I chose various television shows (that interested me) and watched the premieres. Overall, I was very impressed with the comedies and Up All Night was most impressive.
2 Broke Girls: 8 out of 10
It is not uncommon to find two characters from two different ends of the spectrum thrust together in television or film. In 2 Broke Girls, we find Max (Kat Dennings), a hard-working, low-income young woman sort of forced into a friendship with Caroline (Beth Behrs), the high-class blonde whose family has lost all of their fortune in a financial scandal. The pilot seemed somewhat rushed, but I recognize the writers had to set up the story for the entire series in roughly 22 minutes. However, the chemistry between Dennings and Behrs makes up for this, and by the end of the show it is highly conceivable that these two characters could actually be friends in reality. You may remember Kat Dennings from such films as The 40-Year-Old Virgin or Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, both of which she was very good in. She brings sass to her role as Max, who is fiercely independent. Beth Behrs I was not familiar with at all, but she is able to pull her weight and be sympathetic as the former princess. Some of the laughs are cheap in 2 Broke Girls, but there is potential for interesting, smart storylines with these two characters.
Modern Family: 9 out of 10
After winning Outstanding Comedy Series and nearly sweeping the comedy awards at this year’s Emmy Awards, Modern Family places new expectations on itself. The season 3 double-episode premiere does not disappoint. The first episode revolved around the entire family taking a vacation to a ranch in Wyoming. There are many subplots involving Haley’s dim-witted boyfriend, Alex’s first kiss, Cam and Mitchell planning adopting a son, and Gloria constantly getting hit on by a cowboy. Ed O’Neill’s performance as Jay is most intriguing here as he tries to protect Gloria and battles riding a stubborn horse. Ty Burrell proves that he is the most consistent laugh on the show as he tries to impress Jay and prove his manliness. The second episode, “When Good Kids Go Bad” mostly features Claire (Julie Bowen) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson). Claire becomes combative when the family tries to prove that she thinks she is always right, unable to realize she is proving them right. Mitchell attempts to deal with the possessive nature of his daughter Lily, as he and Cam plan on adopting a boy. Lily (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons) , who is 2, states “I want to make the baby dead.” Probably the biggest laugh comes when Cam (Eric Stonestreet) tells the family they are adopting by playing “Let’s Hear It for the Boys”. Like The Bill Cosby Show, Modern Family exploits the natural absurdity and hilarity of family and has proved to be the most relatable and consistently funny show on television.
New Girl: 7 out of 10
It is actually nice to see Zooey Deschanel playing a somewhat non-typical Zooey Deschanel role. In New Girl, Deschanel plays Jessica, an awkward, emotionally unstable, sometimes dorky character that has moved in with three male roommates. Deschanel is predictably funny and delivers in her role. However, for the pilot at least, the supporting acts were sub-standard at best. Jake Johnson, Max Greenfield, and Damon Wayans, Jr. (who was recast following the pilot) play the roommates, all unbeknown to me. The jokes were funny enough, giving Deschanel some witty dialogue, but either the material for or the performances by the men was lacking. Perhaps with further development, these characters could be better established. Zooey Deschanel may drive this show to success, but it would be nice for her to have some support.
The Office: 7 out of 10
Easily the least excited I have ever been for a premiere of my favorite television show ever, the 8th season premiere of The Office gave me mixed reactions. The opening segment involving “planking” was fantastic, giving the great images of the oddest members of the cast lying face down in random places around the office. The big reveal was that Andy (Ed Helms) has become the new regional manager and Robert California (James Spader) is the new CEO of Sabre. This set well with me as Helms is probably the most gifted comic actor in the remaining cast. I knew Spader would be joining the cast and am still not sold completely on him. Jim and Pam are expecting a second child to coincide with Jenna Fischer’s real life pregnancy. One of the subplots involves Pam’s constant sway of emotions. I miss the innocent Pam of the first five seasons that was so adorable. There were amusing moments throughout the show, mainly because the cast is so infinitely talented. I just get this feeling that the office is no longer an enjoyable, amusingly predictable setting as it was in seasons past. The stories surrounding these characters are somewhat played out; there is not near the tension that was felt in the first four seasons. Obviously, Steve Carell’s absence leaves a gaping hole in the show, but The Office is still The Office and remains one of the elite programs on network television.
Pan Am: 7.5 out of 10
One of two new shows set in the 1960s, Pan Am cannot possibly exist without being inevitably compared to Mad Men. Unlike Mad Men, Pan Am places females in the lead roles, as flight attendants on the airline Pan Am. They are played by Christina Ricci, Margot Robbie, Karine Vanasse, and Kelli Garner. There are roles for men playing the pilots, but in the first episode, none had distinguishable characteristics. The actresses make the show enjoyable, and Ricci in particular brings the most chops to the screen. I previously read an article in which the creators of Pan Am stated that they saw no comparisons between their show and Mad Men, other than the era they are set in. I beg to differ, as the pilot seems to be going for the same vibe as Mad Men. However, unlike Mad Men, which is understated and never gives the viewer a clear-cut feeling about a character, the premiere of Pan Am really never showed a hint of a sustainable antagonist. The concept of the show is terrific, but it really needs to up the ante and create some conflict if it wants to be a top drama.
Parks and Recreation: 7.5 out of 10
What I saw of the last season of Parks and Recreation reminded me of the quality of The Office in its heyday. Therefore, I hold high expectations for this coming season. With the comedic talents of Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, and Nick Offerman among others, Parks and Recreation can never be a bad show. The season 4 premiere was a bit lackluster, not among the show’s best episodes, but entertaining nevertheless. The main storyline involves Leslie’s (Amy Poehler) conflict between running for political office and remaining in relationship with Ben (Adam Scott). Scott brings a new dimension to the show and shows off his underappreciated talents (see The Vicious Kind). The subplots include Nick (Offerman) and the return of his first ex-wife, Tammy I, and Tom’s (Ansari) struggle to increase his entertainment business. There were not any huge laughs but there of course were a couple of scenes involving the clumsy Jerry (Jim O’Heir), which always cracks me up. Overall, the premiere was a solid first episode and gives potential for another great season of Parks and Recreation.
The Playboy Club: 5.5 out of 10
Set in the 1960s during the first rebellious years of Playboy, The Playboy Club is centered around the first playboy club in Chicago. First of all, the voiceover by Hugh Hefner at the beginning and conclusion of the episode was ridiculous and unnecessary. He has one of the most annoying voices I have ever heard. Considering the plot, I assume the show is not based on fact. The main “bunny” in the show is played by Amber Heard. Sure, Heard is beautiful, but I really do not believe she earned the right for this role. The best performance came from Eddie Cebrian as Nick Dalton, a lawyer and reoccurring visitor of the Playboy Club. The plot seemed forced and cheesy, failing to create a solid establishment for the characters. The main problem with The Playboy Club so far is that the viewer really doesn’t give a hoot about any of these characters. With an hour show, the writers should have been able to solidify the characters before showing a murder in the first few minutes. I will not completely write off The Playboy Club just yet, but I am not sure if it is worth a second watch.
Saturday Night Live: 8 out of 10
As long as Lorne Michaels is still around and perhaps beyond that, Saturday Night Live will always be relevant to American society. I was eagerly anticipating the season premiere, mainly because Radiohead was the musical guest, one of my favorite bands. Alec Baldwin hosted for a record 16th time, which I do not know what to make of. I regard Baldwin as a better actor than comedian, but he was quite funny on Saturday. The parody of the Republican debate was entertaining and highlighted the absurdity of these debates. Alec Baldwin’s version of Rick Perry was amusing, but not quite as hilarious as Bill Hader’s Sheppard Smith, which Hader nails. My favorite sketch included Kristen Wiig as a reporter in Colombia for a local news station. The lag between the two parties was absolutely dead-on as far as how it usually goes with real news organizations. I usually enjoy Seth Meyers Weekend Update, but this week Update was not particularly strong and the material was mediocre. Radiohead was predictably great (would have liked to see them in a skit) and Alec Baldwin displayed his abilities as a veteran host.
Up All Night: 9.5 out of 10
Up All Night is easily my pick for best new show of this fall. It stars Will Arnett and Christina Applegate as Chris and Reagan Brinkley. They have a newborn baby, Amy. Chris has quit his job at a law office to be a stay-at-home dad and Reagan works for an “Oprah” type television show, “Ava.” Ava is played by Maya Rudolph. For me, the success of this show depends upon the performance of Will Arnett. I was a big fan of Arnett’s role in Arrested Development, but Up All Night may display his talents even more. Here he is very likable, extremely funny, and even relatable. Applegate proves that she possesses comedic talent and the Brinkley’s marriage is completely believable. Maya Rudolph’s character is a little undefined so far and the only weakness of the show. The main challenge for the show moving forward will be coming up with new funny material in a sitcom that has few characters and possible storylines. Nevertheless, Up All Night had me laughing more than any other show this fall and I will continue to be a consistent viewer.
Trey Townsend