(S01E01) Never ever, ever go into work on your day off. It could just cost you your job. Especially if in doing so, the man who's name on the building dies and it in any way can be blamed on you. Just a friendly tip from the blogosphere. In these tough economic times, because I just had to start an article about a show set in the Hamptons with that, there's nothing better for people struggling to make ends meet than a show about people whose biggest struggle is ... well nothing, really.
I went into this show kind of expecting to be too annoyed by the fact that it's in the Hamptons to enjoy it, but dammit, I really started liking it. A big part of that is thanks to the dynamic between Mark Fuerstein and Paulo Costanza. Fuerstein, as Hank Lawson, is our lead who did the whole guy dying losing his job thing. And Constanza as his brother Evan, is the kind of guy who can breeze into a German Consulate's party with a bad accent and a fake ID.
Evan is an absolute hoot to watch. My wife recognized him right away from Road Trip, in which we both found his particular brand of smarminess fun. I didn't watch him in Joey because I wasn't going to watch Joey. But if you did, he's probably doing the same schtick here. But some actors, like Tyler Labine (Reaper), are so good in their particular schtick that they're fun to watch anyway.
The sequence with Evan in the motel room with two rich and beautiful girls looking for Hank is just brilliant. He's the perfect antithesis of Hank, who's very buttoned down. Hank is doing the right thing for the right reasons, which is why he didn't want to take that German Consulate's money or job offer for the summer. Considering he's been rendered unhirable in the medical field and he's beyond flat broke, he probably should have. Evan would have. Hell, I would have and I'm not even a doctor. Do you think they have an opening in concierge tech repair.
I love how becoming this concierge doctor is basically being forced on Hank. Suddenly everyone in the Hamptons has his number and the address of the Hampt-Inn he's staying at, to the delight of his brother (remember those two girls). Hell, his new P.A. "Physician's Assistant" comes equipped with a medical arsenal in her SUV. And yes, she basically showed up and sealed the deal on forcing him to become this doctor, though I'm still not sure why he's so insistently resistent. I guess it's so we can be force fed how morally upstanding he is.
It's fun watching Hank work like, as the cyberchondriac Libby called him, MacGuyver in treating these pampered patients wherever they happen to collapse. It's been awhile since we've seen a good use for a sandwich baggie, duct tape and a Bic pen. Bonus points for Hank getting an emergency call for medical care from the Hamptons Heritage Hospital where he found his newest client.
By the end of this pilot, I was getting annoyed with Hank's ongoing resistance to becoming the concierge doctor. We know that's what this show is about, so let's get on with it already. Thank god for Jill Flint, the pretty hospital administrator with the car that Hank almost drove off in at Boris'. She was finally able to convince Hank to stop whining and get into his role for the series already.
Evan and Hank have the makings of a fine comedic duo, similar to what USA has going on with Psych. And Divya is the perfect bridge between them and this world of the Hamptons. He's got a swanky place to stay with Boris, replacing the crappy old doctor, an in with the crowd via Divya, and we've got a great setup for a fun show. "Characters Welcome" indeed, USA. You actually pulled this one off. Nicely done.
The TV Squad Podcast: Vik Sahay of Chuck, Oprah talk, brutal timeslots, and more!
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-05-2009 @ 7:50AM
Bruno said...
I really enjoyed it. Fun to watch, and it really does seem we have sort of a new dynamic duo.
Although it's easy to see Boris also has the eye on the hot, hot, hot administrator....
Reply
6-05-2009 @ 9:01AM
matt said...
the character of "tucker" was great too.. seems like he is going to be around somewhat regularly too...
Reply
6-05-2009 @ 9:10AM
Jimmy said...
This was rather hit or miss for me. For the most part I really liked what I saw and there's definitely room to grow into an interesting series. The biggest complaint I can give is the pilot really dragged in certain spots. Still, I'll be watching next week. With the combination of Burn Notice I have a nice two-hour block of good television this summer.
Reply
6-05-2009 @ 9:26AM
mark02370 said...
it was MUCH better than i expected.especially about the "FLAT TIRE". it seems it'll be a great show.
Reply
6-05-2009 @ 9:53AM
Mike said...
I've always liked Mark Fuerstein, his 'West Wing' character was one of my favorites. I'm glad to see that he finally got his own show, and one that his acting style seems to be perfectly cast for.
Reply
6-05-2009 @ 10:13AM
Ggrrl said...
It was pretty watchable. I am a bit disappointed that they won't be staying at the Hampt-Inn, though
Reply
6-05-2009 @ 1:55PM
Europa said...
I liked it as well, very much. I think maybe more than Jason did. It was well written, acted, and directed. I don’t agree with your complaints about him being, “insistently resistant.” He stated from the start he didn’t even want to go out to the Hamptons so why would he become so agreeable and bending once there? Like you said, maybe your expectation of being “too annoyed” by the show tainted your review a little. Anyway, I’ll definitely be back for more next week. I’ve even set a reminder in my calendar so I won’t forget.
The reason the show seemed to drag for some is because it did, literally. It ran an extra 15 minutes (at least on the West coast).
The, “I’m not with AAA.” remark to the “flat tire” made me laugh out loud.
I hope Tucker has a recurring role as well. For some reason I like that kid. I hate the girlfriend (just want to slap her) but, Tucker, I like. :)
Reply
6-05-2009 @ 2:37PM
metz said...
Count me in among the pleasantly surprised. It had several chuckle out loud moments and I found the casting to be very solid. I hope they somehow work in treating some less wealthy patients, I sense a part time gig at the hospital coming up.
It gets a season pass on the TiVo.
Reply
6-05-2009 @ 3:06PM
Bob Sassone said...
This show seems like a copy of Burn Notice. Guy gets burned/shafted by his employer, has to go to a sunny place filled with partying rich people to make money, uses special skills to help/save people. I think his brother is "Sam" and his physician's assistant is "Fiona." Good first episode though.
Reply
6-09-2009 @ 5:36PM
btarlinian said...
That's not really true. Their motivations are pretty different. This guy definitely doesn't want his old job or life back, (at least that's not what it seems like, and the characters in Burn Notice feed more off their interactions with one another, but in this show, each person is more of a loner. Besides, the sidekicks are each other's love interest so you can't say Fiona the PA.
6-05-2009 @ 4:51PM
cgar said...
i liked it. perfect summer show.
Reply
6-05-2009 @ 7:56PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
Which exec does Mark Fuerstein have pictures of with animals? This guy has been working for years and always in failed shows...yet somehow he is always hired for more shows that will flop.
Reply
6-06-2009 @ 12:15AM
Tara said...
Tyler's fun to watch? I've missed that. Even his Invasion character was cringe-worthy. Tyler should really listen to Ben's line in Home Stretch about how bad he is.
Reply
6-06-2009 @ 3:10AM
Rob said...
Ok,.. So here's what I don't get: Obviously the admin at the Hampton hospital respects and likes him, so why not offer him a job? She's the admin, plus he's already established a name for himself. Why not hire him?
Also, I agree that this is a carbon copy of Burn Notice, not that that's a bad thing. Just wondering where they are planing on taking the show. Michael in BN has an overarching objective,.. To get the ones that burned him. It keeps the show moving forward. I'm wondering what this guys objective is.
And you just know Borris is going to be a problem. Also, what happens when a better, smarter doctor comes along? It's not like he's going totake him out like Michael would.
Reply
6-08-2009 @ 6:12PM
btarlinian said...
I'm pretty sure that the hospital administrator wants him to be a concierge doctor so that he would keep rich folks who want to jump to the front of the line from going to the hospital for small problems. Moreover, from my understanding, that hospital has practically no funding. She probably couldn't afford to hire him if she wanted to.
6-06-2009 @ 10:15AM
Pamela said...
I loved it. Gets a season pass on my DVR. Good job.
Reply
6-07-2009 @ 10:25AM
Andy said...
Mark Feuerstein is a really bad actor and even the non-sidekicks like that kid that got hurt outplay him.
Storywise I would give this show a chance, but if you can't connect with the main character it's no fun to watch.
Reply
6-09-2009 @ 12:04PM
chuck said...
anyone seen Playing God? the premise is 90% the same.
Reply
6-09-2009 @ 6:25PM
darci said...
Promising pilot! I really enjoyed it.
I love how this show doesn't take itself too seriously, yet isn't ridiculously silly. I think it has good drama/comedy potential which is r are on shows these days...most of the ones I watch are one or the other.
They also had a lot of really great music in this episode, like "Shut Up and Let Me Go" by The Ting Tings, and especially "Ain't No Love in the Club" by Wylde Bunch (song playing when Hank and Evan arrive at Boris' castle) - such a fun song. There's a video of this scene at :
http://modestcomplexity.blogspot.com/2009/06/royal-pains.html
Reply
7-02-2009 @ 7:13PM
ivan said...
I watched 2 episodes due to Cambell Scott and another actor whom I know personally, however, I just can't bear another episode. It moves at a snails pace, the actors and dialogue are awkward. Evan is annoying. Everyone seems to be posing for the camera. blah blah blah....the dumbing down of entertainment, but then again maybe I'm just old and crotchety.
Reply