The USA network has some fine television programming; we’ve got Psych, Monk and Burn Notice, just to name a few. So, when news comes of a newcomer to the network, I’m very interested. One of these new shows is Royal Pains, and while it’s the type of show that feels right at home on a cable network like USA, so far it’s just not my cup of tea.
A quick premise for you, to get you started. Royal Pains follows New York City doctor Hank Lawson (Mark Feuerstein) who basically loses everything — the job, the house, the girl — after making an emergency room “mistake” in which he decides to save the life of a complete stranger versus that of a less deserving elderly billion-dollar hospital trustee. At the insistence of his brother Evan (Paulo Costanzo), he takes a trip to the Hamptons, where he sort of stumbles into becoming a self-employed concierge doctor.
What is a concierge doctor? Think of them as on-call doctors for the wealthy, ones they can call to their lavish mansions to help take care of “health issues” going on in their homes that they’d rather not be made public by dialing 911. And they are very willing to spend A LOT to have one of these doctors at their disposal.
If Feuerstein looks familiar, you may remember him from the ill-fated 3 lbs. not so long ago, or from the older Good Morning, Miami. He definitely has one of those “where have I seen him before” faces.
Toward the end of the pilot episode, which is the only one I saw, we’re introduced to Divya (Reshma Shetty), who, along with Hank’s brother, encourages him to take the doctor-for-the-rich gig. It’s her character that seems to save the show from being dull or just downright annoying.
“Annoying,” I say? Yes. This is because I cannot find one likable trait in the Evan Lawson character, and we see just too much of him. He’s annoying, unfunny and seems to lend little support to his brother, unless it’s directly benefiting himself. I find that the inclusion of Evan as a regular character was a big stretch, because it made no sense why Hank would allow him to leech from him other than due to blood-related obligation. The writers threw in the fact that Evan is an accountant, so we’re left to believe that a one-man concierge doctor needs not only a full-time assistant, but a full-time accountant to boot.
Unfortunately, I don’t see things improving with the Evan character. He’s just going to get more annoying as the seasons progress, as we’re left to resort to his purpose being comic relief, which so far just isn’t working as funny.
And … here I go now, sounding like a broken record: it’s difficult to judge this show on one episode, especially the pilot. I’d need to give it another chance before I give it a full-on snub or allow it to rope me in. The pilot is all set-up for the series, so I have no idea what a weekly episode will be like yet. Give it a try at 10 PM tonight on USA and let me know what you think.
In the meantime, we’ve got a giveaway related to this show. Leave a comment below telling us if you’ll be watching (or let us know what you thought!). One winner will receive the following items:
Thrilling! Leave your comment by this Friday, June 5 at 5PM ET. One random commenter will be chosen. Only one entry per person and you must have a U.S.-based mailing address. Those not following the above rules will be disqualified.
And now, some obligatory pre-text from the network:
USA will launch the 75-minute limited commercial premiere of Royal Pains, the network’s newest original scripted series, on Thursday, June 4 at 10/9c immediately following the Season 3 premiere of Burn Notice at its new timeslot 9/8c.
Royal Pains stars Mark Feuerstein as Hank Lawson, a young E.R. doctor who, after being wrongly blamed for a patient’s death, moves to the Hamptons and becomes the reluctant “doctor for hire” to the rich and famous. When the attractive administrator of the local hospital asks him to treat the town’s less fortunate, he finds himself walking the line between doing well for himself and doing good for others. The series also stars Paulo Costanzo, Jill Flint and Reshma Shetty.
Visit the official site at www.royalpains.usanetwork.com, follow Royal Pains on Twitter and be a fan on Facebook.
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Jun 04, 2009 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
I’ll watch at least the first episode. The premise sounds interesting…I’ve seen Feuerstein in several projects (really liked him in In Her Shoes)…and last but by no means least, Campbell Scott! I’d watch Campbell Scott sit on a rock and read the phone book.
um, I like free stuff so here’s my 1 random comment -
Costanzo wasn’t funny on “Joey” and he was superfluous on “Road Trip”. I honestly don’t get why he’s still getting work. He could easily be replaced with an actor that’s actually interesting on almost everything he did. He’s not a nerd, he’s not a geek, he’s not an idiot – sometimes I wonder whether it’s only his lips and nose that get him the role.
Disclaimer: I’m not allowed to win anything so count me out as always :-)
The Pilot bored me to death. The lead is bland. Costanzo is unbearable, especially seeing this wimp of a guy tossing a massive gold bar under the bed as if he’s stronger than Oddjob. It’s moments like these when TV shows annoy me.
Oh and on top of that of course nobody on this show spoke any real German. Not even the names were correct. Anastasia Beaverhousen sounds more German than those names…
Having seen the pilot myself I have to disagree with you slightly. While Royal Pains isn’t a perfect show I think it is a pretty good series. While it is worse than Monk, Psych, and Burn Notice; I would put it as the fourth best show on the network (ahead of In Plain Sight which I also watch). Parts of the pilot were a little slow (your normal introduction material) but I think the show shares the humor of most of USA’s other shows and will continue to improve in future episodes.
I also really didn’t mind the character of Evan. He really doesn’t have a huge reason to be on the show at this point, but at this point he is the only character that brings any humor to the series and I like humor in my USA shows. Maybe instead of mooching off his brother he will be able to get his own clients in future episodes.
While it was only one episode, I plan on continuing to watch Royal Pains. I recommend that fans of USA’s other series also give the show a chance.
I’ll give it a shot…USA is somewhat on a hot streak.
It’s almost summer and it’s on after “Burn Notice” and there isn’t much else to watch. Plus I can’t find my remote, so I am stuck on USA unless I get up (which isn’t likely).
I’ll check it out as I’m going to be watching Burn Notice anyway.
I’ll give it 6-8 episodes to grab me. USA’s track record with original programming has been pretty good, so I won’t bail on this series too soon.
I like USA’s shows in general, so I’ll give it a shot. I’m tired of half-ass medical comedy/dramas though (I’m looking at you, Mental) so it better be good.
I’m watching it tonight. It is on after Burn Notice, as besides, my wife already told me we were watching it.
I plan on watching both shows tonight. I’ll let you know what I think after. Thanks!
I like TV. I like freebies. I like USA Network shows. Combining all three is a great idea.
I so loved him on West Wing.
I will watch the show for the woman on the show…I am shallow…
watched it, liked it, will continue to check it out too
I haven’t seen this show yet, but the previews looked interesting so I might try to catch it this week
Royal pains I’ve watched from the start, It”s something that shows what it is like to be from the rich side. A show that I feel is going to be a hit. different, funny, A really good show. I will keep watching it. A doctor I would love to have by my bedside.