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Article first published as DVD Review: 'Saved by the Bell: The Complete Collection' on Blogcritics.

Shout! Factory recently released Saved by the Bell: The Complete Collection. The 16-disc collection covers all the iterations of the series that starred Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Dustin Diamond (along with various other actors at different points), as well as quite a few bonus features. It is available now.

Legacy

As a child, this was one of my favorite shows, watching re-runs whenever I could, and it still evokes very warm feelings. So the release of the series on DVD makes me extremely happy. I’m sure plenty of others in my generation will feel the same way.

To some, Saved by the Bell was an iconic series in its day. It was very popular, and it tackled serious issues. Sure, it could also be pretty cheesy and fell into the trap of obvious tropes, including its love triangle elements.

The Collection

This is not the first DVD release for this classic, ’90s, Saturday morning comedy series, but it is the most comprehensive, best. Past DVD releases featured out-of-order and missing episodes. The Complete Collection includes all four seasons. The episode order, though not the original broadcast order, makes more sense for the show’s narrative. The DVD set also includes all of Good Morning, Miss Bliss starring Hayley Mills, which was packaged with SBTB in syndication (basically everything except the original pilot); the full season of Saved by the Bell: The College Years, and the two television movies Hawaiian Styleand Wedding in Las Vegas.

It’s very satisfying to have all of these combined into a single collection. If you were a fan of Mr. Belding (Dennis Haskins), Zack (Gosselaar), and Screech (Diamond), it’s nice to see them, along with Lisa (Lark Voorhies) and some other kids, in Junior High in the Good Morning, Miss Bliss season. Granted, there is no explanation as to how and why the four characters suddenly relocated from Indianapolis, Indiana to Bayside, California for high school. But Zack, Screech, Lisa, and Mr. Belding are the same people in a new setting for the next four seasons, titled Saved by the Bell

After that, continuity stays pretty consistent through the main show and beyond. The trio of students are joined by others, most notably Slater (Mario Lopez), Jessie (Elizabeth Berkley), and Kelly (Tiffany-Amber Thiessen). Their story continues into college (The College Years) and the post-high school TV movies. For this set, episodes have been re-ordered to make sense, as they sometimes aired out-of-order, and that also helps viewers follow the story.

Extras

This Saved by the Bell  DVD Collection includes a ton of bonus features. There’s a ‘making of’ and a retrospective documentary. A couple of featurettes tackle the music of the show. Some shorts focus on the legacy of the program and Saturday morning television in general. There are a few (less valuable) photo galleries. Plus, audio commentaries. As if often the case, the longer featurettes are a better perk than the photos, and the commentaries are nice, but leave me wanting more. Which is typical for such releases. Best of all, and more of a rarity with similar DVD collection is a booklet to guide viewers through the huge amount of material in the set. The booklet provides explanations for choices made, appreciated transparency to the process of putting this together.

What’s Missing

What the collection does not include is the seven-season spin-off, Saved by the Bell: The New Class, which combined Screech and Mr. Belding with a rotating group of new students. But The New Class was never as well-regarded as the original. And unlike everything mentioned above, did not really go together with what came before it. The missing pilot for Good Morning, Miss Bliss is more disappointing, but the same rights that left it out of the syndication deal likely made it too complicated to get for this, too. And really, that being the only notable exclusion, The Complete Collection feels pretty… well, complete.

Conclusion

Saved by the Bell: The Complete Series is a terrific way to remember the show. The collection is reasonably priced. Which makes sense, given its lack of high-def update and the cheap selling-off of other shows of the same era. I appreciate this much effort was made to preserve a piece of TV history, and look forward to reliving all the best moments, from Bayside and beyond.

Saved by the Bell: The Complete Series is available now.

First PITCH

Article first published as PITCH Review on Seat42F.

Disclaimer: This article is written by a non-sports fan. Nope, I don’t watch any of the sports.

FOX will be striking several chords with its new drama PITCH. It’s about the first woman in major league sports, as a girl becomes pitcher for the San Diego Padres. No, this is not a true story, and no, no woman has ever played for the MLB, NFL, NBA, or NHL (America’s four major professional sports leagues, according to Wikipedia; remember, I don’t follow sports), although the Padres are an actual team. But it feels like a true story, especially with the right to use actual logos, and hopefully reality will echo art in short order.

Ginny Baker (Kylie Bunbury, Twisted) always wanted to play baseball. She was great at it from a young age, and her father (Michael Beach, Sons of Anarchy) taught her how to compete with the boys. She finally earns her way into the minor leagues, and when an injury sidelines the Padres’ regular starter, she is called up to substitute in his steed.

Obviously, this is a huge weight to put on one woman, forced to represent her entire gender. The parallels are drawn between Ginny and Jackie Robinson, and PITCH portrays the sexism we’d all expect to happen right from the start. It’s easy to imagine all of the problems that would pop up when a woman finally makes that leap. PITCH gets a lot of them out of the way quickly, presumably so they can move onto other drama.

But PITCH isn’t just a preachy, big-picture show. Yes, showing a female in the big leagues is extremely important and long overdue. However, there is an actual woman for which this is happening, and a lot of the focus is on Ginny. We see how she handles things emotionally, and it feels authentic. Bunbury is terrific at making Ginny seem real, and as much as I feel her pain when she falls short, I also feel her pride when she succeeds, as we know she must.

In this way, PITCH is also a typical sports movie. Like many of the great films in the genre, it follows an underdog who overcomes adversity and naysayers to rise to the top of her game. This formula is incredibly familiar, and yet it rarely feels stale, even when the audience knows what to expect. Everyone likes to see sympathetic characters win, and Ginny fits that profile perfectly.

The cast is rounded out by a bevy of strong performers. Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Saved By the Bell, Franklin & Bash) is the abrasive team captain, Mike Lawson. Dan Lauria (The Wonder Years) is the coach who doesn’t want Ginny, Al Luongo. Mo McCrae (Murder in the First) is Ginny’s long-time buddy and now teammate, Blip. Meagan Holder (Born Again Virgin) is Blip’s wife and Ginny’s pal, Evelyn. Tim Jo (The Neighbors) plays social media guru Eliot, and Ali Larter (Heroes) is Ginny’s agent, Amelia. Finally, Mark Consuelos (Alpha House) is the general manager of the team, Oscar Arguella.

Now, while the pilot is wholly a typical sports movie, I’m assuming the series will be more of a soapy drama over time. I feel like there are already the makings of a romance between Ginny and Mike, and Oscar is definitely after Amelia. There will be ups and downs as the season unfolds, and while the games will probably frequently be shown, there’s also going to be plenty of character stuff.

I think PITCH will be good at that. The pilot was very strong, other than a scene in which Mike seems to play savior to Ginny, which I found a little patronizing, but also kind of necessary to the plot. If it can avoid those, and it did for the rest of the hour, I think PITCH could definitely be a series worth watching. Though I think it’s too soon to crown it, as some already have, the next Friday Night Lights, which remains the definitive TV sports drama of our time.

PITCH premieres Thursday, September 22nd on FOX.

TV Review: ‘Franklin & Bash’ – “The Curse of Hor-Aha”

Article first published as TV Review: ‘Franklin & Bash’ – “The Curse of Hor-Aha” on Blogcritics.


As much as TNT’s Franklin & Bash changes, it also stays the same. It has undergone cast shifts before, but in the fourth season, which returned last night, we may see the most dramatic rotation yet. Which is why it’s extra remarkable that the premiere, “The Curse of Hor-Aha,” seems pretty much the same as any other episode of the series.

Time Jump

Right off the bat, we get a four month time jump where our titular characters are now running the law firm (although they remain living in Infeld’s beach house). Infeld (Malcolm McDowell) himself is working as an auto mechanic, having taken a blow for the Rachel King (Heather Locklear) fiasco. Rachel is locked up, so we don’t see her, and likely won’t again, at least not for a long while. Other employees are jumping ship, unhappy with the new management style, and that includes F&B’s loyal compatriots, Carmen (Dana Davis) and Pindar (Kumail Nanjiani).

What this means for Franklin & Bash is that Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) either need to grow up or get Infeld back. They prefer the latter, of course. In their current case, which involves “The Case of Hor-Aha,” they are as goofy as ever. In the office, they can’t stay out of trouble, which is probably why they haven’t managed to garner any respect. The new investigator they’ve hired, Dan Mundy (Anthony Ordonez, Job for Gino), is an enabler and a weirdo. Needless to say, they’re not doing well, and the firm is losing money and personnel rapidly.

Departures

It’s disappointing that Carmen and Pindar have left. We get brief explanations for both absences, and it doesn’t seem like they fled for the same reasons the others did. But they are valuable characters for the show, even if they’ve been marginalized for most of it, who will be missed. Let’s hope they at least pop back up as guest stars sometime this year.

Since it seems like getting Infeld back into his office will be an arc, rather than a quick fix, there has to be some balancing force on the show to keep the guys in line in the meantime. In the past, this has mostly fallen to Damien Karp (Reed Diamond) and a couple of different women, who are no longer around. Damien has also quit (and it’s worth noting that he is no longer listed on the cast page of the official website) and is purposely seeking cases where he can fight the guys in the courtroom, petty as ever. So obviously, the show needs a permanent presence at Infeld Daniels (now renamed Infeld, Daniels, Franklin, & Bash) to stabilize things.

Anita Joins Franklin & Bash

Enter Anita Haskins (Toni Trucks, Hostages), a well-educated, no-nonsense woman who is willing to work for them if they actually let her go to court, which they are desperate enough to do, and other reputable law firms won’t. She seems, at first glance, to be a pretty standard straight (wo-)man, there to hamper them, but not too harshly, like her predecessors. But it’s hard to tell for sure because she doesn’t show up until near the close of the hour.

Before Anita is introduced to Franklin & Bash, we see Ellen Swatello (Rhea Seehorn), previously an assistant district attorney, is now on staff at the firm. Ellen is a recurring part, and unfortunately, her new position has not come with a corresponding upgrade for the delightful Seehorn. One assumes the office isn’t going to keep both Anita and Ellen around, but how cool would it be if they did? After all, two tough females teaming up on Franklin & Bash might finally be able to rein them in.

The case-of-the-week is standard and takes up most of the running time, as usual. I like Franklin & Bash because it isn’t just a procedural, but unfortunately, it is mainly that. If you were entertained the first three years, though, you’ll probably like this one, too, because even though there has been some musical chairs among the players and a new challenge introduced, it’s still very much the show you’ve become accustomed to.

Franklin & Bash airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on TNT.

FRANKLIN & BASH "Alive" Again

Article first published as FRANKLIN & BASH "Alive" Again on TheTVKing.

TNT’s FRANKLIN & BASH is pretty much exactly what people mean when they talk about summer fluff television. Similar to the old USA shows, FRANKLIN & BASH follows two silly, fast-talking lawyers, Jared Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Peter Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), as they charmingly get into trouble, then show true compassion as they win emotionally-charged cases.

Season three kicks off this week with two new hours, “Coffee and Cream” and “Dead and Alive.” I can’t really say there is anything startling about the case-of-the-week in either. They are pretty typical of FRANKLIN & BASH installments, with the boys having to color outside the lines, but in the end, helping their clients. In the first, twin magicians want the guys to keep their secret while avoiding legal charges, and in the second, they must prove a man is still alive when a clerical error considers him dead.

These episodes are fun enough, and what fans of the show expect. They don’t stretch reality much further than other courtroom dramadies have done, and there are enough humorous moments to keep viewers entertained. A drop by Piers Morgan’s (guesting as himself) show seems slightly outrageous, but allows a nice introduction of a new character.

The problem is, the titular duo just don’t go far enough anymore. When the series first premiered, they seemed completely goofy, off in left field. As the show has gone on, their actions just aren’t shocking. Maybe we’ve grown used to their antics, or maybe the writers have just run out of ways to top themselves, but it’s more ‘business-as-usual’ than ‘wow!’ by now.

Luckily, while mostly procedural, there is a little bit more than that going on, and this third year may just be the one where everything changes. The most obvious development is the introduction of Rachel King (Heather Locklear) as the new boss. She immediately rebuilds the wall between Franklin and Bash’s offices, and cracks down harder on the rules than previous leadership.

The thing is, though, she isn’t that huge an adjustment. She lets Bash and Franklin do what they do, but just wants to keep better tabs on them. Maybe she’s evaluating the circumstances before taking much drastic action, or maybe she sees the benefit of their behavior. She is definitely a long-game player, which means her motivations won’t become clear for some time. Yet, her hindrance of the pair is more for show than making any real impact in the dynamic.

Lest anyone fear the eccentric head of the firm, Stanton Infeld (Malcolm McDowell) is gone, worry not. He may hand over the reins to King, who is actually Hanna’s (Garcelle Beauvais) replacement in the cast, but he’s still present. He has just decided that he isn’t a firm enough hand for the guys, and so is letting someone else do the dirty work.

What’s interesting to me about Rachel’s arrival is how Damien (Reed Diamond) is affected. At first, he is upset that Uncle Stanton is letting someone else take over the business, but then Rachel helps Damien prepare for an eventual judgeship. Who is Stanton grooming? He’s moving around a lot of pieces, and it looks like only he and Rachel may know what’s going on for now.

Besides the professional developments, Bash also gets a serious love interest. We know he isn’t a womanizer, at least not completely, and is open to love. But it’s nice to see someone brought in via a natural development who can turn his head and whom Bash doesn’t immediately figure out. This gal is introduced as someone who can hold her own, strong, but with a sense of humor. They have a nice chemistry, and I really hope this goes somewhere.

Pindar (Kumail Nanjiani) and Carmen (Dana Davis) are still around, too. In fact, the former has a very important story in “Coffee and Cream” that affects the entire team, drastically changing one element of the show, which I won’t spoil. It’s both hilarious and heart breaking, going a little darker than the series has before, but forcing evolution in a way that feels right.

There are definitely signs in both “Coffee and Cream” and “Dead and Alive” that the series and its main players are growing and changing, even while the central plot remains predictable and rote. There are some strong characters here, and should the more serial arcs be pursued, there could really be some movement in the coming weeks, which would be welcome. Otherwise, it remains the television equivalent of the summer blockbuster: a nice way to pass the time, but neither filling nor deep.

The B in Apt 23 still deliciously untrustworthy

ABC's Don't Trust the B---- in Apt 23 returned for a second go-round last week with "A Reunion..." James (James Van Der Beek) is happy to once more blow off his former Dawson's Creek co-stars' request for a reunion show. That is, until June (Dreama Walker) tells him how much it will mean to millions of girls, and probably bring him new, young female fans. The problem is, as James soon finds out, Chloe (Krysten Ritter) is the one who has been sending the letters to manipulate her pal into giving her things, and James' cast mates want nothing to do with him. What is a washed up television actor to do?

It's a shame that more Dawson's Creek stars aren't available to appear in "A Reunion..." Busy Philipps (Cougar Town, returning on TBS in January) drops by to break the bad news to James about why he is hated, which is great, but as she says, she was only on the show for two seasons. There would be a little more weight to the story if we got to see Joshua Jackson or Michelle Williams or Katie Holmes, even just in a quick cut-scene.

Alas, Don't Trust the B---- is just starting what will hopefully be a many-year run. It's a little too early to bring in those types of cameos, especially considering the success that they have found post-DC. Which means, this plot may have just been done too early in the series' run to fully live up to its potential.

That being said, "A Reunion..." is pretty darn funny. James Van Der Beek is as excellent as he has been in every episode so far, and focusing on him is a good idea. We get a bit of Chloe being ridiculously mean and self-absorbed, shooting people with a tranq gun, and a bit of June being starry eyed and naive, and then the meat of the episode falls onto James' shoulders, with nary a peep from the other side characters, save some gold from Luther (Ray Ford). This is the winning formula the show should stick with.

The guest stars they do have are well used, too. Besides Busy, Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle) gets to do a JVDB-style version of himself when a reunion-obsessed James tries to force his way into a Malcolm special, and Mark-Paul Gosselaar is fantastic in setting James on the right course, though I do wish some mention had been made of Gosselaar's more recent TV effort, Franklin & Bash. Stars playing unflattering versions of themselves has become the new chic (see Showtime's Episodes), and when talented people are allowed to act in this manner, leaving their pride at the door, they can really shine, both because of the delightful results, and because it shows they are people who aren't afraid of being the butt of a joke, a wonderful quality.

Don't Trust the B---- in Apt 23 may still be trying to find its audience. But if any of the above sounds appealing to you, and it should, check out the show Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

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

Unleash the Franklin & Bash!

TNT's Franklin & Bash completed their sophomore run this week with "6:50 to SLC." Bash's (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) law license is suspended because he misses a payment, which makes representing his buddy, Tommy Dale (Chris Klein, Wilfred), who is having problems with his campaign for governor, difficult. Meanwhile, Leonard Franklin (Beau Bridges) of Franklin & Franklin would like to purchase Infeld Daniels, whether Stanton (Malcolm McDowell) likes it or not.

It's a shame that Franklin & Bash has become such a procedural. Even in this episode, which spends at least half of its time focusing on firm politics, there is a case of the week that must be dealt with. In the beginning, that was OK because Franklin and Bash often made these cases fun and exciting with their big stunts. In this one, not so much.

Yes, there were great guest stars in "6:50 to SLC," like Klein and Paul Schulze (Nurse Jackie), who played Dale's campaign manager. And the story of two wives cheating on their husbands with each other is pretty scandalous. But they somehow made this boring, probably because of how toned down the two lead characters have become in court. In a story about Bash's old friend, this should never have been allowed to happen. It may be more realistic, but it's not as much fun to watch.

The other story, where Franklin's (Breckin Meyer) father tries to steal the firm right out from under their boss, is much more compelling. Stanton is a larger than life character, played a by a brilliant acting veteran who bites into the role with gusto. So when he is threatened and his vulnerabilities are laid bare, it makes for very engrossing television. Stanton shows his age a bit here, but he also shows his scrappiness and shrewdness, which got him to where he is today. The resolution is shocking and smart.

Stanton must reveal the real reason he hired Franklin and Bash and made them partners. They are a poison pill, a tool he can use to self-destruct the firm. They are not happy at all to learn this, two years (or only one year?) after they began working for him. But they do what must be done because they are stand up guys, making a huge fuss on an airplane. Stanton's later apology, and the boys' forgiveness, shows that there is a deeper bond here than a cynical arrangement. But their relationship with their awesome boss is rocked a bit, in a good way.

The other moments of greatness in "6:50 to SLC" come from Carmen (Dana Davis) and Pindar (Kumail Nanjiani). These are entertaining, quirky characters, who do not get nearly enough plot. Sure, it's nice to see Franklin and Bash make peace with Karp (Reed Diamond) and Hanna (Garcelle Beauvais), but I would trade an emotional Hannah scene for a funny Pindar bit any day. Again, going back to the complaint that Franklin & Bash has mostly become a rote procedural, more of these two characters would punch up the episodes.

Some hopes for season three, besides more outrageous antics and screen time for the boys' employees? Bring back their flying ban as a plot point, and make sure that Shiri Appleby returns for a sizable arc. It might be nice to see how Franklin handles a real relationship, and what she can do to the dynamic of the group.

This law show may have lost its way in the second season, becoming more predictable and monotonous. Hopefully, there will be a season three, which gives them time to make up for it.

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

Franklin & Bash engage in "Voir Dire"

This week's Franklin & Bash on TNT, entitled "Voir Dire," is an excellent, unique episode. The installment title lacks clear definition, but it has to do with jury selection, which is really what the hour is about. While "Voir Dire" is not the first jury trial to be featured on Franklin & Bash, it is definitely the first one where almost the entire episode is consumed with picking the jury, rather than trying the case.

The case of the week involves a man named Sal (Gino Anthony Pesi, The Vampire Diaries), who beat up three other guys. Missing the partners' meeting because, let's face it, Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) are not the traditional law firm partners, they get assigned Sal as their client. At first, they'd like to argue self-defense, as Sal is trying to get out of a criminal enterprise. But after the jury is more than half picked, it turns out that Sal did the deed for love, throwing the selection process into disarray.

There are a number of twists, as per usual, and the dynamic duo get advice from all of their co-workers at multiple points during the episode. But rather than most cases of the week on this series, "Voir Dire" is more focused. There aren't as many side stories, supporting character bits, or superfluous scenes. Almost every moment involves the guys figuring out how to win Sal's case, and they repeatedly say that the key to doing so is to have the right jury.

Many Franklin & Bash fans may be disappointed that "Voir Dire" stops before the trial even begins. The preview for next week reveals that this isn't a two parter, either, and that this abrupt ending is the way Sal's case will be left. But considering how things shake out, and that Franklin and Bash are fist bumping, it is very clear that they got what they wanted, and the trial will go their way.

Now could the writers continue this story? Absolutely. It would be especially nice to see Bash and Franklin's amusing intern (Danielle Panabaker, Shark, Friday the 13th (2009)) again. But they don't have to pick up Sal's story to see the intern. And it might actually be a little drawn out to continue this plot arc, considering that the case just isn't important enough to warrant multiple installments. So they are wise to leave it alone. 

Though the episode leaves it in a good place, could this case be messed up by other factors? Of course! And that's what most episodes of Franklin & Bash, and most other legal procedurals, for that matter, focus on. The brilliance of "Voir Dire," though, is that it sets out to tell a very specific story about one small part of the legal process, and it does so, without worrying about what comes next. In that, it succeeds.

Franklin & Bash is enjoyable because of the sense of fun that the two lead actors bring to the table. However, "Voir Dire" is really the first time that the series proves how serious it can be. There are stakes here, and viewers are made to care about the client. It's easy to get just as invested in this jury process as the titular characters do, and, now more than ever, we get to see how Bash and Franklin accomplish their work. They aren't just playing games, but are real lawyers. This episode kicks the show up a notch, and hopefully there will be more like it in the future.

Watch Franklin & Bash Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on TNT.

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

FRANKLIN & BASH Season 2 Premiere Review

Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Breckin Meyer and Garcelle Beauvais : Photo : Trae Patton/TNT

TNT's FRANKLIN & BASH returns tonight with the season two premiere, "Strange Brew." Stanton Infeld (Malcolm McDowell) would like to make Jared Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Peter Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselar) full partners at his law firm, where they have been working. To do so, the duo must earn the votes of two thirds of the existing senior partners. Infeld sends them to meet with a beverage company head (Kevin Nealon, Weeds), who, if they woo as a client, will help their chances. Unfortunately for them, keeping the client happy may mean abandoning their values.

FRANKLIN & BASH is about two lawyers who care about more than just the law, or their careers. They care about people. Their bold, outlandish stunts are part of their draw, but the real reason Infeld is so in awe of the boys is because they bring something to the firm that it's lacking. Infeld is ingrained in his ways, though, and so he doesn't always give them a leash of unlimited length. "Strange Brew" tests the resolve of all three, as Infeld insist they keep the client happy, and Franklin and Bash think about how much they might want a spot at the big table.

The series is pretty light-hearted. As such, while FRANKLIN & BASH may flirt with heavy drama, it stops short of committing to it altogether. Things work out in the end because the core fan base doesn't want the story to end on a downer. The characters can face tough situations and question themselves, but at the end of the day, the good guy must win, and justice has to prevail. It's not a new formula, but it's certainly one that regular viewers of this particular show count on. In this, "Strange Brew" may take the path of least resistance, but that's what the people are looking for them to do.

This does not make FRANKLIN & BASH a bad show. While it will never sweep the Emmys or any other awards ceremony, it is still very entertaining. That is why, even when the ending might seem a little too neat, it is still a good episode.

Besides, Franklin and Bash are not the only ones affected by their promotion. They have friends to consider, too. Their new position allows them to hire Carmen (Dana Davis) and Pindar (Kumail Nanjiani) full-time. This is good, because as a subplot of the episode reveals, Pindar is in need of the mental health care that will come with being a permanent employee. Some of his social problems can now be traced back to his ex-roommate's girlfriend, whom Pindar clearly had an attraction towards. Though, how Pindar deals with the woman speaks to a previously existing condition.

Becoming senior partners is not without risk. Hannah (Garcelle Beauvais) tells Damien (Reed Diamond) she supports the change because of a moral clause that might help them get Franklin and Bash fired for good. Is Infeld aware of this clause, and does he already have a plan to get around it, like he negated the five year waiting period that would have delayed partnership for some time to come? Or is he just not considering the implications, as he sometimes doesn't. Franklin and Bash's behavior will not change, and to keep the show going, they will not be fired, no matter how much Hannah and Damien scheme against them. So where is this plot going? Perhaps it's just a new source of ongoing, low-stakes conflict for the coming season.

Another great thing about "Strange Brew" it the wealth of guest stars. Besides, Nealon, Martin Mull (Clue, Sabrina The Teenage Witch) and Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters, Oz) both play judges for various trials that Franklin and Bash bring to court. Kat Foster ('Til Death) is an attractive cop that Bash hits on while fighting a case against. Eddie Jemison (Hung) is an old friend of Franklin and Bash's, who was arrested by the hot cop. Is this a sign that good comedy actors are now lining up to appear on FRANKLIN & BASH?

Basically, "Strange Brew" is a return to same zany-hijinks-in-a-legal-setting recipe that attracted viewers last year. The quality of the stories and acting remains about the same. In short, it's mindless summer fun. FRANKLIN & BASH airs Tuesday nights at 10 p.m. ET on TNT.

Article originally published at Seat42F.com

Franklin & Bash end on a high note with "Go Tell It On the Mountain"

     TNT's Franklin & Bash ends season one with "Go Tell It On the Mountain." In the episode, the body of Infeld's (Malcolm McDowell) long-missing best friend is found, and it is clear Infeld killer him. Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) try to defend their boss, even after Infeld admits to being guilty. Their job is not made easy as a senior partner from New York (Tricia Helfer, Battlestar Galactica) arrives, and tries to play Damien (Reed Diamond) and Hanna (Garcelle Beauvais) so that she can take over the office. In the meantime, the titular duo also help a Mexican wrestler (Danny Trejo, Grindhouse), who seeks to keep his character. Franklin takes an interest in the wrestler's daughter.

     Infeld is an eccentric in the tradition of Denny Crane, but killing a friend makes things a tad more serious than the series usually treads. The fact that he did so to save the rest of their party makes it an acceptable action, but still regretable. The plot thread for this final story actually begins in the penultimate episode, giving it a bit more heft and importance. Helfer's character coming in and perfectly creating chaos surrounding the Infeld trial is nearly flawless, and this makes for easily one of, if not the, best episode of the freshman season. It's why I am so happy that Franklin & Bash has already been given a second year order.

     While Franklin & Bash is a lot of fun, there is some real character development as "Go Tell It On the Mountain" brings things home. Damien and Hanna have some growth, and they have motivations outside of just winning the case of the week. It makes them seem more real and fleshed out in a way the show needs to continue. Of course the main duo have already been given their due, but they are not the only stars of the show. Using Infeld, Hanna, and Damien in wonderful episodes like this one will give the show a much longer shelf life, and keep things interesting enough for viewers to continue tuning in.

     Besides the drama unfolding, a handful of wonderfu guest stars really sell the episode. As mentioned before, Helfer is fantastic, as she usually is. Hopefully her character will return to create more headaches, as she is in a great position to do so. Trejo plays more calm than normal, and keeping his character in a mask almost the entire episode helps. It's not so easy to dismiss the man who makes cult films when some people may not even realize who it is. Plus, it lets Trejo stretch a bit more as an actor. Finally, Star Trek: The Next Generation's Gates McFadden is solid as the judge in Infeld's case. It is very nice to see her back on television, and hopefully she will also return in season two.

     Franklin & Bash will return next summer to TNT.

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Franklin & Bash defend "Jennifer of Troy"

     TNT's Franklin & Bash presents "Jennifer of Troy." In the episode, a woman named Jennifer (Saturday Night Live writer Jillian Bell) claims she is fired from a men's magazine for being too beautiful. Franklin (Breckin Meyer) and Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) take the case, and soon discover she is not at all traditionally hot. Yet, she does have a very addictive personality, and when they discover jealousy is the real motivator behind the firing, they manager to win. Meanwhile, Infeld (Malcolm McDowell) and Damien (Reed Diamond) go into China Town to clear Franklin and Bash's friend, who in trying to help, F & B inadvertently sully the entire firm's name.


     The A story about a girl who thinks she is a hottie is pretty interesting. It calls into question what the definition of beauty actually is. Jennifer is not ugly, and her infectious personality soon garners the attention of both Bash and Infeld. It is said confidence is the biggest attractor, and she has it in spades. She isn't arrogant, but genuinely kind, and interested in helping others. She is extremely outgoing, and very comfortable with herself. It's hard not to start to find her more and more attractive as the episode goes on. Even Hanna (Garcelle Beauvais), who sneers when first learning the details of the case, begins to like their client.

     When it comes down to it, Jennifer is not fired because of her beauty, but because the magazine owner's daughter, Katherine (Rebecca McFarland, Two and a Half Men), grows jealous of the fatherly relationship her dad, Big Mack (Robin Thomas, Life Unexpected), develops for Jennifer. Katherine cannot handle being replaced, so in a way, it is Jennifer's positive elements that attract people that cause her to be fired.

     Should Jennifer's "delusion" be taken away? There are hints that it might stumble slightly when, in the courtroom, Big Mack admits he sees her as a kid, despite the fact that he's slept with tons of women her age. Yet, her smile is firmly back in place by the time they meet in the hallway outside. It would be hard to go through life believing a delusion, especially in the environment where Jennifer works. She has surely been told many times she is not beautiful. Yet, she manages to dismiss those doubters and keep her self confidence. Good for her!

     In the end, that is what makes her beautiful. It's not a fantasy. Men do find her attractive. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. That alone should be a lesson to women who are down on themselves. Jennifer is a real example of how most women can be seen as attractive if they put their minds to it. Kudos to Franklin & Bash for including such a nice, heartwarming message in their show.


     Damien actually shows a bit of a nice side in "Jennifer of Troy." He makes a bet he is pretty sure he will win against Franklin and Bash over Jennifer's case. When he loses, he shows up at their party and hands over a prized possession, his loss for the bet, with no obvious hard feelings or ill will. Is that because he is growing respect for the results they get? Or because he didn't really care about the object anyway? Being a gracious loser makes Damien a little less of a jerk, which is interesting, as his character is introduced as a one dimensional tool. Might there be something more there? Very cool.

     The B plot concerns Gene (Leonardo Nam, Vantage Point), who fixes Franklin and Bash's internet system. They learn Gene has been disgraced in his China Town community, and it considering moving to Chicago. This means he does not have time to fix their latest system crash, and so, for purely selfish reasons, the titular pair go to China Town themselves and serve an injunction against the store owner (François Chau, Lost) who has accused Gene of being a thief. This just makes things worse, as soon bad posters of Bash and Franklin are all over the neighborhood.

     It should not be surprising that Stanton Infeld has a deep interest in China Town and a respect for its culture. He is worldly and eccentric, and China Town is nearby. Why wouldn't he be curious about how the area operates? His desire to get in there and fix the situation surely stems as much from his wish to interact with the Chinese-American people and observe their customs as it is in fixing the good name of his firm.

     The twist in "Jennifer of Troy" is that Gene is in love with the store owner's daughter. Not particularly fresh, but a timeless classic. Of course the shopkeeper has deeper motivations than one frozen rabbit, for which Gene is more than willing to pay for. He wasn't trying to steal it anyway. The man just wants Gene to stay away from his kid, not believing the computer tech is good enough for her. Infeld is able to convince the man to drop all the accusations and allow Gene to stay in town.


     Watch Franklin & Bash Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. ET on TNT.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

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Article first published as TV Review: Franklin & Bash - "Jennifer of Troy" on Blogcritics.

Franklin & Bash premieres on TNT

     TNT's newest series is Franklin & Bash, a legal dramaedy about two men named, well, Franklin and Bash. Jared Franklin (Breckin Meyer, Robot Chicken, Road Trip) is a goofball who refuses to sell out or work for his father. Peter Bash (Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Saved By the Bell, Raising the Bar) plays much closer to the rules than Franklin, and yearns for some real income. They are assisted by Carmen Phillips (Dana Davis, Heroes, The Nine), an ex-con, and Pindar Singh (Kumail Nanjiani, Michael and Michael Have Issues), who lives with them, and is afraid to leave the house. This works out OK, because Franklin & Bash work out of their home, until they are recruited by Stanton Infeld (Malcolm McDowell, Entourage, Heroes). At his firm, they meet the uptight and slightly sleazy Damien Karp (Reed Diamond, Dollhouse, 24), and the sexy Hannah Linden (Garcelle Beauvais, NYPD Blue, The Jamie Foxx Show).



     While the last thing TV needs is another legal procedural, Franklin & Bash is a lot more fun that Gosselaar's previous short-lived TNT legal drama, Raising the Bar. Perhaps this indicates a willingness by the network to push the envelope, and try something new. With a pilot like this, it is extremely hard to tell how good the series will be, as much of the screen time is devoted to setting up the scenario that the show will spring from. Not only that, but there is a lot going on in this first hour.

     In "Pilot," there are three separate legal cases playing out, quite a bit for any law show to handle, let alone in a first episode. In the first case, Franklin and Bash represent a man who got into a car wreck because of a distracting advertisement. They go up against, and get a settlement from, Infeld & Daniels LLC, which is why Stanton Infeld recruits them after watching them in action. Then the pair split off. Franklin, while not assigned to the case, works to help an airline pilot that Karp is assisting the airline company in tossing all their blame on. Bash clears a woman accused of being a prostitute. Between all of that, they also settle into their new offices and throw a party. How is there time in the day?

     It is a little unclear why Stanton wants Franklin and Bash. Is it for their enthusiasm and antics? That's what they demonstrate in court in front of him. But later in the episode, he sides with Franklin against Karp because he likes how Franklin stands up for what he believes in. These seem to be two conflicting ideas. Are viewers expected to believe Stanton sensed the righteousness behind the stunts right away? Or that he likes how they operate, and the morals are just bonus?

     Equally confusing is just what kind of man Karp is. He sticks to the rules so much that Hanna dumps him for not sleeping with her because it is against company policy. Yet, he is more than willing to sell out the little man to keep a big client for the firm. So he follows the guidelines of the place he works for, but not the law? Is he only choosing self preservation and his career over Hannah? Again, two completely different sides, at odds with each other. Is he a stick in the mud or a sleaze ball?

     Then there's the side bit where Hanna almost sleeps with Franklin, her ex Karp's polar opposite. Just what kinds of guys does Hanna go for? Is she just going to have sex with Franklin because she knows it will tick off Karp royally and get under his skin? If so, that does not bode well for her character. Which is a shame, because Franklin is a nice guy and he seems interested in her. Of course, Franklin's sole criteria for finding a woman attractive is hotness, so he, at least, makes sense.

     What is Pindar's illness? He says he is germophobic, but is fine with a huge party and lots of strangers at his home. Yeah, he takes three showers, but he doesn't hide from everyone. He pukes in Carmen's car, when it's just the two of them, but holds it together on a crowded city bus with a man sneezing right next to him. Franklin and Bash treat him like he's perfectly fine, laying a heavy guilt trip on him if he fails to show up in court, and they know him well, which points to him not being too severely sick. He overcomes his phobias to save the day, so assumedly, he has gotten over whatever ails him, and can now report to work normally. Why even put those things in in the first place when he can beat them so easily? Viewers cannot be expected to feel for Pindar is he suddenly is paralyzed by the same fears again next week.

     Finally, Carmen seems at odds with her description of "ex-con." What is her crime? Depending on what she has done, she may be sympathetic. Best guess for why Franklin and Bash hire her is that she is smart, pretty, and can put up with them. They seem to have a soft spot for good people stuck in bad situations, so that likely describes her. Hopefully some sort of flashback will show exactly what she was involved in.

     Franklin and Bash themselves are the only really defined characters in "Pilot." They are tons of fun, whether demanding a wall be taken out between their offices, or talking about sleeping with celebrities at a lunch counter. These two are the stars, and they fit the bill nicely. Both actors can do comedy or drama, and both are veterans of the industry. Great casting move on two counts. It's like a better version of The Defenders, the already canceled freshman show from earlier this year.

     Really, the cast is terrific all around, but the writing is confusing. I guess we are supposed to be distracted by the crazy things the characters do and not to think too much about who they are. And it mostly works for one episode. Which means only time will tell if the series is any good or not, depending on how they move forward. Should the contradictions be sorted out, it could be a very interesting, funny series. Should the writing continue to be weak and make little sense, or the plots fall into a typical procedural, it will not remain on my TiVo. They deserve one more chance.


     Franklin & Bash airs Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. ET on TNT.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

     To sign up to be notified when the Franklin & Bash DVD and Blu-rays are released, please click here.

Article first published as TV Review: Franklin & Bash - "Pilot" on Blogcritics.