LUCIFER Not That Devilish

Article first published as DVD Review: 'Lucifer - The Complete First Season' on Blogcritics.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the DVD I reviewed for this blog post. The opinions I share are my own.

WB’s Lucifer, a weekly show airing on FOX, has now released its freshman season on Blu-ray and DVD. Having premiered in January on FOX, so its first run is short, this set contains all thirteen episodes on the three-disc set, plus bonus features.

Lucifer is a great example of wasted premise. Here, we have a hugely charming protagonist with a rich, complex backstory in Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis, Miranda). So does the series dig deep into the character’s mythology, play with his morality in interesting and challenging ways, and make it one man’s journey towards finding his compass in life? Especially given that the premise has him bored with Hell and looking for some other meaning?

No, it’s just a crime procedural. Don’t get me wrong; it’s an entertaining crime procedural. But why pair up the devil himself with a detective (Lauren German, Chicago Fire) and have him solve cases when there are so many more ripe story possibilities? Why kowtow to the same tired, boring format, essentially cloning its case-of-the-weeks from dozens of other shows just like it, when it could be something so much cooler?

It’s not like Lucifer‘s producers didn’t have source material to draw from. The series is based on a comic book co-created by the wonderful Neil Gaiman (The book, for the record, is not as crime procedural). And it’s not like the cast isn’t up to the challenge. Ellis is terrific, and is joined by wonderful performers like Kevin Alejandro (True Blood), Rachael Harris (Suits), DB Woodside (24), Lesley-Ann Brandt (Spartacus), and Kevin Rankin (Justified). Instead, the production ignores the potential it has and goes the “safe” route of copying what has been successful with other shows in the past. In doing so, they fail.

The fact that Lucifer is enjoyable to watch anyway is probably the most frustrating thing about it. Which isn’t to say it’s a great show; it definitely isn’t, especially in the way Lucifer’s powers are handled. But when I have it on, I do like it. This is a testament to how good so many of the people involved are, which makes me wonder what this cast and crew could do it they truly set out to make an original, deeper series. It’s not too late to change future seasons. They should really consider it.

The extras on this set are sadly not great. The four, really five, character profiles are pretty pointless for anyone who is actually watching the show, as is the “Devilish Duo” video. A gag reel is a gag reel, and while I do see the entertainment value of them, they aren’t something I’m particularly fond of. This is an overall mediocre batch of deleted scenes. And even the Comic-Con panel is truncated and pretty bland. I really, really wish the studios would do a better job of producing these panels and releasing them for home viewing, as I think they could be a very valuable bonus, but so rarely are.

If you’re looking for some mindless entertainment, Lucifer has you covered. If you’re looking for something that will make you think, impress you, and maybe take home some award show gold, then you can skip this one because it’s not destined to be a long-remembered series with a passionate fan base. At least, not unless it changes it’s strategy completely.

Lucifer – The Complete First Season is available now.

LUCIFER: Devil in the Details, But the Format is Hell

Article originally published as LUCIFER Review on Seat42F.

FOX (along with the other broadcast networks) is killing me! Even when they have a premise ripe for serial exploration and complex story-telling, they stuff it into a case-of-the-week procedural box. Sure, they allow a bit of ongoing narrative, but given the formula in episode one, you just know it’s going to be yet another repetitive crime show, even though it is begging not to be!

Let me slow down and tell you what I’m talking about. LUCIFER, a series premiering this week on FOX, stars Tom Ellis (Miranda) as Lucifer Morningstar. That’s right, the devil himself. Bored in hell, Lucifer has come to Earth to run a nightclub and mess with people while finding new purpose. His assistant, Mazikeen (Lesley Ann-Brandt, Spartacus), disapproves, as does God’s representative, Amenadiel (D.B. Woodside, Suits, 24), but Lucifer doesn’t care. Except, he does care, he finds, when the death of a mere mortal upsets him. Sounds pretty good, no?

The problem is, early in the pilot episode, LUCIFER becomes entranced with Chloe Decker (Lauren German, Chicago Fire), an LAPD detective. For some reason, Lucifer’s charms, which usually prompt people to spill their dark desires or, as in the case of psychiatrist Linda (Rachael Harris, Suits), swoon for him, don’t work on Chloe. This would all be well and good, except Lucifer helps Chloe solve a case and now wants to work with her on a regular basis.

Why oh why do the broadcast networks do this? How many television shows do we need where an outsider joins up with a member of law enforcement to solve crimes every week? Aren’t Bones, Sleepy Hollow, iZombie, Castle, Elementary, and oh so many more enough? I understand this often nets the networks viewers in the short-term, but these types of shows have little re-watchability, giving them shorter shelf lives than their lower-rated peers, and have flooded the airwaves.

LUCIFER likes to boast of its credentials. It is based on a comic book by Neil Gaiman, a spin-off of The Sandman. But in the illustrated version, Lucifer doesn’t get involved with a cop. Why the heck does he have to on the show?

What is most frustrating is that I really like LUCIFER. Tom Ellis plays the titular devil with brilliant complexity, and the personal depths of the character are ripe for much juicy exploration. The moral questions it raises and the religious implications are intriguing, and having other supernaturals in the cast teases epic conflicts to come. The first hour is enjoyable, and there isn’t a weak member of the cast, which also includes Kevin Alejandro (True Blood, The Returned) as Dan, Chloe’s ex-husband and co-worker.

And yet, this wonderful premise is watered down by repetitive formula. FOX has rarely been all that kind to genre shows, and without Chloe, LUCIFER is likely to be a genre fantasy. However, without Chloe, or at least without Chloe’s job taking center stage, it also leaves the narrative open to a lot more possibilities and directions. This show may occasionally explore off the beaten path, but it seems likely that most weeks will basically deliver the same thing, with only small bits to serve continuity.

LUCIFER is the perfect example of what is wrong with the Big Four networks and why they are dying. Even when they get a strong concept, they twist it to fit patterns that are outdated and tired. Instead of getting excited about LUCIFER, I plan to give it just a few more episodes to prove to me it can be better than the box it’s being stuffed into. No one will be happier than me if my summation of the situation turns out to be false. But I wouldn’t count on it.

LUCIFER airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on FOX.

Surviving SURVIVING JACK

Article first published as SURVIVING JACK Review on Seat42F.


With the ‘regular’ TV season almost over, if such a label is even still accurate, FOX pulls one of its hold-backs out of the closet and slaps it on screen this week. SURVIVING JACK is set in 1991 (does every decade need to be represented on television this year?) and tells the story of Dr. Jack Dunlevy (Christopher Meloni, Law & Order: SVU), who scales back his hours at work and takes over raising the kids so that his wife, Joanne (Rachael Harris, Suits), can go to law school.

SURVIVING JACK is another family sitcom about another wacky, yet relatable, clan. The parents argue with the teenagers, but unlike most real parents, sympathize with them in cheesy emotional moments meant to bridge the age gap with understanding. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, TV’s version of what a household looks like, one that falls a little short of reality, but it’s something we’ve seen done to death.

The “hook,” if you will, is that this is a period piece. Yet, even that doesn’t seem so fresh. With the 60s and the 80s so saturated on the tube and the 70s having been represented, too, it was only a matter of time before the 90s got their due, given that it’s been a full twenty-five years since the start of that decade. Reading Jurassic Park, seeing Christian Slater posters, and hearing some of the best music of the era might dredge up some nostalgia from the audience, but those are just details, not a reason in of themselves to watch a show.

And, of course, there’s an adult version of the main kid providing narration. On SURVIVING JACK, this role is filled by Kevin Rahm (Mad Men, Desperate Housewives). He does fine, but Rahm’s voice is so much less recognizable than, say, Patton Oswalt on The Goldbergs, that his casting could only work against this show.

As Jack Dunlevy is introduced, he’s all macho man, completely out of touch with who his teenagers, awkward, sex-obsessed Frankie (Connor Buckley, Deception) and pretty, sexually active Rachel (Claudia Lee, Hart of Dixie), are. This works for Meloni, who can play layered, but also excels at bonehead stupidity. Unfortunately, because the lead of a show can’t just be a stereotype, he softens before the first half hour is even over, finding ways to connect to Frankie.

I say unfortunately because I want to see a father on TV for once that acts like my father. My dad would never, ever open up enough to have a heart-to-heart with his child about feelings. That doesn’t make him a bad person, in my opinion, but every single patriarch on every single show is either an abusive, uncaring drunk (in the dramas) or a modern, sensitive man (in comedies), even when the show doesn’t take place in the modern day, that can get in touch with their inner self. Even the gruff ones allow that attitude to fall away from time to time, always revealing that hidden pussycat. Where is the realistic man who sticks to who he is and doesn’t play to the viewers’ heart-strings?

Of course, the premise of SURVIVNG JACK is that Jack finds a way to take over the household duties because he is a good husband and wants Joanne to have her life, and so he must grow and change to meet the needs of his new job. It isn’t easy for him, but we already see that he can do it, so the rest of his arc should be relatively predictable and not feature any more big jumps for him.

The show is also populated with friend characters who seem interchangeable, familiar types. The actors that play them, Kevin Hernandez (Get the Gringo) as Frankie’s Mexican friend George, Tyler Foden (Air Buddies) as the held-back-in-school Mikey, Lili Reinhart (The Kings of Summer) as Frankie’s crush Heather, Thomas Kasp (Dirty Teacher) as Rachel’s airhead boyfriend Doug, and Damaris Diaz (Maddoggin’) as slutty friend Alison, might be talented, but there’s no way to tell in their limited roles.

In general, I think the reason to watch SURVIVING JACK will be for the main family at the center. Meloni is always entertaining, and has solid chemistry with Harris, a wonderful actress with an extensive resume. The kids seem to do well enough in the parts, and whether viewers finds this foursome compelling enough will determine whether it can run past the initially-ordered eight-episode first season. For my part, I may watch, probably sometime in July after getting through most other regular season shows, but it’s certainly not at the top of my priorities list.

SURVIVING JACK premieres Thursday at 9:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

The "Secrets" of SUITS

Article first published as The "Secrets" of SUITS on TheTVKing.

Some episodes of USA's Suits are more intense than others, with a lot at stake and emotions running higher. And then there are the more typical installments, like this week's mid-season premiere, "Buried Secrets." It may not be a memorable episode that will rank among the show's best, but it's a solid entry with terrific character development, and that's what's most important to keeping a series engaging week after week.

"Buried Secrets" finds the cast segregated, each dealing with their own things. First up is Harvey (Gabriel Macht), who has told Scottie (Abigail Spencer) that he wants to spend his life with her. Step one on that journey is finding her gainful employment in the city before she takes a job elsewhere. Harvey has his eye on bringing Scottie into his own firm, but managing partner Jessica (Gina Torres), wary of Harvey's messy personal life, resists, forcing Scottie into an abnormal contract to cover the firm's butt.

It's not surprising that Jessica goes to these lengths. I will refrain from calling her heartless, but she does have good business sense, and taking Scottie on poses a risk to the long-term security of the company. Having just been through rocky times, Jessica is likely more protective than usual of the organization she has poured her entire life into, and wanting to ensure its continued survival just makes sense to her. She's not a bad guy, and she raises good, logical points when negotiating Scottie's hiring.

That Harvey is the emotional one in "Buried Secrets" says a lot. In the past, Harvey has hurt those he cares about by putting the firm or himself first, so for him to fight so hard for Scottie either shows emotional maturation on his part or a deep love we've never seen from Harvey before. Either way, this is a great development for his character, and whether it lasts or not (I'm guessing not), it will be interesting to watch him go through it.

Scottie and Harvey are almost done before they begin when Harvey makes a move behind Scottie's back. The result is her taking the job and moving to New York, but she's not happy with the way he did it. Thankfully, Harvey is in an apologetic and honest mood, allowing them to work through their differences, rather than sabotaging the relationship. Their banter, including Scottie landing the client that Harvey couldn't, show how they are equals, making her worthy of him and vice versa. Both will have to make sacrifices and it won't be easy, but for now at least, the couple has a real shot at working.

Mike (Patrick J. Adams) and Rachel (Meghan Markle) are much more solid this week. Discussing moving in together, their biggest obstacle is furniture negotiation. Now that Mike's secrets are out and they have both committed to one another, they should have smooth sailing, romantically speaking, for the near future.

Which doesn't make them boring. "Buried Secrets" finds Mike facing the lawyer that handled his parents' death case. Mike has always hated the guy and convinces Harvey to let Mike on the case, which Harvey probably shouldn't do, but the elder lawyer is feeling soft because of the aforementioned plot. The result is a very enlightening story about Mike's past and his view of his family, and on the fringes, Rachel shows the type of support most people only dream about receiving from a partner. It's a good, rich story for Mike, made better by Rachel's presence in it. Rachel is Mike's family now, so this has to last.

The thing that might bring Mike down is his lie about having attended Harvard and actually being a lawyer. For awhile, it's been a stable situation, with all of the main cast knowing except for Louis (Rick Hoffman). Unfortunately, Louis is the one who can't be trusted with that information, and he really begins to get on the scent in "Buried Secrets."

I don't like when Louis is cast as the villain on Suits because he's such a great, layered individual, brilliantly acted. This premiere avoids labeling Louis so simply. He does bad things sometimes, but usually his heart is in the right place. Louis likely thinks he will be protecting the firm by exposing Mike, so as much as fans may not want Louis to uncover the full truth, it's hard to blame him for following the clues. And, of course, it shows much intelligence and persistence to piece together the bread crumbs as Louis does, showcasing some of Louis' best qualities.

Louis' story, which includes a look at his weird, wonderful relationship with Sheila (Rachael Harris) and some amusing exchanges with Donna (Sarah Rafferty), is probably the major arc this half of the season will deal with. It's also a fine example of great storytelling, with no right side or wrong side, a number of intricate, moving parts, and delicate balances which may fall apart. I look forward to how this will unfold, even while dreading Louis figuring out Mike once and for all.

Suits airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on USA.

SUITS Should "Stay" On My TV

Article first published as SUITS Should "Stay" On My TV on TheTVKing.

USA's Suits aired their summer finale, "Stay," this week. It was an emotional roller coaster, with character development at the forefront, and larger plots taking a back seat to the personal stuff. We see several characters make some very important decisions, and several come to terms with how they feel about a woman. Basically, Suits doubles down on the main players in the show, terrifically reaffirming that this is not your typical legal drama.

Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) is not soft. He has trouble with relationships because it's hard for him to open himself up. That's what ran Scottie (Abigail Spencer) away before, and it's what has made it difficult for him to have friends, save a select couple.

Yet, "Stay" sees his ice-cold heart crack and melt. Harvey offers Mike (Patrick J. Adams) as sound advice as he can, knowing he is not a relationship guru. He finds a way to connect to Ava Hessington (Michelle Fairley) emotionally, prompting her to drop her suit against Pearson Specter. And most importantly, when Travis Tanner (Eric Close) bullies and torments Scottie, he comes to her aid. This sets the stage for Harvey to not only realize his feelings for Scottie, but after some coaxing, admit that he wants her to stay and be with him.

This is a big step forward for Harvey. He'll never become a teddy bear or lose his edge, but he does have room for multiple facets in his life, and Dana Scott brings out a side of him we haven't really seen before. Can Harvey make a true relationship work, or will he sabotage it, as he does so many other things? Does he have the capability to just be happy?

Mike sort of follows in Harvey's footsteps, almost screwing things up with Rachel (Meghan Markle) because he doesn't want her to go to college at Stanford, far away from him. It's not until he realizes how unhappy Harvey is and does some serious soul searching that he can be supportive of Rachel no matter what her decision. It's true that long distance doesn't work, and it probably won't for Mike and Rachel, either. But at least Mike handles things graciously and allows Rachel the space to make her own decision, setting the stage for an eventual reconciliation when she returns, after they eventual break up when she leaves.

Except, her leaving is not how this plays out. It's not completely unexpected; she is way too valuable a member of the ensemble to just send out for a few years. So instead, we see her make a deal with Jessica (Gina Torres) that will allow her to continue to work at Pearson Specter after she graduates in exchange for sticking her neck out for Mike and Jessica, then tells Mike she's staying to go to Columbia. It's comes across as a more sweet vibe than girl-giving-up-her-dreams-for-a-man-sy, but there could be resentment and regret down the road from this decision...

Louis (Rick Hoffman) also has to figure out how to be romantic when his arrangement with Sheila (Rachael Harris) falters. For Louis, their tryst is as much about business as she is about pleasure. Sheila, however, wants more. They have a strange dynamic, both being such similar people, and neither particularly prone to a traditional relationship. But I'm glad they make it work because Louis deserves happiness, and she seems a good one to give it to him.

Yes, this makes "Stay" sound like it's all a bunch of mushy stuff, but that just isn't true. Like the characters themselves, there are many layers to the show. Donna (Sarah Rafferty) saves the day when she uses Stephen Huntley's (Max Beesley) feelings for her against him. There are intense deposition scenes. Jessica tricks Donna into spilling some gossip, then goes after Mike and Rachel to protect her firm. And Louis uncovers a startling secret about Mike.

We know Mike faked his Harvard tenure, but no one ever got the chance to stick a paper file in the big file room at the school? It's completely keeping in what we know of Louis that, left alone in said file room, he checks for Mike's file. This overlooked snafu could unravel the whole charade.

The question is, what will Louis do with this information? He's shown a great ability to do the right thing, which protecting Mike may or may not be, depending on perspective, even when that is against his purpose, and sacrifice for the greater good of the business. He and Mike have even been friends from time to time, though not lately. So it's very conceivable Louis could get past this. However, it's also very likely he may make some very big trouble before he realizes what he should do, or this may be the straw that finally breaks Louis's back and makes him stand up, or he could convince Jessica that it's wrong to keep Mike on staff. It's hard to tell.

This development does bring Mike's original story full circle, with the last main character finally finding out about his deceit. Well, on his way to finding out, anyway. The beginning of Suits is long gone, and the show continues to grow. It's sort of a relief that this should be the last time Mike's falsification poses a real threat, at least from the inside, and now the story can move on to other things. But given how well Suits delivers drama and tension, I'm also in no hurry to see this played out, as it should make an amazing thread in the back half of the season.

Suits will return this winter to complete its third batch on USA.

Suits is "Blind-Sided"

Grade: 94%

USA’s SUITS returns this week with “Blind-Sided.” Hardman’s name is being scraped off the office door, and that chapter of the firm’s ugly history is over. So everything is now copacetic. Or is it?

The following does not ruin the ending of the episode, but does contain major spoilers, as it is pretty difficult to talk about the series without mentioning what is going on. You have been warned.

Louis (Rick Hoffman) is excited by the return of Sheila Sazs (Rachael Harris). Not only is she there for Louis sexually, but she also has a business prospect for him – an associate named Maria Monroe that he can hire for himself, now that he’s a senior partner.

But Jessica (Gina Torres) shuts Louis down, shaming Louis, the little power he now has ripped from his grasp, made even worse when Jessica’s excuse, that they are in a hiring freeze, is proven immediately false as Harvey (Gabriel Macht) hires a new associate of his own. It’s incredibly frustrating for Louis, and it definitely hurts things with Sheila. Does Louis really deserve to be treated like this?

More than that, is it dangerous to the firm for Jessica to act this way? Jessica’s motivations might not be vindictive, but she is fine with Louis believing that they are, and that could prove to be a problem for her down the road, should Louis ever find someone else to side against Jessica with. Jessica’s overconfidence may be her undoing, believing that she can handle anyone that threatens her position.

The real purpose behind Jessica’s act, of course, is to protect Mike (Patrick J Adams). Maria is a force to be reckoned with, as is immediately obvious, and Donna (Sarah Rafferty) tells Harvey, who in turns tells Jessica, that Mike’s secret will be threatened by Maria’s presence. If word gets out that Mike isn’t actually a lawyer, it could threaten the whole firm. Mike’s secret is the gift that keeps on giving, to paraphrase a quote from the show.

Unfortunately, in “Blind-Sided,” Mike is beset by personal issues, and is not earning his keep. Jessica isn’t happy that she has to bend over backwards in the first place for Mike, but because Harvey thinks Mike is worth it, she usually does. Now, with even Harvey tired of Mike’s shenanigans, how much time does Mike have before he is kicked to the curb? He doesn’t seem the sort that would blackmail Jessica and Harvey to keep his job, so if he stops being useful, he could easily be gone.

“Blind-Sided” sees Mike at his worst. Not only has it been just one short week since his grandmother’s death, which he is still dealing with, but he’s continuing his affair with a married woman, Tess (Elisabeth Hower), is back to smoking pot, and memories of his parents’ death are dredged up by the case he works on. We have never seen Mike this erratic, and while there is definitely still sympathy to be felt for the guy, we need our heroes to overcome their obstacles, not allow themselves to take the low road, as Mike is doing.

Can Mike get himself back on the right path before it’s too late?

Harvey also crosses a line in this episode, engaging in bribery to help the case. This is in stark contrast to the soft, warm side of Harvey we see during his date with Zoe (Jacinda Barrett) earlier in the hour. So which is the real Harvey? Is he ready to open himself up and settle down? Or is he still someone who will do whatever it takes to win in court?

Both Harvey and Mike do right and do wrong in “Blind-Sided,” and yet, Harvey comes off as a good guy, while Mike is painted as bad. No matter how much Mike insists, there is no strict right or wrong, and circumstances color viewers’ opinions. What SUITS doesn’t show is just as important as what it does, a subtlety that makes the rich layers of the installment all the more memorable.

That’s why SUITS continues to be USA’s best show. What happens on the surface, and the dialogue delivered, do not tell the whole story. Instead, we get these brilliant characters whose decisions affect others, not just themselves, and who won’t always agree on the course of action. Their complicated chemistries and interactions build on one another to make this a smart serial, not a common lawyer procedural.

There’s also a fair amount of romance tossed in, with Mike still on shaky ground with Rachel (Meghan Markle), who claims to not be the goody-goody she comes across as, and Harvey and Louis’s affections for Zoe and Sheila, respectively. “Blind-Sided” allows all of the main guys to tend to matters of the heart, but also reveals that they can’t necessarily control how these things play out, a nice, realistic touch. When will it be the ladies in the cast’s turn to get wooed?

The trademark charm and witty dialogue that have become a hallmark of SUITS continue, with great one-liners delivered by Donna, Harvey, and Louis, in turn. It’s fantastic to have compelling plot, but add to that some zingers that stand out, and it raises the overall quality of the thing considerably.

You won’t want to miss SUITS, returning to finish their second season January 17^th at 10 p.m. ET on USA.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first published on Seat42F

The Good Guys is doing pretty good

Not in the ratings, sadly.  But creatively, summer's funnest show, FOX's The Good Guys, has gotten even better this fall.  Following the buddy cop formula, Bradley Whitford plays Dan Stark and Colin Hanks is Jack Bailey.  I've said it before, but I think Whitford, a fabulous actor, as proven by his long stint on The West Wing, is just plain having fun in this show.  That makes it enjoyable for the audience, when you see a guy clearly loving what he is doing.  Stark is obnoxious, backwards, sports a 70's 'stache, and goes on about the good old days.  Bailey is straight-laced, mostly by the book, though Stark has been rubbing off on him.  Hanks plays it wonderfully, too, finally a role that really suits him.

     The plot the last few weeks has gone a little further into character development.  Two weeks ago, we finally met Stark's old partner, Frank Savage (Gary Cole, Entourage, Office Space), who has long been retired, and given up his antics.  He lives a quiet life with wife, Cynthia (Rachael Harris, The Hangover, My Boys, Notes From the Underbelly), who does not approve of Dan coming back and upsetting their balance.  Also in that episode was Ethan Suplee (My Name is Earl, Chasing Amy) as Andy, the now-grown little boy that Stark and Savage saved back in the day, and a TV movie was made about it.  As the plot unfolded, one could see that Savage and Bailey are two quiet different partners for Stark.  Bailey tries to reign him in, while Savage lets the crazy fly.  They both clearly care about Dan though, with Bailey's affection grown into unwavering loyalty in just the short time they've worked together.  Do you blame him though?  Dan is nothing if not loyal, and while he can be a screwup, he is sincere and honest.  Obviously, while Stark and Savage have fun, with Bailey's influence, Stark can be a better cop than ever.

     This past week the guest talent kept coming, with Ed Begley Jr. (Gary Unmarried, Veronica Mars) as Jack's crooked but charming Uncle Nate, and Method Man (The Wire, How High) as an arson-happy villain.  Nate brought some needed background and depth to Jack, as usually the past we hear about it Dan's.  Dan also managed to drag his favorite snitch, Julius (RonReaco Lee, Worst Week, The Shield) into the fray, though Julius wasn't too happy about it.  It's always a pleasure to see Julius, and hopefully the series will keep him coming back.

     The show isn't all great guest casting, though the past two weeks have been among the best in the series.  It's about the characters that star every week.  There are two women in the opening credits, too, and though they don't often get much plot, they are wonderful actors.  Diana Maria Riva (Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip, The West Wing) plays the boss, Lt. Ruiz, while Jenny Wade (Reaper) is Jack's ex-girlfriend, whom he is still smitten with, A.D.A. Liz Traynor.  The two girls were featured a few weeks ago, as they attempted to bring down a Senator (Wade's former Reaper co-star Ray Wise) on their own.  It was nice to see the two out of an office, and while Bailey and Stark and definitely the heart of the show, hopefully the women will get more to play with, as they can certainly handle it.

     I highly recommend you check out The Good Guys, as they can really use a ratings boost.  The show is way better than many other shows with higher numbers, and one of the most laugh-out-loud cop dramas ever made.  It's not high quality television, but it's loads of fun.  The Good Guys airs Friday nights at 9pm on FOX.

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

My Boys have grown into "My Men"

***Article update: My Boys has been officially canceled.

     Sunday night, the TBS comedy My Boys completed its fourth season with two half-hour episodes. Sadly, the fourth season only had nine episodes, but My Boys has always aired sporadically. After a 22-episode first season, which had both a winter and summer run, seasons two and three had only aired nine episodes each, and ran during different times of the year. Many people believe that My Boys will not be renewed for a fifth season, though there has been no official announcement either way. It's depressing, as it's a great little show that never got the amount of attention it deserved. However, if it is gone for good, the final episode, "My Men," will serve as a nice series finale.

      The show stars Jordana Spiro as P.J. Franklin, a sport columnist in Chicago. As the series began, we were introduced to her three male friends, irresponsible, dumb Mike (Jamie Kaler), party boy Brendan (Reid Scott), and anal retentive Kenny (Michael Bunin). Also part of the group was P.J.'s brother, Andy (Jim Gaffigan) and her lone female friend, who mostly stayed away from the group, Stephanie (Kellee Stewart). Introduced in the pilot was a new co-worker and love interest for P.J., Bobby (Kyle Howard), who first joined the group, and only later became involved in a serious relationship with P.J.

      This season has brought about many changes. Bobby lost his fortune and moved in with P.J. Kenny lost his business, of which Mike was the sole employee, so they both were out of work. P.J. got the chance to go for her dream job, the gang's bar closed down, and Andy moved away to Japan. This last development allowed room for Stephanie to take a more central role and start to spend time with the rest of them. Add to that, she has been dating Kenny, so she is more firmly entwined than ever. I missed Andy quite a bit, but finally liking Stephanie after three years of wondering why she was even in the cast made up for the loss.

      It wasn't just external changes, though, that marked the fourth season. Each character grew to maturity in a new way. Bobby had to figure out what he wanted out of life. P.J. had to settle her priorities, whether she'd rather have her dream job, or a life with her friends. Kenny had to make a big commitment to Stephanie. Brendan traded in his night club for a more grown up venue. And last, but probably the biggest, Mike realized that he wasn't a kid anymore and needed to change some things. This culminated in his falling in love with, and wedding in the finale, Marcia (played by the hilarious actress Rachael Harris). I love Harris, and she made a great companion for Mike.

      Seeing how this past season panned out really made watching the show worth it. It was an enjoyable sitcom from the beginning, found its legs late in the first season, and really became something special by the fourth. The only thing I will regret if it goes off the air is that Jim Gaffigan did not return in any of the nine episodes. A guest spot for him at the end would have been perfect. However, if the show does somehow get picked up, which I sincerely hoped, not only could they save a scene for Gaffigan, but Harris should be installed full time, or at least half-time. It would shake up the dynamic, keep things fresh, and allow the show to grow even more.