Pilot Review: Sullivan and Son

Sullivan and Son (TBS)
Premiered July 19 at 10pm

After watching the first two episodes of the TBS show that occupied this time slot earlier this summer, I was well prepared for this similarly irritating series. The concept is a conventional sitcom setup, and it follows the formula perfectly, bringing its protagonist from the big city to his small hometown where he can make an unfounded spontaneous decision to move back home. After being dumped by his girlfriend, something that doesn’t seem to bother him one bit, the perfect girl presents herself, except she’s already dating an exact replica of him. Subtlety is nowhere to be found on this show, and it’s hard to stomach the stupidity of all the characters. When you side with the departing girlfriend, it’s hard to be interested in staying where Steve has decided to settle down. This version of Pittsburgh is overstuffed with stock characters, like the overly flirtatious over-sharer Carol and her son Owen, who is able to get a job and master Arabic within a day when the bar is closed but then goes back to being a man-child as soon as it reopens. Suspension of disbelief is partially necessarily for any TV show, particularly a sitcom, but this asks too much, particularly in regards to the closure of the bar in the second episode. Stereotypes and racism run rampart on this show, but apparently it’s okay since ethnic characters are the ones making the jokes. Regardless of its appropriateness or political correctness, there’s simply nothing funny about this obnoxious show.

How will it work as a series? Now that he’s back home, Steve is going to have to suffer through many miserable interactions with his family and his patrons in his efforts to make the bar a palatable place. He’s already clashed with his mother and gotten arrested for keeping his bar open after a health inspection shut it down, so I’m not sure how many other places things can go.
How long will it last? This is just the kind of fare that TBS, a network that leans more towards syndicated repeats, seems to want to air. It’s hardly intelligent, but it’s easy entertainment and contains a diverse cast that should differentiate it enough from other substandard comedies. It could very well have a long life, and a second season shouldn’t be difficult at all.

Pilot grade: F