She's more than just Rizzo I found out, having seen Stockard Channing on stage more than just once. She can sing and be funny and be poignant, and for every "Six Degrees", there's also a "Big Bus". The first episode introduces her as a woman in need of a job, and thanks to a friend gets a job working as a product analyst at a TV station, working for Ron Silver, and quickly proving herself quite valuable. Utilizing a series of disguises to hide her identity, Channing reminds me many times in the show of Madeline Kahn with her ability to slip into outrageous accents and Carol Burnett in her attempt to disguise herself to be unrecognizable. Who would think that she could be so funny and who would think that a show this funny would only last for half a season?
There are only two or three episodes that I considered to be disappointments, and mostly that is because of the presence of Bruce Baum (rhymes with bomb) as health food restaurant owner turned security guard, one of the single most unfunny characters in sitcom history. He came on halfway through the show and unfortunately, his presence in those half a dozen or so episodes was truly cringe-worthy. He took material away from the much more likeable Jack Somack as her landlord and Sydney Goldsmith as her dingy friend, and the urge to hit the fast-forward button every time he comes on becomes painfully obvious.
Then there's the wacky Max Showalter as the station owner, getting to sing and dance as a Broadway and movie musical veteran who is often imperious but usually just attention-seeking. I'll take him over Baum any day, as long as it is in minimal doses. The real reason though that this show probably would not have lasted longer than two seasons is that the premise only has limited plot potential, and unless they decided to romantically pair Channing and Silver, that wouldn't take it any further. This didn't need to down "The Nanny" route. Still very good in spite of lack of long-term potential and one bad casting choice, mostly very well written, and the fact that Channing did not get an Emmy nomination for her delightful comic abilities is a shame, although it's difficult to whittle down to five nominees out of several dozen.
There are only two or three episodes that I considered to be disappointments, and mostly that is because of the presence of Bruce Baum (rhymes with bomb) as health food restaurant owner turned security guard, one of the single most unfunny characters in sitcom history. He came on halfway through the show and unfortunately, his presence in those half a dozen or so episodes was truly cringe-worthy. He took material away from the much more likeable Jack Somack as her landlord and Sydney Goldsmith as her dingy friend, and the urge to hit the fast-forward button every time he comes on becomes painfully obvious.
Then there's the wacky Max Showalter as the station owner, getting to sing and dance as a Broadway and movie musical veteran who is often imperious but usually just attention-seeking. I'll take him over Baum any day, as long as it is in minimal doses. The real reason though that this show probably would not have lasted longer than two seasons is that the premise only has limited plot potential, and unless they decided to romantically pair Channing and Silver, that wouldn't take it any further. This didn't need to down "The Nanny" route. Still very good in spite of lack of long-term potential and one bad casting choice, mostly very well written, and the fact that Channing did not get an Emmy nomination for her delightful comic abilities is a shame, although it's difficult to whittle down to five nominees out of several dozen.
