Less Than Kind

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!?!

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.

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.

I can't believe I've never seen this mind blowing clever, hilarious and heartfelt experience before season 3.

Less Than Kind is one of the greatest shows ever made and holds a special place in many a heart right next to Judd Apatow's dearly departed Freaks and Geeks. The cast is so good it's unbelievable. Given the range of subject matter (death, love, sex, shame, coming of age angst) its amazing to watch how every cast member's character has evolved over time. Each character holds my attention when they get their screen time. The comedy itself is very successful but tends to be a bit over the top. Everyone is so great they make it work and its hilarious. I can only imagine what the writer's room is like when they're riffing on Josh and Eric's parts.

If anyone from the show is reading this, don't stop! I joined IMDb just to post this review. It's killing me season 1 and 2 aren't available on DVD yet! HBO get on it!

You know, it stuns me, that when Canadians produce a great show like this, they don't put the effort into marketing it. It's almost like they're embarrassed that it's good. I live in Canada and want to see more Canadian content, but good content, not some stupid period piece about some chick growing up on the east coast. This show is funny. It's well written, directed and edited. The actors in it cannot only act, but are real. The humor doesn't come out of some actor "mugging" the camera, but out of the reality of the scenes, which can only be done when you have a strong cast. Hopefully, they'll have more than one season, which is doubtful, given that I actually tried to follow this on cable and couldn't, because the scheduling either changed, or was wrong, or whatever. If you have a PVR, it's worth finding when it's on and taping it. This show is worth seeing. It's too bad that there are only 13 episodes, but if they're smart, they'll make more. End rating: a great show, with crappy promotion, but definitely worth seeing.