Loaded Couch Potatoes

A review of the new ABC sitcom Hank.I recently watched the pilot for the new ABC sitcom Hank starring

Kelsey Grammer , it’s not great.

I must tell you that this saddens me greatly as Frasier is not only my favorite sitcom but also one of the best, with out even a single bad season, and only a few episodes that I don’t watch.

After evaluating the pilot I know what the series is missing,

three little words

David Hyde Pierce.

To explain after watching literally hundreds of hours of Sitcoms, I have come to understand that what makes  situation comedy’s are its side characters.

think about it,

would Seinfeld work without George, Kramer, and Elaine.

would Arrested development work without Gob, Buster, and Lindsay.

The answer is no.

This show has a good cast

firstly

Melinda McGraw as Hank’s wife Tilly. Having seen her work on Mad Men as Bobbie Barret,  I can definitely get behind her as an actress.

Nathan Gamble as Hank’s son Henry. If you don’t recognize that name then you must not have seen The Mist (you should)

David Koechner as Hank’s Brother in law Grady. Now I like Mr. Koechner but only in small doses and these doses are small but pointed, just enough to make you hate him and then he is gone.

as for the young actress playing his daughter Maddie,Jordan Hinson

she hasn’t done anything of note yet.

but they do not click and I just hope that they can work together.

All that really needs to happen is for the writing to tighten up and for the characters to become more fully formed.

after re watching the “The Good Son” (Frasier’s pilot) it is amazing how well that cast clicked together.  That kind of magic only happens once in a lifetime, and I am just scared that lightning will not strike twice in the same spot.

I love Frasier and for that reason I will keep watching “Hank”, but I understand the friends of mine that say they have know interest in this show.

Please post any questions as comments and I will answer them to quote Frasier “I’m listening”

Jerimiah Wolfwood