Tommy Lee Goes to College

I just saw the feed of Tommy Lee's new "reality" show where he rejoins his defiled youth in an obvious stunt to be interesting to people half his age again. To put it bluntly, the show is not real. Second, the show is not funny. And Finally, the show is an excellent example of why ex-rockers should NEVER be allowed out in public without a leash, a 'lude and a security detail...obviously to protect us, not him.

It's a sad sight that a respected university allowed him to make light of all of the themes that create the need for the institution to exist in the first place, but much of the clearly edited footage leaves a lot to be explained, a lot to be answered for and nothing remotely funny about college, Tommy, NBC or "reality. After that, I'm looking forward to the new Survivor...and I hate that crap!!! Nitey-night.

Of course it's made up. It's so fake that they can't possibly cover it all up. In a way they incorporate it into the show. All the situations are made up. The places are set up. I wouldn't be surprised if everybody there is an actor. What makes it even watchable is Tommy Lee's innate charm. He is truly a likable person, and it shows through onto the TV screen. The people seem genuinely charmed by him. There is two problems. They need to get rid of this reality TV BS. It's not, so why bother. The other thing is that it does get hard to watch because we know it's fake. The pretense to being real does get a little bit tiring.

Tommy's ventures make me smile! I look forward to watching it each week. He is so "likeable" sweet actually! Most of us enjoy having something nice to look at! This is a fun, refreshing, feel-good half hour! Tommy is a guy that most people can relate to, down to earth and non-threatening. I find myself cheering him on wanting him to succeed in the challenges he takes on. We know that he is a "great" drummer but fitting into college life is hard enough for normal people; I am sure there was a certain amount of pressure from many directions for him to do well as far a being able to fit in with the "Drum line" which is Totally different than being a drummer in a Rock band. I was "Screaming" with excitement!, when he Nailed his performance at the Football game! I love to watch any show that makes you pull for someone to succeed! We need more of that in our world today!

I loved this show. Obviously it's nothing deep and intellectual (even though it deals with college...) but it's hilarious and well worth watching. Finally we get a break from the string of reality dating shows they've been pumping down our throats .... guess what, nobody cares if the Bachelor finds a girlfriend!

This show is a definite guilty pleasure. Tommy is great - he messes up in marching band, correctly answers a question in Horticulture, and says "killer" a lot.

Give this show a chance. I guarantee you'll get a good laugh out of it, and maybe like me, you'll be immediately hooked.

9/10 (because nobody's perfect. and I hate the voice-over guy's voice)

Network: NBC; Genre: Comedy, Reality; Content Rating: TV-PG; Available: DVD; Perspective: Contemporary (star range: 1 - 4);

Season Reviewed: Complete Series (1 season)

If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it. "Tommy Lee Goes to College" is a reality/comedy series done right - a balance struck rarely on network TV. It is a delightfully frivolous guilty pleasure and a perfect summer season diversion... well, actually, its better than a diversion.

The premise of the series is summed up in the title. Motley Crue rock star Tommy Lee, more famous for his off-stage talents then his music, puts the past behind him, puts on a letter jacket for the University of Nebraska and tries to finish up his final college credits and get a diploma.

But the show has its tongue planted firmly in cheek the whole way through. In true wacky sitcom style, ensnared in this adventure is his mismatched roommate, Matt, and his model-hot tutor Natalie. If that isn't enough Lee's antics keep raising the eyebrows of the school's Dean who insists he shape up or be thrown out. All the while, off-screen narration is delivered with a perfectly hilarious thick-as-molasses, nose-in-the-air high society voice compliments the wackiness perfectly.

The show stumbles on a gold mine when Lee, sick of scrubbing toilets with toothbrushes, start his own fraternity - hilariously titled the "House of Lee" where he assembles all the other house rejects to create more staged, over-the-top mischief. The "Animal House" spirit is alive and well in "College" and the show's frequent dips into unbelievable fantasy (like Lee's wild physics project) only match the light-hearted sitcom tone - well established by the show's intro, "Good Times" from Tommy Lee's own album.

Audiences will probably be more on the edge of their seat, wondering if, at any moment Lee will bed that tutor, then on whether or not he gets his diploma. But Lee, himself, comes off surprisingly well. A likable goofball of a character, the show knows it can put Lee in a situation and not only will he make the most of it, but the resulting juxtaposition with his childlike enthusiasm and 80s lingo is funny. Fitfully, stupidly, funny. I laughed in spite of myself.

The premise allowed for only one season, but I really wish they could have found a way to get Tommy Lee back in college for more fun. While it runs way to short and doesn't quite match the greats of this odd hybrid genre (including "The Osbournes" and "I'm With Busey"), "Tommy Lee Goes to College" is agreeably entertaining, laugh-out-loud funny and, best of all, has no pretension about its purpose in the world. It doesn't even try to get us to like Tommy Lee, it is just good, clean, stupid fun.

* * * / 4