The Grinder

I enjoyed the pilot but thought I'd wait for a few episodes before reviewing. Often the pilot is the best episode you're going to see, so I don't like to jump in too soon. But this series just keep getting better and better. Strong acting from everyone, including relative newcomer Mary Elizabeth Ellis who plays the wife. I say "relative" because with such TV staples as William Devane, Rob Lowe, and Fred Savage it's hard to steal a scene, but Ellis does a great job. Let's hope they keep up the good work.

This latest episode had a guest appearance from Timothy Oliphant, one of my favorite actors ("Hitman", "Justified"). It was good fun and let's hope they have more guest appearances, perhaps from past cast members from "Parks and Recreation" or "The Wonder Years".

The plot is so Original and fresh, with so much potentials, the Script is perfectly sculptured So many laughable scenes. I really enjoyed watching every minute of it as it felt the shortest Half an hour ever.

Jarrad Paul as a screenplay or a script writer i'v seen for him the famously funny "Yes Man" and "The D Train" this year .. and here he really outdone himself. Add to that .. the nicely sound-mix which blends with the suspense comic scenes to make it even more enjoyable and hilariously theatrical in an Ironic way.

First time seen Rob Lowe was in "Parks and Recreation" and he had almost "somehow" the same character as the one in here with all of this tightness and glamorous perfection and the fast funny talk and fast jokes .. and now with Fred Savage they are indeed making a great dual and since i'v watched the trailer before i knew this will work perfectly with such story and such amazing cast.

Fox is well known of premiering a wowzers Fall shows but few survive the winter ;) Hence I am seriously praying that this one to have a chance of staying on the network for a while as we now have high expectations, That's of course if it stays running on the same rhythm as this .. and i believe it will.

I really enjoyed this show and looked forward to each new episode. The cast was great and the writing was clever. Why wasn't it renewed?

There seems to be a trend at the moment for comedy shows (particularly those from out cousins across the pond) to show situations that are painfully embarrassing for the protagonist, and then dragging those moments out far too long to remain interesting or even amusing - they're just painful and sad.

This show is different. Sure, there're similar moments, but they remain funny by not being overly laboured and they're mixed in with other types of humour - I have a smile on my face throughout, and genuinely laugh out loud frequently - that's not typical for me; I'm really enjoying this show.

The basic premise is, of course, utterly ridiculous, and is both ridiculed and legitimised by other characters in the show. It's predictable, but in the most delightful way, doesn't demand too much of the viewer, but still doesn't come across as dumb, or that it expects the viewer lacks the intelligence for more sophisticated humour. It just works, and after watching an episode I feel entertained, happier, more upbeat; it does everything a comedy show should, and I can't wait for the show's return in the new year.

Dean Sanderson (Rob Lowe) leaves his TV show The Grinder portraying a lawyer to return home to Boise, Idaho and his family's law firm. His father (William Devane) is happy but his brother Stewart Sanderson (Fred Savage) is leery of the non-lawyer playing law expert. Stewart's family, wife Debbie (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), kids Lizzie (Hana Hayes), and Ethan Sanderson (Connor Kalopsis) are more accepting. Co-worker Claire Lacoste (Natalie Morales) is dismissive and Todd (Steve Little) is a sycophant.

This is better than the regular stuff from the networks. The Lowe Savage pairing is fun and endearing. Lowe gives the perfect delivery. Dean is a great character. It is a real disappointment that the show got canceled after one season.