What About Brian

Last night was the premiere (although they called it a 'sneak preview') of What About Brian. Tonight was the actual 'premiere.' I'm already hooked after watching these two episodes.

I'm one of the few people who have never seen Seventh Heaven, but I'd heard of Barry Watson. This is the first thing I've seen him in and I think he was a great choice to play Brian. He's a likable actor and he's perfect for the part of Brian.

The entire cast is good. I especially like Sarah Lancaster, and not just because she's drop dead gorgeous.

Both the acting and writing on this show are great. There's a really nice mix of drama and humor. A lot of shows attempt to blend the two and fail. What About Brian succeeds.

I hope this show gets a big audience and becomes a huge hit.

Bud Gott

I have seen all the episodes of this show, which appear to be all the episodes they have so far. They better create more since they had a great finale and I can't wait to see how it pans out. What I really find different about this show is the relationship among the male characters. They really care about each other and help each other out and have more to talk about than just sports and sex. Most TV shows have one dimensional male characters. These guys are actually interesting. The writing is great and the casting was really well done -- no weak links. Hope they bring it back next year. There are so few good shows out there and I absolutely REFUSE to watch any of those brainless reality shows.

This series is one of the best shows in recent years... it has a wonderful cast, moves quickly and seems very fresh.

My wife and I both love it, and we've been watching it despite it's terrible placement at 10PM on Monday Nights... and despite the fact of being huge Medium fans.

I'm really glad to see Rosanna Arquette back in the acting scene... ironically up against sister Patricia.

The initial trailer for the series did not disappoint and the episodes have all been better than advertised.

Hopefully it comes back for a second and third season.

Jerry in Gladstone Oregon

Network: ABC; Genre: Drama; Romance; Content Rating: TV-14 (some sexual content); Perspective: Contemporary (star range: 1 - 4);

Seasons Reviewed: Season 2 Picking up with the 2nd and final season of Dana Stevens' "What About Brian", the show starts to make a switch from being about a group of couples and the one guy who just won't settle down to a show about several relationships spiraling out of control. It is a smart and welcome change to say the least. Our hero Brian (Barry Watson, "7th Heaven") returns from a sabbatical and near-death experience in time to suffer through the wedding of his best friend, lawyer Adam (Matthew Davis) and his love Marjorie (Sarah Lancaster). Meanwhile, his video game business partner Dave (Rick Gomez, the highlight of the series) and his adorable wife Deena (Amanda Detmer)'s marriage is falling apart. His sister, Nicole (Rosanna Arquette) is still pregnant and about ready to pop.

"Brian" is not my cup of tea as it isn't the cup of tea of most people given how viciously maligned the show has been by what I can only describe as "the Family Guy crowd". As that rare breed of relationship drama, this is a slick, sophisticated adult series. Once the show gets past the done-to-death disrupted wedding episode, the show starts branching out. Brian is the least interesting character in this crowd, played like he doesn't know what to do next by Watson, and the further the show goes into the rest of the ensemble, the better it gets.

Stevens and powerhouse producer J.J. Abrams work to keep the show distinct. There is a richness to it, a depth and realism to the characters and situations. Some of the women are annoying and some of the men are idiots, but it really doesn't feel contrived. Stevens has clearly poured her heart into it and it comes through. Abrams seems to be keeping everything on track. There is some stunt casting toward the end to get the ratings up, but how can you complain with the addition of Krista Allen, Rachelle Lefevre, Stacy Kiebler and Tiffani Amber-Theissan to the cast.

The more entangled the love and work lives of these characters become, the juicer the show gets. A lot is laid out in this final season, and yes we've seen it all before - "Brian" is not entirely immune to it's criticism - but that doesn't mean that it can't be done well no matter how many wedding episodes, birthing episodes, buddies-in-jail episodes, and secret-affair episodes we've seen. There isn't a lot you can say about it, but "Brian" isn't the disaster people wanted it to be. It looks good and it sounds good. I don't like this type of series and I liked it. That says something.

* * * / 4

Enjoying the show. Hope it gets picked up in the fall. With so few episodes - just enough to get hooked - it's like your friends will be away in Europe all summer and you can't stay in touch! I have to say Brian Watson, who I was not familiar with, is very good. He is so real, vulnerable and human in his portrayal of his story line. I am looking forward to seeing more of him in the future. There are so many criminal based shows it is nice to be reminded about the subtle and not so subtle relationship dynamics we encounter. I am looking forward to Brian being in a relationship, so hopefully next season. The open marriage storyline threw me but I think there are going to be some interesting episodes coming full circle with that concept. Good Luck