One of the bright spots in my summer viewing schedule was 'It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia' on FX. This sitcom was created by three of its stars (Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, and Charlie Day; Kaitlin Olson being the fourth) and the network suits were really impressed by the quality they delivered.
"We really like the cast and were blown away by the consistency of the show in terms of comedy, and Rob's ability to run it," said John Landgraf, the president of FX Network. "We really believe in him and his compatriots."
That's all well and good, but he's still a network suit and they should all be nibbled to death by ducks!
What I liked about the comedy was that it was obvious these guys studied at the altar of 'Seinfeld' and absorbed its teachings. But at the same time they didn't create a slavish copy of the original; instead setting off in their own direction. The show dealt with topics that would have been more at home in an NBC White Paper - abortion, underage drinking, gun control, child molestation - without getting preachy and most importantly, the scripts and performances were out and out FUNNY!
On the other side of the scale for FX is 'Starved' which did not get a pick-up for another go-round. To me, this is no big loss. There will never be forgiveness in my heart for the one image that burned itself into my brain - that of the show's star and creator, Eric Shaeffer, spinning about on all fours as his enema discharged from his ass like a garden fountain in Tuscany.
To me, that image summed up the entire series. I also thought it was the biggest ego trip on the part of a creator/star since Mike Binder and 'The Mind Of A Married Man', but at least I did find that show interesting most of the time.
How could Shaeffer think his character could ever attract the quality of women who seemed to naturally flock to him? And worst of all, how could he treat them so badly as if he knew there would always be another babe along at any moment?
Oh, that's right. He was writing this fantasy. They're always drop-dead gorgeous and dispensable in my onanistic reveries too, but at least I don't have to eat out of a garbage can during them as well.
And at least it provides the exercise needed to use the remote control when I need all possible speed in switching away from this kind of garbage.
Well, good riddance to 'Starved'. When it comes to shows about losing weight, this is the one that proved to be 'The Biggest Loser'.
Congrats to 'It's Always Sunny' though.......
BCnU!
Tele-Toby
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