First PITCH

Article first published as PITCH Review on Seat42F.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

PITCH premieres Thursday, September 22nd on FOX.

Invite over THE NEIGHBORS

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

When Marty Weaver (Lenny Venito) found a great deal on a house in the suburbs for his family, it seemed a little too good to be true. Turns out, that’s exactly what it is, because it isn’t long before the Weavers learn that the entire neighborhood is populated by aliens! Yes, literal aliens from outer space. How do the Weavers cope with discovering other life forms in their own backyard? Well, you can find out in The Neighbors – The Complete First Season, a three-disc DVD recently released by ABC.

The Neighbors premiered last fall to critical derision. I admit, I was on that bandwagon, merely sticking a four-sentence quickie review in a list, not even granting it a full article. It was cheesy, the aliens were very goofy, and there didn’t seem to be any realism to it at all. For instance, how can the aliens, who aren’t at all schooled in Earth customs and don’t really attempt to hide, live for ten years on our planet without being discovered?

But once you get used to the very unique tone of the show, it quickly begins to grown on you. You can forget about why the police didn’t notice a whole development selling at once, and instead enjoy a dance number or confusion about dating. The holiday episodes, in particular, address whole new levels of confusion in unexpected ways. And by the end of the season, despite less-than-stellar ratings threatening cancellation, a number of fans had been made, myself among them, who couldn’t wait to see what zany trouble these characters would get into next.

A lot of the credit goes to the actors involved in the project, who created two fantastic families, the of which interactions between them are the core of the series. Toks Olagundoye is absolutely phenomenal as Jackie Joyner-Kersee, the naive, earnest, compassionate, loyal extraterrestrial matriarch who likes human ways, and rebels against her husband’s strict rule. Said husband, Larry Bird (Simon Templeman), is more bumbling, resisting integration, even though he has no desire to go home either. Elder son Reggie Jackson (Tim Jo) is soon smitten with the Weaver’s daughter, Amber (Clara Mamet), which means Larry is fighting change from two sides. Thankfully, Larry has younger son, Dick Butkus (Ian Patrick), who would happily follow in his father’s footsteps.

As you may have noticed, each of these family members has the name of a famous athlete (including last names), and they are a multi-racial family, with a British father, African-American mother, Asian teenager, and fair-skinned boy. That’s what the crux of the issues, which result in much humor, are with the aliens: they know about Earth, but don’t understand how it fits together.

Equal credit must be given to the performers portraying the Weavers, who are very relatable, and roll with the punches as best as one can expect them to. Marty takes Larry under his wing, whether Larry wants to actually pay attention or not. Jackie becomes fast friends with Marty’s wife, Debbie (Jami Gertz), a source of inspiration to the visitor. And the younger Weaver children, Max (Max Charles) and Abby (Isabella Cramp), quickly adapt as kids do, even if they have trouble getting Dick to engage in childish activities.

In short, The Neighbors is a surprising winner, and if you missed it the first time around, as many did, The Complete First Season may be a great way to catch up in a weekend binge. Despite the utter lack of bonus features, only a gag reel and deleted scenes, which seem the bare minimum, I enjoy the episodes quite a bit, and recommend this set as a piece of fresh, different, dare I say out-of-this-world, comedy.

The Neighbors – The Complete First Season is available now.

"Family Conference" With THE NEIGHBORS

Article first published as "Family Conference" With THE NEIGHBORS on TheTVKing.

ABC's The Neighbors, which began last fall as a goofy, unliked "comedy," and grew into something sweet and charming by spring, returned for a second outing this week with "Family Conference." While celebrating their first anniversary as neighbors, the Weavers and the Joyner-Kersees discover their teenage children have been secretly dating, which throws everyone for a loop.

It's funny how, as much as the humans and the aliens grow close as friends, there is still a bit of prejudice against one another, and "Family Conference" pulls that to the forefront. It wasn't so long ago in our societal history that mixed race marriages were considered taboo, and this is sort of an extension of that, albeit among two clans who know each other well enough that there isn't hate so much as just fear of the unknown.

Not that I'm saying The Neighbors is a study in race relations. It's way too silly to take itself that seriously; the bits about what the offspring would like it prove that point. But it's admirable how they can a weave an element of that into a show that is plain funny. The aliens are unaware of Earth customs all that much, but they also consider themselves above such things at times, making for amusing clashes.

The show also tackles teenage romance, a familiar territory, putting its own spin on it. Amber Weaver (Clara Mamet) and Reggie Jackson (Tim Jo) have the normal emotional ground to cover, plus the added difficulty of their varied backgrounds. Reggie wants to commit to Amber for life, but has a soul mate, whom he dubs "Jane" (Megan Park, The Secret Life of the American Teenager) when she shows up this week, whom he is magnetically attracted to.

We don't yet know a lot about Jane and Reggie's connection. Clearly, there is chemistry and a literal attraction, but is this something Reggie can overlook to be with Amber? He states as much, but the end of "Family Conference" hints that it might be out of his control. It should make for a good plot this fall.

Another theme of "Family Conference" is the relationship between mothers and their children. Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Toks Olagundoye) wants to be the sole focus of Reggie's life and adoration, while Debbie Weaver (Jami Gertz) would be happy with any enthusiasm at all from Amber towards her. Both sort of get their wish, to a small extent, in this episode, but it's clear these are relationships they will continue to work at.

Larry Bird (Simon Templeman) doesn't seem to care a lick about Reggie's feelings, but that's in keeping with his character, not necessarily his sex. Marty Weaver (Lenny Venito) very much is concerned with Amber, even if he doesn't understand her. So I wouldn't say The Neighbors perpetuates gender stereotypes; it's just the characters at the center that seem inept at relationships. After all, Reggie is very in touch with his feminine side.

Besides these larger themes, the show operates on a joke-by-joke level, with the characters themselves being the real draw, and moments really working. Olagundoye continues to stand out as Jackie Joyner-Kersee, the alien who would rather jump through lasers in a catsuit than clap them off. Her younger son, Dick Butkus (Ian Patrick) has not outgrown the cuteness this adult-like child exhibits, serving as office manager and court reporter in this installment. And little Abby Weaver (Isabella Cramp) may just get the best scene this week when she shows she's the only one who really gets the relationship between Amber and Reggie.

Also, I recommend pausing the screen in the conference room whenever a profile of one of the leads is displayed on screen. Among other things, we get to see that the alien parents are well over 600 Earth years old, and the death dates for Marty and Debbie. Love it!

The last observation I have about "Family Conference" is when did The Neighbors on ABC become Bones on FOX? I'm used to Bones blatantly pushing product placement, with what are essentially car commercials integrated into the episodes and a shout out to the series airing after it, Sleepy Hollow, in this week's season premiere. Yet, The Neighbors does the same thing with Diet Dr. Pepper and Shark Tank in it's own first episode back. Product placement isn't new, it's just slightly disheartening to see it spreading so blatantly. It does not detract from either of these shows, yet if it continues to become popular, it could easily become a hinderance.

The Neighbors airs Fridays at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

It Has Likely Ended for The Neighbors

Article first published as It Has Likely Ended for The Neighbors on TheTVKing.

The freshman season finale of ABC's wacky sitcom The Neighbors aired this week. Entitled "It Has Begun...," the episode takes the surprising tack of setting up a cliffhanger and plot for next season. Surprising, because the ratings have never been stellar, and the chances for renewal aren't good. Though, TVLine.com has upgraded The Neighbors from "A long shot" to "Could go either way," so I guess it has a chance.

The Neighbors seems destined to become a forgotten footnote in the annals of television history. It has an interesting concept, a middle-class New Jersey family moves into a suburb populated by aliens, and after becoming friends, help the extra-terrestrials adapt to our planet. But it's utter oddness, including the childlike behavior of the adults in the situation, the way all of the aliens always dress the same, and that they are named after sports stars, is enough to turn many off.

I actually find the series charming, in a way. All of the performers in the show completely sell the concept. It may not be an example of the highest, smartest comedy writing, but it's a feel-good series that feels authentic for what it is. The Weaver family, the humans at the center, have bonded with the Bird-Kersees, the main aliens, and it's become a tale of two different groups finding commonality and friendship against all odds.

"It Has Begun..." does what The Neighbors so often do: it sends Marty (Lenny Venito) and Debbie (Jami Gertz) Weaver off to do a thing, this time visit Atlantic City, with Larry Bird (Simon Templeman) and his wife, Jackie Joyner-Kersee (Toks Olagundoye) in toe. Marty finds out Larry can see through cards and beat the casino at its own games, so they have fun. Jackie laments that she never got a traditional wedding, so Debbie helps her throw an impromptu one.

There are plenty of funny moments, such as when Jackie thinks the Maid of Honor should be dressed as an actual maid, or when Larry asks Marty "How poor are you?" after Marty gets upset at losing $5,000. But it's really a tale of four friends, at its heart, who help each other with life's experiences, and learn from one another.

This season finale decides to get a little meta in its humor, which seems a natural adaptation, given the silly tone. Larry and Jackie acknowledge the formula the show works on out loud at the beginning, Debbie expresses the opinion that they have the kinks worked out on how they should interact, and all four express the hope to spend more seasons, er, years together. If only more people would watch, they just might have the chance...

But besides the kookiness, which is entertaining, "It Has Begun..." lends a level of heart to the proceedings. The adults have it, when they bond and express their friendship. Reggie (Tim Jo) has it when, faced with leaving Earth behind, he chooses Amber (Clara Mamet) over his girlfriend, and they finally kiss. And Dick (Ian Patrick) shows a little when questioning where his loyalties lie, as do Max (Max Charles) and Abby (Isabella Cramp) in hoping their aliens friends will stay.

That's why I like The Neighbors. Not necessarily because of the aliens, but because of the two families. The rest of the neighborhood has taken a back seat to the two main clans, and should everyone else have gone home in "It Has Begun...," I would not have been disappointed. In fact, it might have really worked, as Larry and Jackie would need to depend on the Weavers even more.

I think the reason the show doesn't do that is because the characters are currently isolated in their gated community. It's hard enough not to be found out, as careless as they are, but for it to be believable that Earthlings move into the area and don't notice the alien behavior is just stretching the show too far, further than it has already stretched. Also, for the aliens to be publicly exposed would send the show in a darker direction, and take away the specialness it currently has.

Not that The Neighbors can't handle deep emotion. The bit this week where the Commander arrives, the aliens gather to leave, Reggie chooses Amber, and the adults flee the wedding to rush home is moving and powerful. It may be the single best sequence the show has done.

But it thrives on the comedy. The ending cap where the Commander (played by Star Trek's George Takei) banters with his subordinate (played by Star Wars' Mark Hamill), and they rip on the actors' respective franchises, is very funny and most welcome. And learning that Jackie's alien name is Debbie may not make sense, but elicits a chuckle.

The only real complaint I have about "It Has Begun" is the plot hole of what the Commander is up to. He supposedly tries to reach out to Larry through toast messages, then tells Dick not to tell Larry he's coming, then is annoyed when he shows up and has to wait for Larry. Does he want Larry to know he's coming or not? And why does he bring an army if he's not going to force Larry to leave? I feel like an artificial layer of suspense is added on top of the tale they are trying to tell, and it ends up confusing things.

I will be disappointed if we don't find out what the Commander is trying to warn Larry of. This opens the door to an interesting new direction in a possible second season. For that reason, and because I want to see the actors playing aliens continue their brilliant work, I hope The Neighbors gets renewed.