What I’m Watching: Better With You

Better With You: Season 1, Episodes 19 & 20 “Better with Dancing” & “Better with Crying” (B+/B)

It’s nice to have a double dose of this show that’s been quietly surviving all season long and will soon be evaluated as one of three freshman sitcoms that could join the three certifiable hits on ABC’s Wednesday night lineup. I was intrigued to see the return of the titles announcing the length of each of the couples’ relationships in the first episode, and also by the peculiar switching of the order in one of the segments, in which Joel and Vicky came before Maddie and Ben. Overall, the first episode was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed the notion of Casey being bad at something and Ben rejoicing. It’s fun to be behind Ben when he realizes he’s the only sane person in the room, evidenced by the failure of the Putney women to comprehend that they wouldn’t be rich if they cheered every time something happened. Casey’s dancing flair was amusing, and I liked his camaraderie with the dancing instructor. The presence of Larry King was a bit peculiar but fun enough. The second episode was a bit more familiar and formulaic, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t enjoyable. Ben and Maddie’s quest to make Joel cry started out well, but Ben does seem to get a bit too excited sometimes. This was a good episode for Mia where she got to have more of an active role as the pregnant and engaged bride-to-be that she is, even if the wedding is going to be postponed just a bit.