I’ve worked in the sports arena business for over ten years. During that time, it seemed like not a single week went by without a colleague saying “somebody ought to write a book” about some of the crazy things we experienced. Well, that’s what people used to say. It evolved into “somebody ought to make a reality tv show.” Since reality tv shows are just sitcoms with better scripts and editing, I was thrilled to see the teaser trailer last summer for Mr. Sunshine on ABC.
The show, starring Matthew Perry (best known, of course, as Chandler on Friends) as the manager of a sports arena in San Diego, has not gotten off to a blazing start. In fact, CliqueClack’s own Tara Shrodes submitted her own five reasons for not watching the show anymore, after all of four episodes. I certainly can’t say her criticisms are invalid (I agree wholeheartedly with her point about unimaginative plotlines); but I think the show has potential and, if it finds its stride, can be at least as good as other hit shows. I hope so, anyway, mostly because the show helps me recall fond personal memories. Iif nothing else, it’s a workplace comedy that takes place in an industry with which most people are unfamiliar. As such, I’d like to present my own five reasons for sticking with it:
- The lead characters have all been sketched out now – These first four episodes have seemed like one exceptionally long expository opening. I think we get it now though: Ben (Perry) is a narcissist; arena owner Crystal (Allison Janney) is unpredictable and impulsive; Alonzo (James Lesure) is perfect (perhaps a tad vain); Alice (Andrea Anders) is insecure; Heather (Portia Doubleday) is psychotic (probably); and Roman (Nate Torrence) is an agreeable doofus. We’ve got it. Let’s see if we can move beyond these archetypes now and see some nuance.
- Let’s meet some new characters – The sports and entertainment business is loaded with flakey personalities and out-of-control egos: event promoters, athletes, performers, part-time employees, season ticket holders, fans. Basically an endless supply of people to interact with the lead characters. Let’s see some of that.
- The cast is strong – Matthew Perry and Allison Janney are proven commodities. Andrea Anders did good work on Better Off Ted and Nate Torrence shows potential (as long as his character doesn’t turn into a copy of 30 Rock’s Kenneth). Plus, if Jorge Garcia (Hurley from Lost) is going to pop up every now and then, that’s reason enough to keep tuning in.
- Hopefully, the focus doesn’t become a series of wacky dates for Ben – Okay, I guess every show where the lead character is single is essentially about that character’s love life. But most good sitcoms try to avoid getting into a Girlfriend (or Boyfriend) Of The Week rut. The weakest of the four episodes to air so far was about Ben dating Heather’s even crazier sister. It would be a good idea if they don’t get too comfortable going down that road. Again, the setting of the show itself should inspire some plots that haven’t been seen in shows that take place in offices, hospitals and police stations. The writers really should explore that territory.
- There have been glimpses of something special – For example, the interaction between Ben and the team mascot, a guy who just seems to hang around the arena in a puma costume for no real reason, has been bizarre and kind of arbitrary. More of that kind of thing, please.
Clark Brooks (@clarkbrooks) is a professional writer living in Tampa, Florida “which is another way of saying I have no idea how I’m going to pay my light bill next month.” Also, thanks to the internet, he’s an ordained minister and will gladly commit your wedding in exchange for an invitation to the reception and a seat next to a morally-liberal bridesmaid.
Photo Credit: ABC/BOB D’AMICO
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I have seen all four episodes and don’t agree with either list. The “Bad Show” list was lame and didn’t really have anything besides “The characters are not likable”.
This list I just don’t agree with, there hasn’t been a single hint of anything special, it’s just blahness written all over it. the lead characters are completely unlikable, which is fine to a point, but here, I just can’t care about them.
I like your list more, it’s better though out than the other one.
I think we all know that you don’t have any taste when it comes to good comedy shows ;-)
Don’t get me wrong; it’s not blowing me away. I just think/hope there’s potential. An obvious model for a show like this would be 30 Rock but it actually reminds me more of Community, and I had the same criticsms about that show when it first started that you do about this one in regard to unlikeable characters. I like Community now though and my favorite show is It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, which chronicles the adventures of five of the worst human beings ever portrayed on tv. So there’s that.
Clark, I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt because I really didn’t like “Community” for about the first 8 episodes. I kept reading about how good it was and how it was getting better, so I stuck with it. Besides, I really didn’t have any sitcoms to watch that I really liked so I was desperate. Now, “Community” goes down as one of my all-time favorite sitcoms and I’m old enough to remember the premieres of classics like “All In The Family” and “Chico & The Man.”
I said I was done with “Mr. Sunshine” in a recent post, probably Tara’s, but making the analogy to “Community” reminded me that it often takes a sitcom longer to hit its groove than any other type of show. That being said, it doesn’t mean I’m going to watch every episode of Mr. Sunshine until it either gets better or I want to scoop my eyes out with a spoon. I’ll probably take a couple of weeks off then check it out; doing that for a while to see if there is improvement, which I hope there is since I like both Matthew Perry and Allison Janney. Seeing Andrea Anders just makes me sad because I’m reminded of “Better Off Ted” which was a great show treated poorly.
Finally, I just don’t think there’s anything they can do with Roman that will make me happy, except maybe have Heather…nah, too harsh. I hope he can be redeemed somehow, but I get irritated when he appears on screen just because he’s, well, irritating.
Hmm. My list was lame, because it was mostly about the characters being unlikable, yet in the next paragraph, Oreo, you say that you can’t care about the characters anymore, because they are completely unlikable. I’m rather confused.
And I enjoyed your opinions Clark, even though we disagree about this show. Yes, even after all of four episodes. Some shows get canceled quicker than that.
As for your points … the first I agree with. The writers are banging in the character stereotypes too much with no plot lines. Which is a negative for me. The second point I actually agree with also. The main characters have no direction, and it would be good to see new supporting people each week. Which is a negative for me that the cast cannot support the show. That brings me to your third point. The cast is *not* strong. You can be a good actor, but if the writing is bad, you’re doomed. Jorge Garcia popping up every now and then in his very very small role won’t bring me back.
As for point four, I agree with that one also. But they really have nowhere else to go with how they’ve set up Ben’s character. So, I expect that to happen. Which would be a negative for me.
And as for point five — I’m all for bizarre and arbitrary. Friends was full of that kind of thing. I was hoping Matthew Perry would incorporate more of that into Mr. Sunshine.
Overall, I’m glad you’ll be watching it instead of me! Good luck!
Oops, I hit the wrong reply button. If this internet thing really is going to catch on, I really should try to figure it out.
Now you see, this is why I think I hate both you and Clark! I read your article, Tara, and found myself agreeing with you, then I read Clark’s article here and I agree with him. YOU PEOPLE ARE DEMONS!
I guess I’m just caught somewhere in the middle, but Tara, I don’t think your list sucked at all. It was a list based on your opinions and while we can agree or disagree with opinions, by their very nature they can’t be wrong since they’re expressions of personal preference. They can be offensive, uplifting, boring, hilarious, embarrassing, crispy (wait, now I’m thinking about lunch), and people can even think your opinions suck, but the opinions themselves cannot “suck” in a universal sense only from an individual perspective.
Oreo, in the future you should perhaps consider prefixing those oft-used words like “suck” and “lame” with phrases like, “I think your ____ was” to indicate an opposing opinion and not a statement of fact. Yes, I know it’s probably implied, but just to avoid being misunderstood and because you’re a grouch like me it helps to soften the blow of the negativity. Damn, I was tempted to say, “soften the blow of ‘suck’.” Glad I didn’t, that would suck.
Hatred, on my first post? That doesn’t suck! Thanks, Tom!
Don’t take it too personally, Clark. I’m a curmudgeonly old bastard and I can always find the cloud inside the silver lining.
It’s a talent.
Tom, you kill me. In a good way!
. . . . .
Tom <——- dude has talent
Thank you, Tara…I think? As Klingons are fond of saying, “Today is a good day to die.” If you gotta go, you might as well go in a good way.
I want a very dramatic, yet peaceful, death surrounded by family, friends. Just like on a sappy TV show, but not for a long, long time.
Yes, I know you weren’t literally talking about killing/dying, but it’s such a fun subject I had to skip along to that part of the playground.
Because you listed five things and almost all of them dealt with the characters. Your only real reason for not liking the show is the characters. That’s fine, but your list just felt weak, and rushed and not well thought out.
You don’t like the characters, fine, we don’t need a whole article about that.
My first reaction in my head to your comment was, “Well don’t read the article!” But then I realized you had to read the article to know if you thought it was worthwhile.
But seriously dude, why the persistent bee in your bonnet? Would alcohol help because I’d ship some to you. I also know a dude who sells some…bah, that’s stepping over the line. Just get drunk & throw beer bottles at the TV. It used to make me feel better back when I drank beer, but cleaning up broken glass is a bitch.
Maybe throw cans, or even marshmallows. You can get the really big marshmallows & write the word “BEER” with a Sharpie on it. Think of it as a bag full of edible stress balls.
(Hmm…edible stress balls could be the next big infomercial product. Especially if they were made from marshmallow cream & Xanax. Them suckers would work & could outsell the Snuggie.)
. . . . .
Tom: You’re related to my buddy Ash in Louisiana, aren’t you?
I know you are. You’re a distant, removed cousin … you know … one of the one’s families keep in the closet.
(For those not in the know: Tt’s already been determined Tom and I were joined at the hip at birth …)
Could be related. I think you already know I’m a good old Cajun boy living in Louisiana. I love to hunt, fish, and cook both the stuff I kill and catch, but even more the stuff I get from that thing they call “the store.” It’s cool because everything’s already dead and cut into handy, ready to cook bits. If you shop at Walmart even the employees are already dead.
. . . . .
Never mind. I was mistaken. You’re one of my cousins.
(Yes. And on top of the removed-at-birth thing, too. Perfect inter-relationary monkey business.)
I’m certain you’re part of my relatives, The Vicknair Clan, in Reserve.
I’ve known some Vicknairs in the past and been to/through Reserve many times. I’m just up the road in Baton Rouge, but I’m originally from the true heart of Cajun Country. I was born and raised in Crowley, Louisiana which is the parish seat of Acadia parish, so named after the Acadian settlers. The term “Cajun” came about by saying “Acadian” really fast and without very strong enunciation, which is how someone with a French/Nova Scotian accent would say it. So I am literally from “Cajun Ground Zero.” Probably going to move back to that tiny town one day. Most of my friends still live there and more importantly they have really good internet service. Most importantly is the food! :o)
Thanks, Tara! I’ll admit to giving this show some leeway because I want it to succeed. I won’t let that affect my objectivity beyond this one-time appeal for patience in the hope that it hits a stride.
And I agree wholeheartedly with your point about a cast not being able to overcome bad writing (see: SNL, whenever it’s not good). It’s just another thing to keep an eye on.
Great first post, Clark! I think as a compromise between yours and Tara’s posts, maybe I’ll keep doing as I already have been — staying indecisive about the show — by continuing to DVR it and watching select episodes when I have time / feel like it. Yeah, I’m a waffler.
I’m pretty much fed up with Traffic Loght, though, and probably won’t even record that anymore.
Thanks, Rachel! The DVR is a beautiful thing, is it not?
Loght = Light. Dammit.
You do know you can edit comments right? :)
Haha, yeah. But I wasn’t “signed in” before, and for some reason it wouldn’t let me edit. Weird!