Spud's Favorite Posts

Saturday, January 8, 2011

New Shows Midseason Wrap-up: The Funny (Outsourced, Better With You, Running Wilde)

Am a Fan of ...


Outsourced


Young ignorant manager goes to India to manage a call center (my first thought was "fail").  Surprise, surprise, I totally love it! Sure, Todd, the fish-out-of-water call center manager from Kansas (just like Dorothy ... coincidence? maybe) constantly makes me question how he got through college this day and age without knowing the existence of google (did this man do NO research before trekking halfway around the world!? Clearly so). Yes, there are some exaggerated stereotypes (having been to India, I can say with certainty that meat is not at all that hard to find). Still, almost all the characters are quite fleshed out with endearing characteristics and are hilarious in their own way that I find myself willing to suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride. It’s one of those shows that’s so random it’s addictive. The writing has also gotten better as the show progressed, incorporating some truly clever jokes and brilliant comic situations of late. Looking forward to this show’s return … and the brewing and ultimately inevitable Todd/Asha "office" romance (hoping for a slow-burn).
Better With You 


A fairly standard comedy about family and relationships. Centers on 3 couples: Mia and her somewhat-of-a-manchild fiancé (after a brief romance resulting in accidental(?) pregnancy), her control-freak sister Maddie and her sometimes-doormat long-term boyfriend (not married as a “life choice”), and their parents (enter upper east side old married couple). Clichés aside, it does provide a few laughs (again, what's 30mins? 20 on DRV), and I’m a fan of Joanna Garcia (look out for a “Reba” reunion when Reba McEntire guest stars).


Could Not Get Into ...

Running Wilde
As I had said, the premise is too wobbly - a tree hugger and an oil tycoon neither of whom is willing to give in on the issues that divide them - pretty fundamental differences to reconcile.  I gave it a chance for Will Arnett aka GOB and Keri Russell but gave up after a couple of episodes. Even the little girl annoyed me and seemed like a spoiled brat in the first ep (though that could be b/c she was being used as a plot device there; could have improved in later eps). Sadly, not even the reunion of GOB and Tobias could make this fly for me [but here is my shameless plug for Arrested Development for those who STILL have not seen it!].  Thankfully, I think this show has now been cancelled, freeing up its talents to be applied elsewhere. 
Mike and Molly
Loved Melissa McCarthy (Molly) on Gilmore Girls and Samantha Who, but not really feeling this one. It’s getting great ratings though, so it certainly doesn’t need any pimping from me.

The Hopeful (no pun intended)

Raising Hope
I’ve only seen a bit of one episode of this show (the one where the baby is locked in a room), but it was pretty hilarious.  I hear good things.  Might start following …

No comments: