Great News

Katie Wendelson (Briga Heelan) has been stuck producing puff pieces on MMN's The Breakdown with flighty Portia Scott-Griffith (Nicole Richie). After a friend's funeral, her Jersey mom Carol (Andrea Martin) is inspired to chase after her dreams and gets a job as difficult anchor Chuck Pierce (John Michael Higgins)'s intern on Katie's show. Greg Walsh (Adam Campbell) is the show's producer and Justin (Horatio Sanz) is the editor.

Creator Tracey Wigfield comes from writing and producing 30 Rock. This is a similar show but a step down. The lead Briga Heelan is a pretty woman with some comedic skills. Of course, she is no Tina Fey. Veterans Andrea Martin and John Michael Higgins deliver some solid wackiness. This is good network sitcom but it is nothing compared to 30 Rock. Even the addition of Tina Fey cameo does nothing to elevate it further. Two half seasons is not a bad run for this type of shows.

This is one of those shows that was wrongfully cancelled and should be brought back. Especially considering the end of season 2, but I wont go there. If you like 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Great News is right up your alley.

I love everything about this show. It just gets better and better as the episodes go on. I laughed out loud so many times in season 2 I lost count :) I hope Netflix buys the rights and adds a 3rd season. The writing, the acting and characters are so perfect. I hope they make more seasons.

I am not a person who likes to "try out" new comedies, but Tina Fey's input led me to try this one, and I enjoy it -- it has many moments in each episode which are actually funny, and, more importantly at this early stage, moments which help develop characters.

Frankly (I am surprised to be saying this), I would like more of Nicole Richie and much less of the meddling mother. I think the latter has pretty much been developed as far as she can go -- there doesn't seem to be any growth or arc here yet. On the other hand, Richie is really good at the few moments she is given to shine. Her character needs more space, more development if this show is to survive.

So far, it is too dependent on two notes: (1) the meddling stage mother and (2) the arrogant and insecure overbearing lead anchor. This will get redundant and tiring very soon if there are not other paths taken.

I just found this show THIS weekend and binged the entire thing. It's so funny! The humor is so much like 30 Rock. The humor I hope to find in shows these days but don't. I love all the characters. Carol is so funny and random. I just wish there were more or it had been saved by Netflix. Please do more things, Tina and Tracy!