Great News

I am not a person who likes to "try out" new comedies, but Tina Fey's input led me to try this one, and I enjoy it -- it has many moments in each episode which are actually funny, and, more importantly at this early stage, moments which help develop characters.

Frankly (I am surprised to be saying this), I would like more of Nicole Richie and much less of the meddling mother. I think the latter has pretty much been developed as far as she can go -- there doesn't seem to be any growth or arc here yet. On the other hand, Richie is really good at the few moments she is given to shine. Her character needs more space, more development if this show is to survive.

So far, it is too dependent on two notes: (1) the meddling stage mother and (2) the arrogant and insecure overbearing lead anchor. This will get redundant and tiring very soon if there are not other paths taken.

Just discovered this little gem on Netflix. Gentle humour with good ensemble cast. Nicole Ritchie is very good as the vacuous co-anchor playing against John Michael Higgins as Chuck, the old school news guy. Briga Heelan and Andrea Martin work well as daughter and helicopter mum. Adam Campbell adds a little British humour and works well as the middle man between Chuck and the rest of the crew. It's not that original in terms of format or content but it makes me laugh, which is all it needs to do.

I just found this show THIS weekend and binged the entire thing. It's so funny! The humor is so much like 30 Rock. The humor I hope to find in shows these days but don't. I love all the characters. Carol is so funny and random. I just wish there were more or it had been saved by Netflix. Please do more things, Tina and Tracy!

Katie Wendelson (Briga Heelan) has been stuck producing puff pieces on MMN's The Breakdown with flighty Portia Scott-Griffith (Nicole Richie). After a friend's funeral, her Jersey mom Carol (Andrea Martin) is inspired to chase after her dreams and gets a job as difficult anchor Chuck Pierce (John Michael Higgins)'s intern on Katie's show. Greg Walsh (Adam Campbell) is the show's producer and Justin (Horatio Sanz) is the editor.

Creator Tracey Wigfield comes from writing and producing 30 Rock. This is a similar show but a step down. The lead Briga Heelan is a pretty woman with some comedic skills. Of course, she is no Tina Fey. Veterans Andrea Martin and John Michael Higgins deliver some solid wackiness. This is good network sitcom but it is nothing compared to 30 Rock. Even the addition of Tina Fey cameo does nothing to elevate it further. Two half seasons is not a bad run for this type of shows.

There were actual moments in this series that had me laughing out loud. This is a series that I really do think all ages could relate to. I absolutely love the mother character, she can be seen as overdone and crazy but just perfectly so. (The time she requests Liam Neeson... :')) I never go into any show with expectations so I don't think you should either, but I enjoyed this show and it made me laugh.