CONFIRMATION Of Belief

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: 'Confirmation' on Blogcritics.

HBO’s recent television movie, Confirmation, will be available on Blu-ray and DVD August 2nd, and has already been released for digital download and streaming. It’s the story of Anita Hill accusing Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment during his Supreme Court nomination hearing in 1991. Or, it tells a relatively one-sided, focused version of a small part of the story with a clear message and point that the film’s producers are trying to get across.

That may sound like a condemnation of the movie, but it is not. I merely want to state what this is before moving forward to talk about it. It is completely fair for someone to make a movie with a specific purpose in mind; many movies fall into that category. What is unusual is for a piece like this to come out when public opinion is still divided, at a time when our country has rarely been more partisan, with racism having been brought back to the forefront yet again, and many of the players involved are still in positions of power. Confirmation itself is a narrow story, but the issues it brings up are many, varied, and still very relevant.

Played by Scandal‘s Kerry Washington, Anita Hill is a sympathetic woman who did what she had to do in order to pursue a career in her chosen field, but who also has strong principles she cannot ignore when this man she was harassed by is given the chance to join the highest court in the land. She takes a little urging to come forward, but she refuses to lie even before that, and she does believe Clarence Thomas (Wendell Pierce, Treme, The Odd Couple) doesn’t deserve a job on the Supreme Court and should be stopped.

Despite it being clear where the writers think the truth lies, Confirmation does a pretty decent job of showing the different viewpoints various individuals involved have, providing a more complex story than the above description indicates. There are the female staffers like Ricki Seidman (Grace Gummer, Mr. Robot, The Newsroom) and Carolyn Hart (Zoe Lister-Jones, Life in Pieces) who are frustrated at the limitations their bosses follow. There are the white men on the judiciary committee like Joe Biden (Greg Kinnear, Little Miss Sunshine), Ted Kennedy (Treat Williams, Chicago Fire), Jack Danforth (Bill Irwin,Interstellar), Orrin Hatch (Dylan Baker, The Good Wife), and Alan Simpson (Peter McRobbie, Lincoln) whose own actions and political positions color how they see the situation, and whose race and class makes it hard for them to fully understand all sides. We see Thomas’ wife, Ginni (Alison Wright, The Americans), and how she believes what she has to. And there are others, played by the likes of Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family), Jeffrey Wright (Boardwalk Empire), Malcolm Gets (Caroline in the City), Erika Christensen (Parenthood), Kimberly Elise (Close to Home), and Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls) that each bring a little something to add to the overall picture, too.

So while the movie itself is, at its core, quite biased, because of a very strong cast and good writing, the characters make the world seem more complex. It isn’t quite as straight forward as it might be. Add to that a very strong message of gender equality, how the race card can be misused, good historical context, and an empowered hero, and the result is something that, while not the most entertaining film made by this network, feels important and engaging. Because of what this movie says about our society, past and present, it is worthy of our attention.

The extras are sadly few and shallow. There are one-minute interviews with Kerry Washington and Wendell Pierce, and a thirteen-minute series of quick bios about each of the major players. That’s it. I really wish some documentary-style featurette were present to talk about the real events and the consequences of them, but that is left to a sequence in the end credits that, while satisfying for the viewing of the feature, is disappointing in fully fleshing out what Confirmation is. What’s missing most is a discussion about the angle that the movie takes and why that choice was made, as well as why other directions were not gone in.

Still, it’s a good film, so check it out. Confirmation can be bought digitally now, and will be out on disc on August 2nd.

LIFE IN PIECES Holds Together Well

Article originally published as LIFE IN PIECES Review on Seat42F.

Every once in awhile, a family sitcom comes along that just feels fantastic. The most recent was Modern Family, the first such program to do the mockumentary style, and now comes LIFE IN PIECES, a single-camera show that feels a bit more poignant than its peers, at least at the start, with a truly terrific ensemble, bridging the gap between dramas like Parenthood and comedy.

LIFE IN PIECES revolves around a couple in their 70s, their three children, and the families of those children, all undergoing major transitions in their lives. The half hour is split into four pieces, one for each couple, and through the short vignettes, reminds us of what life is about. It’s hard to tell a moving story in roughly five minutes, but this show manages to do so four times over, and by keeping them so short, leaves material for future, fresh episodes on the same topics.

In the pilot, John (James Brolin, Pensacola: Wings of Gold, Catch Me If You Can) decides to stage a mock funeral for his seventieth birthday. His loved ones have varied reactions to the event, but it’s his wife, Joan (Dianne Wiest, In Treatment, I Am Sam), who is the most affected, as one might expect, as while the couple isn’t near death, it’s something they’ll have to think about sooner rather than later.

Son Matt (Thomas Sadoski, The Newsroom) is at the opposite end of the spectrum, just beginning to date Colleen (Angelique Cabral, Enlisted), who is still living with her ex (Jordan Peele, Key & Peele), so they haven’t yet begun their lives together. Other son Greg (Colin Hanks, Fargo) has just become a father for the first time with wife Jen (Zoe Lister Jones, Whitney). Daughter Heather (Betsy Brandt, Breaking Bad) is sad about her kids growing up, as her son, Tyler (Niall Cunningham), looks at colleges, daughter, Samantha (Holly J. Barrett), has her first period, and daughter, Sophia (Giselle Eisenberg, The Wolf of Wall Street), becomes disillusioned about Santa Claus. Too bad her husband, Tim (Dan Bakkedahl, Legit), isn’t much help.

As you can see, LIFE IN PIECES is not just a Modern Family retread. For one thing, only one of the four couples has kids that can be a part of the plot. For another, the topics they are tackling are a little more mature and complex. That makes the show a little less frivolous, and a bit more mature, than its peer.

(For the record, I’m not knocking Modern Family; I still love that show. I’m just illustrating the differences.)

The material is genuinely funny, and the performances are what you would expect from such a strong cast. In twenty-minutes, I was moved numerous times by the trials and frustrations of life. It’s relatable because LIFE IN PIECES shows us things most people go through, but it’s also emotional, as life is just a series of pieces, and these are the important ones to hang onto, or that will be remembered. It’s this insight, not novel, but still vital, that makes the show so good.

Obviously, one episode is not enough to judge a show on, and it would be hard to deliver four pivotal bits every single week, twenty-two weeks a year, for seasons on end. But the way LIFE IN PIECES approaches its topics, big moments, but just a part of lives constantly moving, sets up a repeatable format and a way to keep things going. The immediate aftermath of Jen coming home from the hospital, for one, is important, but there will be many other important bits in that first year, and new things the couple must go through. It gets a little gross, like life, but remains relevant and compelling.

I’m excited about LIFE IN PIECES and am already setting a season pass on my TiVo. I’m usually terrible at predicting which shows will do well and which ones won’t, so I’ll just say that I hope this one catches on. I want to still be watching it five years from now.

LIFE IN PIECES premieres Monday, September 21^st at 8:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES Could Be Better

Article first published as FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES Review on Seat42F.

Ever wish there was a sitcom on the air about a bunch of friends hanging out together and talking about their love lives and foibles? Ever wish there were thirty-two of them? FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES, premiering tonight on CBS, seeks to answer that latter dream, yet another of a long tradition of Friends-esque shows. And like most of the copies of that popular series, this one seems doomed to be quickly canceled and forgotten.

The cast is made up of stock stereotypes. Bobby (Kevin Connolly, Entourage) and Andi (Majandra Delfino, Roswell) have been married seven years and are stuck in a rut. Their sex life has almost completely dried up. Andi feels comfortable pumping her breast milk not only in front of Bobby, but in front of their friends as well. Neither remembers their anniversary. They seem doomed.

But there’s always someone who will envy any given situation, and Bobby and Andi’s comfortable relationship is one envied by some; namely, Bobby’s business partner Will (James Van Der Beek, Dawson’s Creek). Not only do Will and Bobby share an OBGYN practice, but also a home, as Will has been kicked out by his wife and wants nothing more than to go home. Until he can make that happen (or, more likely face reality), he is crashing with Bobby.

At least Will had a spouse, though. Kate (Zoe Lister Jones, Whitney) is the one in their group that is still single and hates it. This could be because she is superficial and super picky, willing to shoot a guy down for the smallest (pun intended, which you’ll understand after viewing the “Pilot”) reasons. So unless she can loosen up, she probably won’t find her Mister Right.

Making them all gag are Jules (Brooklyn Decker, The League) and her new hippy fiancé, Lowell (Rick Donald, The Doctor Blake Mysteries). These two have been together a scant few weeks, but are all over each other, and somehow decide they’re ready to commit to a lifetime. It’s way too fast, but given the nature of the series and that they’re both main characters, it will probably last at least through the all-but-certain cancellation this spring.

This is a fantastic group of actors. Lister Jones and Van Der Beek, in particular, should absolutely be doing comedy on television. I wouldn’t even mind seeing that pair as a couple, which is set up blatantly in the premiere, though the run might be too short to get to them, because they both have impeccable timing and presence. The rest are well-cast, too. FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES could overcome the familiar structure and be something worth watching if the group solidifies into a strong dynamic.

The problem that can’t be overcome, though, is the terrible writing. The “Pilot” goes for the obvious jokes, and even before the viewer can elicit a groan, the laugh track (I refuse to believe a studio audience finds the show this funny) overwhelms. It’s a string of hammy, dumb gags, constantly hammering audiences over the head, in case we can’t figure out what’s funny on our own.

The lack of good material will kill this show. Just in case the program itself wouldn’t flop big enough on its own, it premieres after the series finale of How I Met Your Mother, a long-running ensemble piece that will surely knock the ending out of the park. This stark contrast when viewed back to back will arrest any momentum FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES might have gotten out of a lesser lead-in.

There are worse shows on television; there are worse shows on CBS. But with the potential being squandered here, FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES is almost criminal in what it robs those involved of.

FRIENDS WITH BETTER LIVES airs tonight at 9 p.m. ET on CBS.

Whitney Has Her "Cake, Cake, Cake" and Eats It, Too

Article first published as Whitney Has Her "Cake, Cake, Cake" and Eats It, Too on TheTVKing.

NBC's Whitney surprised many when it got picked up for a sixteen episode second season last spring. Now, sitting on the bubble again, hopefully it will defy the odds once more and get a third year's order. It has worked on correcting the initial flaws hard enough to deserve it.

I really like Whitney. At the end of season one, I was of the opinion that only the stuff between Whitney (Whitney Cummings) and her boyfriend, Alex (Chris D'Elia), worked, while their friends should go. With a bit of retooling, though, I've ended up liking the other three that were kept from the first season. Newcomer RJ (Tone Bell) has yet to establish himself as a valuable member of the ensemble, but that can be worked on, or he could be replaced, too. The series has found its groove, with a good balance between the comedy and emotion, and I think it has the legs to run awhile longer, at least four or five seasons, anyway.

In the season finale, "Cake, Cake, Cake," Roxanne (Rhea Seehorn) gets jealous when Mark (Dan O'Brien), who has been pursuing her for awhile, begins dating another girl. Mark is frustrated with waiting, and assumes Roxanne isn't ever going to come around. But after seeing her reaction, he ditches the date and kisses Roxanne.

As Whitney and Alex move to "fixed" status, which I'll get to in a minute, Whitney still needs the messed up characters. Roxanne and Mark can serve that purpose nicely. The problem in season one is that Roxanne and Mark seemed too stable. Now that they have been shown to be amusingly and majorly flawed, too, they fit in the show. I look forward to the possibility of seeing them work on a relationship, and the foibles that will come with such a plot, should the series get renewed.

Lily (Zoe Lister Jones) doesn't have a lot to do in "Cake, Cake, Cake," but instead gets her story in the penultimate episode, "Alex, Meet Lily," which also aired this week. She used to appear to have things together, but as she acknowledges why her relationships don't work, and vows to work on herself, she also, like her co-stars, steps into a role that will be interesting moving forward.

Now that these three have solidified their places in the larger scheme, Whitney becomes a true ensemble.

At the same time, Whitney realizes that Alex has fixed her. Despite her screwed up childhood, a long-term bond with Alex has left her happy and relatively well-adjusted. Yes, it's fun to see Whitney freak out and show off her damage. But it's also great for her to finally see that these things are in her past, and while everyone has problems, hers aren't so bad right now. If the show ends here, at least Whitney has managed to come around and achieve her happy ending.

Lest you think they are now destined to become a boring couple, Alex starts to crack owing to his parents split. Just as Whitney is healed, Alex needs help himself. It's an intriguing swap, and it also not only opens the door for other developments in the future, but makes them feel like a fully formed, two-sided couple, which is a wonderful step forward for the show.

Should the series get a third season, and I definitely hope they do, there is another plot I'd like to see pursued besides those already mentioned, and that is the story of Whitney's therapist, Dr. Price (Chelsea Handler). This is a woman that eats a cake with her hands in the park in "Cake, Cake, Cake," reveals that she sees Whitney as her best friend, and is cool with being in Whitney's life after treatment has stopped. Dr. Price is extremely damaged, and while Handler probably doesn't have time for a full-time sitcom role, a recurring place for her would lend nicely to the already established direction.

Whitney is done for the year, and now awaits news on whether it will return to NBC or not. If the answer is not, might I suggest TBS as an alternative home? It has worked for Cougar Town.

Whitney's wedding less than perfect

NBC's Whitney brings its season (and, likely, the series) to an end with "Something Black, Something Blue." Whitney (Whitney Cummings) and Alex (Chris D'Elia) decide to go to City Hall to get married. But from an expired ID, to a broken finger, to being handed the paperwork for a divorce, things just keep going wrong. In the end, they decide that being together is enough, and they don't need a legally recognized union.

Perhaps due to a mediocre start, Whitney never took off with viewers. That's a shame, because it has become a pretty decent sitcom, and lots of shows take a few episodes to find their footing. Right from the beginning, there has been a special chemistry evident between Cummings and D'Elia, and the more the series has allowed that to flourish, the better it has gotten. As someone who watched every single episode, sticking with it from beginning to end, it is pretty darn enjoyable, overall, and it will be sad to see it go. If it goes. Which is likely. But there's still a (very small) chance...

As mentioned above, the heart of this sitcom is the relationship between Whitney and Alex. What they have isn't traditional, but in the modern age, it isn't completely unusual, either. The two have pledged to be together long-term, and they don't need marriage to do it. They are characters people can relate to, and laugh with, rather than at.

Funnily enough, they are not opposed to marriage. Whitney is, at first, because of her upbringing and issues. But by showcasing how much she trusts Alex in "Something Black, Something Blue," the series is able to demonstrate her lasting commitment, even without a ring. She is willing to get married if that's what he wants, but when it proves to be too much trouble, he doesn't want it anymore. This is fitting for the characters, if slightly disappointing for those wanting to see them take that plunge. Though, admittedly, the proposal should have been saved for a couple of seasons, and probably only happened because of the sense that the end was near.

The weaknesses of Whitney lie in the other characters. Had the show stuck to just the central couple, it may have proved more popular. Instead, likely to keep with an accepted formula, four other people are shoved into the stories. It's not that the actors are bad, but they don't quite fit the way that they are inserted.
Early on, none of them are interesting. By the middle of the season, each becomes better defined, and starts landing consistent laughs. By "Something Black, Something, Blue," though, they land somewhere in between the high and the low points.

The issue is that once the writers figure out what to do with the other four, and capture them wonderfully, there isn't a lot of wiggle room for situation comedy, based on who these people are. They are developed in a kind of narrow way. So forcing Neal (Maulik Pancholy) to suddenly be gay, and then to have Lily (Zoe Lister Jones) enjoy a kiss with Mark (Dan O'Brien), who is interested in Roxanne (Rhea Seehorn), seems desperate and gimmicky. It gets them out of the box that they are written into, but not in a way that feels natural. Had Neal and Lily taken their walk down the aisle, perhaps they would have been boring, but at least they would have stayed true to the characters presented.

That being said, season two could still be good. Perhaps Lily and Mark might work as a couple, if they are given a chance. Neal could become a fun gay character, once the awkwardness of his out-of-nowhere coming out wears off. Roxanne is actually fine the way she is now. And, of course, more tales of Whitney and Alex will always be welcome.

The only bright spot to a cancellation, and I do mean only, is if Pancholy returns to 30 Rock, where he has been missed.

Whitney airs (aired?) on NBC.
 
If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here to catch up with streaming episodes of Whitney. Article first published as TV Review: Whitney - "Something Black, Something Blue" on Blogcritics.

"Christmas is Cummings" for Whitney

     NBC's Whitney ends its fall run with "Christmas is Cummings." Whitney (Whitney Cummings) and Alex (Chris D'Elia) plan to start new Christmas traditions with their friends, and lie to their families to do so. However, Whitney's mom, Patti (Jane Kaczmarek, Raising the Bar, Malcolm in the Middle), and dad, Vince (Peter Gallagher, Covert Affairs, The O.C.) show up anyway, and Whitney must lie to get rid of them. Feeling bad, she goes to apologize, only to find them sleeping together. This is unexpected, since they hate each other, and aren't a couple.

     Kaczmarek is a delight in her second appearance as Patti, and Gallagher really shows viewers something far different from his current USA role. The two are totally believable as Whitney's parents, and their craziness goes a long way towards explaining why Whitney is a little messed up in the head. One can only hope the two will return over and over again to give more insight on the title character of Whitney.

     In the truth-must-be-told tradition Whitney tries to begin, a very startling secret comes out. Alex admits, in front of Whitney's parents and all of their friends, that he almost dumped Whitney after meeting her parents. It's a shocking bombshell, and one not dealt with enough in the episode. Alex assures Whitney that she is a great person, and he is glad he didn't break up with her. Still, despite Whitney's wonderful expression after the confession, she doesn't talk about it with him later. Perhaps they don't need to talk, as Whitney and Alex already have a perfect chemistry. This is demonstrated in "Christmas is Cummings" when they join hands at the end. But Whitney doesn't seem the type to let something like this go, and there are so many juicy possibilities that could spring from the loaded statement, that it's a shame they aren't delved into.

     As Whitney and Alex try to lie to the folks, Roxanne (Rhea Seehorn) points out that they all dislike their families, or else they wouldn't be gathering with their friends instead. This is a television conceit that has been around for a very long time, but one wonders where it comes from. Sure, it is convenient to not have main character all return to their homes at Christmas, thus negating the need to have lots of different sets and guest stars. But is it realistic? Certainly not where I'm from. People want to be with their families, and often enjoy them. This is a bad stereotype being given, and it's lazy writing.

     At least the supporting characters on Whitney are becoming more developed, though sadly this is barely touched on this week. Roxanne is interesting when she stays sober and pines for her marriage in "Christmas is Cummings." Neal's (Maulik Pancholy) lack of Christmas traditions should become fodder for next year's seasonal special. Mark (Daniel G. O'Brien) has little to do this week, but is seemingly a good friend who has a fine relationship with Alex. Lily (Zoe Lister-Jones) is probably the least layered, but given more time, perhaps she can grow into a person.

    In January, Whitney will move to Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

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    Click here to catch up with streaming episodes of Whitney.

Whitney has some whit

     NBC's newest addition to the Thursday night sitcom line up is Whitney. In the "Pilot," Whitney Cummings (Whitney Cummings, Chelsea Lately) attends yet another wedding with her boyfriend of three years, Alex (Chris D'Elia, Glory Daze). There, the conversation convinces Whitney that they are not having enough sex. Determined to correct that so she doesn't lose Alex, though she doesn't like the idea of marriage, Whitney buys a sexy nurse costume. But sex night is ruined when Alex falls and hits his head, requiring real medical attention.

     Whitney is better than the commercials make it out to be. For one thing, Whitney has some pretty funny laugh lines. For another, Cummings and D'Elia have great chemistry as a loving, modern couple. The series does better than most at capturing a realistic dating life in this day and age. True to Whitney's nature, Whitney doesn't glamorize and exaggerate sex. Also like Whitney's comedy, this can be mined for laughs.

     If one wonders how Whitney got the way she is, her character's mother (Jane Kaczmarek, Raising the Bar, Malcolm in the Middle) shows up at the hospital, complaining about what a terrible father Whitney has. With someone as self-absorbed as her mom, one wonders how Whitney turned out half as good as she did, and it is surprising the girl even still believes in love. It also adequately explains the anti-marriage attitude. In an era with so many divorces, the next generation isn't so willing to commit.

     The cast is rounded out by four other performers, who play Whitney and Alex's friends. Maulik Pancholy should be recognizable enough for his roles on 30 Rock, Weeds, and Web Therapy. Rhea Seehorn has had parts on Franklin & Bash and Head Cases, and Zoe Lister Jones is in Delocated. Dan O'Brien merely has a few small credits to his name. They'll all fine, though, at least in the "Pilot," generic and interchangeable, especially the guys. This show is about Whitney and Alex, and anyone else is just extraneous.

     Whitney would benefit from dropping the laughing. No, it's not a track. Whitney is filmed before a live audience. But the noise is distracting, and often comes after jokes that just aren't all that funny. The series isn't bad, but would soar a little better without the chuckling dragging it down.

     Only time will tell whether Whitney deserves to be in a great comedy line up, but the first episode shows promise, if not a lot of originality. Watch Whitney Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

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