The night kicks off with the brilliant sitcom "Arrested Development," now in its third year of being critically acclaimed and virtually unviewed. Next is another saucy sitcom, "Kitchen Confidential," based on a memoir of the restaurant industry that is one of my favorite books. Capping it all off is the wildly implausible, yet vastly entertaining, drama "Prison Break," featuring one of the year's breakout stars, Wentworth Miller.
Yes, all of it delights. Markedly less delightful is that, off these three fine shows, only "Prison Break" does well. That show's success is probably due to a big marketing blitz and an early premiere (unlike most network shows, it bowed in late August). But why no love for "Arrested," even after the Emmys, and the constant assurances from critics and the show's rabid core of fans that this is one of the funniest shows in recent memory?
And why the similarly low performance for "Confidential"? Granted, the latter isn't as sparkling as its lead-in, but its glimpses into the restaurant industry are occassional a riot. Not mention that it features one of the best casts of any new show this year, headlined by the charismatic (and, I must add, unspeakably hot) Bradley Cooper, best known for plaing Sydney's lovesick roomie Will on "Alias."
Why no love, people? Why?
I guess there are reasons -- neither is a conventional, multi-camera sitcom with a studio audience. Both feature complicated, occassional unlikable characters -- but then, so did "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "Seinfeld."
So why won't you take these shows to your bosom, America? What will it take to get you to watch? A guest shot by an Oscar winner? Fine, Charlize Theron will continue a guest-starring arc as a kooky Brit on "Arrested" tonight. Maybe a cameo by a former 80s icon will get you to tune in? Well, "Arrested" has Scott Baio tonight, and "Confidential" features "Night Court" star John Laroquette. Or maybe both shows could continue to be smart, witty and watchable. I'm sure that won't be a problem, either. So watch, gosh darn it. Don't make me lose my temper.
A Brief Aside: I'm starting a new addition to my blogs, called "A Brief Aside." These are little observations I've made that don't necessarily deserve their own piece, but can't be ignored. Periodically, I'll be adding them to the bottom of my blogs.
This week's installment: Does anybody else think that the only reason they killed off Rex on "Desperate Housewives" is that Marcia Cross looks so good in mourning gear? Seriously -- I haven't seen anybody work a bun and dowdy black clothes so well since Lilith Crane. I guess that's what we can expect from the actress who made sweater sets and khakis look sexy. But no real grieving widow looks this good. Allow me to echo the sentiments of a stunned Lynette, who, upon spotting the bereaved Bree at a restaurant, marveled "You look amazing."
Indeed, Lynette. Indeed.