New Girl | TV Review

Story by Kelsey Comfort 

| Published Sep 20, 2011

Indie’s new it girl Zooey Deschanel is now adding a sitcom to her resume. Known for her role in “(500) Days of Summer” and as a member of the alternative duo She & Him, fans can now see her weekly on Fox’s new comedy sitcom “New Girl.” Deschanel plays Jess Day, a quirky and awkward girl who has just come out of a bad break-up. In desperate need of a new apartment, Jess finds roommates on Craigslist under the impression they are all women.

However, when Jess arrives for the roommate interview she finds that three men submitted the ad. First is Nick (Jake Johnson, “No Strings Attached”), the most endearing of all the roommates. Having just come out of a bad break-up himself, Nick is cynical and unfeeling at first. Obviously damaged from his last relationship, the audience is able to laugh at his pain. Viewers see Nick progress through the pilot episode, opening up and showing that he really is a good guy.

The second roommate is Schmidt (Max Greenfield, “Ugly Betty”), a stereotypical tool whose only goal seems to be getting laid. He isn’t funny; he’s mostly annoying and cliché. Devoid of depth, Schmidt’s only contribution to the group is to throw in a sexual reference here and there. If the show’s writers don’t allow Schmidt to evolve, viewers are sure to quickly tire of him.

The last roommate is Coach (Damon Wayans Jr., “The Underground”), a fitness trainer whose favorite form of communication is shouting. Coach’s role in the pilot is small, so it will be interesting to see the part he will play in future episodes.

Deschanel clearly carries the show, providing the most comedic relief. She is by far the most endearing, and her vulnerability makes the audience root for her. Though the premise of the show is hardly unique, it is refreshing to see a strong female comedian able to hold her own. While it is cringe-worthy that Deschanel puts on thick-rimmed glasses in an attempt to make viewers believe she is unattractive and unlovable, she plays quirky well and the show may be worth watching just to see her do it.

While the idea is unoriginal, “New Girl” has a promising cast and is good for a few laughs. The show will hopefully grow into its own as the season progresses; you can be assured Deschanel, at least, will continue to deliver.