Web Therapy has no trouble getting it up

Showtime's Web Therapy, which mysteriously moved to Sundays a couple of weeks ago, ended its sophomore run last night with a delightful installment entitled "Electile Dysfunction." Robin (Julie Claire), to get even with a rude Fiona (Lisa Kudrow), released the sneakily recorded sex tapes featuring Kip (Victor Garber) and Ben (Michael McDonald). The result is that Kip is forced to drop out of the race. This is fine with Fiona, who is ready to be done with politics and her gay husband so that she can fly away with Austen (Alan Cumming). Unfortunately, there is a snag in that plan, too.

I want to say poor Fiona, as she is the protagonist of the show, and her luck seems to be bad, but I can't. Kudrow makes the character so detestable that, every time there might be an inkling of sympathy for her, it's quickly quelled. This isn't a complaint, but rather an observation about the way the lead is built. Her husband is gay. That sucks. No wonder she is uptight and repressed. But then Fiona sends her possibly dangerous stalker (David Schwimmer, Friends) after her own sister (Julia Louis-Dreyfus). Does she have zero moral compass?

Many great modern television series are built on the antihero, but almost none of those are comedies. That makes what Web Therapy is doing so original and genius. If one if watching a dark drama and the main character is a baddie, that's one thing. When one is laughing at the antics of the principal person, who then takes things way too far, it's hard to keep laughing. Somehow, this show manages to make the cruel funny, and therein lies its brilliance.

Besides all of the actors mentioned above, the cast is stuffed with familiar faces like Victor Garber, Lily Tomlin, Rashida Jones, Molly Shannon, Minnie Driver, Selma Blair, Rosie O'Donnell, Conan O'Brien (as a douche-y version of himself), and even Meryl Streep. What would attract such an elite group of performers to the small screen? When is the last time Streep guest starred in any television show, other than an award-winning miniseries (Angels in America) or a couple of quick voice cameos (The Simpsons, King of the Hill) in the '90s?

But it's not just those the audience already knows that sell the work. Web Therapy boasts a wonderful supporting cast which includes Dan Bucatinsky, Jennifer Elise Cox, and Tim Bagley. They may not may as instantly recognizable, but they're every bit as good as the more famous people, which is necessary to make the show gel together the way it does.

Season one of Web Therapy ended with Fiona being selfish (unlike the actress playing her, who allows everyone a chance to shine), giving up the chance at love with Austen to stand by Kip, hoping that would bring her status and political acumen. Is Austen's betrayal with Gina (Cox) payback? Would it have happened anyway? It's hard to say, but given the way that Fiona treats Austen, it's hard to believe their union would have been a happy one.

As much as Fiona stops in a dark place, the rest of the characters are looking pretty good. Gina has a great new job and is being pampered, Kip and Ben are happily off cavorting somewhere, and Fiona's mother, Putsy (Tomlin), has launched the competing Net Therapy, stealing Fiona's formerly loyal assistant, Jerome (Bucatinsky), away, paying him a more fair salary. So it's not a bad ending, since these are all better human beings who deserve good things more than Fiona. Let's see how Fiona can wreck their happiness next.

Web Therapy has not yet been renewed for a third season, but if there is justice for good TV, it will be. And if not, season two provides some nice closure.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! First posted on TheTVKing

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     Now on Showtime is Web Therapy. Web Therapy began life as a series of short webisodes available online. Now Showtime has ordered it to series, so what is airing on television is a compilation of the shorter bits, edited together with connecting scenes. In the first two episodes, we meet Fiona Wallace (Lisa Kudrow, Friends), who is starting a new "modality" for therapy - offering three minute sessions via web cam. This works for her, as she is lazy, and would rather avoid the human contact that comes with fifty minute meetings in person. To begin, Fiona calls upon some people she already knows in the "real world," hoping to establish a brand, then franchise it and become rich. Ideally, this will happen within a couple of months. The series is made up completely of web cam shots.

     Two episodes in, Kudrow has banished Phoebe from the minds of viewers. A different voice and mannerisms assure virtually no connection between the character Kudrow is most famous for, and the one she now inhabits. Fiona herself is odd, with an annoyingly lilting tone, and her own, distinct pattern of dialogue. One episode in, she is easy to despise. Two half hours, and suddenly she is incredibly enjoyable, even though it is still apparent she is a horrible human being. For instance, she tries to exploit a patient named Jerome (executive producer Dan Bucatinsky), who thinks he was unknowingly sleeping with his half sister (Rashida Jones, Parks and Recreation). Fiona takes the role of victim when it turns out the woman is not related to him. After all, she intends to use his story to get investors! How dare he be boring!

     Part of the reason Fiona may be the way she is could be the lack of affection she gets from her husband, Kip (the great Victor Garber, Eli Stone, Alias). Kips is, to keep with the show's format, only seen via web cam, too, whether he is on Fiona's computer, sitting next to her, or being called while in the bedroom on his own laptop. It makes for an odd communication style between the two, and most moments of their lives are missed by the viewers. However, there is enough insinuation to figure out that Kip wants to stay in the marriage, cares about Fiona, but avoids her sexual advances. Could he be gay?

     To compensate, Fiona acts inappropriately towards other men, but can't bring herself to go through with anything. One in particular, Richard (Tim Bagley, Monk, Will & Grace), she now counsels, and tries to interfere in his new relationship. You see, her departure from her previous job came after she made many advances, but she rejected Richard when he tried to act on them. Now she doesn't want him to be with anyone else, and he is confused. Wholly unethical, it's still a pretty funny situation, and actually exposes a vulnerable side of Fiona. Which is when she begins to be a character fans can get behind, if only slightly. What is shown most of the time is a persona, and this situation peels down into a deeper layer.

     High quality guest stars abound in the first season, including Jane Lynch (Glee), Lily Tomlin (Damages, The West Wing), Alan Cumming (The Good Wife), Courteney Cox (Cougar Town), Jennifer Elise Cox (The Brady Bunch Movie), Maulik Pancholy (30 Rock, Weeds), Julie Claire (24, Dirt), and more. It should be an exciting bunch of whackos, perfectly complimenting Fiona's insanity.

     Web Therapy is nowhere close to realistic, but it is pretty funny. Check it out Tuesdays at 11 p.m. EST on Showtime.


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Article first published as TV Review: Web Therapy on Blogcritics.