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January 17, 2006
Review: Love Monkey
just got finished watching the pilot for the CBS show Love Monkey (tuesdays, 10-11pm). i've been looking forward to checking this show out ever since I saw the early commercials and was like, "Cool! Ed is coming back to TV!" For those of you who don't know, the star of Love Monkey is Tom Cavanagh, also the titular character of the dearly departed NBC sitcom, "Ed". Ed was one of those shows that everytime I watched it, I thought I would like it. It had a quirky sense of humor and Ed's character was a diehard romantic. All of the things he came up with to woo Carol were amazing. Unfortunately, I could never get into it because it seemed like I was always watching in the middle of various storylines, and I never could get an episode where it was a good enough jumping on point for me to continue watching.
Now Tom is the star and central character in Love Monkey. The show's premise of having a guy go through life with his various friends discussing their loves and lives has been done so many times, but i think what makes this show were the various actors in these roles. Larenz Tate is great as one of Tom's buddies, a rich bachelor enjoying the single life. Another buddy is Jason Priestly in a completely anti-typecast role for him. He is the happily married husband to Tom's character's wife. Jason, its like your 90210 character grew up. And of course, Tom Cavanagh, who delivers in the same rapid-fire style of dialogue that marked his run as Ed. The fact that Tom (also his character's name) is a music rep out looking for new talent gives this show a hook to bring on new bands, or at the very least, put together a respectable soundtrack. The premise seems more like something that would be on the WB but is done in a more thoughtful manner here (Of course, if this show *were* on the WB, there would be a studio audience laughing every 5 minutes, joke or not, every character would be 10 years younger, and the last 2 minutes of the show will be essentially an informercial for the music played that night). Plus, I'm also digging Judy Greer as Tom's best friend who is always there for him and is his straight shooter. Hopefully they will let it stay a friendship and not turn it into the "best friend into lover" stereotype.
The first show had its rough points. The supporting characters do not have much depth at this point, and there's almost too many of them, which will mess with storylines, if everyone needs to have a bit to play every episode. I found myself at times forcing a bit of laughter. Even the musical act that Tom lauded as an incredible talent seemed like a John Mayer clone to me. I *want* to like this show, but I'm not sold yet. Let's see where they can take the premise and the character development.
Love Monkey
Tuesdays, 10pm - 11pm
CBS
Posted by spoof747 at January 17, 2006 11:55 PM