Would be better with a whiff of originality.
To say that I have been underwhelmed by 2010′s fall offerings is a huge understatement and even before watching the pilot to Better With You my heart was sinking at the prospect of writing yet another a generic review to another generic sit-com. ABC has placed this show between two of last year’s big hits The Middle
The show opens by presenting us with three couples, the first have been together for 2 months and still want to make out at every opportunity, the second have been together for 9 years remained unmarried and yet finish each other sentences, the final couple have been together for 35 years and don’ talk at all. As the episode unfolds we learn that the two younger girls are sisters, the older couple their parents. Neither of the sisters are married, although the older one in a long term relationship claims it is a life choice, until her younger sister gets in engaged. The positive reaction by her parents to announcement of a wedding and a baby causes her to rethink this choice.
This show was exactly what I expected. Shana Goldberg-Meehan is a former writer on Friends
A sign of the troubles facing the show is the inability to get a title to stick, previous titles included Better Together, Leapfrog and That Couple – if you are so unsure of your story that you can’t nail a title, get out before you waste any more of your money. really want to know how shows like this get made, let alone get given a series. If anyone knows please leave a comment.
Created / Written by: Shana Goldberg-Meehan
Directed by: James Burrows
Starring: Joanna Garcia, Jennifer Finnigan, Josh Cooke, Jake Lacy, Kurt Fuller, Debra Jo Rupp
Date premièred: 22nd September 2010
UK Details: TBA
writer Jennifer Johnson, there is a chance of avoiding the fanboy wet dream stereotypes that rear their head when any female takes centre stage in an action story. I am not really a fan of police procedural drama, I find they can be repetitive and predictable, the occasional gimmick such as throwing in faux psychic can lighten things up, but even with 
I find myself waiting for the three episodes a year that forward the Red John storyline over the nineteen other who done it episodes. So does Chase buck the trend and offer any surprises?
and 
failed). $h*! My Dad Says while not totally horrible (especially when compared to other odd couple offering 
introduced the series long plot line with a constantly unravelling story writers have tried to recreate the formula, 
was the first to thrust mystery up front and centre and garnered a huge following which climaxed in disappointing finale that failed to answer many of the viewers’ questions. Because of Lost’s lack of answers and uncertain direction viewers became very uncertain about committing to a show that posed more questions than answers. 
, 
fell victim to audience apathy resulting in diminishing ratings and cancellation. With Lost finally over, The Event hopes to take its spot.
, this show sets out to show the kind hearts of the low income American.
and 
) where we see the real struggles that face real people. Raising Hope for all its over the top comedy, attempts to show a more realistic portrayal of the average American life, although some have said Garcia paints these people in a positive folksy way, I see it as being slightly more mocking. There are dangers in getting too political about such things, but while love and family are great, sometimes money or a strong social safety net is better.
), future girlfriend Shannon Marie Woodward (coming off of an excellent performance in FX’s 
) and Cloris Leachman who pretty much echoes her role from Malcolm in the Middle as the lunatic grandmother.
stands out as one of the funniest and creative sitcoms in recent years, so when it was canned after three series it left a gap that needed to be refilled. Last year creator Mitch Hurwitz introduced “Sit Down – Shut Up” an animated series that reunited Will Arnett and Jason Bateman, it failed to get much attention and the promised Arrested Development movie is still languishing in development hell. Running Wilde is Mitch Hurwitz new comedy that brings Will Arnett to the forefront.
has Tina Fey’s Liz Lemon – it might seem like a funny idea to have Tracy Mogan take centre stage, but it limits what stories you can tell because these types of characters are so simple. Running Wilde does have Emmy’s daughter Puddle (Stefania Lavie Owen) as the solo sane voice (literally as she does not speak and we only hear her through voice over), she explains all the back story and presents the only genuine vulnerability in the show. Easy jokes come from crazy characters, but memorable stories come from characters who well rounded and identifiable. Running Wilde is sitting on a fine line, the characters are different enough that the dynamics between are going to be interesting to see play out, although most cases the plots will probably revolve around Steve trying to do something nice, but is a total disaster, he then has to look at himself and do things right.
and 
), so his name on a new project is going to get attention. Mike and Molly sets out to make their mark with the often recycled plot line of the misadventures of a new couple and their circle of zanny friends. The twist? They’re fat.
, 
and 
are prime examples of stellar production values, quality scripts and great acting with each episode feeling like a fully fledged mini film. With the exception of 
, HBO has struggled to find another great drama that would pull in viewers the way 
and 
did. Enter Boardwalk Empire written by Sopranos alumni Terrence Winter, staring Steve Buscemi and produced and directed by Martin Scorsese; this is without doubt one of HBOs most ambitious projects to date.
(Freeze Frames on characters, longing sweeping shots, a comic delivering jokes over a pivotal turning point in the story are just a few examples). It is a bold design that other directors will have to emulate in future episodes, although schedules permitting Scorsese has stated he would like to direct more episodes. I heard some concern before the pilot aired that the show like Mad Men would be rich in texture but weak on story, this is certainly not the case. This is great writing where character choices drive the story rather than characters reacting to events out of their control, this is what makes a compelling show. The pilot episode, running over 70 minutes, sets up many of the arcs we will be following over the series and the choices made the characters feel like they will have far reaching consequences.
, 
and 
which are more risqué than shows on the mainstream channels, but avoid on screen graphic violence, sex and language that are common on the subscription channels. The Shield for example is known as one of the most gritty cop dramas ever produced, it deals with drugs, gangs and bad cops and yet not once in the 7 series was the word “Fuck” ever uttered, compare that 
, 
or 
. So when a new FX series starts you know that they will find a way to push the limits, but more importantly, because money is tight, they can not afford to make a series and then cut it from the schedules only show 2 episodes because it wasn’t performing, for this reason the scripts have to be better.
) and was commissioned for a full series order on the back of this pilot. A full series on FX is around 13 episodes and so shows do not suffer from a sudden order for 9 episodes after the show becomes a hit leaving the writers looking for a way to drag out the series.
Sam Spade or more recent examples such as the brilliant 
and Jeff Goldblum’s Raines), the character portraits and story structure in this episode of Terriers is superb. From the outset we understand the dynamic between the two friends, we understand an obvious outer struggle (money) and gradually learn the greater personal struggles they need to overcome. Hank needs to reconcile his past as an alcoholic cop and face up to losing his wife, Britt needs grow up and take more responsibility in the relationship with his girlfriend. Both men are floundering at the start of the episode, but their path is set at the end; as they look forward, the road may be tougher, but the rewards will be greater.
