Not that I’d go so far as to call its first season a total disappointment, NBC’s Parks and Recreation did come out of the gate rather weak earlier this year with only a pedigree of being led by the minds behind fellow Comedy Night Done Right hit The Office and lead Amy Poehler to keep me hopeful that the excellent creative potential would eventually shine. And it was the second season premiere episode, “Pawnee Zoo” that was so glorious I revisited no less than half a dozen times.
I should have expected that as it was modeled so closely to its predecessor (right down to the hand-held mockumentary feel) P&R would also follow in the footsteps of The Office and finally hit a side-splitting stride in their second year. The show is truly firing on all cylinders – the writing, dialogue, pace and team of actors have all found a great comedy groove that continues to impress every week. So impressive that it was one of only a handful of shows given a coveted full season pick-up earlier this month.
What do we have to look forward to in their sophomore season? On the near horizon a November sweeps installment will feature a guest turn by former Will & Grace star Megan Mullally in what show runner Michael Schur claims as “the best episode we’ve ever done.” Mullally will play ex-wife opposite real-life husband Nick Offerman’s Parks & Rec department boss Ron. “She works for the library system, and they’re trying to take over the lot that Leslie is jealously guarding for her future park,” Schur explains. “So Ron has to get back involved with his ex-wife and fireworks ensue.”
In the “About Time” category, Comedy Central has ordered a new sketch show starring Nick Swardson. A Comedy Central regular – with several specials and featured parts in their original programming – the new weekly, half-hour show will begin production next month and premiere next year. The series will include digital shorts, man-on-the-street segments and animation inspired by Swardson’s online character, “Gay Robot” (about a gay robot and his frat boy friends).
“We love Nick at Comedy Central and even more importantly, our audience loves Nick,” said Comedy Central programming president Lauren Corrao. “We’ve seen it in his movies, his stand-up, with his ‘Reno 911!’ character ‘Terry,’ and in the work he’s done developing Gay Robot. We can’t wait to expand his creative voice into a sketch series.”
Exec producers include Swardson, Tom Gianas, Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions and Sony Pictures TV.
As the fall television season progresses there are shows that have been flourishing (huzzah Modern Family!) and some that are floundering (yikes, who green-lit Hank?). We’re quickly approaching the ever-important November sweeps which is a time when networks will begin to unveil promos for their mid-season replacements poised in the wings to take over for these latter-categorized series which won’t see new episodes past the holidays. One such show ABC has on deck puts me at odds on where to place a yay or nay vote of support – Happy Town.
Now, being an avid proponent of shows in the mystery genre I whole-heartedly endorse bringing stories of intrigue to the television viewing audience – I’ve been fully engrossed in the on-going trials of Lost since its inaugural year and the new Flash Forward has also hooked my interest. So it seems Happy Town should be right up my alley if what is presented in the synopsis suggests is true. However after viewing the trailer/promo I found myself turned off, and frankly appalled, by the tactics and slant used to entice a potential audience.
Where to begin with this critique? First, “From the network that brought you Twin Peaks.” Wow. If you’re going to lead with that you better have the huevos to back up those convictions. Just because a show is set in a small, seemingly idyllic northern town that gets rocked by a murder it does not mean you can evoke the name of a series as complex, riveting, quirky and twisted as Twin Peaks in order to sell it. And sell the hell out of it you could, if the rest of the promo delivered on such promises. This one fails spectacularly in several areas.
The editing and music choices are equal parts mediocre, unimaginative and misguided in setting the tone. The odd choice to use a charming tune at the top with close-ups of a wide-eyed ingenue basking in the feeling of new beginnings makes me think of scenes from the defunct, dramatic series October Road – which makes sense as that short-lived show features prominently on the resumes of Happy Town creators Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg. I’m confused, did they purposefully choose to mimic their last endeavor or did some leftover material accidentally get pulled into the cut?
On the topic of show runners, with the less-than-stellar October in their past I’m not feeling a huge sense of security that this team will be able to successfully head up a series in the vein of top-notch mystery man J.J. Abrams. While this group is counted amongst the players of Team Abrams their credits with him include the fourth and fifth seasons of Alias, widely considered the weakest of the ABC spy drama.
I will hold my final opinion for Happy Town the series until after a viewing of at least an episode or two, but I was not impressed by dialogue nor the uninteresting (creepy?) scenes contained within the promo. The one aspect that carries any clout is the cast (hello Frances Conroy and Amy Acker), I just hope that these talents won’t be completely wasted with what appears to be lackluster writing.
My opinion on this promo, however, is most assuredly concrete and nothing but disappointed. This is the initial venue to highlight the best of your series and set the appropriate tone. Don’t just give me a by-the-numbers intro if the very first image you use involves the words Twin Peaks, which are sacred ones. Thou shalt not take the Lynch name in vain. Deliver the goods, or find another angle to hawk your wares. Granted promos can only be as compelling as the material they have to work with, so perhaps this is by all accounts a good indication of what we should expect for this series: bland masking as bold.
Not that one should need any additional incentive to watch 30 Rock as it is the most well-written and well-acted comedy currently on television (and I’m bold enough to say it’s one of, if not the,funniest damn shows in television history) but pay special attention to catch this week’s episode (NBC – Thursday, October 28th 9:30/8:30c) as they add a cherry on top of their creme de la creme list of guest stars with the bawdy, beloved Betty White.
The synopsis gives us a little hint as to a possible part the former Golden girl will play:
Liz (Tina Fey) and Jack (Alec Baldwin) venture down south to Kenneth’s (Jack McBrayer) hometown to discover new talent. Jenna (Jane Krakowski) tries to make friends with the writers to solidify her place at “TGS” before the new cast member is hired. Meanwhile, Tracy (Tracy Morgan) fears for his life when two celebrities die and he believes he’s the next to bite the dust.”
I have never doubted 30 Rock‘s writers in the past, and if there is anything right in this world her character will live within Kenneth’s family tree.
Thank you, Nathan Fillion, for always keeping the Firefly/Serenity love alive. And you can still rock those tight captain’s pants.
Last night’s episode of Castle no doubt provided a massive squeal-inducing moment for Browncoats (that’s in-the-know speak meaning those with endless love for Joss Whedon’s defunct show Firefly and its feature film sequel Serenity) that tune in to the ABC series with the express interest in getting a weekly dose of Fillion. Even just a single scene of him in Captain Malcolm Reynold’s signature snug britches and duster certainly made this girl swoon and wistful for the spectacular space western that was taken from us far too soon.
TV Dish with Trish 