CLEAR HISTORY Appeal Is Murky

Article first published as CLEAR HISTORY Review on Seat42F.

For those missing Curb Your Enthusiasm, HBO recently premiered CLEAR HISTORY. Written by, and starring, Larry David, the tone and humor is pretty much the same, with David inhabiting a similar character. This should tide fans over until David decides to make another season of his well-received comedy series.

The basic premise is of a man named Nathan (David) who gets into a silly argument with his boss, Will (Jon Hamm, Mad Men), leading to Nathan losing his job just before a massive launch of a new car that would have made him a billion dollars. Ten years later, Nathan is living as a drastically different looking guy named Rolly in Martha’s Vineyard, seemingly having escaped his past. That is, until Will shows up on the island, and Rolly begins plotting his revenge.

CLEAR HISTORY is inferior to Curb Your Enthusiasm, so don’t go in expecting an hour-and-a-half episode of the show. David still goes after silly, everyday gripes, but instead of harping on them for thirty minutes, with earlier events coming back full circle, most are dealt with in thirty seconds and then dropped. This is a shame, as there is certainly ripe material here that could fill many installments of Curb, wasted as throwaway gags.

What I don’t buy is that Rolly is considered the nicest guy around. At first, he seems to have turned over a new leaf, not harping on the little things that Nathan used to. But throughout the movie, Rolly makes more enemies than friends, and loses a few chums along the way. Has he turned just because of Will’s presence? It seems doubtful, especially as no character makes that observation.

The ending is contrived, and while a few threads seem to tie together, they don’t play into the final scenes, ruining the setup. Also, the story just can’t decide what it wants to be. For large stretches of the running time, it is a cohesive tale, but then it sometimes falls apart into a series of bits, and the ending is far from satisfying or complete. That is probably the biggest weakness of the project.

Which is not to say CLEAR HISTORY isn’t enjoyable. There are some brilliant turns by wonderful comedic performers, and those alone are worth tuning in for.

The most stand out performance is that of Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan) as Tibor, the Czechoslovakian man who sells Rolly an ignition switch, and then gets in a car wreck with him. Tibor’s look and accent are humorous, but it’s more the absolute confusion that he has towards Rolly, not understanding what’s going on when Rolly is involved, and not getting why Rolly isn’t afraid of him, that plays so darn well. Sadly, it is an uncredited role, as Schreiber stars in a series for a rival pay channel.

Among the rest of the cast are familiar faces like Michael Keaton (Batman, Toy Story), J.B. Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Amy Ryan (The Office), Bill Hader (Saturday Night Live), Danny McBride (Eastbound & Down), Eva Mendes (Hitch), Amy Landecker (Dan in Real Life), Patty Ross (The Heat), Paul Scheer (The League), Chicago (the 25 or 6 to 4 band), and many more. Each, without fail, not only fits well into this contrived world, but does an outstanding job of selling the scenes they are involved in. They are not the weakness of the piece, and each is not only funny, but also seems to be really glad to have this job, a definite plus.

A particular element I really enjoy is that of Will’s wife, Rhonda (Kate Hudson, Glee, Almost Famous). At first, she seems a pushover whom Rolly can worm his way in with. But the direction the script goes with her as things play out not only fits with her character nicely, even after a few turns, but also rises above the predictable and expected.

Overall, while not as impressed with CLEAR HISTORY as I have been with other David works, it is a nice little snack as we await his next great project.

MARON Saved By A "Mexican Angel"

Article first published as MARON Saved By A "Mexican Angel" on TheTVKing.

I didn't review the first episode of IFC's Maron because I didn't much care for it and didn't know why exactly. I like Marc Maron, who essentially plays a heightened version of himself, similar to Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm, but the pilot was just boring. It didn't make much use of Maron's particular comic style and didn't seem to go anywhere.

However, having recently marathoned the entire first season, which ended last night with "Projections" and "Mexican Angel," I have completely changed my mind. From episode two on, it is immediately clear that Maron goes on the upswing, finding its voice and knowing what it is about. Most episodes are kind of meandering, but each have some very funny things in them, and the wandering feels like a conscious choice, not a plodding misstep.

"Projections" is very interesting. While meeting an old friend for lunch (Eric Stoltz, Caprica), Marc imagines how his live could be differently, including seeing himself as a family man, one half of a gay couple, a cook who has given up on his comedy career, and a successful movie star. None of these make Marc happy, nor is happy in reality, which just proves that he is not destined to be satisfied.

"Projections" is the most unique of the first season episodes. It's not completely new to imagine alternate realities, but the understated way in which Maron, not giving into ridiculous, cartoonish situations, does it, sets it apart. It feels a lot like the artistic Louie, created by Louis C.K. Maron perhaps doesn't reach the levels of hilarity Louie has yet, but it's certainly on the right track, and not at all a copy, no matter the dark, depressing similarities.

They say that if you want to be happy, remain ignorant. Perhaps it's Marc's world-weary, hard-fought wisdom that keeps him from achieving emotional and mental peace. Maybe it's because he can't just do what he loves, having not found enough of a following to be the type of comedian he wants to be. Could he still have hope, or is he just destined to always be this crabby person?

The conceit we need to ignore, which is the same one suspended for Louie, is that this show won't get Marc to where he wants to be. With his very successful podcast and now this series, surely Marc is doing what he wants to do, and probably making a decent living at it (on on track to do so). It definitely seems like Marc has a lot of creative control, given how closely the tone of the show matches his public persona. As long as the series itself doesn't add Maron in, though, in some kind of meta twist, the character of Marc is believable enough to sustain the premise.

Marc does have a shot at improving his outlook, as he sort of lets his younger girlfriend, Jen (Nora Zehetner, Grey's Anatomy), move in with him in "Mexican Angel." Marc isn't sure he wants her there, sabotaging himself, as usual. Yet, he definitely has feelings for her, which he admits after being confronted by the "Mexican Angel" outside. Why can't he just accept how he is? Thankfully, she knows exactly the type of guy Maron is, and despite his outbursts, she sticks by him, somehow making it believable that she would do so.

Introduced as someone that seems like a crazy stalker, the more we learn about Jen, the less there is to worry about. I think this shift is achieved because Maron does such a great job of letting the viewer see her from Marc's perspective. When we finally find out in the season finale that much of the issue is just an age gap, it makes total sense. But as someone who much closer to Jen's age than Marc's, I'm impressed at how I was immersed into Marc's viewpoint. This, more than anything else, presents the singular, clear voice of the show, and proves the high quality.

Which is why I'm sad that Maron is over for the year. I have not heard if it will be renewed yet, but I sincerely hope that it is. We need more creativity on television, and Maron is fresh and brilliant.

"Larry vs. Michael J. Fox" on Curb Your Enthusiasm

     Last night, HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm ended season eight with "Larry vs. Michael J. Fox." Larry (Larry David) finally runs into his upstairs neighbor, Michael J. Fox (himself, The Good Wife, Rescue Me), and begins to suspect Michael is faking some Parkinson's symptoms in order to get back at Larry for a possible tiff. Unfortunately for Larry, no one believes him. Nor does his girlfriend, Jennifer (Ana Gasteyer, Saturday Night Live, The Good Wife), believe that her seven year old son is gay, and so is offended when Larry buys him a sewing machine for his birthday. In the end, Larry must flee town to escape his detractors.

     Larry's problems in Curb Your Enthusiasm always stem from misunderstandings. Or Larry taking a stand when he thinks something isn't right. Either way, Larry causes many of his own problems, and certainly does little or nothing to help himself. "Larry vs. Michael J. Fox" is no different.

     Larry is trying to do right by Jennifer by buying her son a sewing machine. The kid raves about Project Runway and fashion, and thus, it seems fitting. Yet Jennifer and Susie (Susie Essman) rip into him, since it's an effeminate gift. Since the kid loves it, and it aligns with his interests, what's the harm, really? Perhaps Larry doesn't know him well enough to take such a bold step, but it makes the kid happy, and isn't that what's important? It's not really Larry's fault that the kid sews Susie a swastika after seeing Larry doddle it. He can't control what the kid likes.

     Everyone loves Michael J. Fox in the world of Curb Your Enthusiasm, just as in real life. Larry is on Fox's turf. Does he really think he will be able to turn Fox's friends and neighbors against him, just because he has a beef with Fox, that may or may not be real? Larry speaks with Fox man to man, but it still doesn't clear up his suspicions, especially when more possible offenses keep happening. At this point, Larry should just drop it. But that's not in his nature, soinstead, he goes to the building's board, which, of course, sides with Fox. Then Larry inadvertently insults Michael at his charity event, leading Mayor Michael Bloomberg (himself) to call on Larry to leave town, to rousing cheers.

     It's worth noting, Larry is in New York City, his home town, the latter half of this season, because of lies and trouble back in Los Angeles, his current home. Yet, it takes very little time for Larry to upset the people in NYC, and soon they send him packing again, this time to Paris.

     If "Larry vs. Michael J. Fox" does turn out to be the series finale, as no additional season has yet been ordered, it leaves some loose ends, especially concerning Larry's relationship with ex-wife Cheryl (Cheryl Hines). But the episode does contain the perfect ending scene, with Larry and Leon (JB Smoove) walking the (obviously fake) streets of Paris, as Larry rants about the same offense he so recently rants about in LA. No matter where Larry goes, he never changes. And that's the beauty of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

     Curb Your Enthusiasm also stars Jeff Garlin, and may or may not return to HBO for a ninth season.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     To catch up on Curb Your Enthusiasm with DVDs and streaming episodes, please click here.

Article first published as TV Review: Curb Your Enthusiasm - "Larry vs. Michael J. Fox" on Blogcritics.

Curb Your Enthusiasm battles over "The Bi-Sexual"

     Last night's episode of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm finds Larry (Larry David) meeting a very nice girl named Jane (Amy Landecker, Dan in Real Life). The two are mutually attracted to each other, but as Larry soon finds out, Jane has a similar connection with Rosie O'Donnell (playing herself). Rosie and Larry are soon competing over the bi-sexual woman. Also, Larry blows off an acquaintance for lunch, resulting in the man ending up hospitalized after choking with no one around to help him.

     Larry and Rosie have amazing chemistry. Curb Your Enthusiasm works because Larry brings in people who are his equals, comedically, and usually puts them in the right in any argument. The beauty of "The Bi-Sexual" is that neither Larry nor Rosie should win. They begin to treat the beautiful Jane as a prize, possibly caring more about winning against each other, as they begin to see it as a competition of man vs. lesbian for all women, than actually being with her. Which is too bad, because she's a great match for Larry, and they really do seem to click. Though, given Larry's hangups, it would never last long-term.

     A running gag throughout "The Bi-Sexual" is comparing baseball to dating. Larry wins Jane over from Rosie completely when he "juices," meaning, takes Viagra. Jane feels like Larry is cheating when she learns this, as an avid baseball fan, and still very sensitive about the whole steroid scandal. Plus, Rosie takes Jane to a ball game on their date, Jane goes with Larry to a baseball museum, and Larry and Rosie compete in a softball league. As such, the connections are strong in the comparison.

     It is interesting, however, that while Larry is only in town for a few months, and it is an unplanned trip, that Larry is on a softball team. There are jerseys and everything, so it's not just a casual game among friends in the park. How does Larry integrate himself so quickly into the social calendar of the city? Is this how the rich and famous live? At home wherever they go because of their connections? Must be nice.

     Not really sure what that second plot about the man choking adds to "The Bi-Sexual." While it is not unusual for Curb Your Enthusiasm to juggle a couple of plots in a single episode, the B story felt forced in, and never ends up having hardly any connection to the A story, unlike in most of the series. As such, while it is a somewhat funny situation, the show would have been better off to leave it out until it could mesh more fluidly into another episode.

     On a final note, Larry's pairing with Leon (J.B. Smoove, 'Til Death) is a match made in heaven. Smoove has been on Curb Your Enthusiasm for several seasons now, but as Leon travels to the city to reconnect with Larry this week, their chemistry becomes obvious all over again. They have a scene where they discuss bi-sexuality, and as they compete and insult each other, both enjoying the exchange immensely, it's hard not to be caught up in the fun. While from two seemingly drastically different worlds, Leon and Larry have a deep friendship that transcends the short time they've known each other. Soul mates, indeed.

     Curb Your Enthusiasm airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on HBO.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     To catch up on Curb Your Enthusiasm with DVDs and streaming episodes, please click here.

Article first published as TV Review: Curb Your Enthusiasm - "The Bi-Sexual" on Blogcritics.

Curb Your Enthusiasm goes through "The Divorce"

     Season eight of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm begins with "The Divorce." As the title implies, Larry (Larry David) and Cheryl (Cheryl Hines) make the decision to end their marriage. The half hour begins right where season seven ends, and their bickering causes them, many months later, to dissolve the union. Larry has a great attorney (Paul F. Tompkins), but when he learns the man is only leading people to believe he's Jewish, Larry fires him. Which leads to Larry hiring a Jewish, but much worse, lawyer, who gives Cheryl the house. After an inadvertent comment by Larry, Funkhouser (Bob Einstein) also decides to get divorced. Larry also cancels a girl scout cookie order after misunderstanding with the girlscout's father (Gary Cole, The Good Wife, Entourage).


      Divorce hangs heavy in "The Divorce," but rather than be a bad thing, it is celebrated. Larry and Cheryl manage to remain friends, and are happy they will no longer be together. Funkhouser embraces the freedom from his boring union. Even Jeff (Jeff Garlin) wishes to end his marriage, but his wife, Susie (Susie Essman) would make the process far too painful for him to seriously consider it. Why does Curb Your Enthusiasm embrace such a bleak outlook? Perhaps it is the central character's attitude that influences the most. While Larry loves Cheryl, he tends to roll with the punches, and stay relatively happy. He gets frustrated, but his belief that he almost always right usually keeps him from being too upset. With Larry getting divorced, rather than have the character sink into sad depression, he weathers it as he does everything else.

     The humor comes from the problems that Larry gets himself into. These problems fall into one of two categories: misunderstandings, and the things he brings on himself with his inability to let anything go. "The Divorce" has examples of each. Firmly in the misunderstanding category is the disagreement Larry has with the girl scout's father. While at Larry's house to sell him cookies, the girl (Kaitlyn Dever, Justified) begins her first period. Larry assists her to the best of his ability, while also keeping a door between them. Her father doesn't understand what happens, and so he denies Larry box seats to a sporting event.

     From there, things go into the Larry's fault side. Larry decides that if he's not on good terms with the girl's father, and not getting the favor he desires, he won't do any favors back. He cancels his cookie order, which the girl scouts are flummoxed by. It goes from bad to worse when not just three girl scouts, but a whole troop of them show up at his door. Larry trying to close the door on a bunch of angry young girls is hilarious!

     Larry's divorce problems are also his own fault, since he fires a perfectly competent lawyer to prove a point. This backfires, and Larry ends up with no home, as does Leon (J.B. Smoove), who still lives with Larry. It would not be a good episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm unless the ending was not in Larry's favor, and having twenty-four hours to vacate his home certainly isn't. It will be very interesting to see what happens next.

     Curb Your Enthusiasm airs Sunday nights at 10 p.m. ET on HBO.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     To catch up on Curb Your Enthusiasm with DVDs and streaming episodes, please click here.

Paul Reiser returns to television with self-titled series

     Years after Mad About You has left the airwaves, NBC brought Paul Reiser back last night in his new series, The Paul Reiser Show. The series is about Paul (playing a fictionalized image of himself) being a dad post-TV career, and hanging out with his kids' friends' dads, whom he now reluctantly calls friends. Besides Reiser, the other main characters are four fellow fathers and Paul's wife (the lovely Amy Landecker, A Serious Man), so despite the concept, kids do not appear as major screen presences. The pilot, "The Father's Occupation", delivers some funny moments, but having spoken with people who have seen more than one episode, it's apparently quite a disappointment.

     Factor number one against The Paul Reiser Show: it is incredibly similar to Curb Your Enthusiasm. So much so that CYE star Larry David (playing his CYE version of himself) has lunch with Paul in episode one and tells him he should have his own version of CYE. He does, tongue in cheek, and its The Paul Reiser Show. If you do not get HBO, or are missing David because of the nearly year and a half hiatus CYE has been on (it went out November 2009 and returns in July), last night's entry may be an acceptable placeholder, if the show maintains the quality portions of the premiere, which word is, it does not.

     The best part of last night's episode is Reiser's lunch with David, where they argue about doing a game show. Reiser isn't interested in hosting, until he learns that David is being considered, and then suddenly he wants the series. The scene could easily have been shot for HBO, with the editors even bleeping David's profanity. Will the scene appear again when CYE returns? The second best part is Reiser's actual audition for Mark Burnett's (appearing as himself) game show, where Reiser gets annoyed with the contestants and tells them so. Burnett loves it, and wants to hire him immediately. Reiser refuses, knowing he would be miserable with the gig. But his misery is the whole reason Burnett loves him! Reiser is his own worst enemy.

Advertisement

 

     Should the show stick with Reiser and his grumpy, neurotic run-ins with others, the series would be pretty good, albeit a clone. Instead, there are the four other fathers, who try to make it into a buddy comedy. Reiser considers himself mostly seperate from them, and so it feels like two different shows are being forced to mesh together awkwardly. The four actors who play the dads, Andrew Daly (Eastbound & Down), Omid Djalili (The Mummy), Duane Martin (All of Us), and Ben Shenkman (Damages) are capable enough, but the material given to them is trite and stale. It's been done a hundred times before on other sitcoms. They easily bring to mind when Raymond would occasionally sneak away to a friend's garage on Everybody Loves Raymond. So it really doesn't work.

     Since NBC waited until April to premiere the show (originally scheduled for summer, but replacing ratings-challenged, yet hilarious, Perfect Couples), chances are not good for a long run. If you're curious, check it out now while you have the chance. The Paul Reiser Show airs Thursday nights at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC.


For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.