the comic's comic

New sitcom reviews, Fall TV 2008: Gary Unmarried

We're knee deep in November sweeps for the TV industry, so a good time to resume The Comic's Comic's ongoing series of new sitcom reviews from the fall 2008 season. Next up: Gary Unmarried.

Sitcom: Gary Unmarried (CBS) 8:30 p.m. ET/PT Wednesdays
Premise: Show originally titled Project Gary centers on Gary Brooks (Jay Mohr), newly divorced painting contractor, and his ex-wife, Allison (Paula Marshall) as they deal with moving on after 15 years of marriage and two kids they share: an awkward 14-year-old son and a politically old beyond her years 11-year-old daughter. Allison already has gotten engaged to the couple's marriage counselor (Ed Begley Jr.)? And Gary jumps into bed with one of his customers (Jaime King).

Early impression: Meh. Is this supposed to be an oafish alpha male version of The New Adventures of Old Christine (the show which precedes Gary on CBS Wednesdays)? With younger kids.

Can you judge a show by its pilot: Not if you want to keep watching because you'll probably be in disbelief. How is Allison's engagement to the couple's marriage counselor OK even to laugh about? Also, don't get too attached with the family daughter, because she got recast after the pilot.

Comedy pedigree: Mohr proved there is life after Last Comic Standing, didn't he, moving to guest-star roles in primetime to a recurring role on CBS in Ghost Whisperer (somewhere, Jamie Kennedy was taking notes). Begley Jr. plays so smart he's dumb. There's also another comedian in the cast with Al Madrigal playing Mohr's painting buddy. And James Burrows (Cheers, Will & Grace) is on board as executive producer and director.

The verdict?

In other blogs...

Attempting to get you caught up on what everyone else is saying about comedy (you can catch up with them via the More On Comedy links on my page).

The Bastion interviews Kumail Nanjiani, who recently left Chicago for New York City.

The Coming is back in blogging business, apparently, and talks to Paul Rust about his comedy background and burgeoning movie career.

Punchline Magazine interviews the most recent winner of Last Comic Standing, Jon Reep.

The Apiary finds more examples of NYC-based comedians getting "commercial" success.

Shecky Magazine continues to get spies reporting in with results from the Last Comic Standing auditions, and by the way, the Male Half is auditioning for Montreal's Just For Laughs tonight at Helium in Philadelphia. Good luck, Brian!

Comic Vs. Audience caught Bill Cosby in action in New Jersey and filed this report.

SFstandup interviewed Al Madrigal, who appears in the new CBS midseason sitcom, Welcome to the Captain.