Round Two: Future Man

Future Man: Season 1, Episode 2 “Herpe: Fully Loaded” (C+)

I have to admit, this episode’s title is pretty terrific. Unfortunately, I’m not too fond of the direction that this show’s humor has gone, and I think that I’ve decided I don’t need to watch this show anymore. Opening with so many family members gathering excitedly to hear news of the cop’s demise was an indicator that this show isn’t going to care at all about the casualties it inflicts on innocent people in the pursuit of saving the human race from the biotic outbreak. Wolf breaking all of the fingers of one unlucky biker who just wanted to do the secret handshake was gratuitous and more than a little absurd, and things got plenty ridiculous later when the bikers and the cops went to battle with each other. Utilizing current events as fodder for comedy can be effective, and this show has chosen its route by having Josh express shock about Bill Cosby joking about things that he has since been revealed to have actually done, and poking fun at the black fraternity’s harassment complains being constantly ignored by the police was further evidence of that. This show is overflowing with “Back to the Future” references, with the dance-off and subsequent phone call particularly reminiscent, and it doesn’t do it justice. After they made it back to the present and Josh tried to put his rathole on Tiger’s rathole, he discovered – of course – that nothing has been fixed. I’m only slightly interested in what’s still wrong, and I’m fine saying goodbye to this show.