Loves Bites begins with "Firsts"

     NBC has a little show called Love Bites that was originally slated to premiere last fall, got pushed to mid-season, and ultimately has to wait until summer to see the light of day. That, combined with terrible first night ratings, does not bode well. And yet, it is an original, compelling, tasty treat of a series. The first episode, appropriately titled "Firsts," aired this past Thursday, and if it is representative of the series as a whole, Love Bites is going to be pretty good. Assuming NBC allows it to continue airing, which is far from certain because of the aforementioned ratings.

     The hook for Love Bites is that it is a series of vignettes, with their own subtitles, having some threads that twist through all three stand alone stories. The theme song boasts only two stars: Becki Newton (Ugly Betty) and Greg Grunberg (Alias, Heroes). Yet, in the first episode, so many wonderful actors play their friends, including Craig Robinson (The Office), Kyle Howard (My Boys), Lindsay Price (Lipstick Jungle), Krysten Ritter (Breaking Bad), and Guillermo Diaz (Weeds), that this could easily become an ensemble piece. Also in the pilot, is Grunberg's character's wife, who is Pamela Adlon (Californication) in the first episode, but was recast as Constance Zimmer (Entourage) in further installments.

     The first bit, "First Time," finds Annie (Newton) trying to help her friend Cassie (Ritter) pick up a man. Unfortunately, Annie's large belly and story of being a surrogate for her sister distracts the guys in the bars. Cassie comes up with her own, albiet made up, story to get attention, telling a guy she's a virgin. He falls for her, but becomes hesitant to engage in sexual relations, knowing he will be the one she remembers. She eventually comes clean, as does he, but instead of splitting up, as would happen when the scenario arises in sitcoms, they stay together. It's a sweet nugget, and a good way to begin a series about love. Attraction is about more than just the pick up lines people use, and everyone wants attention.

     In the second segment, "First To Go," Carter (Howard) loses his job. When he gets home to tell his fiance (Price), he finds her using a vibrator. It's too much humilaition for his manhood to take in one day, so he puts off telling her the bad news, and instead devotes himself to being better in bed than the sex toy. Of course, the truth eventually comes out, and she is supportive. It may sound similar to the first story, but it doesn't feel that way, because a committed couple who have been together for a long time have totally different reasons to lie, and find it much easier to forgive. Clearly, these two belong together.

     Finally, the third and longest section is called "First On the List." Judd (Grunberg) gets the chance to live out the fantasy of many a married man. On an airplane, he runs into Jennifer Love Hewitt (herself), the one and only girl on his "exemption" list, who if he sleeps with, his wife is not allowed to get mad. His wife tells him to go for it, and his buddy (Robinson) is very encouraging. Stranger still, Hewitt is agreeable, having just gotten out of a relationship, finding Judd nice, and wanting to try her fantasy of joining the mile high club. In the end, they get to the bathroom, but Judd is too loyal to his wife to seal the deal, earning even more respect from Hewitt. This is certainly the least realistic situation, meeting an attractive celebrity is only too willing to have sex with you, but again, the heartfelt ending demonstrating true love saves it from being an utter waste.

     Doesn't that sound like a good show worth watching? Here's hoping the series gets signficantly more viewers so it can at least play out the short first season it filmed. Love Bites airs Thursday nights at 10 p.m. ET on NBC.

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My Boys have grown into "My Men"

***Article update: My Boys has been officially canceled.

     Sunday night, the TBS comedy My Boys completed its fourth season with two half-hour episodes. Sadly, the fourth season only had nine episodes, but My Boys has always aired sporadically. After a 22-episode first season, which had both a winter and summer run, seasons two and three had only aired nine episodes each, and ran during different times of the year. Many people believe that My Boys will not be renewed for a fifth season, though there has been no official announcement either way. It's depressing, as it's a great little show that never got the amount of attention it deserved. However, if it is gone for good, the final episode, "My Men," will serve as a nice series finale.

      The show stars Jordana Spiro as P.J. Franklin, a sport columnist in Chicago. As the series began, we were introduced to her three male friends, irresponsible, dumb Mike (Jamie Kaler), party boy Brendan (Reid Scott), and anal retentive Kenny (Michael Bunin). Also part of the group was P.J.'s brother, Andy (Jim Gaffigan) and her lone female friend, who mostly stayed away from the group, Stephanie (Kellee Stewart). Introduced in the pilot was a new co-worker and love interest for P.J., Bobby (Kyle Howard), who first joined the group, and only later became involved in a serious relationship with P.J.

      This season has brought about many changes. Bobby lost his fortune and moved in with P.J. Kenny lost his business, of which Mike was the sole employee, so they both were out of work. P.J. got the chance to go for her dream job, the gang's bar closed down, and Andy moved away to Japan. This last development allowed room for Stephanie to take a more central role and start to spend time with the rest of them. Add to that, she has been dating Kenny, so she is more firmly entwined than ever. I missed Andy quite a bit, but finally liking Stephanie after three years of wondering why she was even in the cast made up for the loss.

      It wasn't just external changes, though, that marked the fourth season. Each character grew to maturity in a new way. Bobby had to figure out what he wanted out of life. P.J. had to settle her priorities, whether she'd rather have her dream job, or a life with her friends. Kenny had to make a big commitment to Stephanie. Brendan traded in his night club for a more grown up venue. And last, but probably the biggest, Mike realized that he wasn't a kid anymore and needed to change some things. This culminated in his falling in love with, and wedding in the finale, Marcia (played by the hilarious actress Rachael Harris). I love Harris, and she made a great companion for Mike.

      Seeing how this past season panned out really made watching the show worth it. It was an enjoyable sitcom from the beginning, found its legs late in the first season, and really became something special by the fourth. The only thing I will regret if it goes off the air is that Jim Gaffigan did not return in any of the nine episodes. A guest spot for him at the end would have been perfect. However, if the show does somehow get picked up, which I sincerely hoped, not only could they save a scene for Gaffigan, but Harris should be installed full time, or at least half-time. It would shake up the dynamic, keep things fresh, and allow the show to grow even more.

My Boys have grown up a bit

 
    TBS's hit sitcom My Boys returns tonight with two new episodes: "Addition by Subtraction" and "Gourmets and Confused".  Sadly, the first episode deal's with the group coping over the loss of Andy (Jim Gaffigan), who has moved his family to China.  Gaffigan is sorely missed from the cast, and it is quickly apparent that no one can replace him.  I gave the show props for realizing that, and not trying to pick another goofy comedian to fill his shoes.  The 2nd episode finds the two couples in the cast at a fancy restaurant, while the two single guys decide to try to have the best night ever without the rest of their friends.  Of course, there are some mix-ups and accidents, and soon hilarity ensues.

     Without Gaffigan, there is less slapstick.  The humor has had to tone itself down.  Kenny (Michael Bunin) and Stephanie (Kellee Stewart) now in a relationship that is publicly visible, and Bobby (Kyle Howard) and P.J. (Jordana Spiro) have settled into their couple status, comfortable after some time together.  The show used to be about a bunch of single friends and their antics, but gradually over three seasons, they've all grown up.  Even Brendan (Reid Scott) and Mike (Jamie Kaler), the two least responsible, and still single, dressed in suits to go find classy girls in tonight's episodes.  It's become a different show than it used to be, but I'm not sure that's a bad thing.

     Although no final decision has been announced, it is likely that My Boys's fourth season will be it's last.  That makes me sad, but unlike other sitcoms, the actual serious development of the characters should leave the ending bittersweet.  We have bore witness to a journey, with a definite beginning (and hopefully definite) ending.  Stephanie has gone from outsider and occasional gal pal to P.J. to full fledged member of the group, as well as overcome her hate of men in general, and Kenny in particular.  Brenden will soon be looking for his own apartment, while Mike considers steady work and love.  If we can get some Jim Gaffigan again at the end of the season, I will be fully satisfied.

     If you haven't seen the show, go ahead and tune in.  The first two episodes should bring you up to speed.  If you have, enjoy the series while you still can, because you may not get to much longer.  My Boys airs on TBS Sunday nights at 10pm, but tonight you get a second new episode at 10:30.