TV Review: ‘Episodes’ Sublimely Synthesizes American, British Humor

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionE-mail page to friendE-mail page to friendPDF versionPDF version
No votes yet

CHICAGO – In the annals of showbiz-skewering shows about shows, few of them have been as funny right off the bat as “Episodes.” This Showtime/BBC co-production is blessed with one of the best premises of the season, and as evidenced in its first three episodes, the premise only gets funnier as the story progresses, reaching new heights of lunacy.

The simplistic title is reminiscent of Ricky Gervais’ great sitcom, “Extras,” which was also a pointed satire of the business where stars played unflattering versions of themselves, which is exactly what “Friends” star Matt LeBlanc does in “Episodes.” Though LeBlanc may be the show’s primary selling point, he’s merely an ingredient in the show’s pungently witty brew. What really sells the show is its timely portrait of a hit British show’s Americanization (a.k.a destruction) in cheerily soulless L.A.

HollywoodChicago.com Television Rating: 4.5/5.0
Television Rating: 4.5/5.0

LeBlanc only emerges as the final punch line in the “Episodes” pilot, which establishes the show’s real stars, Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan, who previously worked together on the marvelous British sketch comedy, “Green Wing.” They play Beverly and Sean Lincoln, the creators of an acclaimed U.K. show, “Lyman’s Boys,” that may not be as original as one would suspect. It stars Richard Griffiths as the formidably wise, dryly sardonic schoolmaster of an elite board school, much like the one he played in “History Boys.” After winning their latest passel of awards, the Lincolns are approached by a deceptively chummy, ratings-hungry U.S. network president, Merc (John Pankow, offering a master class in loathsome sleaze), who enthusiastically expresses his desire to remake their show for American audiences. With her inflexible need for creative control, Beverly is initially hesitant about the idea until her starry-eyed hubby talks her into it. Soon the couple find themselves in a gorgeous L.A. mansion filled with hollow pillars left over from a reality show.

Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig star in Showtime’s hilarious new series Episodes.
Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig star in Showtime’s hilarious new series Episodes.
Photo credit: Showtime

The best scene in the pilot centers on the Lincolns’ first encounter with Hollywood hypocrisy at their initial meeting with network executives. Merc is conspicuously absent from the sit-down, which is attended by his second-in-command, Carol (played by the uproarious scene stealer, Kathleen Rose Perkins), whose diplomatic way of explaining studio policy results in verbal conundrums worthy of “Catch 22.” She reveals the probable likeliness that Merc hasn’t even seen their show since “he’s not a big TV watcher.” The Lincolns are horrified to discover that their beloved leading man will be forced to audition in order to reprise his role as the headmaster. Sadly, Merc deems him, “too butlery.” Goodbye Brit, hello “Joey.”

Things really get cooking once LeBlanc emerges in the second episode, sporting the graying hair and fatigue of a fading star who fears his best days are behind him. He has no real interest in being a part of “Lyman’s Boys,” but once the network promises him a “money train” toward his much-needed comeback, LeBlanc is onboard, switching on the charm to seduce the Lincolns into making their show more commercially viable. Of course, Beverly takes an immediate disliking to him, particularly after the uncouth actor repeatedly refers to her as “Betsy.” But LeBlanc easily seduces Sean with nice cars, good food, jets to Vegas, and his—um, Jules Verne-like appendage.  

Matt LeBlanc stars in Showtime’s Episodes.
Matt LeBlanc stars in Showtime’s Episodes.
Photo credit: Showtime

Creators David Crane (“Friends”) and Jeffrey Klarik (“Mad About You”) capture the dichotomy between British and American sensibilities with a pinpoint accuracy that, in its best moments, draws comparison to Armando Iannucci’s comic masterpiece, “In the Loop,” which chronicled the U.S. and U.K.’s fractured relations on the cusp of 9/11. Some of the screwball banter in “Episodes” mirrors that film’s off-kilter rhythm and foul-mouthed playfulness. Yet other gags follow the reliable structure of an American sitcom like “Joey,” with punchlines so labored that the viewer can practically hear the laugh track. This mixture of tones is somewhat jarring at first, but gradually begins to make more sense when LeBlanc materializes. His fearless self-deprecation is a joy to behold, and his inherent likability makes it somewhat easier for viewers to stomach his various douchisms. Many of the best moments in the series thus far are the tart-tongued disputes between LeBlanc and the equally bullheaded Beverly. Few actresses are as skilled and side-splitting in their slow-burn exasperation as Steig, who can elicit guffaws merely by her angry enunciation of the letter “B” in Betsy. The string of colorful expletives she expels at the end of episode two is as priceless as any of Peter Capaldi’s diatribes in “Loop.”
 
Though “Episodes” earns points for tweaking both countries’ quirks, it’s clear that the British approach to television comedy is superior, particularly in modern times. When LeBlanc justifies the creative changes made to the Lincolns’ show by pointing out that American shows run for hundreds of episodes rather than a handful, he’s echoing the philosophy behind the American version of “The Office.” Yet at least the British shows know when to quit. Gervais’ “Office” is a classic because it fused each of its 12 episodes (and two-part season finale) with equal amounts of comic genius, while the U.S. remake continues to steadily run out of steam. Here’s hoping “Episodes” won’t stretch its premise further than it’s meant to go. As it stands, it’s one of the funniest shows on television. Don’t miss it.

‘Episodes,’ which airs on Showtime, stars Tamsin Greig, Stephen Mangan, Matt LeBlanc, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Mircea Monroe, Daisy Haggard, Joseph May, John Pankow and Richard Griffiths. The show was created by David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik. The fourth season premieres on Sunday, January 9, 2011 at 8:30PM CST.

HollywoodChicago.com staff writer Matt Fagerholm

By MATT FAGERHOLM
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
matt@hollywoodchicago.com

User Login

Free Giveaway Mailing

TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

Advertisement



HollywoodChicago.com on Twitter

archive

HollywoodChicago.com Top Ten Discussions
tracker