BLOGS
The League is FX's newest sitcom about a bunch of lunatic best friends who say and do stupid things, and being a huge It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia fan, I'd have been excited to watch it even if it didn't boast Nick Kroll and Paul Scheer as castmembers. Based on the strength of the network alone, it seemed like it was inherently worth watching, no questions asked. But after watching the pilot, I'd definitely say the show has potential, but I've got some major caveats.
Before I get into those, though, let's discuss the characters who really worked well. First of all, Nick Kroll's wholly inappropriate, scheming lawyer was all money. Every single one of his scenes was hilarious, from the Oracle to the first draft plea bargain to the Twix shoplifting confession, and I'm thrilled to see such an excellent comedian given an opportunity to actually be funny in a good role on television. Same goes for the Taco stoner guy. That guy is great. And Paul Scheer's goober outsider who desperately wants to be part of the gang wasn't so much funny (at least in this stage) as it was just very true to life and instantly relatable, so I'm counting that one as a success as well.
But, as with many things "guy-centric" these days, it had this irksome undercurrent of how oppressive women are and how they never let men have any fun. This was most blatantly exemplified by Leslie Bibb's beyond shrewish character, and I guess was meant to be balanced out by Kevin's football-loving wife Jenny, and though she does look like she's going to turn into an awesome character down the line, even she was shown nagging her husband to pay attention to his daughter during her birthday party. She wasn't vilified like Bibb's character was, but the theme of her keeping him from his more pressing interests in favor of being responsible is just something I'm so sick of in shows and movies about guys bro-ing out. Not all women are insufferable bitches, you know? That's all I'm saying.
Alright, end rant. Like I said, the show is mostly very enjoyable, and has that great added bonus of random comics popping up for cameos -- Matt Walsh of the Upright Citizens Brigade and Rob Huebel of Human Giant both made appearances in the pilot, and I'm sure we'll see more familiar people like that down the line, which is fun. And the subject matter of how crazy-competitive people get over fantasy football is certainly a very real phenomenon; I'm surprised there hasn't already been a show entirely about that world. All in all, I think I'll stick with the show through its first season. After all, even Sunny in Philly didn't become truly awesome until the gang got gun fever in episode 105. Let's all be patient with The League -- for now.
But, as with many things "guy-centric" these days, it had this irksome undercurrent of how oppressive women are and how they never let men have any fun. This was most blatantly exemplified by Leslie Bibb's beyond shrewish character, and I guess was meant to be balanced out by Kevin's football-loving wife Jenny, and though she does look like she's going to turn into an awesome character down the line, even she was shown nagging her husband to pay attention to his daughter during her birthday party. She wasn't vilified like Bibb's character was, but the theme of her keeping him from his more pressing interests in favor of being responsible is just something I'm so sick of in shows and movies about guys bro-ing out. Not all women are insufferable bitches, you know? That's all I'm saying.
Alright, end rant. Like I said, the show is mostly very enjoyable, and has that great added bonus of random comics popping up for cameos -- Matt Walsh of the Upright Citizens Brigade and Rob Huebel of Human Giant both made appearances in the pilot, and I'm sure we'll see more familiar people like that down the line, which is fun. And the subject matter of how crazy-competitive people get over fantasy football is certainly a very real phenomenon; I'm surprised there hasn't already been a show entirely about that world. All in all, I think I'll stick with the show through its first season. After all, even Sunny in Philly didn't become truly awesome until the gang got gun fever in episode 105. Let's all be patient with The League -- for now.
Sponsored Links
1 Comments
Loading...
Add a comment
MOST RECENT POSTS
Sunday, January 15, 2012: The 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards
Today's TWoP News: Friday, January 13, 2012
One Life to Live Ends on a High Note: With a MWoP Shout-Out
The Most Heinous Person on Reality TV This Week
Parks and Recreation: Who Made the Comedy Grade Last Night?
Quick Tips We Picked Up This Week on 30 Rock
TWoP 10: Things That Would Make Us Happiest at the Golden Globes
The Finder: No Bones About It
BLOG ARCHIVES
The Telefile
January 2012
35 Entries
December 2011
49 Entries
November 2011
56 Entries
October 2011
74 Entries
September 2011
78 Entries
August 2011
61 Entries
July 2011
56 Entries
June 2011
57 Entries
May 2011
57 Entries
April 2011
78 Entries
March 2011
73 Entries
February 2011
57 Entries
January 2011
65 Entries
December 2010
39 Entries
November 2010
45 Entries
October 2010
46 Entries
September 2010
62 Entries
August 2010
55 Entries
July 2010
53 Entries
June 2010
65 Entries
May 2010
59 Entries
April 2010
57 Entries
March 2010
67 Entries
February 2010
53 Entries
January 2010
59 Entries
December 2009
32 Entries
November 2009
47 Entries
October 2009
65 Entries
September 2009
66 Entries
August 2009
58 Entries
July 2009
72 Entries
June 2009
71 Entries
May 2009
50 Entries
April 2009
57 Entries
March 2009
66 Entries
February 2009
52 Entries
January 2009
56 Entries
December 2008
51 Entries
November 2008
71 Entries
October 2008
88 Entries
September 2008
86 Entries
August 2008
120 Entries
July 2008
115 Entries
June 2008
90 Entries
May 2008
44 Entries
April 2008
30 Entries
March 2008
26 Entries
February 2008
30 Entries
January 2008
44 Entries
December 2007
31 Entries
November 2007
66 Entries
Taco seemed like he was doing a Michael Ian Black impression throughout.
I thought Bibb's character's sexual aggression was a barrier breaker for television sitcoms. I didn't get a one dimensional shrew vibe from her at all.