Lucky Hank

I'm writing this only after the pilot episode. As it is the only one out this far, I really love Bob Odenkirk as I could watch him Rita phonebook. The character introduction episodes for most shows are always a snore fest and this was entertaining enough I was hoping for a little more drama or excitement or a cliffhanger perhaps but I'm hoping that type of emotion will come in the future episodes. I was really happy to see Diedrich Bayer come into screen, as I always wished he was in more things. He is a joy to watch. Finding out Susan Cryer would be a cast member on the show was quite a nice surprise as I really enjoyed her role in Silicon Valley. I will say that her personality and tone in the show is similar to her character in Silicon Valley. Shannon Devito stole the scenes that she was a part of and I feel like this will be her breakout role and I can't wait to see more. I really hope the show succeeds because it has all the potential for a stellar time.

To be honest, I'm surprised this show was even made.

In a couple of months when the full season is out I may come across as a fool and this may be an outstanding piece of comedy television, but based off the first 2 episodes, I am not optimistic. I am confused as to what the hook is to this show, it appears to simply be exaggerated and yet uninteresting events occurring around a beleaguered Odenkirk and his shockingly unmemorable cast of side "characters". Odenkirk does chew through the large majority of lines with a believable animosity towards the world and tempered rage as a man suffering a mid life crisis, but even his good, if not outstanding, performance is not enough to save an essentially premise-less series.

I have not read the source material. I don't know if it has the depth to sustain a series or if this series (so far) is just a weak adaptation. Either way, it needs to improve rapidly and find some grounding in some form of a plot, as so far I have been felt unsatisfied by the episodes that have been released.

William Henry "Hank" Devereaux Jr. (Bob Odenkirk) is a miserable middle-aged professor in the middling Railton College in Pennsylvania. He calls it "Mediocrity's Capitol" in a viral rant and some people want him fired. He has work issues. He has family issues. He has writing issues. Most of all, he has a giant daddy issue.

This is a great AMC show based on a novel. More than anything, this is a great Bob Odenkirk show. The man is on a terrific roll. I love his depressing work life. I love his problematic family life. It got canceled after only one season. It's not enough. I want more. It has more to say.

I really enjoyed the first episode. I think it's witty and shows a lot of promise. The acting is great, and Odenkirk shines as always, yet the rest of the cast doesn't get left behind as they are great too!

Hank is hilarious and it seems the show will be packed with comedy but never leaving the drama behind. Can't wait to see the next episode. The only problem is the fact that it's on AMC, because the streaming platform has A LOT of working to be done, but other than that, I have my hopes and expectations up, and I feel like it'll be a fun and interesting ride. If you like 50/50 drama and comedy shows, I feel this is the perfect balance and a really good choice.

Viewers of Lucky Hank shouldn't expect this to be in the same entertainment class as Breaking Bad, or even Better Call Saul. Although the last several episodes of BCS fell flat, IMHO. Bob Odenkirk, a comedian by trade, is a good actor. He did a good job as Hank. As the old Hollywood saying goes, "Dying is easy. Comedy is difficult."

The first episode was okay, nothing great, however. The humor was pointed and straightforward. I hope they ramp up the laughs a bit more in future episodes. Don't have to go juvenile, like Welcome Back Kotter, but fresh, sharp and witty dialogue is a good foundation to build on. We shall see.