Less Than Kind

I was bored and flipping through the channel guide one day and saw this show was set in my hometown, so I gave it a try. Went online to read more about it while I was watching it. Was genuinely shocked to read that this is supposedly a comedy. Shocked because it didn't seem to even be trying for a laugh, let alone trying and failing. I have lots of respect for Mark McKinney, but this show feels like a bad indie movie where the writer is so satisfied with the wacky characters he created, he doesn't bother making them do anything entertaining. Did I just happen to tune into a particularly weak episode? Possible, but I get the impression this is one of those shows Canadians grade on a curve because it's Canadian. The same attitude treated Flashpoint like high art when it was really just a mediocre procedural, and Red Green as culturally relevant when it was really just Hee Haw.

This was a good show. I liked the stories and characters. Maury Chaykin was awesome. Some of the other actors were a bit off and after Chaykin died it was not a very good show any more but still better than most Canadian comedy TV shows. Almost wooooooot!?!

This is a tremendously underrated show from Canada. The characters are well fleshed out, the story lines are funny and very entertaining. It's not one of those typical cheap, low budget, old school Canadian shows but rather more like the modern show like TPB, or Corner Gas where it's got good production values and an amazing writing staff. The problem with it is that City is not promoting it enough, and it's never on when they say it's going to be on. I hope this show doesn't get canceled, or if it does, i hope it gets picked up by Showcase since they seem to have a better eye for talent and originality.

Find out where you can find this show and watch it. You won't be disappointed. It's another one of those shows that are amazing but need your support or it will go the way of the dodo or the Firefly.

The premiere of the second season was quite an enjoyable episode. Sheldon and his anxious family stand vigil at the hospital while his father, Sam Blecher is repeatedly on death's door. Dave Foley (Kids in the Hall) guest stars as a doctor who might be a little too eager to see Sam pass on. Definitely check out this great adult show on HBO. A detailed analysis of the series after the jump.

Generally, I dislike Canadian humor. They never help out our stereotypes. That was why I could never get into Corner Gas and I won't be watch the upcoming Hiccups or Dan for Mayor. One of the few exceptions which didn't feel completely Canadian was Kids in the Hall. This particular show, Less Than Kind happens to be written and produced by one of the founding members of Kids, Mark McKinney. Perhaps, he's better known in the U.S. for being a cast member on SNL from 1995-1997.

Less Than Kind features Sheldon Blecher an overweight Winnipeg teenager living with his dysfunctional Jewish family. I like the show because it's not trying to glamourize Canada by making it look fun, it's the place last place Sheldon wants to be. In fact, the theme song is titled "I Hate Winnipeg." Less Than Kind was airing on City TV last year. Despite the fact that it was on one of Canada's major networks last year and that the show is about a family, this is a surprisingly adult show, filled with constant f-bombs and the occasional nudity. This year, it's a much better fit on HBO and it will be able to expand to a wider audience.

Stumbled on this show without hearing anything about it whatsoever. I recognized the dad from Entourage and other movies so started watching. Its a great show, thought the older brother character seemed a little "played out" not the actor but the character seems to be in every movie/show but he did grow on me as well as episodes went by.

Maybe its kinda aimed at geeks or outcasts a little, mixed with the dysfunctional family (not that my family is as crazy as this, but we are crazy in our own right) but I liked and related to this show plenty. Living in a small town is something I can't really relate to but most everything else in this show would be funny regardless of the setting.

Now I will have to get season 2 on DVD since I don't have HBO Canada (CBC? why would you not show season 2? I'm not feeling your new 2010 shows over this one)