FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES Could Be Better

Article first published as FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES Review on Seat42F.

Ever wish there was a sitcom on the air about a bunch of friends hanging out together and talking about their love lives and foibles? Ever wish there were thirty-two of them? FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES, premiering tonight on CBS, seeks to answer that latter dream, yet another of a long tradition of Friends-esque shows. And like most of the copies of that popular series, this one seems doomed to be quickly canceled and forgotten.

The cast is made up of stock stereotypes. Bobby (Kevin Connolly, Entourage) and Andi (Majandra Delfino, Roswell) have been married seven years and are stuck in a rut. Their sex life has almost completely dried up. Andi feels comfortable pumping her breast milk not only in front of Bobby, but in front of their friends as well. Neither remembers their anniversary. They seem doomed.

But there’s always someone who will envy any given situation, and Bobby and Andi’s comfortable relationship is one envied by some; namely, Bobby’s business partner Will (James Van Der Beek, Dawson’s Creek). Not only do Will and Bobby share an OBGYN practice, but also a home, as Will has been kicked out by his wife and wants nothing more than to go home. Until he can make that happen (or, more likely face reality), he is crashing with Bobby.

At least Will had a spouse, though. Kate (Zoe Lister Jones, Whitney) is the one in their group that is still single and hates it. This could be because she is superficial and super picky, willing to shoot a guy down for the smallest (pun intended, which you’ll understand after viewing the “Pilot”) reasons. So unless she can loosen up, she probably won’t find her Mister Right.

Making them all gag are Jules (Brooklyn Decker, The League) and her new hippy fiancé, Lowell (Rick Donald, The Doctor Blake Mysteries). These two have been together a scant few weeks, but are all over each other, and somehow decide they’re ready to commit to a lifetime. It’s way too fast, but given the nature of the series and that they’re both main characters, it will probably last at least through the all-but-certain cancellation this spring.

This is a fantastic group of actors. Lister Jones and Van Der Beek, in particular, should absolutely be doing comedy on television. I wouldn’t even mind seeing that pair as a couple, which is set up blatantly in the premiere, though the run might be too short to get to them, because they both have impeccable timing and presence. The rest are well-cast, too. FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES could overcome the familiar structure and be something worth watching if the group solidifies into a strong dynamic.

The problem that can’t be overcome, though, is the terrible writing. The “Pilot” goes for the obvious jokes, and even before the viewer can elicit a groan, the laugh track (I refuse to believe a studio audience finds the show this funny) overwhelms. It’s a string of hammy, dumb gags, constantly hammering audiences over the head, in case we can’t figure out what’s funny on our own.

The lack of good material will kill this show. Just in case the program itself wouldn’t flop big enough on its own, it premieres after the series finale of How I Met Your Mother, a long-running ensemble piece that will surely knock the ending out of the park. This stark contrast when viewed back to back will arrest any momentum FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES might have gotten out of a lesser lead-in.

There are worse shows on television; there are worse shows on CBS. But with the potential being squandered here, FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES is almost criminal in what it robs those involved of.

FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES airs tonight at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.

State of Georgia not in a good state

     ABC Family's State of Georgia premiered last night. In the episode, Georgia (Raven-Symoné, That's So Raven) tries to audition for a role on stage. The casting director isn't impressed, telling her she's too fat, her talent isn't any better than anyone else's, and she's never be believable as a seductress. Georgia sulks briefly, then, encouraged by her Aunt Honey (Loretta Devine, Eli Stone, Grey's Anatomy) and best friend, Jo (Majandra Delfino, Roswell), Georgia returns to seduce the director and prove him wrong. She succeeds, without actually going through with anything sexual or losing her dignity.

     It's hard to keep an open mind about any Raven-Symoné vehicle. Despite being the cutest kid ever on The Cosby Show, since then her career has been overacting in ridiculous, unwatchable ways. She's popular with kids, but anyone who reaches teenager levels of age would have a hard time stomaching her. Yet, State of Georgia may be a transitional show into actual adult acting. Much of her character is overly dramatic, and she quickly falls back into the "too much" she learned as a child actor. But there are glimpses, especially as she deals with the casting director, whose character is as dreadful as the acting behind it, where Raven-Symoné actually shines through as a decent actress and singer.

     The demographic for this series is likely tweens and up, who were fans of Raven-Symoné before. In that regard, State of Georgia should do just fine. By making the lead less obnoxious, but not completely forgetting her previous work, there's a certain balance that might help usher maturity into fans and star alike. If these people, by and large girls, tune in, the series has a shot. Anyone else, please avoid, as it's not worth the effort.

     Speaking from the perspective not in Raven-Symoné's demographic, the series is borderline horrendous, and certainly not worth the time. Fluffier and less realistic than its lead-in, Melissa & Joey, which is pretty fluffy and unrealistic itself, State of George does not have any hallmarks of a series that will be anything special or win any awards. It's even less well made than pretty much any other ABC Family series, which is certainly not a top tier cable network. Which is too bad, because once Raven-Symoné shows she does have some talent hidden away, one wishes she would get more of a chance to use it.

     The supporting players are also well cast. Delfino shows range and the ability to do comedy, including physical comedy. She over blows some scenes, but likely because she was instructed to. She's still fun to watch, even then, though it's too bad her character is reduced to a bunch of bad hair jokes. Devine, of course, is amazing, and she is only being wasted on a series like this. Given crappy dialogue and nothing to play off of, she withers. Hopefully, she will be allowed to do other projects at the same time, so she doesn't forget what it's like to do something worthwhile.

     State of Georgia airs Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC Family.