"I'm with Busey" (2003) TV series

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Writer:

Vito Viscomi (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

17 June 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Reality-TV

Tagline:

Somewhere, between reality and insanity, Is Busey

Plot:

Comedy writer Adam de la Peña follows his idol, Gary Busey, in Comedy Central's newest reality show.

Cast

Gary Busey	...	Himself (13 episodes, 2003)
Adam De La Peña	...	Himself (13 episodes, 2003)

Runtime:

USA:30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Quotes:

[Gary Busey is driving crazy and Adam is in the passenger seat]
Adam: Have you ever driven in a movie before?
Gary Busey: Yeah! In 'Lethal Weapon'!
Adam: 'Lethal Weapon'? You were crashing into everything in that movie!

Completely ahead of its time

From the reviews I had read of this show, I was expecting a "typical" reality series alla Ozzy Osbourne or Anna Nicole. After the first episode, I was intrigued because I sensed that maybe there was method behind the madness. Two subsequent episodes have convinced me that the creators of this show have truly done something original (a difficult task in today's television environment.)

"I'm With Busey" is, I believe, no more of a reality show than "Friends" but a carefully crafted improv show. The episodes are clearly structured as scenes and acts and though I am not sure if any of the lines are scripted, the situations definitely are. It astounds me that any television critic who has spend any credible time in this business could so clearly miss the spoof aspect of this program.

The comedic content is hit and miss for me, though I must admit to several huge outbursts of laughter during last night's episode. I'm completely hooked, and I hope this show goes on to be more than just a cult classic. Television hasn't seen anything this new in years.