
09/04/2006
: 0 comments: by TVChick

All we (the critics) talk about is television. Seriously, 24/7, it’s “I liked this show. Oh, that show was crap.” We love to disagree, which perhaps has something to do with one of my favorites this year. I tell you this, knowing no one is going to watch it, because it’s bad television. The writing is bad, the acting is average, and still, I liked it.
The show this year is “Happy Hour,” which debuts on Fox, Thursday, Sept. 7. It airs right after the new Brad Garrett comedy “Til Death,” which I didn’t care for, but didn’t hate. “Happy Hour” will also air directly opposite my favorite new show “Ugly Betty” on ABC, but that one doesn’t debut until Sept. 28, and I have a feeling “Happy Hour” will be long gone by then.
The comedy stars Lex Medlin as Larry; a guy who wants to go back to the time when Dean Martin was king and it was okay to drink a martini at 4 p.m. When Henry (John Sloan) moves in with him, Larry tries to teach the kid about the good life. Helping them along is best friend/sleep buddy Amanda (Beth Lacke). I know, it doesn’t sound like much. It isn’t, but it makes me laugh out loud. That’s hard to do these days.
If nothing else, “Happy Hour” has inspired me to go out and buy new martini glasses.
Also on Fox this week is the new series “Standoff,” which is paired with my lover Hugh Laurie’s “House.” Wait, did I say, “my lover,” out loud? Darn. Only in my dreams people. He’s a happily married man.
Anyhoo… “Standoff” stars Ron Livingston and is about hostage negotiators. There is great tension, decent acting and lots of romantic chemistry between Livingston and co-star Rosemarie Dewitt.
Back to ‘House” and the drool worthy Hugh Laurie. (Did you catch him at the Emmys? What a bodacious wit.) I’ve watched the first episode, and while I don’t want to divulge too much, you won’t be disappointed. Well, you will if you expected him to die at the end of last season. He’s back and things are – different. Most notably he’s without his cane, but that doesn’t make his life any easier.
It’s also the debut week for the telenovellas “Fashion House” and “Desire” on the new channel MyNetworkTV. I’ve seen these, and um, well, I’ve decided between Bo Derek and Morgan Fairchild, Fairchild has the best plastic surgeon. GASP! I know, Bo swears she hasn’t had any, but come on. I’m having enough trouble committing to shows that air once a week. I don’t have time in my life to watch a telenovella every night, even if it is for just 13 weeks.
I mean, that would totally cut into my Hugh Laurie drooling time, and I can’t have that.