What I'm Watching: The Riches

The Riches: Season 1, Episode 11 "Anything Hugh Can Do, I Can Do Better" (C+)

I am sad to say that "The Riches" seems to have lost its edge. After a drug-centered, sort of adventure/fun episode last week, this episode slides down as a less-than-engaging conflict between Di Di and the rest of her family emerges. Dale's relationship with Hartley seems to be going nowhere, and it is progressing at an extremely grating pace. Hugh's character is so far out as this point that there is almost no coming back for him. This show has slid out of my top five dramas of the season, as it generally gets less innovative and more bizarre ("Nip/Tuck" took a similar route in its second season). I still contend that Shannon Woodward (Di Di) and especially Minnie Driver and Eddie Izzard are giving some of the best performances on current television, something which my own awards and hopefully the Emmys will reflect. I think next week may be the season finale of "The Riches", so I guess we will see where it leaves off.