New Hulu Series Not a DEADBEAT

Article first published as TV Review: 'Deadbeat' - 'The Sexorcism' on Blogcritics.

I have long been a fan of Tyler Labine. I’ve watched him through the good stuff (Reaper, Rise of the Planet of the Apes) and the bad (Animal Practice, Sons of Tucson), but always, good or bad, continued to admire his comic timing and his understated delivery. Every time he is cast in a new show, I’m hopeful it will work out for him because I do strongly feel that he deserves to be on TV. I don’t know if his latest project, Deadbeat, the first ten episodes of which will be released on Hulu tomorrow, is the vehicle that will finally make him a household name, but at least it’s a solid, quality show.

Deadbeat is about a lazy, substance-abusing man named Kevin (Labine). He has little going for him. Oh, and he can see the dead. Sort of like Ghost Whisperer, in which the deceased appear to Kevin and ask for his help in fulfilling their unfinished business. Kevin usually reluctantly agrees, either because he’s a good person or he just wants the voices to stop, and they are able to move on.

It’s a fairly simple premise, but done in an hilarious manner. For instance, in the first episode, Kevin meets a boy who died in the war, still a virgin, who wants to possess Kevin’s body to make love to his girlfriend. What happens next isn’t exactly what Kevin is expecting or hoping for, but he takes things in stride, sucks it up, does a bunch of magic mushrooms, and helps the ghost complete his purpose, even if it means Kevin has to do something most people would not. It’s crass humor, to be sure, but it’s also incredibly funny for those who like this kind of thing.

Kevin is not just the stereotype; there’s some real depth lurking under the surface. One gets the sense that he’s not lazy, just exhausted from what the ghosts put him through. Maybe he uses the drugs he does because it helps him cope with his weird life. He seems well-adjusted, but it could be covering up the toll this all takes on him. He only has one friend, his dealer, Roofie (Brandon T. Jackson, Percy Jackson), but that could be because his work drives others away or freaks them out, which has to weigh on Kevin, too. Pain is evident in Kevin’s eyes. While he may appear a person easy to pigeon-hole at first, there do seem to be some rich characteristics that Labine can take advantage of, should she show run for awhile.

To back up that second level I’m talking about, we can examine his interactions with fellow medium Camomile (Cat Deeley, So You Think You Can Dance). He likes her, and he goes to great lengths to make a connection, seeing someone he might actually be able to relate to. When she is exposed as a fake, though, he doesn’t set out to let the world know; he’s just supremely disappointed. When Camomile comes after him, he’s still more a beaten dog than a fighter. He doesn’t want revenge. He just wants someone who understands him.

Now, there will be plenty of people who only watch Deadbeat for the laughs and won’t want to consider anything else going on, perhaps even scoffing at this search for deeper meaning. However, I do think it’s present in “The Sexorcism,” so likely will be in other episodes. And whether one wants to stop and ponder exactly who Kevin is, his emotional complexity will raise the level of authenticity for the stories overall. I hope Labine gets the credit he deserves for bringing this fascinating character to life. With a very small cast, he’ll definitely get the screen time.

Watch Deadbeat on Hulu, beginning today.

Animal Practice doesn't make perfect

Grade: 69%

ANIMAL PRACTICE, a new NBC sitcom, is airing a special preview of its “Pilot” tonight after the Olympics. Set in a huge veterinary hospital, Dr. George Coleman (Justin Kirk, Weeds) runs the show in his unprofessional style, gambling while helping patients, assisted by Dr. Rizzo (Crystal the Monkey, The Hangover Part II, Night at the Museum, Community). Then his ex-girlfriend, Dorothy Rutledge (JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Better With You), takes over, and as they say, there’s going to be some changes around here.

It’s smart of NBC to air their new shows following a popular sporting event that lots of people tune into, considering that not a lot of viewers generally watch NBC shows. However, this only works for series that are smart and funny, like Go On. In the case of ANIMAL PRACTICE, it will probably be counter productive, confirming the negative opinions about the network, and not earning any extra eyeballs come September.

On paper, ANIMAL PRACTICE should be good. Kirk is brilliant in Weeds, Garcia Swisher is charming and funny, and they have decent enough chemistry. The animals, especially acting pro Crystal, lend an air of whimsy, and actually contribute positively, not just being used for gags, or wasted as set dressing. There is also a terrific ensemble, which includes Tyler Labine (Reaper), Bobby Lee (MADtv), and Kym Whitley (Sparks). Plus, the setting is unique and quirky enough for viewers to expect something original and neat, a la Better Off Ted.

Unfortunately, ANIMAL PRACTICE does not live up to the sum of its parts. The main problem, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, has to be Kirk. Or more accurately, Kirk in the part of Coleman. He just isn’t right for the role. I’m not asserting that Kirk can’t handle being the center of a series, as I don’t believe that to be the case at all. He just doesn’t feel right in this one, even though he should, given his past work. The entire half hour, I wished that Labine would switch places, and then there might be something here. But alas, no.

Coleman is supposed to not play well with humans, preferring the company of animals, but I think that part of the issue is that Kirk does display empathy to other people. He can’t help it. His character is allowed to show that just a bit, even as we’re hit over the head with the knowledge that he’s actually the opposite of this. This can shift, given time, but at the moment, nothing really adds up, and that’s unacceptable because he is the show’s lead.

The second change that should be made is to immediately fire Betsy Sodaro’s Angela. She is a weird person, which again, should be a good fit for this type of humor. But she’s too weird. Her presence is disturbing, and every time she’s in a scene, it distracts from what’s going on, in a bad way. She’s part of a new sitcom trend, like Jennifer Irwin’s Creepy Carol in Breaking In, that should never have been started. Again, the actress is probably fine, though I’m not familiar with her previous work. But unlike Kirk’s Coleman, she isn’t necessary, and I don’t see any way that she could become an acceptable part. Best just to ditch her now.

Now, there is room for ANIMAL PRACTICE to grow. Just because Kirk isn't connecting with the rest of the cast and his surroundings now, doesn't mean he won't eventually. He's a smart guy and a talented actor; he can probably figure it out, and I'm willing to wait around and give him that chance. After all, there are some good jokes, and there are enough positive ingredients to hold my attraction. So my recommendation isn't to avoid the show, but don't hold high expectations for it at the start, either.

ANIMAL PRACTICE previews tonight, and then officially premieres Wednesday, September 26th on NBC.

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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Sons of Tucson

     I am mad at Fox's new Sons of Tucson, which premiered last night, and here's why.  There was a fantastic show on the air for two seasons on the CW called Reaper, where three guys helped capture souls for the devil, and one of the stars was Tyler Labine.  Reaper was canceled well before its time, and while there were rumors that it was being shopped around to other networks, including cable, nothing came of it.  I do not have any proof that the reason, or part of the reason, was that Labine was already attached to a new pilot and possibly would not be available, but were I a network considering the series, I would have considered not picking it up if Labine was not in it, as he was definitely a necessary component for making it work.
     That being said, Sons of Tucson is not completely awful.  I certainly can't call it great.  The show revolves around three kids whose dad is in jail and mom is gone.  Worried about being sent to separate foster homes, they pay a dolt named Ron (Labine) to pretend to be their father and enroll them in school.  Labine does it for the money, then negotiates his way into their home, or rather, the shed behind their home.  Better than sleeping in his car right?
     There were funny moments.  Labine basically plays the same character he played on Reaper, but without the other guys to balance him out.  In the pilot, at least, the kids' personalities were not really apparent.  They all sort of seemed the same.  Hopefully this will be corrected if the series continues, which I find unlikely if it is kept during the Animation Domination Sunday lineup.  The last time a live action sitcom was inserted there (The Winner, three years ago), it was quickly pulled off the air.
     I've been hedging around the bush, but the show really isn't very good.  I can't in good conscious recommend it, even though Labine is funny.  I will continue to watch, for now for that reason, and hope it improves drastically.  Sons of Tucson airs Sunday nights at 9:30pm on Fox.