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.

I rewatched the entire season two last weekend and finished just in time for season three to kick off. Didn’t love this season’s start but I’m interested to see where it will go.
I started off liking Standoff but by the time it was over, I was glad. I don’t see this lasting a full season. It’s not very interesting and the first episode was so predictable that there were no surprises. Blah!
I don’t disagree about Standoff. While House will continue on the TIVO… Tuesdays will soon be filled with Gilmore Girls, Veronica Mars and a host of other great shows.
Honestly, I didn’t mind the predictability of Standoff, and I liked the people on that show. I’m just not into “cop” anything these days.
I do disagree with the House pilot. I thought it was cool how they brought him back. I was mad at Wilson. What kind of friend does something like that? Who cares how House saves a life? That’s the point of the show.
House found meaning through his pain. Without his pain, he is lost. If he found out that he was right, he would become an unstoppable ego driven monster. Besides, it looks like he might find out episode.
Dude, that’s psycho babble craziness. “Found meaning in his pain.” Please. You have to stop watching re-runs of Dr. Phil. (Smile)
I want to see him become an unstoppable ego driven monster. His ego is what makes him so incredibly interesting. Frustrating at times, but interesting just the same.
i really liked ‘Happy hour’
That was an entertaining half hour. I can’t wait to see more.
Thanks about the Happy Hour comment. That makes two of us who liked the show. I’m so glad I wasn’t the only one. That show just makes me laugh. Especially when she’s on the couch eating the pizza, I couldn’t stop laughing.
I liked Happy Hour much more than the show before it.