Living Biblically

The book is funny, infornative and thought provoking and when I read it was being turned into a TV show I thought it may be a documentary. But no, it's a sit com with the worst additive to sit coms invented - the laugh track. The show is not awful, but doesn't work as the subject isn't fit for light relief - it needed to be sharp and witty and clever - a la Curb Your Enthusiasm, or a documentary - a Tim Allen style sit-com simply does not work, oh and did I mention? Its 2017 and it has a laugh track!!! A laugh track which drives you mad! I can't think A J Jacobs would be happy with this - as affable and easy going as he seems. I'm going to stick with it though - maybe they will iron out the negatives as it goes along - hopefully starting with getting rid of the laugh track!!

After the death of his friend Ray, Chip Curry (Jay R. Ferguson) is struggling. Like Ray, he had faded from his religious attendence. His wife Leslie (Lindsey Kraft) reveals her pregnancy and he decides to live biblically for the nine months. Co-worker Vince (Tony Rock) is his friend. He seeks counsel from Father Gene (Ian Gomez) and Rabbi Gil (David Krumholtz). His boss Ms. Meadows (Camryn Manheim) gives him a column to write about his new experiences.

It's very simple. I didn't laugh. The question becomes why. This is a traditional network sitcom based on a non-fiction book of how A.J. Jacobs spent a year living strictly by the bible. I don't think this high concept idea fits easily with the laugh-track infused network sitcom genre. Dealing with religion is tricky. Mostly, I don't find these characters compelling. The actors are mostly functional although they are missing the wacky friend character. Maybe Gomez and Krumholtz are set up to be a comedy duo but it's hard to laugh at a rabbi and a priest. At least make them walk into a bar. Oh yeah, they do that. While I'm fine with the actors, I don't find their characters that appealing. This is not a good show and it didn't get much of an audience. I would have pitched a bet between the devil and god about Chip living biblically in the form of a single camera dramedy.

The canned laughter is extremely disruptive and unnatural. People say a line, wait for the canned laughter, say another line, etc, etc. The show dynamics would be completely changed if the canned laughter would disappear. I love Jay Ferguson, the lead, & I love AJ Jacobs, the author of the book, but this series needs to be a lot of tweaking. It is annoying and preachy as it is. Surely with such great components, awesome actors, this could be made good. I hope they are able to fix it. Start with that horrible laugh track!!

I really really really wanted to love this show. Camryn Manheim is a goddess and truly the only solid actor in this show. Everything else just lacks.....well.....everything! The dialogue is cheesy and much of the acting is wooden. But the canned laugh tracks are the straw that breaks the camel's back -- just horrible. They overuse the laugh tracks and even manage to misuse them in spots that should be without.

So very very very disappointed. Hopefully, the producers will see the divine Ms. Manheim and give her a show of substance.

Unfortunately this show is getting dumped on from all sides. Christians are offended because it makes light of their religion (it doesn't). Anti-religious are annoyed simply because it's about religion. Big Bang Theory haters are annoyed because it's a very similar style of humor produced by and featuring Big Bang alumni.

First off I'll just say that this is NOT a vulgar comedy, at all. At least the first episode (which is all I've seen). This isn't 2 Broke Girls... this isn't even BBT-level crassness. If anything it's almost wholesome, a 90's broadcast sitcom throwback.

Judging by the pilot alone: It is very simple "canned-laughter" style sitcom that seems to be starting slow while laying the foundation of it's promising premise.

If you like standard sitcom-style humor, and aren't offended by the mere presence of religion in a comedy I'd say give this one a try. If you're a devout, easily offended Christian and/or hater of canned laughter... I'd say give this one a miss.

Personally? I want to see which direction they go once they get up to speed with the story. Until then I'm not ready to jump off.