'Raising Hope' wants its baby back

FOX's Raising Hope presents the second half of a two-part episode as their season finale this week. Entitled "I Want My Baby Back, Baby Back, Baby Back," this installment finds Jimmy (Lucas Neff) and family locked in a court battle for custody over Hope (Baylie and Rylie Cregut) with his "wife," Lucy (Bijou Phillips). This follows an episode of Inside Probe, in which Nancy Grace (herself) tells the family's story, and reveals that Lucy survived her execution. Lucy wins the legal battle, and Jimmy has to leave his parents and Sabrina (Shannon Woodward) behind in order to stay with his daughter.

If a comedy series is hilarious enough, it does not need to follow the rules of realism. This is a relief, because Raising Hope leaves such constraints far behind in the dust during these final two episodes. Not only does Lucy survive the electric chair, there is a jailhouse wedding, complete with a prisoner allowed a knife to cut the cake, a jury made up purely of miners who were trapped underground for six months, and so don't know Lucy is a serial killer, Shelley (Kate Micucci) is allowed to testify with a ukelele, and Lucy will most likely survive being hit by a bus. The last of which is welcome, because Phillips is such a joy during her guest stints on the show. And with Jimmy needing a divorce, she will have to return again.

But honestly, the fact that the events of "I Want My Baby Back, Baby Back, Baby Back" would never happen does not lessen the enjoyment of the episode in the slightest. Part of this is the comedic writing, which is just as sharp, tight, and unexpected as it ever has been, if not sharper. Part of it is nostalgia, as this week's installment and the one before it reference many of the show's earlier events and gags, as well as bringing back a large number of guest stars.

Best of all, most of the cast of My Name Is Earl, a previous show by Raising Hope's creator, Greg Garcia, appears again. Earl is alluded to as well, and the tone of both shows are similar. In fact, the Inside Probe stunt feels just like Earl's Cops episodes! So it all comes across as one big, happy, funny universe, drawn closer together with each crossover, of which there have been many.

Should Raising Hope have concentrated on pathos instead? Sure, there are tears and heartbreak when Jimmy leaves Sabrina so that he can stay with Hope. Viewers would be heartless not to feel for Sabrina as tears stream down her face, and the situation really evokes something inside of oneself. However, instead of capitalizing on these dramatic moments, leaving a heck of a cliffhanger, Lucy is hit by a bus, and Jimmy gets to return home.

Nor does it appear that Burt (Garret Dillahunt) and Virginia (Martha Plimpton) will face legal charges for fighting with law enforcement in the court room, as they are seen to be in their house and doing just fine.

And that's OK. Some sitcoms need the drama to infuse with comedy in order to keep their fans invested. Raising Hope does not. It's tongue-in-cheek style, with meta elements and constant self-referencing, has created a unique world that deserves to be on television. One can drop in to see what the Chances are doing each week, and continuously be very taken in by their spell.

What kind of show dares to have Nancy Grace lampooning herself, Ed Begley Jr. playing both god and the devil, and "introduces" Cloris Leachman each episode? Raising Hope, that's who, and it does so proudly. Never before has white trash been made look so attractive. The show doesn't just play on stereotypes, it redefines them. It will change the way you think about many things, and if the show contributes anything to society, it assists in tearing down the barriers of hate and judgment.

Does this make Raising Hope sound too important? Perhaps. But it deserves the accolades. There is absolutely nothing else currently running like it, and it continues to hit all of the right notes week after week. That is a laudable feat.

Is it the sharp writing or the amazing cast, which includes Gregg Binkley and a slew of talented, recurring players to fill out the world, that makes Raising Hope work so well? It's both, as well as everyone else in the crew who builds this specific place and time. There is really nothing to complain about in Raising Hope. It's that rare gem that knows what it is, and delivers extremely well on a remarkably consistent basis.


Thank you to Raising Hope for an awesome second season, and I am greatly looking forward to years of more terrific comedy. Raising Hope will return to FOX this fall.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! To buy Raising Hope DVDs or streaming episodes, please click here. Article first published as TV Review: Raising Hope - "I Want My Baby Back, Baby Back, Baby Back" on Blogcritics.

The League Shows Modern Masculinity

Although FX's The League airs on Thursday nights, it was not on last night. In fact, I can't tell you the next time it will be on, though my guess is in about nine months. The fact that The League takes that long a break is probably the most disappointing thing about this awesome, hilarious show, though it's a typical hiatus for a FX program.

Season two ended last week with "The Sacko Bowl" (even though imdb only lists "Kegel the Elf" last week, which was one of two new episodes). It was thrilling to get thirteen episodes, considering season one only had six. The characters are now fully defined, as I have mentioned in past reviews, the show is strongest when the lead characters are all together, usually giving each other grief. This season had plenty of that, including in the finale. It's just a bunch of guys hanging out, interacting as men do. Usually the show stays away from cheesy, though I was amused by the solar eclipse that ended the season when Ruxin won the Shiva Bowl.

The series is a fine example of modern men. Many of us are not the uber-macho, tough guys of old. I am not knocking men that are that old model, as they are still the dominant image, and a number of the men less-so still aspire to be like them. Plenty of us are not blue collar, and don't want to be, though, and masculinity has had to find new ways to exhibit itself in addition to (not replacing) the original. What I love about The League is, though I don't like football, these are my kind of guys. How many of us viewers would not love to spend the night at the bar with Kevin (Stephen Rannazzisi), Taco (Jon Lajoie), Pete (Mark Duplass), and even Ruxin (Nick Kroll), helping them pick on Andre (Paul Scheer)? There is real affection in the group, and it's nice to see those types of guys on TV in such an authentic way.

Although not appearing in every episode, Jenny (Katie Aselton, Duplass's real life wife) fits right in with the boys. Sure, there's the girl thing, and occasionally there may be some slight conflict because she is Kevin's wife, so they may get a little chummy. However, she can trash talk with the rest of them, and they don't censor themselves when she's in the room. I like the element she brings, which was upped a bit as she joined the league partway through this season. In fact, she had one on one scenes with some of the guys, without her husband around, and it was fantastic. It helps that she is cute, smart, and potty mouthed. One of the highlights of this season was when her daughter's teacher played a foul rant back to Jenny that she had posted online. Hopefully next year she will be a full fledged member of the gang, and get more interaction with everyone else.

I also enjoy Ruxin's wife, Sofia (Nadine Velazquez, My Name is Earl), who got more screentime this year. She obviously isn't the type that would be in the league, but it would be nice if they would upgrade her to series regular. She's a nice addition, and she and Ruxin have a very entertaining relationship. Who knows? Maybe down the line Jenny could even persuade her to join in the online fun, even if Sofia will never be the football fan the others are.

I also give kudos to the inclusion of Ruxin and Sofia's son and Kevin and Jenny's daughter in plot. Often, they aren't seen. However, both got some story and screen time late in the season, and it was well handled. Yes, a couple of these guys are father, and it's a very important part of them that isn't always paid attention to. I like that The League was not afraid to address it, and retain their brand of funny at the same time.

I will miss The League during its long absence, and will be very excited for its return. For now, season one has been released on DVD, so I'm looking forward to reliving those original episodes.

Raising Hope has grown on me

   When FOX's Raising Hope was the first new show of the season given a full year order, I was skeptical. Three episodes had aired, and it was ok, but nothing special. Now, 10 episodes in, it has really grown on me. In fact, it may be my favorite new sitcom this year.

     The true star of the show for me is Garret Dillahunt (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), who plays new grandfather Burt. In this week's installment, "Burt Rocks," Burt mourns his dream of becoming a rock star. He blames his son Jimmy (Lucas Neff), a baby at the time, for ruining that hope. Jimmy is hired for a couple of drawing jobs around town, and Burt gets jealous, feeling like Jimmy is achieving what he failed to do. It's Burt's little quirks, from his rocking back and forth, to his kisses on the lips, that make the character such a joy. It's also a huge departure from Dillahunt's last series role, as an emotionless killing machine.

     I'm also enjoying the grocery store where Jimmy works. In the last few weeks, the store and the people that work there, including love interest Sabrina (Shannon Woodward) and boss Barney (Gregg Binkley), have become more prominent. It's a fun, quirky place, and I love that it's getting more play. Binkley is not currently a series regular, but I fervently hope that oversight is corrected no later than the start of season two. The series will surely get at least two seasons.

     In last night's episode, Jimmy arranged for Burt to play guitar with his hero, Smokey Floyd (Jason Lee). Lee previously starred in Greg Garcia's last sitcom, My Name is Earl, and so it was a treat to see him again. What's more, a confused Smokey called Barney by the name Ken. This is amusing, as Binkley played a major recurring role on Earl as a guy named Kenny. And like Kenny in Earl, Barney is one of a growing cast of supporting characters that have really fleshed out the world the show is set in.

     I would be remiss if I don't mentioned that fabulous performance Martha Plimpton is bringing to the table as Jimmy's mom, Virginia. Her character is nuanced, layered, tough, sweet, and a whole lot of fun. It's a role seemingly easily inhabited by the talented Plimpton, and the show would not be the same without her. Strangely, I find myself wishing for less Maw Maw. Though I'm a fan of Cloris Leachman from way back, her character is disgusting and not funny. Please ditch her.

     Raising Hope airs Tuesday nights at 9pm on FOX. If you haven't been watching, please tune in.

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Article first published as TV Review: Raising Hope Has Grown On Me on Blogcritics.

Memphis Beat premieres tonight

     I am quite fond of Jason Lee.  I loved him in all of the Kevin Smith movies and I was happy for him when he got the title role in My Name Is Earl, though I'm still a bit bitter the show didn't get a proper finale after four seasons.  I celebrate his successes and feel bad when he doesn't do so well.  After watching the first episode of his new show for TNT, Memphis Beat, I am not sure whether to be happy or sad for him.  It's good that he's headlining another cast, and cop shows do pretty well on television.  As far as cop shows go, it's decent.  But it's mostly just a serial crime show, or so it appears from the first episode, and his talent goes beyond such drivel.  Sure, there's a Memphis charm, good music, and he gets to sing in the pilot, "That's Alright, Mama".  It was enough for my to set my TiVo to record the second episode next week, but far short of earning a season pass.

     Other things Memphis Beat have going for it include a couple of the supporting cast.  Alfre Woodard (Desperate Housewives, The Family That Preys, True Blood) is his new boss, Lt. Tanya Rice, who is bringing a motherly quality to the M.P.D., although a brief scene with her calling her daughter proves that she isn't as good a child rearer as she pretends to be.  I love Abraham Benrubi (ER, Men in Trees), but although his name was in the opening credits, he had scant seconds of screen time in the pilot.  The other actors in the show were not memorable, at least in the first episode.

     TNT already has a few crime-based dramas, and they do pretty well on the network.  Memphis Beat will certainly add to that portfolio.  I just wish it had dared to go a little further, like Justified.  Shows in this genre are better if they are about the characters, more than the crimes.  This series has a hint of character drama, mostly in the annoying, uninspired scenes between Dwight (Lee) and his mother, Paula Ann (Celia Weston).  On a side note, will television shows please quite tossing in the mother, as if that makes up for their serial nature?  Although it sometimes work, it's a tired premise, and often doesn't.  It certainly does not here.

     Memphis Blue premieres tonight at 10pm on TNT.