Benched (USA)
Premiered October 28 at 10:30pm
I’m not a “Happy Endings” devotee. I didn’t particularly like the pilot when it aired, and while I’m sure that I would have come to at least mildly enjoy the show had I stuck with it, I wasn’t compelled to watch long enough for that to happen. As a result, I’m not automatically excited by a cast member starring in a new show (see “Marry Me” for another current instance). I know Eliza Coupe from her stint on the final incarnation of “Scrubs,” where I found her demeanor to be somewhat entertaining and appropriately relegated to the supporting cast. Now, she’s been given a plum lead role in which she gets to have a familiar meltdown and then start back down at the bottom. This is just the latest comedy to use a particular profession, in this case law, to recycle the same jokes about trying to adjust to a new status and realize that the glory days are long in the past. Joining Coupe at the public defender’s office are some familiar TV faces used to ensemble work like Oscar Nunez from “The Office” and Jack McGee from “Rescue Me,” but I’m more interested in someone who I enjoyed greatly when he was the star of the short-lived “Better Off Ted,” Jay Harrington. He’s charismatic wherever he is, but I don’t love his character here. This show as a whole feels hopelessly unoriginal, and while Nina’s strong personality is supposed to be endearing and help the show seem fresh, it just doesn’t. This is a run-of-the-mill workplace comedy dressed up as something it isn’t.
How will it work as a series? Nina’s old life isn’t going where, as evidenced by the many exaggerated Elton John references and Trent’s omnipresence in the courtroom, and that will make it equally difficult for her to move on and triumphant when she in fact does. It’s a typical story of starting over, and after this beginning, there’s nowhere to go but up.
How long will it last? The Hollywood Reporter notes that this pilot’s ratings were slightly better than that of “Playing House,” a statistic that indicates little since that show has yet to be renewed or cancelled. I think this one could be a success for the network, a good companion to “Sirens,” and a likely choice for a renewal.
Pilot grade: C-
Showing posts with label Benched. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Benched. Show all posts
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Take Three: Fairly Legal
Fairly Legal: Season 1, Episode 3 “Benched” (C)
Let’s just call this one a swing and a miss. It’s both the show and the major case of the week that don’t perform as could be hoped. From the start, it’s problematic: it makes no sense that Judge Nicastro would essentially ask Kate for a favor, and even pretty much phrase it that way. I understand that Kate is supposed to be the latest of USA’s token unconventional lead characters, but to this point, things are being taken too far. She’s too aloof and irresponsible in her job, consistently resorting to showy tricks almost before trying a more normative approach. This is the second time in only two episodes she’s started smashing things in someone’s office, which seems heavily irresponsible and unnecessarily destructive, if nothing else. I am happy to see Dean Norris take on, and succeed fairly well in, another guest-starring part during the hiatus of “Breaking Bad,” though I’m not as impressed with the role, which wasn’t entirely believable. Kate stepping in to help her harbor neighbor when he conveniently needed legal support felt a bit forced, and I don’t see how the cool and conniving Wicked Witch stepmother could seem so wonderfully appealing and attractive to him. Sure, it’s something to antagonize and aggravate Kate, but that doesn’t mean it’s logical. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel about the character of Leo, who seems to be exerting too much influence in Kate’s daily affairs, especially as he devotes a considerable part of his day to shopping for a gift for Kate from Justin and then blackmailing him into paying for a new iPad. I’m undecided on whether I’m going to stick with this or not in the future.
Let’s just call this one a swing and a miss. It’s both the show and the major case of the week that don’t perform as could be hoped. From the start, it’s problematic: it makes no sense that Judge Nicastro would essentially ask Kate for a favor, and even pretty much phrase it that way. I understand that Kate is supposed to be the latest of USA’s token unconventional lead characters, but to this point, things are being taken too far. She’s too aloof and irresponsible in her job, consistently resorting to showy tricks almost before trying a more normative approach. This is the second time in only two episodes she’s started smashing things in someone’s office, which seems heavily irresponsible and unnecessarily destructive, if nothing else. I am happy to see Dean Norris take on, and succeed fairly well in, another guest-starring part during the hiatus of “Breaking Bad,” though I’m not as impressed with the role, which wasn’t entirely believable. Kate stepping in to help her harbor neighbor when he conveniently needed legal support felt a bit forced, and I don’t see how the cool and conniving Wicked Witch stepmother could seem so wonderfully appealing and attractive to him. Sure, it’s something to antagonize and aggravate Kate, but that doesn’t mean it’s logical. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel about the character of Leo, who seems to be exerting too much influence in Kate’s daily affairs, especially as he devotes a considerable part of his day to shopping for a gift for Kate from Justin and then blackmailing him into paying for a new iPad. I’m undecided on whether I’m going to stick with this or not in the future.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
What I’m Watching: Modern Family
Modern Family: Season 1, Episode 20 “Benched” (B+)
It’s so great to have this family all together. Phil and Jay spar over the different way they do things while Gloria and Claire bond over rejection by their children. Both women also manage to exact sweet revenge, in the form of the cold shoulder given to Manny by Gloria and a far harsher broadcasting of her training bra status to Haley in front of her friends by her vindictive mother. Phil’s sheepishness around the rather intimidating Jay is understandable, and it’s nice to see him stand up for himself in his half-hearted attempt at being haughty. The ending shot of Manny and Jay both sipping from their mugs was entertaining, but their relationship, not to mention little Rico Rodriguez, always is. The contrasting viewpoints espoused by Cameron and Mitchell were fun, and seeing Cameron get intense about something is a hoot every time. He was particularly off in his efforts to function when he met Mitchell’s prospective future employer and introduced him as his partner in business before adding, “I’m kidding, we’re gay!” The guest spot by “Weeds” funnyman Justin Kirk was a great surprise, and now that Mitchell has gone and ruined his car and will be working for him, maybe we’ll see more of him in the future. My two favorite parts of the exchange between the three of them were when Kirk’s character questioned Mitchell about his beard and when he permitted Mitchell to tell him about why he quit figure skating. This show really is quite funny. Did anyone recognize the coach as Eric Lange, a.k.a. Radzinsky from "Lost" season five? He didn't have much to do, but it's still amusing to see familiar faces in different places.
It’s so great to have this family all together. Phil and Jay spar over the different way they do things while Gloria and Claire bond over rejection by their children. Both women also manage to exact sweet revenge, in the form of the cold shoulder given to Manny by Gloria and a far harsher broadcasting of her training bra status to Haley in front of her friends by her vindictive mother. Phil’s sheepishness around the rather intimidating Jay is understandable, and it’s nice to see him stand up for himself in his half-hearted attempt at being haughty. The ending shot of Manny and Jay both sipping from their mugs was entertaining, but their relationship, not to mention little Rico Rodriguez, always is. The contrasting viewpoints espoused by Cameron and Mitchell were fun, and seeing Cameron get intense about something is a hoot every time. He was particularly off in his efforts to function when he met Mitchell’s prospective future employer and introduced him as his partner in business before adding, “I’m kidding, we’re gay!” The guest spot by “Weeds” funnyman Justin Kirk was a great surprise, and now that Mitchell has gone and ruined his car and will be working for him, maybe we’ll see more of him in the future. My two favorite parts of the exchange between the three of them were when Kirk’s character questioned Mitchell about his beard and when he permitted Mitchell to tell him about why he quit figure skating. This show really is quite funny. Did anyone recognize the coach as Eric Lange, a.k.a. Radzinsky from "Lost" season five? He didn't have much to do, but it's still amusing to see familiar faces in different places.
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