I just wanted to apologize in advance

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

I went to Las Vegas in November and stayed at the MGM Grand, where Viacom has a big empty corner of the place (the building is SO FUCKING HUGE there's actually quite a lot of empty space) to invite groups of people to watch concept TV shows and then fill out web-based questionaires on a laptop about what they thought about the program, whether they'd watch this program over (names of various popular TV shows here), etc. The program I was privy to, Charlie Lawrence, begins Sunday on CBS.

 

The gist is this: Charlie (played by Nathan Lane) is an out-of-work actor who's best known for his role on a show that's pretty much a cheesy parody of Touched By An Angel. He's elected as Representative after the last one (pictured in a wheelchair on life support "in healthier times") passes on. One of his office assistants thinks he's a sucker walking into a trap, while the other is a huge fan who knows more about his work than is really healthy. There's also a young guy who does some dumb things but he appearantly isn't the most memorable character since I can't remember what his purpose was.

 

The conceptual pilot we saw had everything from a running gag involving an incredibly loud fire alarm (because so many politicians are deaf old men, har de har), to a smooth talking Senator who may or may not have a vendetta against Charlie. His touching inauguration speech is actually just a bit from his tacky old show, which stirs controversey. As a Sunday evening comedy, it's okay. It's a bit of William Shatner with a bit of Jesse Ventura played by a decent actor with a solid backup cast.

 

The thing I didn't mention to you (and appearantly neither have the previews) is that Charlie is openly gay. This really doesn't have a whole lot of impact on the show except to set up some ESPECIALLY cheesy jokes. Example:

 

Smooth-talking Senator: Let's discuss things over a drink.

Charlie: Okay. But I choose the bar.

Smooth-talking Senator: Sure. *thinks* Wait a minute!!

 

How about another? I don't remember it verbatim, but at the beginning there's a joke comparing the Washington Monument to a penis.

 

You're laughing already, aren't you? Well, you probably aren't unless you're my Dad, and in my survey I commented that the character's sexuality is pretty much just a setup for cheap jokes, and how I can't see the show lasting multiple seasons without these jokes inevitably getting very tired or offending someone. I did some speed reading over the show's web site on CBS.com and don't see one mention of this, so maybe someone actually listened to me for once in this world.

 

So, for those about to brave the flood of summer TV, I salute you. But please, don't blame me if this show falls short of the premise's potential and is filled with tacky gay jokes. I REALLY TRIED TO MAKE IT BETTER. REALLY!

[Guest WrestlingDeacon]

I read a review of it in the USA Today yesterday that mentioned him being gay and said that it wasn't really that delved into except for setups to cheesey jokes as you mentioned. Perhaps they did steer away from this in later episodes. They also said that the show Charlie was on was more of a cross between Touched by an Angel and Highway to Heaven then a straight parody of Angel, more of a send up off all those shows where people travel around doing good deeds.

 

And how could you not mention that the show features Ted McGinely and Laurie Metcalf!

[Guest Nevermortal]

I'll watch anything with Nathan Lane in it. That man is GOLD, JERRY. GOLD!

[Guest Vyce]

Will you be apologizing for the Tony Awards as well, Jobber?