Mr. Sunshine ends with "Ben and Vivian"

     ABC's Mr. Sunshine ended its freshman run last night with "Ben and Vivian," which I feel is probably its best episode yet. Things really flowed well, and chemistry was improved by the addition of a great guest star. While a decision about renewal has not yet been handed down, things aren't looking that great for the series. That's too bad, because like many new sitcoms, I think Mr. Sunshine just needs a little time to really work out the best road map for itself. Obviously, the cast is terrific, and the setting is fun and unique. If any new bubble show this year could use a second chance, I vote for this one.

     One change I would like to make, should Mr. Sunshine get a second season, is to make Lizzy Caplan (Party Down, True Blood) a series regular. Caplan guest stars this week as Vivian, Crystal's (Allison Janney) new assistant. She falls into bed with Ben (Matthew Perry) the night before she begins work, and once they realize they now inhabit the same office, begin a friends with benefits relationship. Ben falls for her, but she rejects his need of something more.
     Ben's growth through season one has focused on his ability to get in touch with emotions and forge a real relationship. When we meet him, Ben is in a similar benefits deal with Alice (Andrea Anders), but she breaks it off. I guess it's appropriate that, at the end of the season, his place in the pairing is reversed. The fact that he passes up Vivian's offer to continue the sex and forget about his plea for a real coupling shows that Ben is making progress. That is why, more than anything, the series should be renewed.

     I have to mention quickly that Andrea Anders is a constant delight. It's the little things, like the recurring bit where she opens Ben's door and catches the ball he has thrown, that set her apart. Everything she does just lights up the screen, and after numerous good sitcoms she's been involved in (Better Off Ted, The Class), it's time she is featured on a genuine hit.

     My argument for more Caplan doesn't stem just from her interaction with Ben. Her best bits are as she befriends Roman (Nate Torrence). Rejected once more by his mother, Crystal, Roman turns to Vivian to fill his needs. She does, enjoying her time spent with him. In fact, the only reason she even agrees to do anything with Ben outside of sex is so she can be close to Roman. While I did not sense a romantic attachment between the two, Caplan returning could lead to some fun jealousy stuff for Roman's crazy girlfriend, Heather (Portia Doubleday), a definite argument for bringing her back.

     Roman, like Ben, has grown. He is introduced as a bumbling idiot who just wants love and affection from his mother. Crystal continuously lets him down, and it comes to a head in the final episode. Crystal once more chooses another man over giving Roman attention, but instead of taking it, Roman snaps back. With Vivian and Ben in his corner, (and Heather, though we don't see her here) Roman has built up enough self-esteem to standup to her, declaring he is tired of hearing her say she's going to be a good mother; she needs to start acting like one.

     This could be a real turning point for Crystal, who has resisted growth, even though she frequently talks about it. I love Janney, and her character is a kooky fun mess. However, I do believe there are real emotions underneath her facade, and yet no one is willing to dig deep enough to get to them. Roman has the ability to be the first. Renew the show so we can see more of this great pairing!

     The one character I'm not crazy about is Alonzo (James Lesure). Generally, his purpose in being on the series seems to be to keep Alice and Ben apart until Ben can grow into a mature man worthy of Alice. I actually could see Ben and Alice not ending up together, but I expect the series will want to toy with the idea of the two as a couple again before they drop it.

     This week, Alonzo is actually given a story that has nothing to do with Alice. Dave the Mascot (David Pressman) tests Alonzo's legendary kindness and patience by taking over his office. He keeps pushing Alonzo's buttons, and when Dave loses Alonzo's zen garden rake down his costume, Alonzo snaps. Is the zen garden the only thing that keeps Alonzo sane? More can be explored about why he is the way he is, and what it takes to set him off. I want to see some dark secret come out. I'm not arguing to get rid of Alonzo, but give him more to do, and more depth.

 

     I won't say this is currently the best sitcom on television, or even in the top five. And I know that a fabulous cast does not guarantee a great series (I'm looking at you, Private Practice!). But there are plenty of flashes of greatness in season one of Mr. Sunshine, and I think a second season could potentially be much improved. Please give them the chance, ABC!

Article first published as TV Review: Mr. Sunshine - "Ben and Vivian" on Blogcritics.

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Mr. Sunshine is no "Hostile Workplace"

     It seems that not too many people are watching ABC's Mr. Sunshine. I find that very disappointing, because it's a kooky, fun show that deserves a little love. It has a humor not unlike the too-soon canceled Better Off Ted, but with a central character who doesn't try so hard to please. In fact, when he can get away with it, he doesn't try at all. Plus, its supporting cast boasts huge talent. While the series is still searching for its footing, each episode has had me laughing, and it deserves more time to figure things out.

     This week, Ben (Matthew Perry) can't get the air conditioning fixed in the arena because the entire staff hates him. With good reason. He can't even remember any of their names! So Roman (Nate Torrence) makes Ben flashcards of everyone and suggests a clever trick to help with the memorization, a rare stroke of good sense from the demented boss's son. Ben takes Roman's idea and plays it a little too mean, writing insults on each card that he can use to remember their names. It works, and he is soon friends with everyone... until Roman accidentally scatters the cards all over the arena floor.

     Is it realistic that Ben can get everyone to like him so quickly after being despised for so long? Of course not. And Roman dropping the cards in a public place is easy to see coming from a mile away. But Ben's delight in his delusion, and the realization that Roman is his only friend at work, are glimmers of something great brewing beneath the surface. I want to see more of Ben finding out things about himself, and genuinely trying to improve. I want to see more of Roman being useful and integral to the plot, rather than just a dumb stooge.

     And any more Jorge Garcia you want to me toss my way, I am all for, too. It was his second appearance, but this story also introduced us to a number of Ben's co-workers, many of whom look mighty familiar. There is definitely the potential for a large ensemble comedy down the road, or at least wonderful guest actors popping in and out at will.

      The B story is pure comic genius as Crystal (Allison Janney) makes a number of references about things Alonzo (James Lesure) and her boyfriend must certainly have in common. Alice (Andrea Anders) finds Crystal racist as the boss goes on about brothers, funny handshakes, run down houses, and broken bottles littering the yard. Even Alonzo, who keeps his cool for most of the episode, starts to get upset. Crystal's growing afro, caused by the broken air conditioning, was a stroke of genius, adding to the illusion, and providing physical comedy unto itself.

     But Crystal's new guy is white. And he is Alonzo's fraternity brother, so everything Crystal says is completely harmless and true. The one comment that doesn't fit, as Alice points out, is because Crystal thinks Alice is old, a delightful insult, made so by Anders's reaction. The entire plot is crafted so elegantly, guided by brilliant comic performers. It is impossible to see the punchline coming, but incredibly effective when it lands. Crystal is doofy and ignorant, but she isn't mean spirited. This may have been my favorite bit in the series so far.

     Please don't count out Mr. Sunshine. New episodes air Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Article first published as TV Review: Mr. Sunshine - "Hostile Workplace" on Blogcritics.

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Mr. Sunshine Lets in a Ray

     While we all miss Cougar Town for the next ten weeks (ten!), Monica's Chandler is borrowing her time slot with ABC's Mr. Sunshine. (Note: if you are a sitcom buff, or Wikipedia frequenter, this show has nothing at all to do with the short-lived spring 1986 series of the same name starring Jeffrey Tambor.) This isn't Matthew Perry's first show since Friends; I very much enjoyed his slightly more dramatic turn in the under appreciated Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip. With Ben in Mr. Sunshine, which Perry writes as well as acts, he has struck a balance between the two roles, creating yet another memorable guy.

     Ben is the manager of an arena that hosts a variety of entertainment, including a circus in "Pilot." He isn't very personable. Even the woman he's been sleeping with, Alice (the wonderful Andrea Anders, who ironically also starred in Friends spin-off Joey), will tell him that. But we didn't see the totally self-involved Ben much. Certainly not enough to hate him. As the series begins, he's realizing he needs to be a different person, and it's time to make that happen. This show is about his journey, and that journey began the same time the series did.

     If a man finding compassion within himself doesn't sound like a funny sitcom, keep in mind that besides Alice, Ben is surrounded by his cluelessly racist boss Crystal (Allison Janney, The West Wing), her incredibly dumb son Roman (Nate Torrence, also Studio 60), possibly homicidal assistant Heather (Portia Doubleday), and eternal optimist Alonzo (James Lesure, Las Vegas), with whom Alice is moving in. Heather is actually a recurring character, as is the janitor "Bobert"(Jorge Garcia, Lost), but both deserve to be upgraded to regular at the earliest convenience, if not sooner.

     Other reviews I have seen of this show label it as a slow burner, saying future episodes pick up and are much funnier than the pilot. If so, I'm as optimistic as Alonzo about the show's prospects, because I loved the first episode. Sure, some of the characters like Heather and Roman seemed a bit one-note, but it was only a 22-minute first episode. They will grow over time. Anders and Perry are pros, already exhibiting well-defined, nuanced characters, and Janney is always awesome. Her insistence that an Asian kid hand her a trophy at her charity benefit had me dying laughing. Not to mention her song. And the photo op.

     The writing and jokes could be less funny, and I'd still tune in to see the talent. I'm glad that's not the case, though, because others need to tune in if Mr. Sunshine is to retain the decently strong ratings it began with. I certainly don't want it to replace Cougar Town forever (unlikely, as Cougar Town has already been renewed for next year), but I consider The Middle completely expendable. So, too, are the reruns of Modern Family if ABC commits to a longer, original sitcom programming block, as NBC is doing on Thursdays. I know I want to see more. I'm excited after just one episode!

     If you miss Matthew Perry as much as I did, please watch Mr. Sunshine, Wednesday nights at 9:30 p.m. on ABC.

Article first published as TV Review: Mr. Sunshine Lets in a Ray on Blogcritics.

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