IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS: Dying Is Easy...Comedy Is Hard

With the new Fall Season looming, I of course have various thoughts on the new crop of shows the major networks are offering the public.  Some of the Dramas look interesting (Elementary, Last Resort, Nashville), some of them look ho-hum (The Mob Doctor, half of The CW's new shows), others are more in the middle (Revolution, Vegas, Chicago Fire) and others look downright awful (666 Park Avenue, Made In Jersey, the other half of the The CW's new shows).

But the real issue I'm having trouble with this Fall is the new batch of Sitcoms four of the major networks are giving us.  Let's face it: the Sitcom is dying.  While shows like Modern Family, Parks and Recreation and The Big Bang Theory are trying their hardest to save the art form from its life support status, cable shows and network "dramedies" are definitely changing the face of TV Comedy.  Which is why it saddens me that with 9 new Sitcoms premiering on Broadcast TV this Fall, only about a third of them look like they have the potential to be the next 30 Rock (which is sadly saying "Goodbye" to us after this year!).  And believe me when I just say "have the potential."  Based on what I've seen, even the ones that can be called "Good" have a long way to go before they reach the status Tina Fey's gem has.  So today, I want to take you through the 9 new Sitcoms and give you my first impressions of them based on their trailers, network promotions and (in some cases) their first episodes (5 of the new Comedies have their pilots available on Hulu.com and I will let you know which ones!).

Let's start with CBS!
Partners
Premieres: September 24
Regular Time Slot: Mondays at 8:30 PM
Premise: Two friends/business partners, one straight and the other gay, are closer with each other than with their significant others (in other words, a bro-mance!).
Impressions: If this seems like familiar territory for a Sitcom, it certainly is for its creators: Dave Kohan and Max Mutchnick, the minds behind Will & Grace (who have had a close friendship ever since they wrote for Seinfeld and Friends).  The cast seems likable: Numb3rs' David Krumholtz and Ugly Betty's Michael Urie play the best buds; while One Tree Hill's Sophia Bush and Superman Returns star Brandon Routh play their respective significant others.  And it seems like it will fit in with CBS' other hits like The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother and last year's break-out 2 Broke Girls.  Yet there is something about this show that just seems like "Been there, done that."  It is basically Will & Grace, where "Grace" has been changed to "Greg."  It could pass for decent, however it could really tank.  It's on a delicate precipice.
Grade: B-/C+

That's it for CBS' new Sitcom (yes they only have one new Sitcom!). Let's move on to ABC!
The Neighbors
Premieres: September 26
Regular Time Slot: Wednesdays at 8:30 PM
Premise: A typical suburban family is thrown for a loop when they realize their seemingly nice new neighbors are space aliens.
Impressions: This just looks horrible.  It looks like a bad version of a bad 1980s Sitcom (like a bad version of ALF, which is odd because I always thought ALF was the bad version of ALF!).  It even stars Square Pegs' Jami Gertz!  Maybe this IS a bad 1980s Sitcom!  Wait a minute...has Disney finally perfected Time Travel?!?!  It certainly seems that way!
Grade: D

Malibu Country
Premieres: November 2
Regular Time Slot: Fridays at 8:30 PM
Premise: Country superstar Reba McEntire plays a country singer who, after a divorce, moves her family from Nashville to Southern California (and the SPOILER is her character's name: Reba!).
Impressions: As much as I like Reba McEntire and her forays into "acting" (her turn on Broadway as Annie Oakley earned her well-deserved raves!), she never seems to be able to play any character that isn't a variation of herself.  And while I found her previous Sitcom quite charming (it's becoming more and more popular in Cable syndication!), this one should just be titled Reba in L.A. or Reba Takes On Hollywood or some variation that involves Reba and the Greater Los Angeles area.  We'll have to wait until November to see if this show can survive.  On a side note: It is always great to see the brilliant Lily Tomlin.  And Sara Rue and Jai Rodriguez are each charming enough to get some laughs and attention.  I will say Reba has an eye for getting good co-stars (more on that later!).
Grade: C

From the House of Mouse to the House that Rupert built, next up is FOX!
Ben and Kate
Premieres: September 25
Regular Time Slot: Tuesdays at 8:30 PM
Premise: The title characters are brother and sister.  They have a bond that no one (including their quirky behavior) can break.
Impressions: Initially, when I saw the trailers back in May, this was the show I wanted to root for and wanted to like.  It's trailer isn't overwhelmingly impressive, but its premise is the most intriguing.  I have yet to watch the full pilot, but I have seen plenty of clips.  And overall, it seems like the show will ultimately be Kate (the extremely likable Dakota Johnson) meeting wrong guy after wrong guy week after week; while her clownish, irresponsible brother Ben (a somewhat hilarious Nate Faxon) ineptly tries to care for her wise-beyond-her-years young daughter (We Bought a Zoo's adorable Maggie Elizabeth Jones).  I have hopes, but they could easily be dashed.  Airing between FOX hits Raising Hope and New Girl certainly couldn't hurt!
Grade: B-

The Mindy Project
Premieres: September 25
Regular Time Slot: Tuesdays at 9:30 PM
Premise: The Office supporting player Mindy Kaling steps into the spotlight as a top doctor whose love life needs the kind of work she puts into her career.
Impressions: Of all the new Sitcoms, this is the ones the critics say to watch.  I have seen half of the pilot and she certainly is a star.  Yet I am getting this strange "Déjà vu" feeling.  It feels like when they offered her this Sitcom, they told her they wanted to see her as a Meg Ryan-ish Ally McBeal type.  And that genre has never really thrilled me (though I initially adored Ally McBeal back in its first few years and When Harry Met Sally... is still rightfully lauded as a hallmark of the genre!).  If this Sitcom is to be a hit, it will have to be on the shoulders of its Grade A star (who honestly was one of the best parts of The Office over the last few years!).  And it is possible, FOX was able to do it last year with New Girl and its Emmy-nominated star Zooey Deschanel!  Maybe some of that magic can rub off on Mindy (let's hope!).
Grade: B

Both shows' pilots are available for viewing on Hulu.com.
And lastly, the network with the most new Sitcoms this Fall: NBC!
Go On
Premieres: September 11
Regular Time Slot: Tuesdays at 9 PM
Premise: Matthew Perry stars a sports radio show host who, after the loss of his wife, must attend several hours of group therapy.
Impressions: After watching the pilot in August (NBC gave a sneak peek during the Olympics!), I can safely say that this new show has the most impressive cast of the Fall season.  In addition to Perry (who hasn't had a TV hit since a little show called Friends!), the therapy group features Tony-winners Laura Benanti and Julie White, Everybody Hates Chris' Tyler James Williams (who is growing into a really good actor!) and always delightful character actors Suzy Nakamura and Bill Cobbs.  Harold and Kumar's John Cho has a small supporting role as Perry's sarcastic and bottom-line boss.  This show has the most potential of all the Sitcoms this Fall, which means it will probably get cancelled before it can really develop.
Grade: B+

The New Normal
Premieres: September 11
Regular Time Slot: Tuesdays at 9:30 PM
Premise: From Glee creator Ryan Murphy, a gay couple enlists the help of a single mother to expand their family.
Impressions: Ryan Murphy has proven he is good at launching an interesting series (Nip/Tuck, American Horror Story and, of course, Glee).  It's just that once you get passed the usual excellent first episodes, the bloom comes off the rose faster than you can say let's do a Led Zeppelin and Barbra Streisand Mash-Up!  The cast (which includes National Treasure's hilarious Justin Bartha, The Book of Mormon star Andrew Rannells and the amazing Ellen Barkin) is certainly not something to overlook.  And the characters seem like typical Murphy-like characters (Barkin is like a richer, snobbier version of Sue Sylvester, if that exists!).  However, Murphy likes to get message-y.  Glee has become a referendum on teen bullying and expressing who you are (and why it makes you special!).  This show seems to be along the lines of what defines a family and all children need is love to grow into the best they can be.  We've heard all this before, yet in an Election year where both parties are putting "family values" on the table, it seems like we all need to hear it more often.
Grade: B-

Guys With Kids
Premieres: September 12
Regular Time Slot: Wednesdays at 8:30 PM
Premise: The title pretty much says it all.  It's about fathers and their daily life as dads.
Impressions: This Jimmy Fallon-produced show has a few things going in its favor.  It's a Family Sitcom in a day and age where not many of those exist.  It features the very likable Anthony Anderson alongside blast-from-the-past Tempest Bledsoe (Vanessa from The Cosby Show) as his loving and patient wife.  However, in 2012, playing with the "Guy taking the Mommy role" stereotype just comes off as un-appealing.  If this were back in the 1980s, on the heels of the Feminist movement, it might have had a fighting chance.  But here we are in the 21st Century and: Yes, men can be responsible Fathers without looking like complete and utter morons.  But what can I expect from the same company that idolizes Jimmy Fallon?
Grade: C-

Animal Practice
Premieres: September 26
Regular Time Slot: Wednesdays at 8 PM
Premise: Weeds' Justin Kirk stars as a House-like veterinarian who loves animals but just can't stand people (maybe PETA can sponsor the show!).
Impressions: What can you say about a show where a theatrically trained, Emmy-nominated actor gets to recite one-liners to a character named Dr. Monkey?!?!  Not even the very charming Joanna Garcia-Swisher (who co-starred on Reba as McEntire's cheerleader daughter!) can save this train wreck.  But as I like both Kirk and Garcia-Swisher (and the sneak peek had great ratings the night of the Olympics Closing Ceremonies!), this show might have a chance of making it through a full season before it gets chopped next May.
Grade: D+

Both Go On and Animal Practice aired their pilots during the Summer Olympics, so they are available on Hulu.com.  NBC has also made The New Normal pilot available on Hulu.

There you have it.  The new Sitcoms that the major networks hope will help save the dying genre.  I don't know what that says about Audience taste or Network standards, but it definitely feels like there is some apathy in the air.  I guess that old saying is true: Dying is easy, its Comedy that is hard!

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS: November Movies - First Impressions

Lord how time flies!!!!  The Fall Movie season will soon be coming to an end and Christmas will suddenly be upon us.  After some extremely well-received movies in August and September (The Help, Moneyball and Contagion) and a lackluster October filled with sequels (Paranormal Activity 3), prequels (Puss In Boots), ho-hum star-driven vehicles (In Time and The Rum Diary) and snoozy remakes (Footloose, The Thing and The Three Musketeers); I thought we should take a look at some of the films coming out over the next month as we head into the Holiday seasons and the beginning of the Awards track (Golden Globe nods come out in mid-December!).

So, let's look at some of the trailers of the major studio films (and some of the Award-hopefuls) being released during November and talk about the first impressions based on the trailer (and whatever buzz may be surrounding the movie in question!).  Then, I'll give the verdict on whether I would personally take the time to see the movie.

RELEASE DATE: Friday, November 4, 2011

A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas

Starring: Kal Penn, John Cho, Neil Patrick Harris

First Impressions: The Harold & Kumar franchise has done quite well especially in its key demographic (audience ages 18-35).  Both stars Kal Penn and John Cho have been able to transition within their own careers thanks to the H&K brand, so why wouldn't a third film be in the cards.  However, comedy franchises tend not to do as well as their predecessors (as we learned with the highly-anticipated Hangover II earlier this year!).  Studios tend to expect more out of them than they end up getting.  And when they don't meet those expectations, they are counted as failures.  It's quite possible that the duo's trip to WhiteCastle should have been their one and only.

Would I See It?: Possibly (on TV or DVD though)

Tower Heist

Starring: Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Casey Affleck

First Impressions: Alan Alda as a Bernie Madoff-type living in what is obviously Trump Towers!  It's the kind of biting satire that worked back in the 1980s, but today its a little along the too esoteric lines.  Though the rest of the cast is likable in what seems to be their typical roles now (Ben Stiller as fumbling lead, Casey Affleck as sarcastic assistance, Matthew Broderick as nebbish friend, etc.), the only standout even within the trailer is obviously Eddie Murphy.  He seems to be in exactly the type of role that made us love him at the beginning of his career (i.e. Trading Places, 48 Hrs., etc.).  The problem is that right-off you can tell that Murphy in all his comic glory is probably only in about 20-25% of the movie.  Meaning the rest of the film would be kind of a snore when Murphy is not on the screen.
Would I See It?: Possibly (on TV or DVD though)

The Son of No One
Starring: Channing Tatum, Al Pacino, Juliette Binoche

First Impressions: I have not heard of this movie at all!  No buzz, no news, no early reviews, no nothing!  And yet there are actual people in this movie!  Like name people, A-Listers!  Is it because Channing Tatum is the first name on the list that I automatically ignored anything about this film?  It looks like it might actually be interesting and provocative with some pretty good performances (except for maybe Katie Holmes, although she could surprise us!).  Why have I heard nothing about this film?

Would I See It?: Maybe

RELEASE DATE: Friday, November 11, 2011

Immortals

Starring: Henry Cavill, John Hurt, Mickey Rourke

First Impressions: Trying to capture what was captured a few years ago with 300, but probably being more like the horrendous remake of Clash of the Titans last year.

Would I See It?: Never

Jack & Jill
Starring: Adam Sandler, Katie Holmes, Al Pacino

First Impression: Adam Sandler dances on that line of clever parody (The Wedding Singer) to touching lead (Punch-Drunk Love) to trying to be serious (Spanglish) to just plain stupid (Grown Ups).  Unfortunately, this is way passed the latter of those options.
Would I See It?: Never

J. Edgar

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Naomi Watts, Dame Judi Dench

First Impression: This movie has the most going for it as far as I'm concerned.  Its directed by an accomplished and acclaimed director (Clint Eastwood!).  Its screenplay is by the smart and edgy Oscar-winning writer behind Milk (Dustin Lance Black).  And it stars Leonardo DiCaprio in what quite possibly could be his Oscar-winning performance (if the early critics are to be believed!).  It has the stylish qualities that went into last year's Oscar-winner The King's Speech and the political intrigue (and topical metaphors) that went into the previous Oscar-winner The Hurt Locker.

Would I See It?: Most Likely

RELEASE DATE: Friday, November 18, 2011

The Twilight Saga - Breaking Dawn Part I

Starring: Robert Pattison, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner

First Impressions: Just when you think you're rid of these brooding "teenagers" who never seem to smile, they come back doing the exact thing the Harry Potter series did earlier by splitting its "final chapter" into two movies (because Stefanie Meyer can do anything J. K. Rowling can do! NYAH!).  So that just means they'll be boring boyfriends and putting husbands to sleep in two movies instead of one!

Would I See It?: Not even if you held a gun to my head! I would choose death! (Too much with the sarcasm?) 

Happy Feet Two
Starring: Elijah Wood, Pink, Robin Williams

First Impressions: I really liked the first one.  It was touching, funny and surprisingly well-crafted.  But I'm not sure all of that positive reaction the first one got (including an Oscar for Best Animated Film beating Cars!) warrants a sequel.  It seems like it could be cute and funny and maybe even touching.  But it also seems like its over-reaching and re-hashing some of the same jokes and plotlines that fueled the first one.

Would I See It?: On the Fence

The Descendants
Starring: George Clooney, Judy Greer, Matthew Lillard

First Impressions: Another potential Awards grabber and George Clooney already had one earlier this fall with The Ides of March.  It may be hard to decipher which George Clooney Oscar-bait movie audiences need to see.

Would I See It?: On the Fence

RELEASE DATE: Friday, November 25, 2011

Hugo

Starring: Asa Butterfield, Sasha Baron Cohen, Christopher Lee

First Impressions: At first look, its family-friendly and filled with a typical mix of fantasy and comic relief (Thank You Borat!).  It seems to have charm and kids and period costumes and....wait a minute...did that say "Directed by Martin Scorcese?!?!"  Martin "Mean Streets-Taxi Driver-Raging Bull-GoodFellas-Gangs of New York-The Departed" Scorcese?!?!  I know he's taking risks now and doing things he wouldn't have done 20 years ago (hence his Emmy-winning work on the HBO drama Boardwalk Empire!), but how opposite from his canon does he have to go in order to prove he's a risk-taker?  Wait, Does he need to prove he's a risk-taker?!?!  Maybe he figures: He has an Oscar and an Emmy, now he needs the children to like him!

Would I See It?: Likely (but probably on TV or DVD)

The Muppets

Starring: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper

First Impressions: It has Muppets! It's their first theatrical venture since the somewhat average Muppets From Space over a decade ago.  It has celebrity cameos, self-referential humor...oh, and did I mention: IT HAS MUPPETS!!!!

Would I See It?: Try and stop me!!!

Arthur Christmas

Starring: James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy

First Impressions: Sure, there of course is bound to be a Christmas-themed animated movie this year (we've had The Polar Express and Jim Carrey in A Christmas Carol).  This movie seems like it might be charming and sweet with a anything-can-happen and anyone-can-do-anything message.  But on the other hand, everything that makes it so cute and special also could make it so gratingly irritating.  Since PIXAR revolutionized Disney, every studio has to get into the game and do it in some way (see Happy Feet Two above!).  But I just don't know if I can take much more of this.
Would I See It?: Possibly (on TV or DVD though)

A Dangerous Method

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley

First Impressions: The last Viggo Mortensen-David Cronenberg venture (Eastern Promises) resulted in an Oscar nomination for the former Lord of the Rings star.  Plus, Michael Fassbender (who first charmed audiences a few years ago in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds!) is quickly becoming one of the most welcome additions to any movie this year (a well-received version of Jane Eyre and the surprisingly well-done X-Men prequel).  And its been a while since Keira Knightley steamed up the screen in a racy role that could result in some awards attention.  And its about Freud and Jung and their tenuous (re: stressful) work relationship.  The two are the greatest influences on the psycho-analytical world and a dramatic depiction of their (possible) "friendship" would be quite interesting.

Would I See It?: Quite Possibly

My Week With Marilyn

Starring: Michelle Williams, Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh

First Impressions: A movie about Marilyn Monroe while she was making the somewhat charming 1957 film The Prince and the Showgirl with Sir Laurence Olivier...interesting.  Michelle Williams looks gorgeous as the iconic blonde.  Branagh is the perfect choice to play Lord Larry.  And Tony-winner Eddie Redmayne seems to be in a star-making performance as the man who was Monroe's confidante and friend for that titular "week."  It is definitely an Awards-grabber (especially with Williams' rising Oscar profile receiving nods for Brokeback Mountain and Blue Valentine).
Would I See It?: Maybe

The Artist

Starring: Jean Dujardin, Berenice Bejo, John Goodman

First Impressions: It has already won fans at both the Cannes Film Festival and the Toronto Film Festival.  It is become so beloved by the early critics that this will certainly not be the last time we will hear this film's name over the next Awards season.

Would I See It?: Maybe