My friends think I am crazy, but I love "Titus." What began as a seemingly half-hour therapy session for its star, Christopher Titus, has developed into a solid 30 minute blend of near-slapstick humor, intelligent writing and light introspection.
The cast of "Titus," once somewhat disjointed and contrived (as is the case with many freshman shows), has coalesced into a tight comedic ensemble who riff off each other easily, and help the storylines move along at a refreshing clip.
A major strength of the show, (the only one, my friends contend), is Stacy Keach's role as Ken Titus, Christopher's father. He takes an abusive, callous father, and almost impossibly makes him hilarious. After all, if you remove the humorous context, child abuse is no laughing matter.
And yet, it is Christopher's approach to his past that allows us to laugh with him. While I never saw his one-man show, "Norman Rockwell is Bleeding," I can only assume he conveyed a similar take on his family in that setting as well. This TV show could have easily been rendered as a "Pity Me, I Am So Screwed Up Because Of My Dysfunctional Past" scenario. Instead, Titus' skewed perspective provides enough levity so we may understand how absurd the perverted communication process with those who have hurt us deepest can be, without completely breaking our hearts. It is a testament to everyone involved in the show, that Titus' vision is pulled off with such aplomb.
The supporting cast shines as they reflect what is going on in Titus' subconscious, conveyed cleverly by black & white sequences in a room with only a chair and light bulb, where Christopher frenetically interprets how his past has affected his present. Think of it as Freud on Ephedra, and you'll do just fine.
Cynthia Watros's 'Erin' gets my vote for best character development. Her loving, accepting yet equally madcap persona has flourished into a fully realized partner-in-crime for Christopher, when she could have remained a one-dimensional support figure.
Zack Ward as Titus' slow-witted adopted brother Dave is the 'Chrissy Snow' of the show, as he often, unwittingly foils Chris's attempts at revenge or reconciliation with their father.
My only complaint is Shatraw's character, who is supposed to be Titus's best friend, hardly gets any exploration or airtime. Hopefully, the show will be on for a while, so the effeminate and riotous Tommy can be more developed.
If you're looking for a half hour of audacious comedy, the likes of which you have never seen on network TV, check out "Titus." Considering most good shows get shelved within a year if they don't get the ratings, you might only have a little time left!
The cast of "Titus," once somewhat disjointed and contrived (as is the case with many freshman shows), has coalesced into a tight comedic ensemble who riff off each other easily, and help the storylines move along at a refreshing clip.
A major strength of the show, (the only one, my friends contend), is Stacy Keach's role as Ken Titus, Christopher's father. He takes an abusive, callous father, and almost impossibly makes him hilarious. After all, if you remove the humorous context, child abuse is no laughing matter.
And yet, it is Christopher's approach to his past that allows us to laugh with him. While I never saw his one-man show, "Norman Rockwell is Bleeding," I can only assume he conveyed a similar take on his family in that setting as well. This TV show could have easily been rendered as a "Pity Me, I Am So Screwed Up Because Of My Dysfunctional Past" scenario. Instead, Titus' skewed perspective provides enough levity so we may understand how absurd the perverted communication process with those who have hurt us deepest can be, without completely breaking our hearts. It is a testament to everyone involved in the show, that Titus' vision is pulled off with such aplomb.
The supporting cast shines as they reflect what is going on in Titus' subconscious, conveyed cleverly by black & white sequences in a room with only a chair and light bulb, where Christopher frenetically interprets how his past has affected his present. Think of it as Freud on Ephedra, and you'll do just fine.
Cynthia Watros's 'Erin' gets my vote for best character development. Her loving, accepting yet equally madcap persona has flourished into a fully realized partner-in-crime for Christopher, when she could have remained a one-dimensional support figure.
Zack Ward as Titus' slow-witted adopted brother Dave is the 'Chrissy Snow' of the show, as he often, unwittingly foils Chris's attempts at revenge or reconciliation with their father.
My only complaint is Shatraw's character, who is supposed to be Titus's best friend, hardly gets any exploration or airtime. Hopefully, the show will be on for a while, so the effeminate and riotous Tommy can be more developed.
If you're looking for a half hour of audacious comedy, the likes of which you have never seen on network TV, check out "Titus." Considering most good shows get shelved within a year if they don't get the ratings, you might only have a little time left!