Pilot Review: Are You There, Chelsea?

Are You There, Chelsea? (NBC)
Premiered January 11 at 8:30pm

The last thing NBC needs right now is a comedy with a laugh track. That format was popular a decade ago, but with the premiere of one of the more solid Must-See-TV lineups in a while last night, this show doesn’t fit in at all. It’s definitely stranded in the past, showcasing Laura Prepon of “That 70s Show” fame in the title role as the eternally drunk, promiscuous, lazy, and obnoxious Chelsea Handler. For someone unfamiliar with the real-life Chelsea, this show has no appeal at all, especially as it relegates the real Chelsea to the role of her religious sister Sloane. Lenny Clarke, seen recently as the wacky Uncle Teddy on “Rescue Me,” has found a fitting follow-up role as any as the father of the two very different sister. The cast also includes two very annoying roommates, both with different irritating qualities, and a lackluster love interest for Chelsea. The show is sure to offend many with its humorous take on drunk driving and its incessant unfunny foul-mouthed remarks from Chelsea. Her behavior towards a redheaded date is particularly deplorable, and while this show isn’t nearly as grating as its lead-in, “Whitney,” it’s definitely paired with the correct NBC show. Prepon isn’t a dynamic actress, and while fans of her former role may want to see her again, and Chelsea’s fans may tune in, I can’t imagine this would appeal to anyone on its own merit. It’s a relic of what sitcoms used to be like, but even ten years ago this show wouldn’t have been funny.

How will it work as a series? Somehow, Chelsea seems to think that she has achieved some sort of victory over her infatuation with alcohol and started to become a better person. Presumably, that’s going to be the focus of the show, watching Chelsea begin to tone down her antics and rudeness and start to live life less callously. Hardly a novel concept, but one that sometimes works well.
How long will it last? The show performed decently in its opening half-hour, and though I don’t think that this one is going to catching on, NBC has an odd habit of sticking to some of its less critically-appreciated series for the length of a season. I’d therefore predict that this one fulfills its twelve-episode commitment and then vanishes.

Pilot grade: D