The New Adventures of Old Christine

Are you listening Netflix? This comedy was one of the funniest sitcoms and grossly underrated. The ensemble cast was all terrific, especially Matthew (Hamish Linklater) Barb (Wanda Sykes) and the writing was smart. In spite of the extreme narcissism of Christine( Julia Louis Dreyfus) you still like her. I laugh out loud each time I see I see Lindsey and Marley's (Tricia O'kelly and Alex Kapp) interactions with Christine. I could enjoy a spin-off with those two. I loved this show and with the talk of reboots, this one should get it. Would be great to see these characters 10 years later! This show should have lasted more than 5 seasons.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays the titular "old Christine" in this sitcom about a mother who struggles with day to day issues, mostly because of her own foibles. If you like Elaine in "Seinfeld", you will probably enjoy JLD's portrayal of Christine, which is similar to Elaine if Elaine had a kid and an ex-husband and owned a business.

She is surrounded by cast members whose characters serve as mirrors to her simple neuroses, even if she doesn't want to see them. Clark Gregg, as the ex-husband, has moved on romantically, but he is still in her life and willing to point out her shortcomings matter-of-factly. Wanda Sykes is a friend who also acknowledges Christine's personality shortcomings, but is willing to be her business partner.

But it is Ms. Dreyfus who drives this comedy, with her usual self-deprecating style and the ability to hold an entire show together with her personality and style.

Having watched a couple of episodes of NBC's experimental sitcom "Watching Ellie" and being unimpressed,I was intrigued by the ads for this new series from CBS. While it is unfair to EVER measure most TV comedies to "Seinfeld",any former member of that series is going to have that comparison thrust on them(to me,only Jerry Stiller' s turns on "The King of Queens" even come close to the kind of work done on "Seinfeld",and has been the most successful) no matter what. I think this might be the closest thing to respectable.

Dreyfus is Christine Campbell,a divorced mom of one,and is desperately in need of two things:trying to prove she can be a great mom to her skeptical and bright son and a dating life/relationship to match the relative ease that her seemingly weaselly ex has gotten back into love,having a girlfriend who happens to also be named Christine,hence the title:there's "New" Christine(the girlfriend) and "Old" Christine,the ex. Each episode is another attempt by Dreyfus's Christine to try to fit in to the rich Florida society that she lives in with her son and brother,a wise-cracking ostensible slacker named Matthew who is sort of her best friend. Along for the adventures is Barb(Wanda Sykes-Hall,hilarious,particularly in her stand-up),who you're not really sure if she likes Christine or is really tolerating her(or perhaps doing both).

So far,I'd say the show isn't great,and Dreyfus' Christine seems to be so desperate and pathetic that one loses sympathy for her plight almost as quickly as one gains it. But the writing seems crisp and it actually feels like we're getting to see all the manic elements of Dreyfus' Elaine Benes channeled into a different character,which is something they didn't even TRY to do in "Ellie"(they just pretty much tried to graft Elaine onto another show there!),and that feels just right. I can honestly say I've laughed at at least half the lines on the show and haven't been TOO distracted by some of the plot indulgences(for example,the sharp-tongued acquaintances who are always somehow around the rub in Old Christine's misery,particularly at her son's private school seem to be awfully familiar with her,though they just met her). I'll guess we'll just have to see how this plays out and if CBS wants to stay with it,but so far,I'm pleased,reasonably so.

This show is a mixed bag, its likable characters managing to prop up its dramatic emptiness an often flat writing.Julia Louis-Dreyfus has aged well, and still can steal a scene with smile or eye roll. Her character here is raunchier than the refined Elaine of Seinfed days. Hamish Linklater and Clark Gregg provide likable foils as Christine's brother and ex-husband. Both have a knack for allowing space for Dreyfus's out sized overacting. The other characters are less successful. Emily Rutherfurd'a new Christine character is somewhat undefined and largely unlikeable. I would have thought the show would center around a counterpoint of new and old Christine, but new Chistine seldom interacts with Louis-Dreyfus at all, and often seems a dramatic after thought. Wanda Sykes plays old Chistine's friend and business associate. Her classic black sitcom stylings seem a little out of place in this white bread comedy. But she gets good lines and proves a likable--if not lovable-- curmudgeon. Its not Seinfeld, but its not bad either.

I have to say this is my favorite show. I don't like a lot of TV shows out there - the writing of most shows is awkward and contrived. However, I tune in every week for this show and ONLY this show. Julia's character is a riot, and I think Julia is perfect in this role. Even my husband watches this show with me, and if he laughs out loud, then I think it's pretty darn good. Christine's day to day complexes, obsessions, and awkward interactions make me smile and laugh because they're so similar to what I, as a woman, often feel. Of course, the show magnifies these complexes, but that's what makes it so ridiculous and funny. Definitely worth your time.