Round Two: The Crazy Ones

The Crazy Ones: Season 1, Episode 2 “The Spectacular” (C-)

I figured it would be worthwhile to give this show another shot because of its pedigree, but its second installment only confirms the severity of the problems that were found in its pilot. Robin Williams really is given free reign to do whatever he wants, and emphasizing the importance of cleaning a duck’s anus reveals just how irreverent this show is. Andrew and Zach’s rivalry is petty and childish, and it reduces the legitimacy of both characters, who are played by actors who, when given the opportunity, really do deliver. The biggest waste of talent is someone I’ve never loved as much as many other people do, and that’s Sarah Michelle Gellar. She’s present on this show just to be a wet blanket, and that’s hardly fair to her. The idea that no one would check her work and Simon would respond so immediately to the fact that she hadn’t used any sort of device to protect against the wind is ludicrous, and that’s how the coffee disaster happened. I suppose it’s somewhat clever that they managed to use the footage that people were using against them to their advantage, painting it as a horror movie, but it feels a lot like the sketches on “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” Those weren’t particularly funny when they really should have been, and you don’t get the sense of a “Eureka!” moment whenever Simon or Sydney comes up with something groundbreaking. This show needs to be smart, and it’s just not there.