GROUND FLOOR "On Top"

Article first published as GROUND FLOOR "On Top" on TheTVKing.

Seven episodes into its freshman season, Ground Floor has become a series I look forward to watching. The cast doesn't have the chemistry of Cougar Town and the writing lacks the weird fun of Scrubs, but it still is a reliable draw from creator of all three, Bill Lawrence. There are constantly decent jokes, and I do enjoy the show's leads immensely.

At the heart of Ground Floor is the relationship between Brody (Skylar Astin) and Mr. Mansfield (John C. McGinely). Did you think I was going to say Brody and Jennifer (Briga Heelan)? Well, as much as Brody and Jennifer's pairing provides the structure, the best parts of each installment are usually those where Mansfield gives Brody advice. Every part of Brody's romantic life is observed and commented on by his boss, and through these talks, we see the development of Mansfield.

At first, it appeared that Mansfield might be a retread of Dr. Cox, McGinley's Scrubs character. But as layers are willingly revealed week after week, it becomes clear that isn't the case at all. While Cox was closed off, Mansfield is open. Cox hated being a mentor, and Mansfield lives for it. Cox would never admit to screw ups and emotions unless pushed, while Mansfield volunteers such things, thinking nothing of throwing an arm around an employee and sitting close on a couch. They are really two completely different people.

McGinley is quite the talented actor. He really makes the little gags Mansfield gets work far more than they should. Each time he appears on screen, the eye is instantly drawn to him, and for good reason. Last week's episode found him singing and dancing in the empty office, and I don't know how the actor kept it together with the audience reacting as they did (assuming the show films in front of a live studio audience?). He really has something.

Brody benefits much from his lessons from Mansfield. Whether he agrees with his superior or not, and he doesn't always, there's a camaraderie and respect between them that belies their varying power statuses. Mansfield is someone Brody looks up to, and I think they are friends, too, though Mansfield would never admit it to the office.

Back to the more obvious central duo, Brody and Jennifer appear to be progressing nicely. I'm a little disappointed we haven't witnessed more of their development after the rocky start, with a bigger focus on shenanigans in the office than in their personal lives. I want to see them outside of work more, find out what kinds of things they are going through that result in them being stronger. They do have a palpable attraction, and I just want it to be explored more in-depth.

Which is kind of what is nice about this week's episode, "Woman on Top," in which we see strain between Brody and Jennifer and how they work through it. Mansfield unknowingly hires Brody's serious ex-girlfriend, Heather (Anna Camp, True Blood, The Help), and as cool as Jennifer tries to be, she gets jealous, especially when she sees how well Brody and Heather still get along and how much they have in common.

Brody and Jennifer do overcome the Heather obstacle, though. It messes them up, and they put in the work to get through it. That's what every strong union needs, to be tested and survive, in order to thrive. I'm not asking for constant drama on this magnitude, as that would be hokey and false, but to get more glimpses of these two in this manner would be welcome.

It is not at all unexpected that Heather leaves at the end of "Woman on Top." Camp is much too in-demand to stick around in a recurring part, and her desk position and attitude would necessitate she be constantly seen. So Mansfield sends her to run his Chicago branch, leaving the door open for repeat appearances, but not making her someone we have to see again.

Does Mansfield do this for Brody? He's been a supported of Brody and Jennifer, even when he resists them, so it makes sense he might do a behind-the-scenes move to help the couple. On the other hand, he's a shark in the business world, and Heather is the type of firm hand the Chicago branch needs. Perhaps it's just a win-win.

Heather's departure is too bad, in a way. Camp and Astin were two of the stars of the film Pitch Perfect, and "Woman on Top" is a nice reunion. Jennifer always has Harvard (Rory Scovel) lusting after her, so it could be interesting to toss in someone who might want to get back with Brody. Plus, it's just plain fun how fast Heather whips Threepeat (Rene Gube) into serving her.

Speaking of Pitch Perfect, a movie with a lot of singing, Astin and Camp have musical moments in this episode, and McGinley and others sang last week. It's cool that Ground Floor finds ways to work its actors' vocal talents into the series. I'm a fan of musicals in general, and while I don't think this will ever be one of those, I appreciate even small numbers done by talented performers. Between Ground Floor and Super Fun Night, it's nice to see this element emerging in the new fall sitcoms. More singing please!

The one thing Ground Floor has yet to figure out is how to effectively use all of its supporting players. Jennifer, Brody, and Mansfield are the real leads, and they are great. Harvard serves his purpose, and Threepeat is someone flexible enough to vary his role week to week, which is what is happening. But Derrick (James Earl) and Tori (Alexis Knapp, who was also in Pitch Perfect) don't really have a fit yet. I'm hoping that changes and Ground Floor moves more in an ensemble direction, as pretty much all the best comedies on TV have larger casts than just 3 or 4 characters.

Overall, Ground Floor has a charm that really resonates, and it is pretty funny. For a freshman show with only half a dozen episodes under its belt, it's doing quite well, and the pedigree involved is such that I expect it will mature nicely. I look forward to seeing where it grows from here.

Ground Floor airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on TBS.

Getting In On the GROUND FLOOR

Article first published as Getting In On the GROUND FLOOR at TheTVKing.

Bill Lawrence's (Spin City, Scrubs) newest comedy, created along with Greg Malins (Better With You, 2 Broke Girls, Friends), is Ground Floor, which premiered on TBS this week. A step above other TBS original sitcoms, like Sullivan & Son, because of more layered characters and stories, but a step below other Lawrence work, like Cougar Town, mostly because of an annoying laugh track, Ground Floor is not bad.

The series stars Skylar Astin (Pitch Perfect) as Brody, an ambitious, talented young money manager who is on the ground floor of his life, early in both career and the romance department. The latter kicks off as the "Pilot" begins when Brody meets Jennifer (Briga Heelan, Cougar Town), a girl who works on the first floor of his building. Both of them are given grief by their friends for dating each other.

See, in Ground Floor, the business world is segmented into two classes. The upper crust makes the cash and works themselves to death, while the lower level are uneducated slackers. No one in either world supports crossing the boundary. Never mind that the building has many more floors than two, and should employ many more people than the scant few we see, at many different levels.

This is the problem with the series, which seems to be a trait of this particular network - simplifying things to go for quick laughs without having to earn them with depth. It's the reason why I don't watch many TBS sitcoms (Cougar Town excepted, since it wasn't originally created for the cable channel). And given the weaknesses, tossing in the laughter, whether it be a live studio audience or just recorded additions, actually makes it seem more inane and surface-level.

Yet, Ground Floor has a little more than these surface traits, likely owing to its clever creator. Brody and Jennifer don't start their relationship in a predictable way, actually giving us a portrait of two people that are more than a stereotype or a category. The co-workers are forced to mix right away, blurring the lines between tow two groups right off the bad. And supporting players seem to have a little more going on than their counterparts in Sullivan & Son's bar, even if it's only a little bit.

Part of the credit can go to John C. McGinley, who plays Brody's boss, Mr. Mansfield. Mansfield is sort of like Dr. Cox, McGinley's character on Scrubs, because he's a demanding hard ass. But Mansfield is a little more willing to admit he cares, and reveals something of himself to his underlings. He tries to mold them into himself because he's found success and he wants that for them, too.

In the second episode, "Off to the Races," which aired just after the first, Mansfield meets Jennifer, whom he's been counseling Brody to ditch, leaving more time for his career. Mansfield takes an instant shine to the girl, and admits to Brody that he knew he would, given Brody has good judgment. This is something we'd never see from Dr. Cox, and makes the whole situation, with Body torn between love and his profession, more complex.

The three main actors aside, though, I haven't found any way to connect with the rest of the cast, co-workers to Jennifer and Brody. Played by Rory Scovel (Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous) Alexis Knapp (Pitch Perfect), James Earl (Glee), and Rene Gube (a writer on TBS's Men at Work), none of these stand out as someone to watch. At least not yet.

I can't say that Ground Floor has truly won me over yet, but it's earned a few more episodes. Given the extremely poor way in which Cougar Town began, before growing into a beloved favorite, there's every chance that Ground Floor can do the same, as it did have a better initial two installments. The premise is a little flimsy, but the actors and the writing give us a bit more than might be expected, so there's definitely hope to be found.

Ground Floor airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on TBS.

When Series Break Genre

Article first published as When Series Break Genre on Blogcritics.

Glee shocked many this week, when, in the middle of another goofy choir room scene, shots broke out in the halls of McKinley. For a full 10-minute act, students cowered and cried, terrified for their lives, not sure if they would soon be dead. They made videos to say goodbye to their loved ones, and a teacher even risked his life to save some students.

The fact that it was a false alarm, and no one was hurt, is incidental. For those minutes, viewers sat on the edge of their seats, deeply worried and upset.

This is an excellent hour of television; I am not arguing that. With school shootings and gun violence such a timely issue, Glee spoke to us about a political view that needed to be expressed and heard. It was very well handled, no one had to act out of character, and the resolution was believable.

Yet, as I consider what to write for my forthcoming review of the episode, which will soon be posted on this site, I can't decide whether to congratulate or lambast the show. Glee is a comedy, first and foremost. There is some drama from time to time, a teen pregnancy, a car wreck, but nothing even comes close on the scale to this week's episode. I don't believe it was a stunt done for ratings, not even airing during sweeps. But it does completely break the tone of the series.

Sure, there was a warning at the beginning of the episode, saying there would be disturbing violence. Yet, no hint of any appeared for the first half hour, as the show went on with the light-hearted story lines, and so it was with great surprise that events unfolded.
 
But as good as the installment was on its own, should Glee have broken out of its mold so completely and so startlingly? Parents may let their children watch Glee, and then be surprised when something so dark suddenly happens. Regular viewers may have been looking forward to a bit of fun, only to be shocked into stunned silence. 

Glee is far from the first show to do such a departure from their normal storytelling. I remember watching the beginning of an episode of All in the Family on the morning of September 11th, 2001 in which Archie's wife was raped. I never got to see how it ended, for obvious reasons, but you get the point. This is a long tradition in the television world.

I applaud series that take risks and do something big. Grey's Anatomy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Scrubs are among the shows that have done a musical episode in the past decade or so. Angel had puppets. Community has done both of those and much more.

Yet, sometimes it just doesn't feel right. Felicity may have broken new ground for college dramas when the series made the last five episodes full of magical time travel, being almost completely a typical series before that. But those episodes didn't match the rest of the show, and that can be troubling.

It's one thing for a show like M*A*S*H to go dark, as very early in its run it began dropping in serious subject matter amid the comedy. As the years went by, it naturally grew more dramatic, and became a more serious show. Plus, it was always about war. But it's quite another for Glee to bring gun violence into a series about singing teenagers.

Now, one can argue that school shootings are tragic and horrible and almost always happen with little warning, unexpectedly rocking a world that doesn't deserve or expect to be rocked. That is a valid point, and makes Glee's entry realistic. However, it also shook me to the core and, two days later, I can't stop thinking about it.

Maybe that's a sign of good TV, being memorable and having a true impact. But the fact that I still haven't decided if I liked the occurrence or not is a little unsettling, and not everyone likes to be unsettled by a favorite TV show. So instead, I'm left pondering.

What do you readers think? Are you glad that Glee went there, or do you wish they'd left it alone? Is it ever OK for a series to veer so far off of its normal course, or should it keep pleasing the fans that support it, giving them what they think they want? Does motivation count, with the writers being excused if they do it for the right reasons, to draw attention to an important issue? Feel free to weigh in and discuss in the comments below.

Cougar Town looks for "Something Good Coming" in Hawaii

     Last spring, ABC's Modern Family ended their season by heaing to Hawaii. This year, Cougar Town does the same thing. Next year is your turn, Happy Endings! In Cougar Town's final episode of season two, "Something Good Coming," the Cul de Sac Crew take a family vacation to Hawaii with the ulterior motive of bring home Travis (Dan Byrd), who has fled there after dropping out of college and having his proposal rejected by his girlfriend. Laurie (Busy Philipps) feels especially responsible, as it is her "cheering up" talk that gives him the idea to go. Jules (Courteney Cox) and Bobby (Brian Van Holt) fail to get through to him, but Laurie comes through in the end. Meanwhile, Bobby feels left out after spending couple time with both Andy (Ian Gomez) and Ellie (Christa Miller), only to have them ditch him for some alone time. Jules and Grayson (Josh Hopkins) seem at an impasse when it comes to having a baby. And Tom (Bob Clendenin) follows them, but only hangs out at a distance, unnoticed until the final day of the trip.

     Last season, Cougar Town ends with Bobby sad because he is the only single member of the group. This year, that theme recurs. It's a shame that Bobby is in a similar place as he is a year ago, because the season one finale really made viewers feel for him and hope that he would find a girl. To have the second season finale echo those same emotions is a bit regetful, though Van Holt plays it well. Luckily, Bobby has matured and gotten to a better place, with an actual apartment, so he certainly has a better chance to find love going forward. Until then, he isn't completely alone. Travis is single again, but he's not really part of the group, especially after leaving for college. Tom is also not quite a member. Perhaps Bobby can spend some time hanging with Tom next year?

     Does Tom ever have a chance of joining the group? It's unclear. He is kind of like Chang on Community in that he is on the outskirts and yearns to be on the inside, but the individuals only allow him access on rare occasions. What Tom has going for him is that the Cougar Town characters are kinder and less self involved than the Greendale crew (who are awesome!), and they often don't seem completely bothered to have to tolerate him. It may take awhile, but Tom has a shot.

     Speaking of NBC's Community, the character of Abed (Danny Pudi) makes a short but hilarious cameo in an early scene of "Something Good Coming," an obvious response of Community's extended tribute to Cougar Town in a recent episode, in which Abed mentions flying to Los Angeles and being an extra in CT. It's awesome that two wonderfully creative shows can honor each other with such cross promotion.

     And speaking of cross promotion again, this episode of Cougar Town features the return of a Scrubs character in Ted Buckland (Sam Lloyd), who Travis finds also trying to mend his broken heart on the island state. While it is a real pleasure to see Ted once more, the feeling turns bittersweet when Ted mentions he lost his love. Ted has always been such a sad character, and it was a delight that he got a happy ending on Scrubs. This episode kind of ruins that. But overall, it's worth it to see Ted.

     Will Jules and Grayson be able to overcome their dillema? That's the hope. Other sitcoms get main characters together, only to break them up to force drama. Cougar Town appears to be different, choosing to have their people work through problems, rather than break up. It took them awhile to get together, but once they're a couple, they are a couple. It's a welcome change, and a smart move. A baby might shift the tone dramatically. Ellie and Andy's doesn't, but Jules is essentially the main character, and she makes sure everyone knows her business all the time. As such, another child for her would likely have much more affect than Stan has.

     Another episode with some real Travis / Laurie chemistry. Their bond is plapable, and the creepiness has started to wear off. The writers have said they would want to wait until season five, when Travis is 21 and Laurie is 30, to get them together. Yes, Laurie is Travis's mom's friend, but she's also become his. With her age, it isn't too weird. Besides, watching the two of them together, it is clear that there can be a real relationship there. While it doesn't feel like it's quite time yet, perhaps a season three finale? There could be some fun had when Laurie wants to go out drinking and Travis can't. He may also buck hanging out with his mother all the time, as Laurie does. It will be a real shame if this never happens. As such, Cougar Town must be kept on the air for at least a few more years!

     Also neat, the short title sequence, which typically pans up Florida, is extended, as the camera travels across the country and out to Hawaii. A very cool shot, and a fun idea well executed. The title card features the words "We will never stop mocking the title...", a reference, as the series has taken to doing every week, that Cougar Town just really doesn't do the show justice, or describe what it's about. Series creators Kevin Biegel and Bill Lawrence have begun soliticing fans on twitter for ideas for a new title, so if you have one, please tweet @VDOOZER and @kbeigel

     Cougar Town has been renewed, but will not return until November. I recommend watching reruns and following both he writers and the actors on twitter. They do not fail to amuse. The actor's twitter accounts are: @MrJoshHopkins @ChristaBMiller @IBGomez and @BusyPhilipps25 And the character of Laurie (run by the writers) tweets as @TheLarmy

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

     Click here to buy DVDs and streaming episodes of Cougar Town.

Parenthood ends season two

     NBC's Parenthood kicked off season early last night as its second season came to an end with "Hard Times Comes Again No More." The episode picks up with Sarah (Lauren Graham) getting a late night phone call telling her that her daughter, Amber (Mae Whitman), has been in a car wreck, as seen at the end of last week's episode. The entire Braverman clan gathers at the hospital to support each other in a scene reminiscent of the movie with the same title. But that resolves quickly, and Amber goes home, mostly fine. A number of other threads tie themselves up over the next hour, leaving only a handful of unanswered questions for viewers awaiting a fall return.

     A synopsis of the episode may make the car wreck seem trivial, as Amber is deemed fine fairly quickly. However, just because she survives the event does not mean it will not have lasting effects. Sarah tries to get through to Amber, but her daughter is unreceptive, far from rock bottom. Luckily, grandfather Zeke (Craig T. Nelson) steps up, chewing Amber out, but also letting her know that his concern comes from a place of love. Tough grandpa makes Amber realize what her mother cannot, and she pledges to behave from here on out.

     It's an age old story that children just will not listen to their parents. For whatever reason, even though parents have the most influence and control over kids as they grow up, a life lesson coming from another respected source, such as a grandfather, just hits home a lot more than from a parent. Perhaps this is because parents teach so much that kids grow numb to the lessons, while, when someone else steps up, it's a unique occurrence, and they take more notice. Either way, it's nice that the Amber problem is dealt with, and not left hanging for next season. By the time the episode ends, it appears Amber will be returning to the good girl she has been for most of the year.

     Somehow, Sarah still handles her play, despite what is happening with her daughter. Sarah attends rehearsal, where she snaps at actors during a read through, and then before you know it, the show opens up. The actors apologize, by the way, because Blount (Richard Dreyfuss) tells them Sarah's daughter has died and they feel bad. None mention that they see her daughter at the show and are angry at being lied to. That would only have taken a few seconds, and should have happened.

     The play is the most out of place part of the episode. While it is understandable that the writers would want to wrap up Sarah's play plot by the season finale, a full performance does not happen days after a read through. It seems inconsistent, and time frame is confusing. Sarah can be forgiven for not dropping out of the program, because Amber is all right, but it still feels like too much happened too soon. This should have carried into next year.

     The actors playing the family members are brilliantly cast, each looking quite a bit like the characters they represent. The father figure is the most similar, of course, because Zeke plays a version of himself. Yet, the other five people on stage look remarkably like their counterparts. Did looks factor more into casting than talent? Because that has not been my experience with theater.

     Max (Max Burkholder) has a very hard time dealing with the Amber situation because of his Asperger's, so he cannot show empathy. His father, Adam (Peter Krause), tries talking to him about it, but like many things, it is unclear if the words hit home with Max or not. He obviously has some small grasp, as he does apologize to Sarah for his insensitivity, albeit blaming his syndrome. She takes the apology with the grace of an understanding aunt, even though Graham's expression and demeanor uncharacteristically do not back up the words. Strange.

     While it is laudable that Adam is working with Max on connecting with people, it should also be noted that letting Max blame his Asperger's is not a good way to go about it. If Max lets himself believe in his limitations, he will not grow. If he uses the disorder as an excuse, he will not learn to behave. Since his knowing about the syndrome is new, and this is his first lesson with such a serious event, it can be overlooked, as long as it does not become a pattern in season three. Given the excellent writing shown thus far, it likely won't.

     At the same time, Adam is also dealing with his other child, Haddie (Sarah Ramos), who recently started having sex with her boyfriend, Alex (Michael B. Jordan). Things between Adam and Haddie have been strained, but are recovering. Adam's wife, Kristina (Monica Potter), handles communicating about this tricky issue a bit better. Kristina tells Haddie she will be visiting the doctor and going on birth control, and then makes her an appointment. Adam tells Alex to wear a condom. It's awkward, but then, what parent isn't awkward when dealing with their children becoming sexually active?

     A small subplot where Adam searches for Max's lost retainer feels out of place and forced. While it is an expensive item, Adam obsessing over it, as he does, feels out of character. The pressures Adam is dealing with in the episode make it a bit more understandable, but the whole thing feels concocted when Adam discovers the positive pregnancy test in the trash. Given that that twist is spoiled in previews for the episode, the whole story feels contrived and false, which is not the norm for the series. Thank goodness the baby isn't Haddie's, or it would deserve even more derision.

     Kristina being pregnant comes out of the blue, but is not entirely unrealistic. The question is, what does this mean for Adam and Kristina? Their kids are pretty far apart, age wise. Just as one will soon be leaving the house, a new one will be entering it. There actually are no complaints about this, because Potter handles the revelation so well. The question now is, will the baby be like Max?

     Things will surely be complicated because Adam no longer has a job. It isn't surprise, as once his new boss came into the picture, it seemed like only a matter of time before Adam would have to find other employment. In this economy, he could be out of work for quite awhile, but because this is TV, his family will not suffer any undue hardship because of it. The writers should go the opposite way, and really make it a serious struggle for at least the next year. It would be a very relatable plot, and while some people use television as escapism, others would appreciate the realism.

     It's a shame Kristina gets pregnant without even trying, since Julia (Erika Christensen) has been trying so hard and failing. Julia's plot is the weirdest this week, as she comforts her daughter's former teacher through labor. It's a totally random happenstance, bringing back a forgotten guest star, who only did one episode over a year ago. The story is there just for Julia to try to come to terms with not being able to have a baby, and then decide to adopt one.

     Crosby (Dax Shepard) is finally giving up trying to win Jasmine (Joy Bryant) back when Joel (Sam Jaeger) brings her to him at the end of the episode. Poor Crosby! He works so hard to get her attention, and she keeps dissing him, but then Joel is able to talk her into coming, a scene that should have not been cut, or if it was never filmed, should have been. If Bryant was not a main character, she would likely disappear after this episode, perhaps to pop up again briefly down the road. Since she's in the theme song, despite her numerous rejections, there is never any real doubt they won't be trying to work things out next year.

     This is a very odd episode of Parenthood because the overall arcs are wonderful, and some scenes are very emotionally moving. Yet, there are lots of odd details that don't quite add up when looked at too closely. The most logical conclusion that can be drawn, from an overall truly delightful series, is that the finale is rushed, and should have been given another hour to play out.

     One last note: the exterior of the hospital featured in the show Scrubs is extremely recognizable, no matter how different series have lately tried to redress it, as Parenthood does this week. It's time to retire that particular location, as it will always invoke Scrubs for a lot of people, and takes viewers out of the moment when it is tried to be passed off as something else.


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

     Parenthood has not yet been renewed, but its season finale ratings were great, and it's very likely it will be picked up soon for another season on NBC.

Article first published as TV Review: Parenthood - "Hard Times Come Again No More" on Blogcritics.

Happy Endings may not have one of its own

     ABC's Happy Endings is reminiscent of many short-lives series that have come before it. It revolves around a group of friends who are involved in each other's lives. They hang out in various combinations and get into funny situations. It's a little Friends with a bit of How I Met Your Mother and a dash of Perfect Couples. Thus, it is not completely original. It's late premiere date also gives it a much smaller chance of sticking around than most shows. That does not mean it is not funny.

     The cast includes some comedy veterans, such as Eliza Coupe (Scrubs), Damon Wayans Jr. (My Wife and Kids), and Casey Wilson (Satuday Night Live), as well as some actors known more for drama, like Elisha Cuthbert (24) and Zachary Knighton (Flash Forward). The final star, Adam Pally, has few credits to his name, so he is an unknown equation. Each of the six main characters conducts themselves well. Coupe is always a delight, and Wilson is far less annoying than she often was on SNL. While not reaching Christine Woods in Perfect Couples awesomeness, Cutherbest and Knighton do just fine alongside their more humorous peers.

     The plot itself is a simple set up. Alex (Cuthbert) leaves Dave (Knighton) at the altar. The other friends, all members of the wedding party, try to comfort and hang out with both. For much of the pilot, it appears that they may have to choose which side to land on in this massive breakup. Then Alex and Dave have a long talk, off screen, and everything seems to work out. By episode two, which aired immediately following the first, it's nearly forgotten. Rather than making this a show about how hard it is for a close knit group post breakup, it's just another comedy about a bunch of buddies. There's nothing wrong with that, per se, but by abandoning the characteristic that made the series different, Happy Endings may have shot itself in the foot.

     The jokes are funny. The pilot is bogged down a bit with Dave's depression, but the four friends of Alex and Dave get laughs right out of the gate. Jane (Coupe) is uptight, 'helping' Alex find the 'perfect' roommate. Alex doesn't listen to her, and ends up on a sexy girls web site. Brad (Wayans) fumbles to explain just how he discovered Alex on the website. Jane also delights when asking a waitress to bring her a vodka, but call it water, and keep 'em coming. Penny (Wilson) isn't satisfied with Max's (Pally) level of flamboyance, so she seeks out a gayer best friend, only to find out that she is, in fact, her own gay man best friend. They all try to break it to Dave gently that his sex life with Alex was bad.

     But then, the characters also fall into familiar feeling traps, like trying to help Dave escape from a woman he just starting dating and has fallen into the quicksand of a relationship. Brad tries to dub it 'chicksand', which apparently the writers hope will be a thing outside of the series, but it doesn't resonate as well as when HIMYM does it. The real shame here is that the series just doesn't set itself apart enough. While those elements may not have been the best part of the pilot, that's not really an excuse to abandon them. Otherwise, with the capable cast, it could be the next hit.

     Happy Endings airs Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

Mad Love More Tame Than Mad

     I think the most surprising thing about CBS's new sitcom Mad Love was that the first episode was titled "Fireworks," not "Pilot." While this may not seem all that exciting to you, I am getting awfully tired of "Pilot" being the name of the first episode of every TV series. Some of the best shows to ever grace the airwaves used a title other than "Pilot," and I am pleased to see a series (the first this year, I think) do that.

     Now if you wonder why I might spend a paragraph praising a show for an episode title, it's because there's not a lot else to praise. The plot was corny, predictable, derivative, had gaping holes, and was far too dumb for my taste. A chance meeting between two strangers that fall for each other, I will buy. It's a romantic comedy staple, and one that still works. But the elaborate and ridiculous stumbles that happened in the half hour that followed were barely enjoyable, if that. Getting caught on a girl's earring so it looks like you're kissing her? Really? Are the writers that lazy?

     I think what disappoints me the most is that the principal cast consists of four great comedic actors who have all done excellent work before. Jason Biggs (American Pie, Jersey Girl) and Sarah Chalke (How I Met Your Mother, Scrubs) play Ben and Kate, the central couple mentioned. Their combative best friends Larry and Connie are played by Tyler Labine (Reaper) and Judy Greer (Archer, Arrested Development, and roughly one million scene-stealing guest star spots). With a foursome this good, how can the show possibly miss?

     And yet, it does. Ben and Kate are boring. Sure, they have good chemistry and are charming in their own right, but with a story this lame and unoriginal, it's hard to get interested. If the show succeeds it will be because Larry and Connie get developed in an interesting way. The duo clash like bitter enemies, which means they will soon end up in bed together. The final narration by Larry at the end of the episode almost made it seem like Larry and Connie will be the central couple, not Ben and Kate. If that happens, there may just be a spark of something fresh and neat here. But only if the writing improves dramatically.

     Mad Love airs Monday nights at 8:30 p.m. on CBS.

Article first published as TV Review: Mad Love More Tame than Mad on Blogcritics.

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Cougar Town: Titles Are Hard

     Perhaps the worst named sitcom currently on television, ABC's Cougar Town is also one of the funniest.  The rotten concept the series began with was ditched early on in the first season, and the show morphed into something really great.  Debate raged last spring whether a name change may help the series pick up viewers, but a new one was never agreed upon.  As a nod to fans, this year's season premiere had "(Still)" above the title.  And since then, there has been a new tag every week making fun of the monkier.  This week's was "Titles Are Hard", which, to Bill Lawrence's credit, they are.  Still, I can't help but wishing they had made a change.  My favorite was the sligthly risque Family Jules, which is way more accurate as to what the show is about.

     That's because the show, whose central character is Jules Cobb (Courteney Cox), is now about her group, as they have become a family.  Yes, the other characters often all revolve around her, and her house is the hang out place.  She gave up on being a cougar a long time ago, and is now in a steady relationship with a more age appropriate man, Grayson (Josh Hopkins).  She's not the only one who was rapidly evolved.  Ellie (Christa Miller) and Laurie (Busy Philipps), who started out as bitter enemies still have their tiffs, but they have pretty much accepted each other, and even sometimes spend time together without common denominator Jules.  Jules's ex-husband, Bobby (Brian Van Holt), who was originally kind of a joke, is now beloved and accepted by all of the others.  Andy (Ian Gomez), while still not the one wearing the pants in his marriage, is valued by his wife, and can make decisions without her.  Even Jules's son, Travis (Dan Byrd), who at first seemed separate from the adults as they came together, finds frequent reasons to be home from college, hanging out with his parents' pals.

     If it all sounds honky dory, that's because it is.  Yet, it still delivers laugh out loud moments every week.  Whether it be a funny new song that Grayson makes up, a new drinking game, turning Travis's bedroom into a Jam Room, or everyone hanging out in Jules's renovated dream bathroom, simple, silly things make the comedy must-see.

     Last night, Jules's father, Chick, came for a visit.  He was played by Ken Jenkins, who was Dr. Kelso on Scrubs.  Scrubs was, of course, created by the same man who does Cougar Town, Bill Lawrence, as his wife, Christmas Miller, has appeared in both shows.  Quick Bill Lawrence trivia: Not only does Travis currently attend college at the set used for the medical school in last season's failed continuation of Scrubs, but the original Scrubs hospital can still be seen every week in Cartoon Network's hilarious Childrens Hospital.  Bill Lawrence things just don't die.  Including Ken Jenkins, who was fresh as ever, and actually, thankfully, though I liked the character, wasn't very Kelso-y.

     The episode focused on Chick's refusal to show Jules much affection since her mother died.  Sure, it was perfectly predictable that the root cause would be because Jules reminded Chick too much of his departed wife.  But their reconcilliation after a big confrontation still jerked a few tears.  It made me wish Jenkins was on the show more regularly, and given Lawrence's penchant for constantly adding and bringing back recurring characters, coupled with his adoration of Jenkins, it could happen.

     The episode also was goofy just because of the Halloween element.  Ellie dressed up as Laurie, and Laurie dressed up as Ellie, leading to some choice one-liners.  Travis later showed up as Andy, which confirms once more that somewhere down the line, as Travis gets slightly older, the cougar concept may be revisited somewhat by a Travis-Laurie pairing, and while it would be weird at first, they do have great chemistry.  Even though she is his mom's friend, much older than him, so maybe not.  Chick was a bear, and no one knew he was at the bar for awhile (except observant or intelligent viewers).  Andy was Burt Reynolds, but as Grayson put it, looked like Dom DeLuise dressed as Burt Reynolds.  Jules thought Grayson was going to be a prince, so she dressed as a princess.  Grayson was actually the singer Prince, again, I saw it coming from a mile away, but still couldn't stop laughing.  Oddly enough, despite all of those great costumes, my favorite was Bobby's Windy Guy, mostly because Ellie and Andy had to have a serious conversation with a guy whose hair was gelled back and had pieces of trash stuck to him.

     If you're not watching Cougar Town, please give it another chance.  It's on right after Modern Family, and I know plenty of you watch that.  Check out Cougar Town Wednesdays at 9:30 on ABC.  In Lexington, ABC is found on channel 10 (antenna), 386 (satellite), or 908 (high definition cable).

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

Steve Carell is leaving The Office

    For six seasons Steve Carell has starred as boss Michael Scott on the American version of The Office on NBC.  At the end of next season, his seventh, he will be departing from the series.  He insists that he will nto be changing his mind, and that this is no a negotiating tactic, saying, "I just want to spend more time with my family."  The former The Daily Show cast member is definitely one of the biggest reasons for the sitcom's success, and his departure is sure to shake things up in a big way.

    One option may be to just end the series.  Seven years is a good run, and audiences may not be able to accept the show without Michael Scott.  Other cast members may also choose to exit, so it may be more than Scott that is lost.  There is plenty of precedence for this.  Series that have tried to continue without one or more main characters, sometimes under a different name (After M*A*S*H, The Golden Palace, Joey) don't often do very well.

     Another option may be to try to get Carell to accept a part-time commitment, as Zach Braff did to try to help Scrubs continue last year.  On the British version of The Office, Scott's counterpart David Brent (Ricky Gervais) was fired midway through the series, but would show back up every week to hang out with his former co-workers.  I don't see Scott doing the same thing, as he is not as big of a loser as Brent was,  but perhaps Scott could appear in six or seven episodes.  The problem there is, who will be the new boss?  Dwight's (Rainn Wilson) counterpart did it in the British version, but again, because of character differences, it wouldn't work so well over here.  Presumably Jim (John Krasinski) would top the list, or producers could bring in a new actor or actress.

     Either way, The Office has at least one more season, and will return to NBC in the fall.

Cougar Town roars to life

    ABC's Cougar Town was (rightly) ridiculed when it first premiered.  It had a mediocre pilot, and a weird premise.  Yet, shortly after the first episode, it dropped the whole garbage about older women dating younger men, other than a token Cougar character, Barb (Carolyn Hennesy), who is funny, but not even a main character.  Instead, it became about a group of older, but far from old, friends that get together, drink, and have fun with each other.  It's a more relaxed version of Friends, and it's become one of the best comedies on television.

     At the center of the series is Jules (Courteney Cox), and everyone else seems to kind of orbit around her.  Her son, Travis (Dan Byrd), is staying close by for college.  Her ex-husband, Bobby (Brian Van Holt) is one of her closest companions, which seems to have become a staple of television.  What happened to bitter exes who never speak again?  Except that Bobby is such an essential, lovable character, that despite his immaturity, you sometimes wonder why Jules ever dumped him.  She has now moved on to Grayson (Josh Hopkins), who she began dating after less than a season of will they / won't they tension, certainly a fresh approach.

     Also in the cast are Jule's long-time best friend, Ellie (Christa Miller), and her new best friend and employee, Laurie (Busy Philips).  Although they initially clashed over Jules's affection, they are already reaching an understanding with each other.  Clearly, Ellie has had practice with divided loyalties, because her own husband, Andy (Ian Gomez), sometimes seems to favor Bobby over her.

     The thing about the show is, despite the already drastically reduced tension in the group, they all just seem to enjoy each other so much, that it makes you feel good to watch it.  For instance, in the season finale, "Finding Out", everyone is now in a relationship except for Bobby.  So they all go out of their way to throw him a party on the beach and make him feel better.

     The whole concept wouldn't work without the hilarious, spot-on writing by series creator Bill Lawrence (Scrubs) and the staff.  The sitcom is already rivaling the best days of his last project.  I honestly just have no complaints, except, of course, the title.  There are already online suggestions of other possible titles, as well as plenty of rumor that the network in considering renaming.  My favorite is The Family Jules.  Haha, get it?  But, whatever the title, Cougar Town is a true jewel.

     The second season of Cougar Town will air next fall on ABC.

Geek Out with Jimmy #18: King of the Final Frontier

     A new Geek Out With Jimmy airs this weekend on HotZoneRadio.  It will play at 7pm Saturday and Sunday.  It’s an hour of television news and reviews by Jerome Wetzel, author for HotZoneOnline.

This week there’s plenty of news, beginning with the death of Fess Parker a.k.a. Davey Crockett.  Sad, indeed.  Also, answers to the following questions:  Which network is interested in 24?  Is Glee not doing 22 episodes next season?  Who else is joining Parks and Recreation?  Which Battlestar Galactica alum is going to be on Castle?  What crazy thing has Paula Abdul done now?  What’s in store for the big 100th episode of Bones?  Who will soon be working in The Office?  Which True Blood star is on another show at the moment, instead of filming the HBO series?  Who is the only original student cast member to appear full time in the final season of Friday Night Lights?  Where has Amy Brenneman gone?

Plenty of shows are also tackled, including Ugly Betty, American Idol, Desperate Housewives, Private Practice, 24, Chuck, Family Guy, Community the return of Flash Forward and South Park, the premiere of Justified and Ugly Americans, and the likely series finale of Scrubs.

Enjoy!

Scrubs ends abruptly

 
     Scrubs, after a mistaken decision to be kept on air this year with a new format, was canceled after a mere thirteen episodes.  Ok, it's not quite canceled yet, but would you believe that a portion of this article was written nearly two months ago and saved, because it was so obvious that the end was coming?  Technically, the episode that aired this week was a season finale, and was certainly not written to cap a long-running series.  However, that's most likely what it was.

     It's biggest mistake was a lack or originality. It was a mere goofier version of the original. The security guards, while funny, were just an extension of the Janitor (Neil Flynn, The Middle) character. Drew (Michael Mosley) was a mini-Dr. Cox, Cole (Dave Franco) was like The Todd (Robet Maschio), both of whom were still on the show. Lucy (Kerry Bishe) was a cross between J.D. (Zach Braff) and Elliot (Sarah Chalke), and Denise (Eliza Coupe) became very similar to Elliot as well as Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley), but with less emotion than the former. The problem was, all of these new characters resembled the old ones, instead of bringing something new to the show.

      The one positive was that it gave Dr. Cox and Dr. Turk (Donald Faison) a chance to really grow their friendship. We finally got to see them on equal footing, rather than Turk being seen as the much younger student.  And in the end, both Cole and Drew got some serious growth that would have made them much more interesting were they allowed to continue.  Dr. Kelso (Ken Jenkins), who seemed to have the most fun in this continuation of the show, was nowhere to be seen this week.  Anyway, it's likely too little, too late.

Geek Out With Jimmy #17 - The Rush - 7pm ET Tonight!

     Geek Out With Jimmy #17 “The Rush” is now available through HotZoneRadio.  It will play today at 7pm and tomorrow at the same time.  It is a podcast hosted by Jerome Wetzel, a staff writer for HotZoneOnline.com that covers television.
     This week’s episode deals with a lot of casting news.  There are actors joining and or leaving Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Burn Notice, Parks & Recreation, White Collar, and more.  Find out which shows were newly renewed, and which ones are ending soon.  Lindsey Vonn will be popping up on a show, and Keri Russell is joining a pilot.
     I also review many television shows, including Scrubs, Mercy, Grey’s Anatomy, Burn Notice, Psych, White Collar, Parenthood, Gossip Girl, the Oscars, Ugly Betty, Lost, and Chuck, which had the best moment of the series so far.  The three USA shows just completed their seasons, so find out how they ended!
     I also interview potential co-hosts.  Check out Geek Out With Jimmy on HotZoneRadio!

Some series already renewed for next season, others will be left hanging

     It has already started.  Networks have begun announcing which of our favorite television shows will be returning to the air waves next year.  Shows like Cougar Town, Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory, The Good Wife, American Dad, Bones, Glee, Friday Night Lights, Parks & Recreation, 90210, Gossip Girl, and The Vampire Diaries have already been given that green light.  Many more shows will be told to wait, possibly even until summer, for a decision.  Ausiello at Entertainment Weekly keeps this handy score card up to date.  Below are some shows waiting for a decision, what their chances are, and why they should or should not be picked up.

Better Off Ted - Hilarious new show last spring, but wasted many episodes during the summer.  It's considered unlikely to be picked up, but it definitely should be.  Fresh and original.

Scrubs - The show basically had a series finale last year, and is back as a watered down "Med School" version.  It will likely be let go, and probably should be.

V / Flash Forward - One show started strong and got weak, the other did the opposite.  Unfortunately, ABC gave both very long breaks so the audience could forget about them.  Their pick up chances will depend upon their spring showings.

Medium - Moved over to CBS this season, the show has gone on a nice, long time.  Though Ausiello says it could go either way, it's been less interesting this season than in the past.  It may be time to end it.

24 - Many factors will go into the decision to get another year of Jack Bauer or not.  Among them, a film is already in the works for when the series ends.  I could always use another dose of Jack, but he has already saved the world eight times.  Since the character will surely live on, perhaps he should leave the small screen now.

Fringe - In it's second season, the series has failed to get great ratings, but Fox seems committed to keeping it on, and it has stayed mind boggling.  It needs another year.

Chuck - For the first time this show is listed as a 'safe bet'.  After struggling for three years, Chuck has finally found its fan base, and that is a well earned triumph.  Let's hope NBC doesn't wait too long to confirm it.

Life Unexpected - It's good, but is it good enough?  Ausiello says it can go either way, and as far as myself watching it, I could as well.

Smallville - Ratings wise, it's safe.  Creatively, it's also in a good place, yet again.  Question is, can the CW pay Tom Welling enough to stay?

Getting intimate with Aziz Ansari

     Comedian Aziz Ansari has come a long way in a short amount of time.  Most people had never heard of him when he created, wrote, produced, and starred in the MTV series Human Giant in 2007.  Shortly thereafter, he briefly joined the cast of Scrubs last year as the intern Ed, part of a new class that mostly did not take hold, although he left by choice.  Now he stars in the NBC comedy Parks and Recreation as Tom Haverford and has several movies under his belt, including I Love You, Man and Funny People.  He also has a three film deal with Judd Apatow and Universal Pictures.

     This past week, Aziz premiered a new Comedy Central special entitled Intimate Moments for a Sensual Evening, and it is clear to anyone who tuned in how he has achieved what he has.  Whether he was griping about misleading threat count labels on sheets, or punking his little cousin, Harrison, on facebook, Aziz led the jokes through surprisingly, original, and hilarious twists and turns.  He was especially funny as he relayed a story of giving blowjobs for concert tickets and an annoying roommate.  In fact, there were practically no flops in the entire hour and fifteen minute special.  His tales of hanging out with Kanye and R. Kelly were equally entertaining, and while he didn't do much in the way of impressions, he definitely painted the picture effectively.  Not only was the audience on television in stitches, but my wife and I were as well, watching from our couch at home.  If you aren't aware who Aziz is, this is a great way to get to sample his humor.

     The only low point to the special was the last two segments, featuring Aziz as his character Raaaaaaaandy from the movie Funny People.  Apparently he created the obnoxious sex-aholic specifically for the film, and it gained much popularity with internet shorts promoting it.  In fact, a Raaaaaaaandy movie is currently in development.  Basically, Raaaaaaaandy's jokes are similar to Aziz's, but the character is way too overconfident, and kind of a jerk.  I found this segment not nearly as funny, and wished that the special had ended when Aziz said goodnight just before the commercial break.

     The DVD and CD of the special come out today, and are on sale now.  The special is next airing on Comedy Central this Friday evening at 8pm.

Prep & Landing lands gracefully

    Disney launched a new Christmas special this week on ABC called Prep & Landing.  I don't want to overplay it, but I think it will become an oft-rerun show.  It stars Dave Foley's (News Radio) voice as Wayne, an elf who has been on Santa's prep and landing crew, the advance team to prepare homes for the big guy, for well over two hundred years and is ready for a promotion.  He assumes he will naturally get one, but when he is passed over in favor of his partner, whom he trained, he loses his Christmas spirit.  Assigned a new partner, Lanny (Derek Richardson, Men in Trees), Wayne slacks off and disaster strikes.  Though it was only twenty-two minutes, Wayne still found time to save the day and remember what his job is all about, of course.

     The animation was reminiscent of Toy Story, and the humor is as well.  It brings to mind when Disney made good cartoons, as have been lacking lately, unless the Pixar name is attached as well.  Perhaps the company had something to prove before their new movie, The Princess and the Frog, comes out this Christmas.  If so, it was a good move.

      This special was totally appropriate for the entire family, and even us older people will find plenty to smile about.  The characters are fun, the pacing is perfect, and the story has heart.  Rounding out the cast are Magee, the control center elf, voiced by Sarah Chalke (Scrubs), and the little boy in the house, Timmy (Mason Vale Cotton of Desperate Housewives).  All in all, I do recommend it, and give it about an A-.  Check it out!

Scrubs's new class

     Bill Lawrence's Scrubs returned for it's second season on ABC last night.  (It originally ran for seven years on NBC).  It felt like a whole new show, and it was a little shaky, but since this was only the first hour, that can be forgiven.  That is, IF it improves quickly.  Here's what was good, and what was bad.

     The new characters are fun and interesting.  Not sure Lucy (Kerry Bishe) can fill Zach Braff's shoes, though.  Yeah, she is quirky, sweet, and naive.  Kind of like a slightly less female version of J.D.  However, she didn't have quite the level of likability that he always had.  She may, in time, grow to be a fitting main character, but she is clearly still finding her legs.  Cole and Drew had an easier time, perhaps because they were allowed to be their own people, instead of serving as a replacement for a beloved character. Cole (Dave Franco) brought a level of jerkiness not seen on the show regularly before, and Drew (Michael Mosely) seems to be the type to try to hide everything, but also has layers.  The romance blossoming between Drew and last season newbie Denise could turn out quite exciting.  The only issues with the new guys is that the show is focusing on them too quickly.  Last season a slew of new interns was brought on, presumably to prepare for this new direction, however it appears that only Denise (Eliza Coupe) made the cut to continue, and that is disappointing.  It would be easier to accept them if they had been eased in, but given a few more episodes, I think they will all pass muster.  None of the three faces insurmountable odds.  I also enjoyed the security guards and the Australian chick, and hope that they will become staples.  I even liked the slightly new theme song.

     The issue with the new Scrubs is the how the old characters are being treated.  Only one of the supporting cast turned up, though The Todd (Robert Maschio) was arguably the most prominent, save Ted (Sam Lloyd), so it is fitting that he will continue.  But what about the rest?  Kelso (Ken Jenkins) made the transition the easiest.  He seems fine where he is.  Janitor (Neil Flynn), too, who won't be part of the new show, had a nice little goodbye scene.  The others, not so much.  Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley) and Dr. Turk (Donald Faison) are the only two returning full time.  Why would Dr. Cox stop being chief of medicine and take a teaching job?  What exactly happened to the old hospital, and who is in charge now?  Sure, I understand it was torn down and rebuilt on a campus, but why, and what happened to most of the staff?  For instance, I saw nurses.  Where is Carla (Judy Reyes)?  Apparently she is no longer in the cast at all, though her bio is still on the official website, because she wanted to remain a full time character, and she was told that wasn't feasible.  Why not?  And Dr. Turk, who did transition almost as well as Kelso, is still married to her, so how will he get full, rich stories if she won't be popping up from time to time?  Also, what is Elliot (Sarah Chalke) up to?  We saw her only briefly in the pilot.  She is signed to do a number of episodes, but in what capacity?

     The character of John Dorian suffers the most, though.  He is still the same guy he was, which is fine, but what has he been up to this past year?  He apparently wasn't working with is friends, but where is he?  Why exactly did he return?  He is still treated like one of the stars, despite splitting narration with Lucy, but he is only signed for a limited number of episodes.  I would assume his contract stipulated he remain in the theme song with top billing for now, but why?  Just because he's an executive producer?  It doesn't make sense, and it makes him seem watered down.  My biggest beef is that he had such a perfect, fitting series finale last spring, that anything more than an occasional guest spot for him seems to cheapen the new show.  Hopefully his transition out will come soon and with class.

     This new version of Scrubs is funny, I'll give it that.  It kept enough of the old elements to make the viewer feel comfortable continuing.  But it needs to up the ante and let the newbies prove themselves quickly, or this could be another failed After M*A*S*H*.