Old Christine

Couldn't help but notice that nobody's commented on this show yet so I thought I would. As far as I know it's doing pretty well in the ratings so far and I'm glad to hear it. I think Julia Louis Dreyfus may finally have a shot at stomping out the Seinfeld curse.

I'll start by saying the premise won't blow anyone off their ass. Christine (Dreyfus) has been divorced for a little while but she has a good relationship with her ex and together they juggle the responsibilities of their son together, focusing obviously more on Christine who the kid lives with. Christine has a brother that lives in the guest house who serves as a nanny (or as he prefers, manny) and her ex has a new girlfriend named Christine, or new Christine, hence the title. The premise struck a resemblance to Reba pretty quickly, but the characters, particularly Julia herself more than make up for the familiar premise. She's got enough of Elaine injected into her personality to satisfy Seinfeld fans like myself but changed enough to carry on a new show. She can be ditsy and over the top like Elaine but she's always concerned in the end about doing the right thing, even if it doesn't always turn out that way. The characters are good too and play off each other pretty well, but I won't get into breaking them down too heavily.

A big plus for the show so far is it hasn't gotten sappy at all. It's a little early to make that comment but I will anyway, so far so good. I hate when sitcoms have those heartfelt moments, they should save that crap for full house reruns. I thought I might be in for some of that stuff given that it's about a divorced mom, but it pokes fun at pretty much every potentially sappy moment, and in the end that's what makes it worth while. It's definitely not Seinfeld but as long as people give it a chance to develop I think it could have a pretty long shelf life.

I have to say this is my favorite show. I don't like a lot of TV shows out there - the writing of most shows is awkward and contrived. However, I tune in every week for this show and ONLY this show. Julia's character is a riot, and I think Julia is perfect in this role. Even my husband watches this show with me, and if he laughs out loud, then I think it's pretty darn good. Christine's day to day complexes, obsessions, and awkward interactions make me smile and laugh because they're so similar to what I, as a woman, often feel. Of course, the show magnifies these complexes, but that's what makes it so ridiculous and funny. Definitely worth your time.

This show is a mixed bag, its likable characters managing to prop up its dramatic emptiness an often flat writing.Julia Louis-Dreyfus has aged well, and still can steal a scene with smile or eye roll. Her character here is raunchier than the refined Elaine of Seinfed days. Hamish Linklater and Clark Gregg provide likable foils as Christine's brother and ex-husband. Both have a knack for allowing space for Dreyfus's out sized overacting. The other characters are less successful. Emily Rutherfurd'a new Christine character is somewhat undefined and largely unlikeable. I would have thought the show would center around a counterpoint of new and old Christine, but new Chistine seldom interacts with Louis-Dreyfus at all, and often seems a dramatic after thought. Wanda Sykes plays old Chistine's friend and business associate. Her classic black sitcom stylings seem a little out of place in this white bread comedy. But she gets good lines and proves a likable--if not lovable-- curmudgeon. Its not Seinfeld, but its not bad either.

Having watched a couple of episodes of NBC's experimental sitcom "Watching Ellie" and being unimpressed,I was intrigued by the ads for this new series from CBS. While it is unfair to EVER measure most TV comedies to "Seinfeld",any former member of that series is going to have that comparison thrust on them(to me,only Jerry Stiller' s turns on "The King of Queens" even come close to the kind of work done on "Seinfeld",and has been the most successful) no matter what. I think this might be the closest thing to respectable.

Dreyfus is Christine Campbell,a divorced mom of one,and is desperately in need of two things:trying to prove she can be a great mom to her skeptical and bright son and a dating life/relationship to match the relative ease that her seemingly weaselly ex has gotten back into love,having a girlfriend who happens to also be named Christine,hence the title:there's "New" Christine(the girlfriend) and "Old" Christine,the ex. Each episode is another attempt by Dreyfus's Christine to try to fit in to the rich Florida society that she lives in with her son and brother,a wise-cracking ostensible slacker named Matthew who is sort of her best friend. Along for the adventures is Barb(Wanda Sykes-Hall,hilarious,particularly in her stand-up),who you're not really sure if she likes Christine or is really tolerating her(or perhaps doing both).

So far,I'd say the show isn't great,and Dreyfus' Christine seems to be so desperate and pathetic that one loses sympathy for her plight almost as quickly as one gains it. But the writing seems crisp and it actually feels like we're getting to see all the manic elements of Dreyfus' Elaine Benes channeled into a different character,which is something they didn't even TRY to do in "Ellie"(they just pretty much tried to graft Elaine onto another show there!),and that feels just right. I can honestly say I've laughed at at least half the lines on the show and haven't been TOO distracted by some of the plot indulgences(for example,the sharp-tongued acquaintances who are always somehow around the rub in Old Christine's misery,particularly at her son's private school seem to be awfully familiar with her,though they just met her). I'll guess we'll just have to see how this plays out and if CBS wants to stay with it,but so far,I'm pleased,reasonably so.

I think this show is great. It has the comic feel of old shows that developed likable characters instead of six people with much the same personality or a show based on one-liners. The people on this show seem like real people, instead of overblown cardboard cut-outs that are just playing verbal volleyball. I may be in the minority, but I like shows where you can relate to, rather than people with such extreme personalities that that they don't seem real. I've laughed out loud at this show, and it's been a while since a recent show did that for me. I hope it sticks around. Julia is talented, has great comic timing, and comes across as a likable person that you like spending a half hour with each week.