Running Wilde

I love Running Wilde, it's certainly not Arrested Development but I don't mean that in any slight. Both are brilliant but Running Wilde's humour has a slightly softer edge but leads to no less mirth.

For me, the hit character is Wilde's best friend Fa'ad, played by Peter Serafinowicz. He's also seen in the brilliant 'Look Around You' and brings his brand of no-nonsense nonsensical humour as a brilliant foil to Will Arnett's already well honed portrayal of a richly detached nice guy.

Arrested Development fans should be chuffed with the jokes in jokes in jokes that characterised much of its intelligently paced humour, as well as the return of David Cross - though I can only say I'd like to see more of him.

Puddle is no Maybe, but that role's portrayal also grew as time went on and I'm expecting the same here.

This show has to stick around. I love how it rewards the viewer for paying attention by referencing small things from within the episode(s) as opposed to making huge, blatantly obvious references like other sitcoms. The entire cast is great in this show. The episode with Andy Richter has been my favorite so far. And David Cross is great too. Will Arnett plays this character to perfection. It's like Gob Bluth, reincarnate! Keri Russell is probably the only one I'd say needs to improve...she comes across as a little stiff still (like she's still getting used to a comedic role)--but it does fit her character. Hidden gem: Peter Serafinowicz. His Alan Alda impersonation was IMPECCABLE! I'd hate to see it get canceled because of poor ratings. Don't drop this show, FOX! Redeem yourself for canceling "Arrested Development" by saving "Running Wilde!"

I love Will Arnett who is fabulous as the wealthy guy whose love of his life is played by Keri Russell. Arnett is fabulous as the wealthy but lonely billionaire who lives well-off on a fabulous estate. Emmy is the love of his life played by Keri Russell who lives in the jungle and tries to improve the world with her daughter, Puddle, what a name. Her daughter does a very good job as somebody who wants to escape the jungle and live in civilization. So Emmy reluctantly accepts an invitation where Arnett's character is throwing a party for himself as humanitarian of the year by his own company. Anyway, there are moments when Arnett has what it takes to be a big television star in his own right. Keri Russell is fine as Emmy and the supporting cast does a fine job which includes a neighboring Arab billionaire who has must time and money on his hands as Arnett's character and his assistant and chauffeur as well.

Steven Wilde (Will Arnett) would seem to have every advantage in this world. Very wealthy, he lives in a posh mansion, has a friendly servant at his beck and call at all times, drives a knockout car and does very little work. A figurehead, mostly, at his father's oil company, Stevie is out drinking and partying a good deal of the time. But, ho, ho! Back into his life comes Emmy (Keri Russell), a childhood pal. She grew up in the mansion, being the daughter of the live-in housekeeper, before going to college and never looking back. Now, Emmy is an ecologist, with a young daughter nicknamed Puddle and a scientist beau. She has returned to try to persuade Steve's firm NOT to drill for petroleum in the habitat of the native South American tribe she has been aiding. Secretly, these two, Steve and Emmy, were once in young love, making this return a head-turning event for both of them. Steve asks for time and cajoles Emmy into working at the firm, where they can untangle the problems together. Against her better judgment, Emmy accepts. She and Puddle even move into the elaborate treehouse on the property. But, all too soon, Emmy's left-behind-guy shows up, wanting the score, along with other various issues. Can the egocentric playboy and the pretty ecologist rekindle a love fire and help save the world? Maybe! This viewer wanted to see this series when it was broadcast but work conflicts put a damper on it. Now, its on one disk, joy of joys, to entertain its target audience, women. No, its storyline and scripts aren't the greatest but Arnett and Russell are pure joys in their roles and the supporting cast is quite nice. Also, the sets and costumes are wonderful while the passionate tug-of-war between Steve and Emmy are just what the love doctor ordered for those yearning for on-screen romantic comedy. Why not run wild tonight, females, and buy this DVD, with sides of pizza and popcorn?

This show comes very close to pure gold in terms of its premise and casting. Unfortunately it is lacking in fulfilling its own promise. The characters are interesting and well-acted.

The most conspicuously absent part of the show is an anchoring "straight man" a la Jack Lemon or Dean Martin. The zany characters are no good without an accomplished and mature actor capable of acting as a stand-in for the audience. My guess is that the writers intended for this to be Puddle, and while Stefania LaVie Owen is a good child actress, she has not yet developed the nuance and complexity of facial expression and voice intonation to make her more than the show's cute kid.

Another problem that will eventually become evident is that the show can only do so many episodes before its audience loses interest in whether or not Emmy and Steve sack out together. There is only so far that this show can go, and I'm not certain that it will get there.

I love Will Arnett, and really want him to have a stellar show, and maybe if there is room for a sympathetic character along the lines of Michael Bluth in Arrested Development, then these lovable (though not likable) characters will shine and the audience will gain an appreciation for their quirks and a sense of familiarity that is currently lacking. In the meantime, though, I feel like some writers and producers just tried to cram a bunch of far out characters into one show without any hope of development or perspective.