TV Show Wrap-Up

Story by Greg Bright 

| Published Sep 7, 2010

The Big C

What would happen if you took “Weeds,” took out the weed and added cancer? You’d have “The Big C.” Considering Laura Linney is involved as the Nancy-like lead character, it didn’t sound too bad. The show is about a woman (Linney) who finds out she has cancer and her chances of survival are slim to none. This makes her rethink the way she has lived her life, blah, blah, blah, the standard crap. The problem is, it’s just not that funny. Linney holds her own (as expected) in a tough role as a dying woman in a comedy. She brings emotion to the character without ever getting whiny. I wish I could say the same for her co-stars.

Oliver Pratt, after a fantastic performance in the film “Please Give,” can’t pull off the immature dad role, well, I should say he can’t pull it off in an entertaining way. He comes across immature, he’s just not funny when he should be. Her brother, Adam (John Benjamin Hearsy) is a complete knock-off of Andy from Weeds (it borders on a straight copy). Adam is supposed to be the comic relief, too bad he’s not funny. Trust me, it’s painfully unfunny when he’s involved. And the old lady across the street who just wants to die (Phyliss Somerville) just seems forced. At least try to make her somewhat subtle about it.

How so much talent could be wasted on a show like this is unreal. If you haven’t watched “Weeds,” this show might not be quite as horrible to you and with Laura Linney as the lead, there’s definitely worse ways to spend a Monday evening. If you’ve ever watched “Weeds,” however, chances are you’ll be deeply disappointed. Luckily though, the lead does have cancer in a pretty late stage so the show can’t go on for too long. Right?



Best Show of the Summer:
“Louie” - Part TV show, Part Stand-up special. All Louis C.K. This show constantly makes you feel awkward, uneasy, and gross but the entire time you are laughing. It’s as funny as “30 Rock,” and the way it keeps improving, it may surpass it as the funniest show this side of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”