Pilot Review: House of Lies

House of Lies (Showtime)
Premiered January 8 at 10pm

Showtime is the place to be. The pay cable network is on par with HBO these days in terms of quality programming, both dramatic and comedic, and has now found a fantastic comedy lineup for its Sunday night programming block that doesn’t even include a few of its more notable series, such as “Episodes,” “Weeds,” and “The Big C.” Joining season two of “Shameless” and season five of “Californication” is this new show about a team of management consultants which fits perfectly with Showtime’s brand. It’s great to see Don Cheadle in a regular TV role, and I know that I’m not the only one thrilled about having Kristen Bell back on television on a weekly basis. The show seems to focus mostly on the two of them, giving Cheadle the certifiable lead and allowing Bell several memorable scenes to take down Marty’s ego by standing strong as the only woman not swayed by his charms. Ben Schwartz, known to most thanks to his recurring role on “Parks & Recreation” as Jean Ralphio, should be a terrific asset utilized in moderation here, and it seems that Josh Lawson will be much funnier than he was on “Romantically Challenged.” Dawn Olivieri and Glynn Turman, Emmy winner for “In Treatment,” round out an entertaining cast as Marty’s ex-wife and father, respectively. The content of the show is enlivening and energizing, with plenty of eyebrow-raising comments and storylines. I like seeing Marty explain the breakdown of his pitch and how it’s going while he’s speaking with clients, and I think that’s a device which, modified appropriately, should work quite well. This first episode featured fantastic guest appearances by Greg Germann (“In Case of Emergency”) and Anna Camp (“The Good Wife” and “True Blood”) as Greg and Rachel Norbert, creating one very memorable and hilarious restaurant scene. This show demonstrates plenty of potential, and I eagerly await another installment.

How will it work as a series? The existence of the management consultant team means that most episodes will feature new clients, allowing for the possibility of great guest stars and also the development of a dynamic among the team members. Having Marty’s ex-wife along for the ride as a rival consultant should also keep things interesting, especially as Marty will likely continue to not be able to keep his hands off of her.
How long will it last? Showtime likes to put faith in their shows, and given the fact that this series is leading into the fifth season premiere of “Californication,” and following the highly-acclaimed “Shameless,” I think this show should have no trouble living a long and healthy life. It should be renewed for a second season quite soon, in fact, if it performs strongly.

Pilot grade: B+