Trust Rob Thomas, when his once intelligent, original and whip-sharp detective series (if you look past the sins of Season Three: aka The Shrewing of Veronica and the Neutering of Logan) fails to come back with a meticulously observed comedy about taking demeaning jobs when the Hollywood Dream fails you.
It's more in the Arrested Development vein. The comedy of awkward, off-the wall characters interacting with normal, and somewhat miserable folk, stand-ins for the audience. Also no laugh track.
But there's smartness in the mix. For some reason, I just marvel at how accurate Roman is. I've definitely met a few of those in my time. Perpetually angry, withdrawn, their lack of success not a symptom of anything wrong with them, but because everyone else is stupid. Nevermind they don't take criticism, or even show their work to anyone for feedback. I love the episode where the Goot, Steve Guttenburg has them do a reading of their stuff, and once it improves after feedback, he's just sitting there stunned. "Rewriting? How come I've never thought of that.
And you got your bruised and sympathetic everyman, had talent, but did that one commercial and now he can't get work because he's THAT GUY, so he has to fall back on catering. And of course, the sarcastic, sassy, intelligent and emotionally unavailable lady he falls for.
Plus Vinnie Van Lowe and Dick Casablancas, and a healthy smorgasboard of guest stars? Hell yeah.
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