September 22, 2010

TV: Running Wilde (Fox, Tue 9:30)

While watching Running Wilde, I realized that it would be virtually impossible to design a sitcom I would like any less than this one. It stars Will Arnett, and I can't think of an actor whose persona is more loathsome than his smug arrogance; the co-star is Keri Russell, who can be a charming presence, but is not a gifted comedian; and it has voice-over narration from an Adorable Moppet. Named "Puddle," no less.

Even the premise is annoying. Arnett plays a spoiled rich guy, heir to an oil fortune, and Keri Russell is his childhood sweetheart, an environmental do-gooder. They are re-united when she asks him to stop his father from drilling for oil in the Amazon home of the tribe she's been living with. He decides that the only way to win her back is to change his ways and become a better person; she decides to help him do so, in the belief that she'll then be able to use his money and influence to make the world a better place. In other words, two people who don't have anything in common, and would never be romantically attracted to one another (and are played by actors without a shred of chemistry), are going to be forced through week after week of "romantic" tension as they use one another for their own selfish ends.  Gee, that's funny stuff, that is.

I will admit that there were one or two mildly amusing jokes, but none of them were remotely funny enough to overcome my distaste for the show's cast and premise. It's possible that some may enjoy the show, but it's absolutely not for me.

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