There is no shortage of slogans to lure you to the small screen. You can probably finish the phrase “It’s not TV. It’s ___.” In recent years, TNT has used “We know drama” to brand their palette of dramas first aired elsewhere as they dabble in producing originals (The Closer) that aim to be the next day’s topic of water-cooler chatter. Of course, a catchphrase is one thing. When it comes right down to it, is there a strong product behind the promise? For TBS, which launches two spanking-new comedies under their “Very funny” banner next week, the answer is yes and not so much.
The funnier of the two new series is 10 Items or Less, a workplace comedy that relies on the strong improv skills of its swell cast led by John Lehr (The Sweetest Thing, Kicking and Screaming). Lehr plays Leslie Pool, the well-meaning but clueless owner of Greens & Grains, a family-owned grocery store he recently inherited from his father. Although the corporate superstore down the street is more successful, and the manager of that store has been instructed to buy out the G&G, Leslie and his close-knit staff do their best to keep the monster store at bay, even though no one – especially Leslie – has a clue as to how to manage a business.
While 10 Items or Less bears some resemblance to The Office, it’s less hermetically sealed. Its public setting allows for a greater range of characters to come through and interact with the core staff, all of whom are devoted employees but at the same time profess to have aspirations elsewhere. Buck the checkout guy (Greg Davis Jr.) is going to night school. Todd the butcher (Chris Payne Gilbert) wants to be a NASCAR driver. Head cashier Richard (Christopher Liam Moore) wants to be a professional ice dancer. Ingrid (Kirsten Gronfield) lives for Renaissance festivals, while single mother Yolanda (Roberta Valderrama) just wants to keep the store open for the health benefits. The vintage stock boy/handyman and all-around doofus, Carl (Robert Clendenin), wants to be anywhere Yolanda is.
Like The Office, Reno 911!, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and other loosely scripted series, 10 Items or Less depends on the skill of its cast members to think on their feet, creating dialogue around established storylines. Fortunately, the cast is well-schooled in this approach, creating a bright, sometimes goofy, but always entertaining confection.
The same cannot be said of My Boys. Jordana Spiro (JAG) stars as PJ Franklin, a professional sportswriter whose close circle of friends is less interested in brunch or shoe shopping as they are in beer and sports. PJ is a guy’s gal. She loves hanging out, prefers beer to cocktails, eats like a horse, never gains weight, and always looks good although her lone girlfriend, Stephanie (Kellee Stewart), is dying to get her hands on PJ and fem her up. Oh, it all sounds so promising, particularly with the recurring exposition in the early episodes, where PJ (in voiceover) explains that the good elements of a circle of friends are mimicked in the good elements of a baseball team. Yet, even the welcome inclusion of Jim Gaffigan (Ed) as PJ’s older brother can’t invigorate this highly self-conscious comedy anchored to a weak lead and telegraphed dialogue. No home run here, but maybe after a few warm-up swings, the series will make it worth staying past the first few innings.
10 Items or Less premieres Monday, Nov. 27, at 10pm. My Boys premieres Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 9pm. Check local listings for additional airdates.
What Else Is On?
Local filmmaker Karen Kocher helps us learn how Austin became Austin in a new series of short films that give a clear-eyed look at its history called Texas Time Tours. The series airs Thursday, Nov. 30, at 8pm on KLRU.
Casting Calls
The producers of The Bachelor are seeking “ambitious, charming, successful bachelorettes ready to find true love” for the next season of the ABC series. To be considered, contact Chris Hazel at chris@kasstinginc.com or call 323/297-7105.
If These Walls Could Talk (HGTV) is coming to Texas. Unusual discoveries, historical surprises, and other revelations homeowners happen upon in the course of remodeling or restoring their home are the focus of this series, now entering its eighth season. If you think you and your home are TV-worthy, contact Keri Grogan at kgrogan@highnoonentertainment.com or call 303/712-3302.
This article appears in November 24 • 2006.