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A Happily Awkward Pilot - "Happily Divorced" Pilot Review

Fran Drescher returns to sitcom-land entertaining yet again.

3/5 Stars


I was excited to hear about Fran Drescher's return to the sitcom world in the new TV Land Situation Comedy "Happily Divorced," I liked Fran's original WB return in "Fran," and "The Nanny" is and always will be one of my favorite sitcoms, so a return, yeah, I'm all for it. I watched her new show with an open mind, but the problem is it takes too many bids from other shows, and lacks a lot in its punchlines, but, don't get me wrong, it has a lot of good too, let me break it down for you:



THE GOOD:
Fran (Fran Drescher), a newly divorced
florist,  accidently gives
her  a truffle, which he is allergic to.
  • Fran Drescher: she just doesn't fail, and while drama may not be her thing, her presence on a sitcom gives you the sense that things are good, even when they're not. As the character of, you guessed it, Fran, Ms. Drescher continues to give laughs with her exaggerated voice, and sarcastic yet loving laugh. Her role in this based-on-her-life comedy plays to her strengths, and uses Fran's comedic timing to the show's advantage. Plus, her reactions always prove to be classic, especially when her date has an allergic reaction to truffles (pictured).                                            
  • John Micheal Higgins: John Micheal Higgins was first brought to my attention has a professor in "Community," his comedic skills and acting chops are one to be envied, and they are used to Happily Divorced's advantage. His delivery of the lines "Fran, I'm gay" would make the show so so great, if they're wasn't so much lacking in the rest of it. Mr. Higgins plays the role of a straight guy finally out of the closet perfectly, but what is even better is the fake eye enhancers and the expression on his face .
  • Bringing back Valente Rodriguez: Valente, of "Geroge Lopez" fame, plays Fran's delivery guy for her florist. This guy is another thing that does this show justice. He is able to carry the role, and the weight of the show along with Drescher and Higgins, and never let it drop. It's about time Valente is back on tv, specifically on a sitcom.
  •     Rita Morena What can I say, she's Rita Moreno, of course the show will be better with her, she's           Rita Moreno! The star, who was able to EGOT (receive an Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Oscar award), plays Fran's mother.
"Happily Divorced" pulls out the
big guns and brings in  Rita Moreno
to play Fran's Mom.
THE BAD
  • The Role of Judy: I love Tichina Arnold, who played the mother of Chris in "Everybody Hates Chris" and the role of Pamela on "Martin," but even she could not bring justice to this role. Judy's role has Fran's sounding board fails, and if anything, tries way too hard. Her jokes just aren't funny enough and they're making Tichina play this character totally wrong, I'm sorry but I want more Rochelle, other than this.
  • It's trying to Hard to be Other Shows I just mentioned Judy isn't funny, but its not that which makes her so bad, its the utter lack of regard for other shows originality. Judy's role is trying way to hard to be Wanda Sykes in "The New Adventures of Old Christine," not only that. The whole show seems to try to be "Old Christine," which it will never do. Fran Drescher and Julia Louis Dreyfus are to totally different people, with two totally different factors that make them great actors, so making a cookie cutter out of Julia's show, even with the gay detail added in, is just going to end up bad. The show can easily be great, but only if the writing improves and begins to stray away from things that were once original on other shows! And, the allergic reaction to a truffle while on a date, while funny, isn't that original ("WONDERFALLS" ANYBODY!).
BOTTOM LINE: I gave this show 3 out of 5 stars for a reason, its cast is likable and able. Sure, this is only the pilot, and simply rating it on that would be mean. It's obvious the show is still finding its tone, and will probably get better in time, especially with the likes of such a great, and did I mention able, cast. The jokes, while not always hilarious, can get a laugh out of you. As time goes on, the show will probably improve because it has an evident potential. The story line is original enough, the characterization can improve a bit (especially when Judy is concerned), and the jokes just need a tad of tweeking, the canned laughter is also annoying (I don't being told when to laugh are we in Soviet Russia (audience begins to double over with laughter)), but the show is entertaining and has enough value that will bring you back for a second episode. 

There's a new Item in Our Comparisons Page, The West Wing Season 5


Almost Paid: $56.00
Amazon Price: $15.00