Spy (On Me Please) *Hulu Plus Exclusive Series

Have you ever felt bored with your career? Thought "I need a change", so you quit your job to be a civil servant? Yeah, me neither. I'm mean, really....who does that? Tim Elliot, that's who. When this middle aged, divorced, single father, working in a London electronic store realizes his life is going nowhere, he up and quits to take the civil service exam. When Tim fails to find the right room, he ends up taking the MI-5 exam by mistake (it's kinda like British Homeland Security). AND HE PASSES!

Tim's biggest motivation in quitting his dead end job is to make his son Marcus proud of him. Now he's in training for arguably the coolest job ever, but he can't tell anyone. Maybe a hint that he won't make the best spy, Tim blabs to his best mate Chris pretty much immediately. Chris is an angry, know-it-all, jerk, but he's nothing compared to Marcus who even Chris describes as a "dick". Marcus is ten years old. He is the most pedantic, erudite and didactic person you've ever met. AND HE'S TEN! He wears a suit and carries a brief case. Definitely evil genius potential. Actually I'd be surprised if he didn't go down that path. Marcus puts down Tim every chance he gets. Why Tim is fighting for custody of such a snobby brat is a mystery to everyone that's ever met the Elliot family. But he fights. He tries every day to impress Marcus, who has impossibly high standards for a king let alone a smart-mouthed pre-pubescent.

On the other side of this family feud is Judith, your classic angry ex-wife. She's dating Phillip, Marcus' headmaster. In series one (of two), Phillip is played by the side-splitting Tom Goodman-Hill. Phillip is.....unusual. Most of the time, it seems as though he'd rather be in a relationship with Tim instead of Judith. Always looking for Tim's approval and affection. But he's got competition. Paula, the therapist assigned to evaluate the family situation and recommend who should have custody, is bat-shit crazy and obsessed with Tim. But wait! There's one more person who vies for this newly anointed spy's affections. His MI-5 trainer/boss known only as The Examiner. Dramatic, I know. The Examiner drinks too much, is very careless with firearms & intel, oh and he's a DUDE! Robert Lindsay is absolutely hilarious as Tim's boss and head of MI-5. I have no idea how he ever gets through a scene with a straight face. I really hope there is a blooper reel somewhere.

What is it about this tall, blond, blundering man that has men and women alike all in a tizzy? It must be his plaid shirts and baggy sport coats. Agent Elliot definitely has the worst fashion sense of any spy....ever. He looks more like an adjunct professor at a community college than James Bond. Maybe if he classed it up a little bit, his co-worker Caitlin that he's crushing on would take a little more notice. And it's not like they don't spend enough time together. For being spies, they spend an inordinate amount of time in the office. We really don't see them doing all that much spying. It's mostly about Tim trying to get his son to like him and he just happens to be training as a spy. Ya' know, like you do.

No matter the combination of characters in a scene, you are sure to laugh. With the exception of Tim and Caitlin, pretty much everyone else is absolutely mental. With that many over-the-top personalities, you definitely get some side splitting moments.

So if you're looking for some classic British humour and an attractive leading man (despite the horrible fashion sense), "Spy' might just be right up your alley.

Watch the first two seasons of Spy exclusively on Hulu

P.S. I've now said the word spy so many times that it doesn't sound like a word anymore. Spy...Spy....Spy....Spy...Spy....Spy...see?

Pramface Couldn't be More Likeable if it Tried *Hulu Exclusive Series*

Meet Jamie, an adorable, fresh faced boy from a nice working class family. Like any sixteen year old boy, Jamie's biggest goal in life is to lose his virginity. Enter Laura, an eighteen year old middle class girl who tries to forget how much she hates her dysfunctional parents by getting drunk at a party. Laura's college plans could be put on hold when that one cherry popping/statutory rape-y night turns into a cross-class unplanned pregnancy. 

Despite Laura's snobbish attitude and utter disgust at having slept with a man-child, Jamie won't give up on being there for her, whatever she decides. He's possibly the most mature sixteen year old boy ever to walk the earth. Spoiler alert! She keeps the baby. It's kinda the premise of the show.

So on one side of the ring, you've got darling Jamie and his hard working, salt of the earth parents who raised him right (ya know, except for the knocking up a teenage girl thing). On the other.....Laura and her well-off, unhappily married mother and father who can barely stand to be in the same room together. When the battle for this baby begins, there will be blows.

Each installment of the six episode first season catches up with Laura, Jamie and family at a different point in the pregnancy. The Brits go with the less is more approach, but with a show this charming, endearing and funny-cause-it-happens, I'd love to see a much longer season. Not only do you have the moments of inadequacy for these soon to be parents and the awkwardness of their undefined relationship, but between their families and friends you've got a whole slew of crazy characters.

If you're looking for an uproarious comedy that is also delightful, hopeful and relatable, check out all six episodes of "Pramface" Season 1 on Hulu Plus/pramface

Season 2 just aired on BBC 3 earlier this year, so hopefully we'll see it on Hulu Plus soon.

Give the PROMO a gander, I promise you'll like it.

*Watch the Guided Tour to see all that Hulu Plus has to offer besides this awesome show. Subscriptions are only $7.99/month and you get free week to try it out. I'll keep blogging about my favorite exclusive content that you can't see anywhere else. Hulu is NOT paying me for this, but if you'd like them to, go ahead and send an email ; ) I'm not opposed. 

Amazon Streams 14 Original Pilots - Which Would You Pick Up?

 Amazon's streaming service is now in the original programming game. In a bold move, they've posted all 14 of their pilots on Amazon Instant Video for free. After you watch, you can choose to take a survey about the shows you've viewed. Which pilots are picked up to series will be partially based on feedback provided by freaks like me and those of you that I can convince to do this too.

I'm not sure if this is a brilliant strategy or a horribly bad idea. It's kinda cool that I could be responsible (however infinitesimally so) for choosing a pilot that's made into a series. On the other hand, it's just giving people what they want. No surprises. Who knows what coming episodes of the pilots that don't make the cut would have brought. Executives are given the full pitch with season long arcs and major plot points. We're just rating one episode. I'm very curious about the weight that will be given to audience feedback.

Anyway, this is an interesting experiment that I encourage all you TV lovers to try out. To give you an idea of what you're in for, here are some thoughts on the 8 adult comedy pilots. Sorry I don't have the patience to sit through 6 children's shows, nor any reason to.

"Alpha House" - Four senators share a house in Washington D.C. Yep, that pretty much covers it. John Goodman's in it. Need I say more? This one is a slam dunk. Amazon would be stupid not to pick this up to series.

"Betas" - Four dudes living in Silicon Valley try to get rich by making a social networking app, because there just aren't enough of those. But this one is revolutionary, they swear. I like it. You've got your antisocial developer guy, the shy dorky kid, the old weird guy and the ace who leads this gang of misfits. Plus Ed Begley Jr. is in it and Moby guest stars. Awesome.

"Browsers" - Four fresh faced college graduates intern at a news website....and they sing. It's a musical. Really? We're still on this musical kick? I wasn't crazy about it, but if you like this sort of thing, give it a try. Bebe Neuwirth is the boss and she repeatedly sings the lyrics "I'm someone with whom not to f*ck". That right there was my favorite part of the show, but also the only part.

"Dark Minions" - A divorced guy and a pot head work on a galactic warship. Yes, you read that right. If it gets picked up to series it will be stop motion, since they didn't have a real budget, the pilot is mostly bad animation with a few shots of stop motion. Although there was some funny dialogue, the story wasn't that great. I'm not a huge fan of adult animated series. I find it hard to get into them.

"Onion News Empire" - Imagine Aaron Sorkin's "The Newsroom" and The Onion had a baby. This would be that baby. Journalists, producers and anchors all putting it on the line for the story. William Sadler is fantastically funny as the serious head producer. Just in case Netflix's resurrection of "Arrested Development" doesn't give you enough Jeffrey Tambor, try this out for size.

"Supanatural" - Not to be confused with one of my favorite shows "SUPERnatural". Amazon says this is about "two outspoken divas who are humanity's last line of defense against the supernatural". I wouldn't know. I turned it off after one minute and seventeen seconds. It was that bad. Please, don't bother watching this one. If you do, don't bother telling me about it. I don't care.

"Those Who Can't" - Teachers that are as immature as their high school students. Just in case you hadn't guessed already, they're all dudes. I liked this one. It's got potential. Unfortunately, it's one of those shows that will need a few eps before it'll hit it's stride. Hopefully, Amazon will give it a go. Think FX's "The League". They need a Jenny.

"Zombieland" - Based on the movie, this show follows four survivors of the zombie apocalypse. This is not "The Walking Dead" zombie apocalypse. This one still has electricity and running water and very bad dialogue. I don't really remember the movie very well, but I think it had to have been better than this. One thing it does have going for it is the young actress playing Little Rock. She's great.

All in all, I was pretty impressed. Not only did Amazon greenlight 14 pilots at once, but they aren't pulling punches. This isn't network censored television. The rules don't apply. It sort of surprised me that every one of these pilots took advantage of bad language and some of them partial nudity. Nice to know they aren't afraid.

You need an Amazon account to watch. If you've been living under a rock and have never ordered anything from them, it'll only take a few mins to sign up.

Check out the pilots HERE and when you're done, take the survey and be heard!

"Fresh Meat" is a Must See *Hulu Plus Exclusive Series*

Remember freshman year of college? Did you ever feel like you were fresh meat for the grinder? I'm pretty sure it's a universal feeling. So did Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, creators of "Fresh Meat". When the much favored dormitory halls are full, the overflow are stuck in off campus accommodations, which is sometimes a run down old house with weirdos living in it. Such is the case for these six, bright eyed young uni students in Manchester, England (over there, they call college uni. Learn the lingo people). Not to worry, despite all the quirks, awkwardness and bed hopping, this group of scholars bond and become the best of friends.....sort of.

Meet the fresh meat.

Jack Whitehall is Jonathan "JP" Pembersley, the poshest man in the house. When he's not knee deep in his geology studies, JP enjoys attempting to seduce the ladies with his poshness, talking about how much money he has, and basically being the most arrogant a$$hole in the room. I guess that's what happens when you've got Daddy's money and no direction in life. Every now and then, JP shows his heart of gold. Of course, it's usually when there's something in it for him. That being said, he sort of grows on you.

Kimberley Nixon is pretty and proper dental student, Josie Jones. She may look like a good girl, study for her exams and say all the right things to the parents, but this chic knows how to party. She arrives at uni on a mission to be adventurous, but ties back in Wales leave her conflicted in season one. Especially considering she sleeps with more than one housemate....but you'll have to figure out which ; ) I sort of want her to be my best friend.

Joe Thomas (who you might recognize as Simon from "The Inbetweeners" if you ever watch the Brit comedies I tell you to) is Kingsley Owen aka Kings aka K-Man aka The Pussy Man. If he's not out growing his soul patch, he might be found in his room writing and playing music (if you can call it that). When Kingsley arrives at uni, he wants to impress girls so much that he even changes majors from geology to drama. Could that end any other way, but horribly embarrassing? I heart Simon....I mean Kingsley.

JP isn't the only Posh in the house. Charlotte Ritchie plays our favorite hipster wannabe Melissa "Oregon" Shawcross. When she isn't dying her hair weird colors, shopping for old hippy clothes or trying to fit in with her common housemates, this literary student lowers her self esteem by sleeping with her professor. It's really his wife that she has a crush on (but only in an intellectual way of course. but she's cool with girl on girl. you know whatever. she's cool. )

Greg McHugh plays the most unusual of housemates, Howard MacCallum. Geology is his life. No seriously. Dude doesn't leave the house unless it's to go  to class or work at the abbattoir (fancy word for slaughterhouse in case you didn't know. It's ok, I didn't know). He's socially inept and incapable of lying, especially to spare someone's feelings. He may freak you out, but you always know where you stand with Howard. Good ol' creep-o Howard.

If there is one person you don't want to mess with at Manchester Medlock University, it's Violet "Vod" Nordstrom. This girl will F you up. Vod is an English major, at least that's what her transcript says. Her extracurricular activities include shagging in the pub toilet, crashing fancy parties and getting so high that she forgets her own name. When you're looking for someone to support you as you're about to do something incredibly stupid, Vod's your girl.

Liquor is drunk, pot is smoked, and property is destroyed. Fun is had by all. It's the college experience. Ok, so it wasn't my college experience, but now I can live vicariously through these characters who are all equal parts cool and lame. Laugh til it hurts while you regret not having a crazier college experience. Is that just me?

Check out this preview of Fresh Meat

All 16 episodes of seasons 1 & 2 are  on Hulu Plus. Let the marathon begin!
(It got renewed for season 3, but who knows when we'll get it. Hopefully by early next year.)

For other hilarious Fresh Meat related content Click Here

My New Obsession is Hulu Plus (and I May Need a Support Group)

 As a devoted television fan, I watch most of my new content on the good ol' boob tube and have been discovering older series through Netflix streaming....until now. Recently, I signed up for Hulu Plus and let me tell you, it's A-Frakin'-Mazing! *Before you think to yourself, this girl must be getting paid by them, the answer is NO WAY JOSE! I'm just a TV fan whose eyes were opened.* Hulu Plus has got a handful of original series and about thirty that are exclusively streaming in the U.S. on Hulu.com (many of them British, so ya know I'm in heaven) on top of shows that are currently airing on television.  I've used the site before to catch up on things that I've forgotten to DVR, but I had no idea the extent of their collection. It's quite impressive. In addition to the plethora of television episodes, they've got movies which I hadn't realized, including the entire Criterion Collection. That's over 800 films alone!

I've spent the last couple of weeks holed up marathoning some really great series, which I'd like to share with you fine folks. Kicking it off,  Hulu's first incursion into original programming - Battleground.

This mockumentary follows the staffers of a U.S. Senate campaign in Wisconsin. Some say that mockumentaries are overdone and stale, but I think that it's become a style in its own.  It's no knock off. This show really grabbed me. Campaign manager, Tak Davis is wonderfully cast in Jay Hayden (that guy from the AT&T commercial that sees his life flash before his eyes). Tak is aided by his head of media strategy (it's complicated), speechwriter (best friend), social media specialist (jaded w/ a mean sense of humor) &  volunteers (fresh meat) and burdened with the candidate's stepson (a man stupider than Dwight Shrute). There are talking head interviews with some of the staffers as we look back to the four weeks preceding the election, with Democratic candidate Samuels as the underdog. In the course of thirteen episodes, I really connected with these characters, some of which have history and some that are beginning new relationships. The description "dramedy" is not one that I like to use, but this kinda of is. There are some very tender moments, but not to be overshadowed by the witty ones. Don't worry, no dead bodies. It's not that kind of drama. I know, it's rare for me to watch a show without corpses, but hey, gotta change it up now and then. Most of all, it felt hopeful. Obviously with a show about an election, there's a clear goal. I was rooting our rag tag team of misfits the whole way through, mostly due to the strong writing and performances. Even the score was great. As someone that doesn't get into politics all that much, I sure liked watching a show about it and can't wait for season two (fingers crossed they get one).  I highly recommend Hulu's first Original Series - Battleground.

Check out the Trailer.

Watch all thirteen episodes on Hulu Plus. They offer one free week to try it out. If you're still not sure, just wait until I tell you about the other shows I've been watching on Hulu Plus.

Stay tuned....

Initial Impressions - New Fall Comedies

 I'm no expert, I just know what I like. Take it or leave it.

"Animal Practice" - Wackiness ensues in a ridiculously huge animal hospital in New York City. Justin Kirk and Joanna Garcia Swisher lead the cast as exes who now have to work together. Their quirky co-workers (including a monkey) and rowdy patients keep things lively. I wasn't going to give this one a chance, but I got bored one day and said what the hell. The first two episodes weren't terrible. I can't say this will be a staple in my TV schedule, but I've always loved Joanna Garcia and let's face it, monkeys are funny. I'll give it a few more eps. If it falls into all the cliches as it easily could, I'll have to put it to sleep.  NBC - Wednesdays at 8/7c

"Ben and Kate" - Fox has been on a roll with comedies in the last couple of years. The latest addition to their Tuesday night line up follows Ben as he moves in with sister Kate to raise her five year old daughter Maddie, who incidentally steals the show. The pilot was funny and endearing, yet so-so. It has potential. That kid is spectacular and I really liked the supporting cast. This could be a great pairing for "Raising Hope".
FOX - Tuesdays at 8:30/7:30c

"Go On" - Yet another sitcom attempt by Matthew Perry. I watched the double ep premiere and wasn't impressed. I planned on giving it one more try, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I don't care for Matthew Perry being the same character for the eighteenth time since "Friends". I wish he would try something else like "Studio 60 on the Sunset Stip". Something that isn't a straight up sitcom. He was really great in that. This just makes me sad.
NBC - Tuesdays at 9/8c

"Guys with Kids" - Three straight men and their babies. I know, by the posters, you thought this was another Hangover sequel, but it's half of NBC's attempt at representing the post-modern American family. I love all three of these guys and Vanessa Huxtable is back! Well, Tempestt Bledsoe is anyway as Anthony Anderson's working wife. I'm not sure about this one. I want to like it, but the laugh track/live studio audience makes it reeeeaaaallly hard. Why won't the networks let go of that format? Move on, we're passed it.
NBC - Wednesdays 8:30/7:30c

"The Mindy Project" - Totally stood up to my expectations! I've loved Mindy Kaling's work on "The Office" for years, not to mention her tweets. She's got a fresh voice reminiscent of "New Girl" creator Liz Meriwether but with her own spin on being a young professional trying to find her way. "New Girl" and "The Mindy Project" are two peas in an awesome pod that make me count down the days until Tuesday night. Check. It. Out. NOW.
FOX - Tuesdays at 9:30/8:30c

"The Neighbors" - This sitcom about a family that moves into a gated community of aliens is too stupid to even try. If you watched even five minutes of it, I just lost respect for you.

If you haven't, I'm not going to tell you what time it's on. You've got better things to do.

"The New Normal" - The other half of NBC's post-modern American family experiment is the one that you probably heard about on the news before the pilot aired. David and Bryan are a successful (and attractive) gay couple living in Los Angeles that decide to they want a baby. Enter Goldie. A young woman who's trying to make a better life for her nine year old daughter after getting knocked up as a teenager. Ellen Barkin is Goldie's loud mouth, republican GRANDmother who whole-heartedly disapproves of what Goldie's chosen to do with her womb. Maybe middle America will ruin it, but I think this could be a hit. So far, I'm really enjoying it. Give it try.
NBC - Tuesdays at 9:30/8:30c

"Partners" - This is CBS' so-called gamble comedy. Gay characters on CBS! Oh no! Doesn't seem all that risky to me, but props to The Eye for finally going there. It's based on the friendship and professional partnership of the "Will & Grace" creators. I like the premise. I love Michael Urie and David Krumholtz. I even like the opening titles. I can't stand Sophia Bush, the cardboard Brandon Routh or the laugh track. This one could be a struggle. I want to like it, but there is so much working against it for my taste. I'll give it a few weeks and see how it goes, but I can't promise I'll be all that tolerable. Die, laugh track, die!

I don't usually like to predict because I hate being wrong, but I'm going to go ahead and call it. "The Neighbors" will be cancelled before the fifth episode airs. I think I'm being quite generous without having seen it.

What do you guys think?

Random Musings of a TV Addict

The older I get, the more I procrastinate. I guess to get myself back in the swing of writing, I'm just going to put down some random thoughts about television in the new year.

"House" is coming to an end after eight seasons. It's the only show that I can remember hitting it's prime in season 6. I'm a little behind due to Monday night traffic on my DVR, but I hear last week's ep was one of the series' best. As of right now, my opinion is that the season 6 premiere where House is in the mental hospital is the best episode of the entire series. How often can you say that? With the departure of key cast members, it feels right that it ends. Just hope they make it satisfying. 

Idris Elba wins the Golden Globe! These two seasons of "Luther" have been some of the best hours television ever. No, I'm not exaggerating. If you haven't seen Elba's performance, find a ruler or stick like object and smack your hand. You deserved that.

I wasn't sure about "New Girl"after watching the pilot, last fall. It was funny, but there was too much quirk. The writers have since toned it down and focused on the interaction of these four Los Angeles roommates. Result - once a week (when there aren't reruns) I nearly pee my pants and/or hyperventilate from laughing so hard. If you are 17ish - 35 I highly recommend it. It's a bit too hip and young for the old folks.

"Justified" is back. Once again, I hope this will be the year that Walton Goggins is recognized for his amazing talent. Figured it would be hard to top last year's banner season with Margo Martindale but season 3 is well on it's way. One thing I can count on besides great guest stars like Neil McDonough, Jere Burns, Todd Stashwick, and James Le Gros is that I will always be surprised.

"NCIS" just celebrated 200 episodes. Quite a feat. I've been asked by non watchers how the hell a run of the mill procedural has stayed on the air so long. My answer - the wonderfully dysfunctional family dynamic unlike any other on television. No one watches "NCIS" for the weekly case, it's the characters and their interaction. Oh, and Mark Harmon's hair.

"The Fades" airing on BBC America's Supernatural Saturdays is my new favorite other worldly series. They've got a new take on ghosts - body regeneration. With a complex mythology unlike any I've come across before "The Fades" has me hooked. Only problem is that there are only six eps in the first season and it's uncertain whether there will be a second. Think "Skins" meets "Supernatural".

MTV is back on my radar (for the first time since I was 14). I raved about "Awkward" last summer and now another dirty scripted comedy has caught my eye. Based on the novel of the same name "I Just Want My Pants Back" follows a group of twentysomethings in NYC being very naughty and looking for something more. I'm not sure raunchy is the best descriptor, but MTV sure doesn't pull any punches on this one. Only seen the first 2 eps, but I'll be back for more.

The other reason I haven't been blogging lately is because I joined Twitter a few months back. It's so much easier to tweet random thoughts than to wait until I've got enough to say to fill a blog post. If you're already on there, follow me @TVMaven and if you aren't but love television as much as I do, join. It's so great to follow my favorite show runners, actors and other bloggers. I find articles, interviews and a ton of other random links that I wouldn't have on my own. This is a great age for fans. Take advantage.

Do You Feel "Enlightened"?

Mike White and Laura Dern are co-creators of the latest HBO comedy "Enlightened". Dern plays an executive in the health and beauty industry who after having an affair with her boss, has a super embarrassing meltdown in the office. Broken Amy Jellicoe heads to Hawaii where she learns to meditate and swim with sea turtles. Cut to three months later and Amy is blackmailing her way back into her old company...with the best of intentions.

Luke Wilson is Levi, Amy's drug addicted ex-husband. It seems that despite the divorce, Amy and Levi still have some sort of relationship...but she draws the line at snorting blow on the coffee table. This should be good. Her slightly cold and distant mom is played by Dern's real life mother, Diane Ladd. Imagine the possible drama on that set. Amy is staying at her mom's while she gets herself back on her feet. I love everything about the house from the rainbow painting in the living room to the plastic plants and fake grass.

So, Amy is back at work. Will her co-workers be able to tolerate the new her? It will be fun tuning in to see. I really enjoyed it. A breakdown is almost always amusing and Amy's was particularly so. If you don't believe me, just look at the billboards and bus banners documenting the worst day of her life (or just scroll up). The premiere was well written by and directed by Mike White. The score, written by veteran composer Mark Mothersbaugh was terrific. Light, yet soulful. Plus, they use the Regina Spektor song Human of the Year. Very nice. The best part about it is that Amy is relatable. She's real. There have been days where I've felt like I was on the edge. The same edge that Amy jumped/fell from. Wonder if I would have come back as the picture of tranquility. Probably not.

Check out "Enlightened", Mondays at 9:30 on HBO, right after "Bored to Death".

See the Original After the Failed Remake- Free Agents

On Saturday night, BBC America premiered the original "Free Agents" on which the recently cancelled American version was based. The pilot was nearly the exact same script swapping out the overly British-y words and phrases for ones Americans who don't watch BBC can understand. The original is far more dirty than the remake (and the remake was pretty filthy for NBC standards). I thought the Americanized series was ok, it had potential. Now that I've seen the original, I've realized that it's somewhat better. The only problem is that there are so many words (curse and those I don't consider to be) bleeped out. At times, it's distracting as the characters tend to spew foul comment after foul comment.

Freshly divorced and chronic crier Alex is played by Stephen Mangan who most recently was seen as in Showtime's "Episodes". Ironic that in "Episodes" he was British television writer adapting his show for an American audience only to have it suck? That's funny because as mentioned above, the American version of "Free Agents" was cancelled after only 3 eps aired.

His coworker and "bed buddy" (this is a clean blog, people) is Helen, fellow talent agent at CMA. Irish actress Sharon Horgan is a grieving fiancee attempting to drink her way through the pain of her young betrothed's death.

Anthony Head (Giles to you "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" fans) is Alex and Helen's sexually charged boss Stephen. Frankly it's a miracle that he hasn't been sued for harassment with his behavior, but makes for funny television. Head even reprised his role in the American production. Hope he didn't sign a lease.

The opening titles are cute and the main characters have good (not great) chemistry. Unfortunately, the supporting characters are not as humorous as their American counterparts. If you like the NBC show, give this one a try. It's not a huge commitment since the U.K. original only lasts one season which is six episodes (average length of a British season or series as they call it). So, I'll keep watching as it's a total 3 hours out of my life and there are a few laughs, but the first two episodes didn't blow me away. Not sure if the more recent go of it affected my judgement though.

Saturdays at 11pm on BBC America. Part of the Ministry of Laughs.

It's the Odd Couple with Chics! 2 Broke Girls

Apparently Whitney Cummings should stick to creating shows because "2 Broke Girls" was instantly funnier that "Whitney" which she stars in. Kat Dennings (40 Year Old Virgin and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist) plays Max, a sharp tongued, street smart, no nonsense waitress. She waits tables at a scuzzy diner in Brooklyn where the newest staff member, Caroline is a down and out uptown girl. These two broke girls couldn't be more opposite, I know.... shocking. After Max comes around to Caroline's charms, the two decide to go into business together....well to raise money to go into business together. I'm sure shenanigans will ensue as these unlikely pals attempt to work multiple jobs, including nanny-ing for a real housewife that named her children Brad and Angelina. Yup.

Aside from the cheesiness of being filmed in front of a studio audience, it's actually pretty funny. The dialogue is razor sharp (with a the exception of a "tender" moment toward the end). Max says everything I wish I was clever enough to say in the moment including putting a couple of hipsters in their place. The characters are quirky and likable for the time being. I'll definitely give this one a chance. Check it out Mondays at 9:30 on CBS.

P.S. There's a horse involved.

New Girl is Simply Adorkable

Let me start by saying that I wasn't clever enough to come up with "Simply Adorkable". Some creative copywriter over at Fox probably did. I saw it on the site and loved it. Ok, now on to the post. If you want to get a jump on Fox's new comedy series "New Girl", go to Hulu.com this week to watch the first episode. Already expecting to like this show, I loved it! Zooey Deschanel is quirkly and lovable (as usual) in her role as Jess, a recently single girl moving in with three guys she met on craigslist. Her new roomies have to adjust to a lady in the house, but they soon fall for her charms. And by charms, I mean her Lord of the Rings references, horrible sense of fashion and tendency to make up theme songs about herself. Ok, so maybe lady wasn't the right word.

Jess' roommates are Nick, Schmidt and Winston. After only one ep, I'm already super crushing on Nick. He was dumped six months ago, so can totally relate to Jess. He's compassionate and mature. Just what Jess needs in her life right about now. Schmidt on the other hand has inspired one of my favorite things in the show, The Douchebag Jar. That's right, after every douchey thing he says or does, he has to put a dollar into the jar (it's always full). LOVE IT! That could totally come in handy.

In the pilot episode, one of the roommates is Coach, played by Damon Wayans Jr. Since "Happy Endings" was picked up for a second season, he wasn't able to do the show. I wish there was a way he could have done both. I'm loving this guy. Cuter than his father and definitely has the family funny gene. From what I can tell on Fox.com, Coach is replaced by a similar character that is a former athlete, also played by a tall, bald, African America man in his late twenties. But not the same character? I'm a little confused. Guess I'll figure it out when I see the second episode. Jess is also supported by her best friend Cece, who happens to be a model. Not sure if we'll meet her mom, but sounds like they're close. She knew after a break up, Jess would be watching Dirty Dancing on repeat. It's like we're the same person!

I am really excited about this show. Normally endearing isn't a word you'd use to describe a comedy, but this one totally is. Part of me feels like Jess and the other part wants to take care of her. Although it's unlikely in real life, it's sweet that these boys (who are basically strangers) want to be her guides.

In the pilot (and yes I know it's just a pilot) the characters are all very well written, funny but with loads with room to grow. There is a great dynamic among the cast. I imagine they all have fun on set. There is a bright tone that gives the viewer a hopeful feeling. Jess will get through this breakup and come out the other side with three new best friends....and hijinks will occur in the meantime. So I highly encourage you to check out "New Girl" on Fox Tuesdays at 9pm starting Sept 20th. But you can see the pilot on Hulu.com right now.

P.S. Don't forget to start your own Douchebag Jar. We've all got on in our lives. Why not profit?

PaleyFest's NBC Fall Preview Party

On Thursday night, The Paley Center hosted the NBC Preview Party. What was extra cool, was that it was totally free (unless you got screwed by the public parking garage like I did) and there were goodies. The night was kicked off by a viewing of "Whitney" and a panel discussion with the stars and producers. Following the panel, was a showing of the five more brand spankin' new NBC shows. Here's my take...

"Whitney" - Some of you may already know Whitney Cummings from "Chelsea Lately" or a couple celebrity roasts. She's been doing stand up for years and this fall TV season, she's got two new shows. This one is autobiographical and she's also the creator and producer of the CBS comedy "2 Broke Girls". In "Whitney", she and her boyfriend of 3 years (played by Chris D'Elia aka stoner Stankowski of Glory Daze) are in a committed relationship with no plans to get married. They are accompanied by four pals. Two are engaged and giddy. One is a disgusting bachelor on the prowl and the last is a drunk, bitter, divorcee (she's my favorite).

I love the billboards around town. They're so funny, but the actual show left something to be desired. It's multicamera and shot in front of a live audience. During the panel, everyone expressed how proud they were of that fact, but I failed to see why it made the show better for the viewer. I totally get that it provides an energy for these stand ups turned actors, but so much about this series from the audible laughs to the cheesy lines is cliche. I love D'Elia, but he had a smile on his face after every funny line he delivered, which made it less funny for me. My final verdict, I couldn't stand it. Unless you're already a huge fan of Whitney Cummings, skip it. I'm sure you can find something else to watch or do on Thursdays at 9:30.

"The Playboy Club" - It's the early '60s. You're in Chicago. You want to look at sexy ladies. Where do you go? Why the playboy club of course...if you've got a key. Eddie Cibrian does, or should I say hot shot lawyer Nick Dalton does. In the pilot he helps a new bunny who's gotten into some trouble. The killing kind, not the baby kind. The shocking violence that transpired was very abrupt, occurring in the first few minutes. That pretty much took me out of it.

Although the costumes were gorgeous and the art direction superb, the acting left something to be desired. And the story.....really? It was melodramatic and soapy. If that's what you're looking for, go ahead and give it a try. But for me, it's a thumbs down. I could hardly wait for it to end, but maybe you're looking for some bunny tail on Mondays at 10pm.

"Up All Night" - Christina Applegate and Will Arnett play new parents without a clue in this new single camera comedy. Chris (Arnett) is getting used to being a stay at home dad while wife Reagan (Applegate) goes back to work for crazy talk show host, Ava (Maya Rudolph).

Very excited about this show. After finally getting into "Samantha Who" this summer, I'm definitely a big Christina fan and who doesn't love Will Arnett?! Plus, if you're over 25 you can most likely relate to this subject because you've either gone through it all or are fearing babies without handbooks. Check this one out....seriously. Wednesdays at 10pm.

"Prime Suspect" - Based on the highly successful British series starring Dame Helen Mirren, the American version features Maria Bello as a New York City Homicide Detective Jane Timoney. Jane is no ordinary cop. She takes an unorthodox approach in her investigations as she has more to lose being the only girl in an all boys club.

I like it! So far anyway. There are never enough strong, badass women on television so it's refreshing when you see one that carries a gun and makes no apologies for going after what she wants. Plus, her live in boyfriend is played by my dream boyfriend Kenneth Johnson (aka Lem on "The Shield" or Kozik on "SOA"). After seeing all the ads (Cop. An Attitude) and the first half of the pilot with Jane being all tough, I really liked that they showed her vulnerable side. It makes sense that someone fighting that hard would break down every now and then. I don't see too many men liking it but I'm hoping it will be hit with the ladies. Whether you're a Dick or a Jane, check it out on Thursdays at 10pm.

"Free Agents" - In another British import, Hank Azaria and Kathryn Hahn play Alex and Helen, coworkers at a Portland PR firm. Alex is divorced and missing his kids. Helen is still mourning her dead fiance after a year and drinking her way through it. They are both a hot mess, but like everyone else, just trying it figure it out. Unfortunately, sleeping together may have complicated things...or does it?

This one definitely has potential. I'm always interested in screwed up characters, so of course I like both leads. So great to see Hank Azaria and finally Kathryn Hahn is cast as a lead. For years, she's been the best friend and I've always thought she was too funny to just be the best friend. If you're a "Buffy" fan, you'll love seeing Anthony Head reprise his role as the out of touch boss. Give this one a try and let's see where it goes. Wednesdays at 10:30pm.

"Grimm" - Detective Nick Burkhardt is no ordinary cop. He's a decendent of the Brothers Grimm who were more than just fairly tale writers. They were supernatural profilers. It's now up to Nick to keep the evil supernatural creatures in check. Burkhardt is backed up by partner Hank Griffin (Russell Hornsby) and a reformed werewolf (Silas Weir Mitchell) who teaches Nick about the supernatural world.

I'm not sure yet. The Grimm world is beautifully shot, has great effects and made us jump in the first minute and a half, but there's something missing. I can't quite put my finger on it yet, but it needed a little something. Not crazy about the lead. David Guintoli didn't grab me the way a network lead should. I love Russell Hornsby, but his character really bothered me. The actual people in this supernatural world, don't seem real. The humans in a world full of creatures need to be relatable as they are our touchstone. Hopefully the writing will improve to match the cinematography. If you're into big bad wolves and other fairy tale creatures, check out "Grimm" Fridays at 9pm. Wait...does NBC really want it to succeed? Historically, Fridays are where shows go to die. Hmmmm......

Wish I could have made it to the other network preview parties. Maybe next year. In the meantime, hope this helps you decide which new NBC shows to check out. Keep an eye out for lots of reviews in the next few weeks as the new schedule unfolds.

Get Ready To Laugh!

Who ever thought I would have seven returning comedies to look forward to this fall? Not me, I'm such a drama queen (when it comes to television that is). I much more likely to be watching "The Killing" or "The Shield" than "Two and a Half Men". Well, let's face it, you couldn't pay me to watch "Two and a Half Men". In any case, my TV schedule has been jam packed with murder, torture, backstabbing and other horribleness for the last several years. I've finally found somewhat of a balance with dramedies and full on sitcoms such as these seven, returning this fall that I am totally psyched about.

"RAISING HOPE" - White trash at the height of hilarity. The Chance family doesn't have much, but they've got more love for Baby Hope than they can handle. Martha Plimpton, Garret Dillahunt, Lucas Neff, Shannon Woodward and Cloris Leachman have me in stitches every week as their characters attempt to raise the cutest baby on television.

"MODERN FAMILY" - There is no better representation of today's family and relationships than those shown on "Modern Family". Let's face it, things aren't what they were when we were kids. Fewer things are funnier than watching these parents (especially Ed O'Neil's Jay) raise children who have cell phones, laptops and more friends on Facebook than Claire has neuroses.

"HAPPY ENDINGS" - The new Friends? Maybe. It's too early to tell, but this group of late twenty somethings was surprisingly hilarious. It's got the bride that left the groom at the alter, but their still gonna be friends friends, the crazy fun girl, the interracial married folks and it's even got the straightest gay guy you've ever met (on TV that is). For me, it's a formula for funny.

"HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER" - After six seasons, I still love the McClaren's gang. That whole Zoey story line last season had me a little disappointed but I have faith that they'll bounce back. Will Barney and Robin get back together? Will Ted meet the mother this season (or ever)? Will we get to see Lily through her inevitably hilarious pregnancy? I hope the answer is yes to all of the above.

"THE OFFICE" - Will The Office be funny without Steve Carell? James Spader is funny, but in that creepy way. So what does that mean for Dunder Mifflin Scranton? Does it all go down hill from here? I hope not and I'll definitely be tuning it because even without Carell, you've got the hilarious Mindy Kaling, Craig Robinson, Ed Helms and entire gang.

"BORED TO DEATH" - Jason Schwartzman + Ted Danson + Zach Galifianakis + Lots of Weed + Private Investigating = An Extremely Comical HBO Series. This could possibly be my favorite of Ted Danson's roles. It was so unexpected which was why it is so amusing. Galifianakis delivery is side splitting. Can't wait!!!!

"PARKS AND RECREATION" - Last season was so great with the addition of Rob Lowe and Adam Scott to the cast. This season, we can look forward to Patricia Clarkson as Tammy 1, Ron Swanson's first crazy wife. How amazing is that going to be?! Will Leslie run for mayor? I hope so. Will she and Ben fiiiiinally get together. They better!!!