Pilot Review: Suburgatory

Suburgatory (ABC)
Premiered September 28 at 8:30pm

Here we have a concept that sounds appealing but ultimately doesn’t contain stand up too well. There are some clever lines, to be sure, like “pretty ironic that a box full of rubbers landed me in a town full of plastics,” but for a show about a lack of substance, this show doesn’t offer all that much. Portraying people devoid of any human qualities can lead to a very empty-feeling show, and that’s the case in the pilot. I liked Jane Levy in her recurring role as Mandy on the first season of Showtime’s “Shameless,” and she definitely has the sarcastic nature down just right here as Tessa. The role does need some sharper defining, however, and that’s even truer of her father George, who is played by Jeremy Sisto, memorable to me always as the crazy Billy from “Six Feet Under” and usually unmemorable in everything else. Cheryl Hines is inarguably a bundle of energy, and I’m not sure whether I prefer her in her “straight man” parts, like in “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” or in her wacky role here. I’m sad to see the talents of two actors wasted horribly in the supporting cast: Alan Tudyk from “Firefly” as George’s friend Noah and Rex Lee from “Entourage” as Tessa’s guidance counselor. To think that Lloyd slaved away for seven years for Ari so that Lee could follow up that hit HBO show with this is a real tragedy. I am pleased to see one member of the cast, and that’s Allie Grant, best known as Isabelle on “Weeds,” playing what looks to be Tessa’s only friend, Lisa. Visual gags like a woman texting without looking and walking straight into a pool without anyone noticing, including her, fall flat, and the show seems to think it’s much cleverer than it is. It’s a half-hour comedy, so it might be worth giving another shot, but this episode didn’t do much of anything to capture my attention.

How will it work as a series? Gradually, Tessa should be able to acclimate herself to live in Suburgatory, as her father somehow navigates the adult social circles and finds a satisfactory place for himself. The ride there will be plagued with many references to the depravity of the people in the suburbs, which may or may not be funny enough to propel Tessa’s journey through life.
How long will it last? Reviews for the pilot were generally strong, this one not included, and so were the ratings. The show premiered much bigger than “Better With You” did in the same slot last year, and that managed to last an entire season. I’m not ready to commit to this show, but if the numbers keep up, ABC likely will be.

Pilot grade: C