'Up All Night' goes down on one knee

NBC's Up All Night brings their first season to a close with "The Proposals." Reagan (Christina Applegate) panics when she thinks that she lost her engagement ring. But Chris (Will Arnett) is actually having it resized, and hopes he can finally propose, since she ruined the first attempt, years ago. Meanwhile, Kevin (Jason Lee) comes back to town because he misses Ava (Maya Rudolph) and plans on putting a ring on her finger, but will she take him back?

Chris and Reagan are a good couple because they complement each other well, and have much in common where it counts. Most of all, they both care deeply about one another. This is evident in Chris's planning, where he sets up the perfect moment, reminiscent of the first proposal, recalling their romantic history together. It's also clear that Reagan feels the same way when she goes to great lengths to replace her missing ring, even paying off Gammy (Marion Ross, Happy Days, Gilmore Girls) for a diamond earring to use as the stone. She also stops herself from ruining this second attempt, seeing what Chris is about to do.

Most couples see the passion cool over time. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Regan is caught up in the moment the first time around, and that's why she ruins Chris's original proposal. But in "The Proposals," she is able to slow down enough to see what is going on. People don't always need to run hot to prove their love for their spouse. Reagan and Chris show each other in little ways every day. And letting one's husband have his moment is a way that she shows her love, as much as planning and executing the second proposal is how Chris does his part.

Ava and Kevin are a wonderful couple. Jason Lee is sorely missed when Kevin disappears months ago, and many viewers long for his return. This finally happens in "The Proposals," but asking Ava to marry him is moving way too fast. While it is awesome that he is back on Up All Night, neither Ava nor Kevin are ready to marry, and so doing so just to keep the character around would have felt forced.

That being said, it would still be nice if wedding bells were in Kevin and Ava's future. There is no reason why they can't be in a couple of years. Ava is right that she did get pretty dependent on Kevin, and has to find herself after he leaves. The fact that she realizes this is a step in the right direction. They both need to grow separately before they can fully grow together. So hopefully they will just date for awhile, leaving some breathing room. Though, no one would complain if Lee became a series regular next year.

Up All Night  has not yet been renewed for a second season, but is considered a probable pick up. Should that happen, it will return to NBC next fall.
 
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'Daddy Daughter Time' for Up All Night

This week's Up All Night episode title, "Daddy Daughter Time," does not refer to Chris (Will Arnett) spending time with baby Amy, which happens most weeks. In fact, Chris begins working at the show, instead of being home during the day. He is horrible at first, but with a little coaching from Reagan (Christina Applegate), he improves markedly. Unfortunately, his popularity on screen and behind the scenes annoys Reagan, who feels as if her work space has been invaded.

"Daddy Daughter Time" actually refers to Ava's (Maya Rudolph) father, Marty (Henry Winkler, Childrens Hospital, Royal Pains), who comes to visit with his Asian wife and their children. This is much to Ava's dismay, as she is looking for some one-on-one time with Marty.

Who would have guessed that the mixed race daytime TV host would have a hippy Jewish father who writes children's books about African American youths? If that sounds like a weirdly amusing improv sketch, that's OK, because Winkler and Rudolph are veterans of comedy. Their chemistry is easy and realistic, and seconds after Winkler's first appearance on screen, any lingering questions about paternity go right out the window.

The story itself isn't particularly original. After all, how many kids, even after they grow up, feel neglected when one of their parents starts a new family? However, Ava handles the situation with less narcissism than she does many other things, and seeing the two performers together makes up for any staleness.

Chris coming to work with Regan also smacks of it's-been-done-a-million-times-before syndrome. This is a common cliché for sitcoms, though in the past it's mostly involved a stay-at-home wife going to their husband's place of employment. And maybe that's the point. In this gender reversing series, perhaps Up All Night just wanted to show that it can work the other way, too.

The problem is, using these worn out plots doesn't help Up All Night set itself apart as a series that should be watched. Fans can tune in sporadically, whenever they have time, and don't miss much. What's more, each episode does little to carve out its own niche identity, and "Daddy Daughter Time" is no exception to that rule. So what's left is a show that's enjoyable, because of the awesome trio of performers at the center, but has no hook to keep viewers coming back week after week. Somehow, enough still do.

Up All Night is a serviceable, but far from brilliant, sitcom. The actors deserve better. Sadly, a second season looks like a very real possibility, keeping the cast stuck in this world a bit longer. Though if the writing gets a little smarter, the producers ditch Missy (Jennifer Hall), and Jason Lee comes back full-time, there could be something great here. Oh, and more of Sharon Osbourne (The Talk, America's Got Talent) as a rival of Ava's wouldn't hurt, either.

If you are so inclined, catch Up All Night Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! To catch up on episodes of Up All Night that you missed, please click here.

Memphis Beat is "At the River"

     TNT's Memphis Beat returns for a second season with "At the River." A cop is killed, and Lt. Rice (Alfre Woodard) decides to split up her top detectives to solve it. She helps Det. Whitehead (Sam Hennings) work the actual case. She also lets him know he isn't really welcome in her department, and wishes he would leave. Dwight (Jason Lee) is ordered to assist Claire Ryan (Beau Garrett, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior), an Internal Affairs investigator, figure out if the dead cop is dirty or not. Dwight takes the case personally after meeting the deceased's son, recalling his own father's death in the line of duty. Not only does Dwight clear the cop's name, but he catches the killer, too.

     By and large, Memphis Beat is a procedural. The main focus is on the cases, not the characters. The season premiere, "At the River," is no different. Even when bringing up Dwight's past, it's more of a footnote to explain motivation than an actual plot point. Only Whitehead gets any real exploration this week, as he takes Rice's promise to help promote him to get him off her team very personally. His reaction is certainly the most interesting thing about the episode.

     The case itself isn't badly done, with some unexpected twists and turns, and a bit of flirting between Dwight and the Guest Star of the Week, Claire. They have palpable chemistry, and a show that concentrates a bit more on the main characters might bring her back for at least an arc so the two can get to know each other a bit better. Memphis Beat may eventually do that, but disappoingtingly, there is no sign or mention of her in next week's second episode of the season.

     The setting (Memphis, though filmed in Louisiana) and type of crimes do differ Memphis Beat slightly from the other series of the same genre on the air, but not enough to make the show a must-see. In fact, only watch if it's convenient and you don't have anything else better to do. It won't be a waste of an hour, but there is little to gain from it, either. Lee recently said in an interview that the series would be retooled dramatically for season two, but the first two episodes do not make this obvious, if it is being done at all.

     Next week's entry is a bit better, though it's hard to pinpoint why. Perhaps the additional interplay between Dwight and Whitehead make it a bit more entertaining. Or it could be the appearance of Tom Lennon (Reno 911!, Night at the Museum) as a consultant obsessed with a series of old break-ins who is smitten with Rice. There certainly isn't anything plot-wise that furthers any development.

     If you're into procedurals, I would recommend Memphis Beat over many of its peers. But if you are looking for intelligent, gripping, deep series, skip this one. Memphis Beat airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on TNT.

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Article first published as TV Review: Memphis Beat - "At the River" on Blogcritics.

Memphis Beat premieres tonight

     I am quite fond of Jason Lee.  I loved him in all of the Kevin Smith movies and I was happy for him when he got the title role in My Name Is Earl, though I'm still a bit bitter the show didn't get a proper finale after four seasons.  I celebrate his successes and feel bad when he doesn't do so well.  After watching the first episode of his new show for TNT, Memphis Beat, I am not sure whether to be happy or sad for him.  It's good that he's headlining another cast, and cop shows do pretty well on television.  As far as cop shows go, it's decent.  But it's mostly just a serial crime show, or so it appears from the first episode, and his talent goes beyond such drivel.  Sure, there's a Memphis charm, good music, and he gets to sing in the pilot, "That's Alright, Mama".  It was enough for my to set my TiVo to record the second episode next week, but far short of earning a season pass.

     Other things Memphis Beat have going for it include a couple of the supporting cast.  Alfre Woodard (Desperate Housewives, The Family That Preys, True Blood) is his new boss, Lt. Tanya Rice, who is bringing a motherly quality to the M.P.D., although a brief scene with her calling her daughter proves that she isn't as good a child rearer as she pretends to be.  I love Abraham Benrubi (ER, Men in Trees), but although his name was in the opening credits, he had scant seconds of screen time in the pilot.  The other actors in the show were not memorable, at least in the first episode.

     TNT already has a few crime-based dramas, and they do pretty well on the network.  Memphis Beat will certainly add to that portfolio.  I just wish it had dared to go a little further, like Justified.  Shows in this genre are better if they are about the characters, more than the crimes.  This series has a hint of character drama, mostly in the annoying, uninspired scenes between Dwight (Lee) and his mother, Paula Ann (Celia Weston).  On a side note, will television shows please quite tossing in the mother, as if that makes up for their serial nature?  Although it sometimes work, it's a tired premise, and often doesn't.  It certainly does not here.

     Memphis Blue premieres tonight at 10pm on TNT.