(S01E01) Watching Accidentally on Purpose, thoughts of Seth Rogen danced in my mind. Not Seth, actually, but the film Knocked Up. This is the second year in a row that CBS seems obsessed with that film. Last season, it was Worst Week, with a schlubby Kyle Bornheimer channeling Rogen's goofy lack of grace. It didn't work and Worst Week bit the dust. Now we have Jenna Elfman in the Katherine Heigl role, knocked up by accident after a one-night stand, albeit with a twist. Instead of a schlub, Jenna's fling is a boy-toy named Zach.
And there you have the premise of Accidentally on Purpose. Are you ROFL? Will you LOL? Read on after the jump.
There are only two things going for this new CBS sitcom, Jenna Elfman and Ashley Jensen. The latter continues to be a reliable Rhoda, a sidekick with the funniest lines in the pilot, delivered in her wry, Scottish accent that never fails to hit the mark. As for Jenna, Accidentally really relies too much the charm and appeal that made her a star with Dharma and Greg. In place of a solid foundation for a sitcom, Accidentally is all about situation and not enough about comedy. It's yada-yada-yada-punchline. You can set your watch by the one-liners. (Does anybody still need to set their watches?)
I don't have an aversion to traditional three-camera sitcoms; I love them when they're done right (Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, New Adventures of Old Christine). However, much of Accidentally isn't sharply written, it's indicated. Instead of a real job, Billie's a film critic at a San Francisco newspaper. It's 2009. Is there even a San Francisco newspaper still in circulation, let alone a film critic who's getting paid? This is like Ann Marie being an actress on That Girl. It sounds good, but there's nothing in her character that connects to the position. One repro poster of Gilda doesn't make her a movie buff. A real buff would have the actual, original poster!
But I quibble because Billie's job doesn't really matter. The pilot is all about her getting pregnant, deciding to have the kid and the other kid, boy toy Zach, kinda/sorta moving in. There's the set-up. Will they fall in love? Will they bond over her big belly? Will her ex-love, the editor of the paper, want her back and fight for her?
There should be the promise of amusing comedy in every new pilot, but this one feels tired and clichéd. Jenna Elfman could use a lot more of the zing Chuck Lorre brought to Dharma and Greg. Billie is no Dharma. And the motley crew of friends that come along with Zach are yet another shout out to Knocked Up. Using the urn with grandma's ashes as a water pipe may be the height of hilarity to some, but for me it was just gross.
Elfman can do better and has in the past. Accidentally on Purpose is an accident to be avoided.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-21-2009 @ 9:46PM
Rhomboid said...
FYI, the San Francisco Chronicle is still in circulation (but only barely -- the owner threatened to close it earlier this year if a buyer can't be found or costs brought under control) and they do currently employ film critic Mick LaSalle.
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9-21-2009 @ 10:33PM
eddie said...
one of the worst new show this season
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9-21-2009 @ 11:02PM
CParis said...
Jenna Elfman - bleech! And wasn't this same story line already played out years ago on "Frasier" when Roz got pregnant by her boytoy?
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9-21-2009 @ 11:08PM
JWB said...
This show is horrible. Unfunny, annoying, and unwatchable. I feel bad for Jon Foster. He's a really good actor who deserves a better role.
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9-21-2009 @ 11:40PM
HD said...
I always enjoyed "Dharma and Greg" (I don't care what Seth MacFarlane thinks) and am willing to give Elfman a chance even though her last sitcom tanked, and yes this is just a watered down "knocked up".
Tonight's episode was okay - and looks like a masterpiece when compared to the pilot episode of "Surviving Suburbia" a few months ago.
I think the show is a better fit with Gary Unmarried rather than the Monday night all-stars.
FYI to anyone who hasn't heard - Elfman is now pregnant in real life...her timing is good, no hiding behind pillows or giant purses will be necessary.
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9-21-2009 @ 11:56PM
reb said...
Is it just me, or was that the same office set as the one from Suddenly Susan?
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9-22-2009 @ 12:05AM
Tom said...
Am about halfway through the pilot at this time. Will stick it out to the end, but so far, I am not impressed with this series. Felt that way about Worst Week last year, but that show grew on me. Don't think this one will. Bring back Rules of Engagement already!
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9-22-2009 @ 8:55AM
grumpiestoldman said...
Can you smell the Scientology leaking through?
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9-22-2009 @ 9:58AM
Kristi said...
The 'Low points' are definitely are outweighing the 'High points', see my list.
http://www.orble.com/teevee-accidentally-on-purpose-ep1/
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9-22-2009 @ 11:00AM
Holly said...
I actually loved the pilot, but I have always enjoyed Jenna Elfman's characters. Billie is already growing on me. Not just another Cougar, I think this show is here to stay, at least until a baby is born!
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9-22-2009 @ 11:23AM
kellie said...
LOVED IT! Can't wait to see the next one!
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9-22-2009 @ 11:44AM
Allison said...
Call me crazy, but I liked it. It wasn't hysterical, but I enjoyed the characters. The pilot wasn't much to judge on since it was all set-up, but I'm willing to give it another shot.
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9-22-2009 @ 2:41PM
Nacho said...
I made it through about 90 seconds of this mess before I hit stop and deleted it.
Better luck next time.
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9-22-2009 @ 4:23PM
Jessica said...
i didn't like it either, and i'm usually a fan of nearly all sitcoms. i agree with tom, above, wholeheartedly. and rules of engagement is much better! on another note, i'm not liking moving big bang theory to 9:30!
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9-22-2009 @ 10:47PM
Tom said...
I didn't like the idea of Big Bang moving to the time slot after Two & a Half Men either. But I work in the evenings on Mondays so when I get home, my tivo's got the Monday night line up waiting for me and I can see them in any order I choose (watched Big Bang first). Still haven't finished Accidentially on Purpose yet. Might take some time.
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9-26-2009 @ 2:08PM
totallytv said...
I actually thought the pilot wasn't too bad. Cougar Town seems much more promising though.
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10-19-2009 @ 1:41PM
Ryan said...
I love this show! Definitely give it a chance. Check out this hilarious clip below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYL0ZI6wHWM
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