Running Wilde

When Arrested Development was pulled off the air, fans sat in bated excitement, groping for anything Hurwitz-flavored they could find while anxiously awaiting the mythical Arrested Development movie. First was Juno, but Michael and George Michael never crossed paths. Cut forward to Sit Down, Shut Up, the first reunion of Hurwitz and Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Henry Winkler - personally I enjoyed it, but it was a ratings bomb and it was destroyed. Now we have Running Wilde.

So much of this show reeks of Arrested Development (cast aside) - a corporate family, rich, arrogant people, exploited servants, constant narration... it's reminiscent of the scene in Groundhog Day where Phil attempts to find just the right pose that won Rita over the first time, but can't quite make it work again. It's hilarious to watch, but keep in mind, we're Andie McDowell.

Which shortcoming to begin with? The most obvious one is the narration.

In Ron Howard, AD found a way to cut past the setup and guide the feeble-minded audience in the show's intricate plot and jokes. With RW, it has become a crutch to bypass characterization - we are told right out that Migo, while playing the part of the servant with attitude (a la Arthur's Hobson), actually cares deeply for his boss, then we cut to a scene that also depicts this sentiment. Neither are necessary. Can't the audience figure that out for themselves? Can't Migo show us that through his own actions and interactions? The narration also becomes somewhat unsettling as the show's narrator is also a major character in the show, discussing events she was not present for, and in cases, are deliberately happening behind her back and it doesn't feel right... In film, they say that voice-over should be used sparingly. It's a seasoning, it shouldn't be necessary to understand the plot. Here, it seems more like a desperate attempt to find something that captivated its audience in another iteration of itself.

Next we have the cast - here we reunite two of the biggest laughter magnets of Arrested Development, collectively known as GOBIAS. Unfortunately they were also the most one-dimensional bit characters of their former series and are not given much more here. Add in the required love interest and we have little more than a curved line. Maybe it was luck or better writing or a phenomenal cast, but the power and charisma just isn't played out here. It's just too artificial. The Felicity/GOB relationship is the root of the show, and we never feel it because it is either a.) simply a device for the episode's plot b.) glossed over by cheap jokes, or c.) TOLD TO US by the show's 12 year old narrator.

I should add that the actor playing Fa'ad, Peter Serafinowicz, is an AMAZING British comedian and impersonator and manages to pull off one of the greatest moments on the show (his tough New York accent).

Other standard AD techniques include the quick cut flashbacks and meanwhiles, over-the-top situations, double/triple entendres, and Andy Richter. Effective in their own ways and sometimes matching the quality we expect, but not at the rate we would wish.

While the show does have its shining moments, it is far from the smart, absurd, poignant, and expertly-woven tapestry that was Arrested Development. If you're expecting some grand reunion show that continues a lot of the same elements as before, watch Archer on FX (and pretend Jon Benjamin is Will Arnett). If you want to watch an uneven, saccharine sitcom that's still better than 80% of the rest of television, watch this.

"Running Wilde" is not, and will not ever be groundbreaking television.

That said, it was a funny show with heartwarming moments and some good how-did-they- get-that-past-the-censors gags. Its story showed promise, and while the opposites-attract idea is an overused trope, the idea of a wealthy oil heir who's infatuated with a dyed in the wool environmental activist is a very relevant concept.

Except, you wouldn't know any of this if I hadn't just told you, because Fox did a horrific job of advertising this show.

I am an avid television viewer, and I watch many shows on the Fox channel. How is it then, that I had zero idea as to what this show was actually about? All I knew was that it starred Will Arnett and Keri Russell. That's it. The advertisements for this show never gave me a reason to tune in. Fox showers GOOD ads on "Glee" and "American Idol," but the fact of the matter is that those two have solid fan bases. I mean, really, is Fox THAT worried about "American Idol" losing viewership? They've completely retooled the show twice now, and they still have viewerships in the teens-to-twenties million. Everyone already knows what those shows are about--they are, frankly, overexposed.

Just like with "Arrested Development," which is widely regarded as one of the best shows in television history, Fox screwed the ad pooch and basically condemned its own to eternal damnation in Cancellation Land. To boot, of all the new comedies that debuted last season and were subsequently cancelled, e.g. "Outsourced," "$#*! My Dad Says," "Perfect Couples," et al., this show was actually tolerable. In fact, compared to those listed above, it was Shakespearean.

So do not judge this show based on Fox's egregiously subpar treatment of a decent program. See for yourself and be pleasantly surprised.

This show comes very close to pure gold in terms of its premise and casting. Unfortunately it is lacking in fulfilling its own promise. The characters are interesting and well-acted.

The most conspicuously absent part of the show is an anchoring "straight man" a la Jack Lemon or Dean Martin. The zany characters are no good without an accomplished and mature actor capable of acting as a stand-in for the audience. My guess is that the writers intended for this to be Puddle, and while Stefania LaVie Owen is a good child actress, she has not yet developed the nuance and complexity of facial expression and voice intonation to make her more than the show's cute kid.

Another problem that will eventually become evident is that the show can only do so many episodes before its audience loses interest in whether or not Emmy and Steve sack out together. There is only so far that this show can go, and I'm not certain that it will get there.

I love Will Arnett, and really want him to have a stellar show, and maybe if there is room for a sympathetic character along the lines of Michael Bluth in Arrested Development, then these lovable (though not likable) characters will shine and the audience will gain an appreciation for their quirks and a sense of familiarity that is currently lacking. In the meantime, though, I feel like some writers and producers just tried to cram a bunch of far out characters into one show without any hope of development or perspective.

Steven Wilde (Will Arnett) would seem to have every advantage in this world. Very wealthy, he lives in a posh mansion, has a friendly servant at his beck and call at all times, drives a knockout car and does very little work. A figurehead, mostly, at his father's oil company, Stevie is out drinking and partying a good deal of the time. But, ho, ho! Back into his life comes Emmy (Keri Russell), a childhood pal. She grew up in the mansion, being the daughter of the live-in housekeeper, before going to college and never looking back. Now, Emmy is an ecologist, with a young daughter nicknamed Puddle and a scientist beau. She has returned to try to persuade Steve's firm NOT to drill for petroleum in the habitat of the native South American tribe she has been aiding. Secretly, these two, Steve and Emmy, were once in young love, making this return a head-turning event for both of them. Steve asks for time and cajoles Emmy into working at the firm, where they can untangle the problems together. Against her better judgment, Emmy accepts. She and Puddle even move into the elaborate treehouse on the property. But, all too soon, Emmy's left-behind-guy shows up, wanting the score, along with other various issues. Can the egocentric playboy and the pretty ecologist rekindle a love fire and help save the world? Maybe! This viewer wanted to see this series when it was broadcast but work conflicts put a damper on it. Now, its on one disk, joy of joys, to entertain its target audience, women. No, its storyline and scripts aren't the greatest but Arnett and Russell are pure joys in their roles and the supporting cast is quite nice. Also, the sets and costumes are wonderful while the passionate tug-of-war between Steve and Emmy are just what the love doctor ordered for those yearning for on-screen romantic comedy. Why not run wild tonight, females, and buy this DVD, with sides of pizza and popcorn?

This show has to stick around. I love how it rewards the viewer for paying attention by referencing small things from within the episode(s) as opposed to making huge, blatantly obvious references like other sitcoms. The entire cast is great in this show. The episode with Andy Richter has been my favorite so far. And David Cross is great too. Will Arnett plays this character to perfection. It's like Gob Bluth, reincarnate! Keri Russell is probably the only one I'd say needs to improve...she comes across as a little stiff still (like she's still getting used to a comedic role)--but it does fit her character. Hidden gem: Peter Serafinowicz. His Alan Alda impersonation was IMPECCABLE! I'd hate to see it get canceled because of poor ratings. Don't drop this show, FOX! Redeem yourself for canceling "Arrested Development" by saving "Running Wilde!"