US TV

In the US: Thursdays, 8.30/7.30c, NBC

Okay, I have to ask: is there some massive build-up of a slight irritation in all the middle-aged, middle class white guys around the world? I’m not talking about some Susan Faludi style-Backlash (that’s a different question). I’m talking about mild irritation which some mildly irritating aspects of their not exactly universal lifestyles. Because around the world, we’re getting some very meta shows in which grumpy, middle class, middle-aged white guys, playing thinly veiled versions of themselves, meander around while their wives look on as patiently as they can, having to deal with things that clearly irk them. A little bit anyway.

First we had Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm, in which Larry goes around as himself, being narked by having to tip waiters, that kind of thing, while his wife looks on as patiently as she can. Obviously a funny show with a funny guy and funny writers. Not quite as universal as Seinfeld‘s comedy of modern manners, but still worth watching.

Then we got Lead Balloon in the UK, in which Jack Dee became very irritated and long suffering in response to a terrible life in which he has a big house, an East European housekeeper and a slightly sarcastic coffee bar owner to deal with, while his wife looks on as patiently as she can.

Then Canada got in on the act with Good Dog, in which Ken Finkleman somehow has to cope with the problems of having a reality TV show made about him and his much younger, model girlfriend, who’s being as patient as she can with him.

By this point, it was clear everyone was doing Curb Your Enthusiasm, so the first episode of Good Dog makes frequent references to Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm, going to see Larry David to get his approval to make an obvious rip-off of Curb Your Enthusiasm and more highly meta fun.

But now we’ve gone completely meta full circle. We’re back in the US. We have Paul Reiser, friend of Larry David, former star of Mad About You, creating and starring in a show called The Paul Reiser Show, which is all about the mild problems faced by a rich guy called Paul Reiser who hasn’t done much since he appeared in Mad About You. It’s directed by one of the directors of Curb Your Enthusiasm. And in it, Larry David turns up as Larry David, doing his Curb Your Enthusiasm version of himself, to talk about the game show that Paul Reiser is going to host that’s a lot like his. All while Reiser’s wife looks on as patiently as she can.

My brain hurts. Shame my funny bone doesn’t.

Here’s a couple of trailers. You will not laugh:

Continue reading “Review: The Paul Reiser Show 1×1-1×2 (US: NBC)”