The Mindy Project
Tuesday at 9:30 on Fox
There's a lot to like about this much-anticipated sitcom from "The Office" writer and actress Mindy Kaling.
The writing is fresh and funny, and Kaling is a gifted comedic actress. So my teensy bit of letdown is likely because my expectations were too high to start with. It's a solid sitcom.
Kaling plays an OB/GYN whose professional success is tempered by her lack of success in finding a soul mate. Mindy (also her character's name) was raised on romantic comedies and the "meet cute, fall in love, eat brunch and live happily ever after" notion of romance is deeply ingrained to the point of damage.
Mindy over-analyzes every situation involving a member of the opposite sex, makes terrible decisions in relationships, and doesn't realize how amazing and cool she is when she just relaxes and doesn't try so hard.
The good news is, that's all usually pretty funny to watch.
The pilot chronicles Mindy's most promising almost-Prince Charming, and how the demise of that relationship leads to a drunken breakdown at his wedding -- and Mindy in police handcuffs. The former boyfriend/potential boyfriend cameos in the pilot are outstanding -- both Bill Hader ("SNL") and Ed Helms ("The Office") woo Mindy in the first episode -- but her male colleagues (Chris Messina and newcomer Ed Weeks) make a more lasting impression.
Brooke Cain isn't always proud of the number of hours she logs in front of the TV, but her loss of brain cells can be your gain. From reality shows to sitcoms to the more serious stuff, Brooke keeps her DVR smoking so that she can help keep you in the know. Brooke also tweets for Happiness is a Warm TV (you can follow
Comments
Why Sitcom Pilots are Like Dogs
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 11:10 — brookecain (author)Sometimes it's hard to tell about a sitcom from its pilot. Read this great column by Linda Holmes at NPR:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2012/09/25/161738838/the-mindy-project-and-why-comedy-pilots-are-like-dogs
That review summed up my
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 13:31 — cwhittThat review summed up my problems with the show, but I'll continue to watch to see if it gets better.
Ben and Kate is good!
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 13:12 — cwhittBen and Kate is good! I watched it and The Mindy Project on TWC a few weeks ago. The characters are fun to watch and the show is quirky without being over-the-top like The New Normal (another one that will probably grow on me).
Disappointed
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 10:12 — cwhittI was excited about this show because I like Mindy Kaling on The Office and enjoyed her book, but I was disappointed. I didn't find her character likable at all. I'm hoping it will get better. I hated New Girl last year, but it sort of grew on me because of Schmidt and Nick. (But I still don't like adorkable Zooey. I prefer weird indie movie Zooey.)
I think 'Mindy' will get better
Tue, 09/25/2012 - 10:19 — brookecain (author)I do think "The Mindy Project" will get better. There were flashes of funny in the pilot, and Kaling is very talented so I still have high hopes. It's also really hard to judge a sitcom based on the pilot. I mean, if it's awful and lame you know it right away. But if you see any little spark of "this could be funny," it's worth sticking around for a few more episodes till they find their footing. I felt the same way about "New Girl." The Zooey Deschanel character got on my nerves so badly, but the guys were funny so I stuck with it. Schmidt and Nick won me over, and now I don't even dislike Jess.
Did you watch "Ben and Kate" yet? (Note for others: Pilots of both new shows were posted on Hulu a couple weeks back.)