders above most other comedies on the air. It is earning its place on the network.

     Finally, Penny (Casey Wilson) gets jealous because Shershow was her safety, so she invents a fiance, and tries to have her flaming gay friend, Derek (Stephen Guarino, The Big Gay Sketch Show) pretend to be him. It goes horribly wrong, with Derek channeling Grease's Danny Zuko, before reverting to his natural self. Penny gets drunk and says stupid things. Perhaps she's a little over the top, but not so much so that it pulls the viewer out of the story.

     Wilson is a rare gem on Happy Endings, perhaps the most enjoyable actress on the show. This comes as a surprise, considering I did not care for her at all during her stint on Saturday Night Live. Now it appears she just needs more suitable material, which she finds in abundance on Happy Endings. Kudos for putting such a talented comedienne to good use
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     Happily, because of how it has distinguished itself, Happy Endings has found enough fans to garner a second season. It will return to ABC in the fall.

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Happy Endings may not have one of its own

     ABC's Happy Endings is reminiscent of many short-lives series that have come before it. It revolves around a group of friends who are involved in each other's lives. They hang out in various combinations and get into funny situations. It's a little Friends with a bit of How I Met Your Mother and a dash of Perfect Couples. Thus, it is not completely original. It's late premiere date also gives it a much smaller chance of sticking around than most shows. That does not mean it is not funny.

     The cast includes some comedy veterans, such as Eliza Coupe (Scrubs), Damon Wayans Jr. (My Wife and Kids), and Casey Wilson (Satuday Night Live), as well as some actors known more for drama, like Elisha Cuthbert (24) and Zachary Knighton (Flash Forward). The final star, Adam Pally, has few credits to his name, so he is an unknown equation. Each of the six main characters conducts themselves well. Coupe is always a delight, and Wilson is far less annoying than she often was on SNL. While not reaching Christine Woods in Perfect Couples awesomeness, Cutherbest and Knighton do just fine alongside their more humorous peers.

     The plot itself is a simple set up. Alex (Cuthbert) leaves Dave (Knighton) at the altar. The other friends, all members of the wedding party, try to comfort and hang out with both. For much of the pilot, it appears that they may have to choose which side to land on in this massive breakup. Then Alex and Dave have a long talk, off screen, and everything seems to work out. By episode two, which aired immediately following the first, it's nearly forgotten. Rather than making this a show about how hard it is for a close knit group post breakup, it's just another comedy about a bunch of buddies. There's nothing wrong with that, per se, but by abandoning the characteristic that made the series different, Happy Endings may have shot itself in the foot.

     The jokes are funny. The pilot is bogged down a bit with Dave's depression, but the four friends of Alex and Dave get laughs right out of the gate. Jane (Coupe) is uptight, 'helping' Alex find the 'perfect' roommate. Alex doesn't listen to her, and ends up on a sexy girls web site. Brad (Wayans) fumbles to explain just how he discovered Alex on the website. Jane also delights when asking a waitress to bring her a vodka, but call it water, and keep 'em coming. Penny (Wilson) isn't satisfied with Max's (Pally) level of flamboyance, so she seeks out a gayer best friend, only to find out that she is, in fact, her own gay man best friend. They all try to break it to Dave gently that his sex life with Alex was bad.

     But then, the characters also fall into familiar feeling traps, like trying to help Dave escape from a woman he just starting dating and has fallen into the quicksand of a relationship. Brad tries to dub it 'chicksand', which apparently the writers hope will be a thing outside of the series, but it doesn't resonate as well as when HIMYM does it. The real shame here is that the series just doesn't set itself apart enough. While those elements may not have been the best part of the pilot, that's not really an excuse to abandon them. Otherwise, with the capable cast, it could be the next hit.

     Happy Endings airs Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

Scrubs ends abruptly

 
     Scrubs, after a mistaken decision to be kept on air this year with a new format, was canceled after a mere thirteen episodes.  Ok, it's not quite canceled yet, but would you believe that a portion of this article was written nearly two months ago and saved, because it was so obvious that the end was coming?  Technically, the episode that aired this week was a season finale, and was certainly not written to cap a long-running series.  However, that's most likely what it was.

     It's biggest mistake was a lack or originality. It was a mere goofier version of the original. The security guards, while funny, were just an extension of the Janitor (Neil Flynn, The Middle) character. Drew (Michael Mosley) was a mini-Dr. Cox, Cole (Dave Franco) was like The Todd (Robet Maschio), both of whom were still on the show. Lucy (Kerry Bishe) was a cross between J.D. (Zach Braff) and Elliot (Sarah Chalke), and Denise (Eliza Coupe) became very similar to Elliot as well as Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley), but with less emotion than the former. The problem was, all of these new characters resembled the old ones, instead of bringing something new to the show.

      The one positive was that it gave Dr. Cox and Dr. Turk (Donald Faison) a chance to really grow their friendship. We finally got to see them on equal footing, rather than Turk being seen as the much younger student.  And in the end, both Cole and Drew got some serious growth that would have made them much more interesting were they allowed to continue.  Dr. Kelso (Ken Jenkins), who seemed to have the most fun in this continuation of the show, was nowhere to be seen this week.  Anyway, it's likely too little, too late.

Scrubs's new class

     Bill Lawrence's Scrubs returned for it's second season on ABC last night.  (It originally ran for seven years on NBC).  It felt like a whole new show, and it was a little shaky, but since this was only the first hour, that can be forgiven.  That is, IF it improves quickly.  Here's what was good, and what was bad.

     The new characters are fun and interesting.  Not sure Lucy (Kerry Bishe) can fill Zach Braff's shoes, though.  Yeah, she is quirky, sweet, and naive.  Kind of like a slightly less female version of J.D.  However, she didn't have quite the level of likability that he always had.  She may, in time, grow to be a fitting main character, but she is clearly still finding her legs.  Cole and Drew had an easier time, perhaps because they were allowed to be their own people, instead of serving as a replacement for a beloved character. Cole (Dave Franco) brought a level of jerkiness not seen on the show regularly before, and Drew (Michael Mosely) seems to be the type to try to hide everything, but also has layers.  The romance blossoming between Drew and last season newbie Denise could turn out quite exciting.  The only issues with the new guys is that the show is focusing on them too quickly.  Last season a slew of new interns was brought on, presumably to prepare for this new direction, however it appears that only Denise (Eliza Coupe) made the cut to continue, and that is disappointing.  It would be easier to accept them if they had been eased in, but given a few more episodes, I think they will all pass muster.  None of the three faces insurmountable odds.  I also enjoyed the security guards and the Australian chick, and hope that they will become staples.  I even liked the slightly new theme song.

     The issue with the new Scrubs is the how the old characters are being treated.  Only one of the supporting cast turned up, though The Todd (Robert Maschio) was arguably the most prominent, save Ted (Sam Lloyd), so it is fitting that he will continue.  But what about the rest?  Kelso (Ken Jenkins) made the transition the easiest.  He seems fine where he is.  Janitor (Neil Flynn), too, who won't be part of the new show, had a nice little goodbye scene.  The others, not so much.  Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley) and Dr. Turk (Donald Faison) are the only two returning full time.  Why would Dr. Cox stop being chief of medicine and take a teaching job?  What exactly happened to the old hospital, and who is in charge now?  Sure, I understand it was torn down and rebuilt on a campus, but why, and what happened to most of the staff?  For instance, I saw nurses.  Where is Carla (Judy Reyes)?  Apparently she is no longer in the cast at all, though her bio is still on the official website, because she wanted to remain a full time character, and she was told that wasn't feasible.  Why not?  And Dr. Turk, who did transition almost as well as Kelso, is still married to her, so how will he get full, rich stories if she won't be popping up from time to time?  Also, what is Elliot (Sarah Chalke) up to?  We saw her only briefly in the pilot.  She is signed to do a number of episodes, but in what capacity?

     The character of John Dorian suffers the most, though.  He is still the same guy he was, which is fine, but what has he been up to this past year?  He apparently wasn't working with is friends, but where is he?  Why exactly did he return?  He is still treated like one of the stars, despite splitting narration with Lucy, but he is only signed for a limited number of episodes.  I would assume his contract stipulated he remain in the theme song with top billing for now, but why?  Just because he's an executive producer?  It doesn't make sense, and it makes him seem watered down.  My biggest beef is that he had such a perfect, fitting series finale last spring, that anything more than an occasional guest spot for him seems to cheapen the new show.  Hopefully his transition out will come soon and with class.

     This new version of Scrubs is funny, I'll give it that.  It kept enough of the old elements to make the viewer feel comfortable continuing.  But it needs to up the ante and let the newbies prove themselves quickly, or this could be another failed After M*A*S*H*.