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"My Name is Earl" has some unlikely ancestors. It belongs to a genre of television comedy/drama best described as "Good works shows". Popular in the eighties, when "Highway to Heaven" and "Quantum Leap" topped the charts, these shows concerned a normal, everyday guy or gal who, usually at the inspiration of some amorphous Higher Power, travelled from place to place attempting to make things Right. These shows drew their audiences in with their optimism, their conviction and their reminder that, however bad the world may seem, we have it in us all to make it better. Naturally, once the 90s dawned, they withered on the vine.

So now we're in the 2000s. How do you draw an audience jaded by the horrors around them back to the form? By taking the its conventions and completely subverting them. Instead of your average whitebread middle class straight edge, ala Scott Bacula or Patrick Duffy, you have Earl, a scuzzy, scummy lowlife with the kind of handlebar mustache that always makes one think of dead wives in the cellar. One day, realising that his life sucks, he decides to go on a quest to right all the wrongs he committed in his life. This is, as you might imagine, a fairly daunting prospect. Instead of God or some other vaguely Judeo-Christian concept, you have what Earl calls "karma", though it has little to do with karma as Hindus or Buddhists would understand it. It's more like the stalking Death in "Final Destination", only armed with a custard pie and a hand-buzzer instead of a chainsaw. If Earl does something good, he, and usually hordes of other people through a complex Rube-Goldberg unravelling of events, is rewarded. If he does bad, karma ensures Earl has a suitably slapstick comeuppance. Initially it seems to only idly look in his direction. But once Earl takes up his quest, the gloves come off. He is, as he puts it, "karma's bitch." At one point, having decided to neglect his duties in favour of romance, he finds himself at karma's mercy, crashing through a seemingly endless series of pratfalls before falling victim to a swarm of bees.

What makes this show work is that, while it never loses its moral compass, it isn't preachy or condescending. The characters inhabit the world we know, not some idealised, processed version of it. Not everyone, even white knight Earl, is necessarily likable. Earl doesn't get all virtuous about his job; he does it because he thinks it's the right thing to do, even if it means helping his repugnant "family"- his loathsome ex-wife Joy (brilliantly played by Jaime Pressely), her layabout boyfriend and their two kids. Even Randy, Earl's endearingly dim brother, who acts as the Laurel to Earl's Hardy, ("I'm gonna ask the judge to smash this walnut with his judge hammer. I bet it explodes like a death star") is given to moments of selfishness.

The scripts are wonderfully creative and have a knack for undermining expectations. In one instance, decides to apologise to the mustachioed girl he made fun of in junior high who he hasn't seen in years. When she opens her front door, cliché demands she be heart-stoppingly beautiful. Instead she has a full beard. "I tried waxing," she says. That's what works. The characters are human. This show doesn't give us people to look up to; it gives us people we could actually be.

"My Name is Earl" is kind of like those traveling nomad helpers, like "Kung Fu", "Quantum Leap" or "Highway to Heaven". The main difference is that instead of travelling from town to town, Earl stays in "Camden County". Earl is also fixing problems that he caused. He is motivated by karma and is thus propelled to undo his past mistakes.

Earl, Randy, Joy, Catalina and Darnell are an excellent comedic group that work well off of each other. In addition, each of the members of Camden County make for a fun cast of characters and a unique setting. The location is both very creative, when at the same time feeling like the kind of backwater town, we are familiar with.

The premise is a bit heartwarming. Earl is perfectly content living in a hotel, going around doing good as his 24/7 gig. The change that the characters go through, trying to be a better person, is motivational.

But on top of everything, the show is very funny and very tightly written. Just about every joke comes back around two or three times to make a solid punchline each time. This show throughout the seasons manages to keep going and mixing up the formula in fresh and clever ways. The show progresses through scenarios where other comedy series would make it their finale.

The show works for both episodic adventures and as a continuous overarching serial. That being said, you can still skip the final episode. Thanks to its episodic nature, it doesn't ruin the show, but it is a disappointing end.

Watch good shows and good times happen to you, that's the way karma works.

My husband and I are great fans of Jason Lee's movie roles. We were really looking forward to this show and it totally delivered. You know a show is good if the funniest jokes aren't wasted in the trailer. Funny, well-written with great timing and direction. I instantly set my DVR to record all episodes to make sure I don't miss a single one. I thought the premise was very unique and while Earl appears to be a stereotype, there are unplumbed depths. The peripheral characters are a hoot, the choice of music also elicited quite a few laughs.

I am hoping the rest of the season holds up to the extremely well-done pilot. I think this really could be a classic, besides we have the promise of 258 possible episodes!

12/27 Footnote: The show has exceeded all my expectations and I am happy to see Earl adding to his list - so we could have inifinite episodes - yippeee.

OK, it was only one episode, but it was very funny. Jason Lee, best known to me, from Mumford and most Kevin Smith movies, was perfect. His dumb brother, Randy, played by Kevin Smith alum, Ethan Suplee was fun as well. Jaime Pressly oddly was the best cast. ALthough I believed the brothers were redneck bums, down on there luck, house breaking into losers...Jaime was the best suited to her character. She was picture perfect as the just a little too old, old time beauty queen tramp. She was a blast. In fact all the characters had features of them that stood out. I'm marking Tuesday night at 8 pm on my calender. This show (if one show is any indication...) is a keeper.

9 out of 10 or better.

update...

Season One is just ending, and yes, the show chugged along nicely throughout the season. Too bad it's already changed nights (to Thursday opposite CSI) but that's a small price to pay for a funny show like this one. Here's to a great second season, cheers.

When My Name is Earl first aired, it very quickly became one of my favourites. For a long time, it was to me one of the better and funnier shows airing on television, and I was really disappointed when it was cancelled. Jason Lee for starters is perfect as Earl, he is very funny and endearing all at once. All the other actors are engaging and have their chance to shine, but Lee was always the one to watch. My Name is Earl also had crisp production values, likable characters, interesting story lines and hilarious jokes and writing.

In conclusion, a wonderful show and for a long time was one of my favourites. That it was cancelled is a pity. 10/10 Bethany Cox

I began watching this show mostly for Jason Lee, who is a very talented and funny actor. I really thought that the plot would would only allow for maybe 20 episodes before the premise became used up. It is now on the third season and seems to be keeping strong. For the most part, the show sticks with its main premise. It is nice to see a comedy that doesn't all take place within 4 rooms like many shows on the air today. I think the constant introduction of new and clever characters really keeps it interesting. These are brought in order for there problems to be solve so that Earl can cross them off his list and move on to helping the next guy. It is unclear if the plot was originally thought up to allow a new character almost every episode, but it is really to its benefit, and the viewers.

After watching this show for the third time, I finally have my full verdict rating.

This show is amazing, and never gets boring, even after watching it 3 times. The characters are good, and the location is really good too. There's also a variety of backgrounds of characters (what they do, what they did, etc). Earl's acting is really good as well and Randy just makes me laugh. The first 2 seasons are the best in my opinion, mainly because I like how they introduce the characters.

The filming locations look very like somewhere like California or Los Angeles, even though the creator says the show can be based anywhere.

Overall, 10/10.

Were this only the first two seasons, this may be one of the most perfect series ever put to air. However, for some reason the creators thought they had to "spice up the formula" with Earl going to jail and Crab Man's plot, instead of just... doing more list items? A formula you could do near endlessly as there's no limit to the list and anything could be a story?

Watch the first two seasons though, a masterpiece of sitcom work.

This show is way beyond awesome...

The Show has everything that a good show need... Comedy, Action, Suspense, Horror, Romance...

The best part is the suspense maintained throughout each episode from starting to end.

The cast chosen is perfect, their role is perfect, the acting is perfect. The show is so awesome that even if you watch it 100th time, you wont feel bored instead it feels like a new episode.

After everything I still don't understand why the ENDED the series in middle.

I just watched the first three episodes, which aired back-to-back on NBC last night. I found the show somewhat entertaining, but I have to wonder how long they can sustain the premise. Shows (and movies) about lowlifes and doofuses suffer from an inherent problem: unless the writing and acting are superior (as with the Coen Brothers' movies) the characters can become annoying rather quickly. And after only three episodes, most of the people on this show seem like little more than caricatures: the scheming ex-wife, the stupid brother, the ex-con who's found Jesus, the squirrelly little gay guy, etc.

There have been several clever and original bits: the giant-type Bible, and Randy asking the guy with the throat mike to say "Luke, I am your father," for example. But too much of the show relies on people acting stupidly and/or getting out of a bad situation through dumb luck or a quick spin: the bad things Earl has done turn out to be not-so-bad after all.

Also, while I like looking at hot babes as much as the next guy, how plausible is it that the two main female characters in these guys' lives (Joy and Catalina) would both be drop-dead gorgeous?

So, overall, I'd rate this show at 6-7 stars so far - just above the middle of the curve, worth watching occasionally, but not really special. Your mileage may vary.

A very solid show, much better than what is on today. A little edgy with good laughs in every episode for me. It is really a shame that the show never got the finish the right way.

With the plethora of repetitive and derivative sitcoms jamming fall, summer, winter and spring line-ups, it's nice to see a show that sets itself from the lot in more than one area.

'Earl' takes an unusual approach. It's not about the "daily musings of an eccentric family" (zzzz..) nor about the other boring stuff you see everywhere in sitcoms. The show is about this small-time white trash thief (Earl) who scratches off a lottery card and scores big time. Right at that moment, 'Karma' took it away from him. Overtime, he learns that that unusual incident was probably because of all the bad things he's been doing, so he sets off on a mission to right every wrong he ever did and he's got all his deeds on a paper.

This is a brilliant premise for a sitcom. Thankfully, it landed in the right hands. The execution of the show produces extremely satisfactory results: you get an innovative comedy that is genuinely funny and really touching at many times. You can't help but fall in love with Earl's sincerity and steadfastness, Randy's simple mind, good heart and observations on life, Joy's wild, flamboyant personality and Darnell's mellow, chillin' demeanor that really endears him to you very easily.

When you combine the show's innovation with its genuine humor, good heart, interesting characters and well-written dialogue, you really have a keeper. With shows like this (and the incomparable "The Office"), NBC is obviously on to something. Did they finally free a cubicle or two for quality assurance? Let's hope so. And let's hope for more quality shows like these will occupy the line-ups; shows that'll make both us TV viewers and NBC executives stop crying over the long gone days of NBC's golden days (Frasier, Seinfeld, Friends)

I'm not much of a TV watcher anymore, as most stuff these days doesn't appeal to me, especially the whole "reality TV" trend. It's not often that a show comes along that is original in concept (or, at least in presentation!), and that makes me laugh all the way through.

Having said this, we caught this show on the TiVo, and it's just plain funny. It's more for mature audiences, and if you grew up in redneck USA (like I did) in the 80's, it'll leave you in stitches. Plus, there is a bit of a message presented as well. "Do good deeds to others, and good things will happen to you." In a sort of bizarre, twisted way, you could call this the "Kung Fu" of the 00's.

Lee does an excellent job of narration and acting, and the rest of the cast is pretty much perfect at their roles, even in the first episode. I had never really heard of him until his (quite good) performance in "The Incredibles", but his acting is really impressive.

It's funny. Best stuff I've seen in years. Watch it and see for yourself.

This show is imho the best comedy ever made. The cast is absolutely brilliant. Every role is played to perfection. U can hardly tell they're not like that in real life. Sadly around the writers strikes the show was canceled. But I still watch it all again every now n then. Even tho the show is supposed to portray ignorance and stupidity, the punchlines are very sophisticated. I keep wondering how creative the writers were to be able to imagine how a stupid person would think and act. It's hilarious. S4 is a bit weaker but still enjoyable. Comparing the characters to the actors in real life would amaze you. They did very well. I always hoped they'd relaunch the show again but I think it was underrated and didn't get the attention it clearly deserved. I would definitely recommend watching this show. I promise you won't be disappointed. Some people tell me how they never rate anything 10/10. I disagree. It's like taking an exam. If you check every box correctly you get ur full mark. N this show did that n then some. The plot the cast the acting the writing the production it's all there to perfection. This is a must see. I never recommended this show to any of my friends and got a negative feedback. They all end up loving the show. As with every tv series I recommend watching a few episodes before judging it, this way you get to understand the complexity of the characters and start relating to them n understanding their methods and motivations.

One of the funniest shows in recent years!! This show is severely underrated! Every episode had me laughing so much. Earl & Randy are the perfect duo. Have rewatched the entire series 2 times now and about to start my 3rd run through. A true & good tv comedy. Definitely worth a watch

This, of all shows, deserves a renewal. I know time has passed, weight's been gained and age has set in, but it can be done. We would forgive what time does and enjoy the story for what it is. It ends on a cliffhanger, but the journey itself is well worth the karmic trip.

I'm clearly late to the party, but boy am I glad I came. This series is truly hilarious, the characters are crazy as hell and the madcap stories are relentlessly funny. Who thinks of this stuff? Such a great premise, a man on a mission to make up for his sins, and Earl certainly has a lot to make up for. The supporting ensemble are all perfectly cast, especially Jaime Pressly as Joy, she's one crazy but relentlessly entertaining character. She steals every scene she is in. There are not many shows that are guaranteed to make you laugh out at least a dozen times each episode, this easily achieves that. Every episode is just stuffed with farcicle scenarios. The witty dialogue is so clever, the writers must have had a blast scripting this. Definitely makes my top 5 of all time funny shows. Earl you are a comedic genius, even your facial expressions are hilarious.

I know Jason Lee as a superb character actor from the movies, so this modest little show about a redneck trying to correct and make amends for his past sins comes as a very pleasant surprise. I only became aware of it in reruns, so I have not seen it in order and I am not sure if it ended properly. Lee, as the repentant Earl, travels around with his doofus brother, catching up with people he wronged in the past. The show is often crude and rude and cartoonish in its antics, so this is perfect for cable even though it originated on NBC. Lee is hysterical with his Freddie Mercury mustache and frequently quizzical looks. He is now answering to a higher power, but he is not educated enough to always figure things out. The solutions, or punch lines to situations, often sneak upon him as well as us. This is not a show for children, by the way, although it runs on TV day and night. The main reason to keep the kids away is Jaime Pressly's character, Earl's ex-wife, who will do anything, even consider murder, to get whatever she wants. And she wants a lot. Pressly is brilliant as a trashy. neglectful mother of two children, one black and one white. Guest stars on this Hee-Haw of a sitcom have included Betty White and Danny Glover. No laugh track, which is a plus. Worth a look by those not easily offended by salty language and adult situations. At times, EARL feels like a Kevin Smith movie.

With all these limited revivals of past tv shows, I truly wish someone would give this excellent show the same treatment. Even a wrap up movie would do and let us that followed this show get the closer that was deserved. Now I know that won't happen given that there was only 4 seasons and didn't last as long as other shows that have gotten revivals but that is the studio's fault. This was one of many shows that got axed during the 2008 financial crisis as a way to save money.

There is a small teaser at the beginning of another wonderful show, Raising Hope, during the pilot since the new show was sort of a spin-off. Even the cast of My Name is Earl in a sort of "crossover" episode. If you're looking for a show to binge but don't want a series with as many episodes as Big Bang or MASH, then this is probably right up your alley.

It has it all. I laughed, I cried. My name is Earl is great because it's about a regular guy. The show has a nostalgic feel to it, because to me personally the mid 2000s were like this mystic time where technology was about to take off. We had the Xbox 360 and PS3 also smart phones were about to become androids. This show brings me back but I also like the writing and Ethan suplee was the perfect casting for Randy as well as Jason Lee for Earl. Pretty much everyone cast was spot on. I wish the show could've got a proper ending because the show was so great you hate to see it just end. Me and my best friend still recite this show.

This show started out great, but gradually over the seasons started to shift from amusing / funny to amusing / gross. In other words, it's still amusing to watch, but not because it's riotously funny. The "redneck" / gross-habits angle is now the focus.

The show is based on an industrious redneck named "Earl". He believes Karma has given him a mandate to fix his past wrongs and a small lottery jackpot to provide him the means. In order to comply, he has created a list of wrongs (bad things he has done to other people) that he must now "fix". Each week, he attempts to cross an item off of this list.

That's a real unusual and interesting basis for a show. The show has demonstrated that it relies on two main things to make it distinguishing.

(1) Bizarre dialog resulting from creative, wacky redneck thinking

(2) Gross-out (disgusting) character actions (or references to them) The characters are all extreme and well-acted.

If the above two items are of interest, then this show delivers. If you're looking for laugh-out-loud humor, well, just watch the season opener episodes - they're the best ones.

My Name is Earl(2005)

Review:......For I have seen this.

This is something else. First off, how is this rated so high? I cannot understand that. This "show" is filled to the top with either annoying people, stupid people, or just plain unlikeable. The "gags" are hideous.

I saw one episode where the wife of Earl's brother wrapped and washed herself with dead fish. Not kidding. That wasn't funny, that's repulsive. Then she and Earl's extremely stupid brother(and I mean stupid) then had sex. I nearly threw up.

This has to be one of the most desperate attempts at comedy in a long time. Jason Lee is a talented actor, but is trapped in a helpless role in this horrible "comedy".

Earl is now in jail for this current season. Let's hope he gets the chair just so this show gets put out of it's misery.

The Last Word: This show would be funny to people who think Larry the Cable guy is funny. To the rest of the world, NOT A CHANCE. Avoid like the plague.