Street Date: June 10

Official Synopsis:
From executive producer Gavin Polone (TV’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm”), this quirky comedy features Jordana Spiro as PJ Franklin, a twenty-something tomboy who finds her masculine, no-nonsense, sports-oriented dating approach does not always have the effect she’s hoped for with potential suitors. When the men in her life – her brother, an ex-boyfriend, her best friend and a sportswriter from the rival newspaper – decide to help her out, the game plan goes out the window and all bets are off, with comic consequences. In her quest to define herself, P.J. learns it doesn’t always pay to be one of the boys!

  
Our Take:
There’s a shortage of really good sitcoms on TV nowadays. It seems like the landscape is blotted with either dark, dour “experience” shows (such as Lost and 24) or entangled romance/drama ensemble-cast affairs (Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Brothers & Sisters). Now, I like some of these shows quite a bit, so I’m not opposed to any of the genres in particular, but I do find the lack of good comedy on TV nowadays disappointing. I miss the days when Must See TV really was must-see TV. Because of that, I’ll give most new sitcoms a chance, just to see if there’s anything new or exciting on the horizon.

My Boys: The Complete First Season proves that there really isn’t. TBS’s first foray into original scripted comedy is a big let down. Even though he’s a supporting player, I thought Jim Gaffigan’s presence alone would make the show funny; he is, after all, one of the funniest comedians on the planet. Even he can’t save this limp noodle of a show that’s filled with unlikable, clichéd characters. Jordana Spiro is decent at best in the lead role as PJ Franklin, the tomboy girl in a group of guys who starts to embrace her feminine side. It’s not like the premise of the show seems all that interesting to begin with, but I was hoping for something better than pure mediocrity. The show isn’t terrible, it just isn’t good.

Since My Boys is coming back for a second season, though, there are clearly some fans out there. For those people, there are some decent extra features included:

• Life in the Press Box – A behind-the-scenes look at the show.
• PJ’s Rules for Sports and Dating.
• No Crying in Baseball – Outtakes and bloopers.
• Favorites in Sports – A montage of sports moments from the show.
• Sports Quiz with Cast and Crew.
• Riding the Pine - Deleted scenes.
• Minisode - Diff’rent Strokes: “MR. T and Mr. T.”
• Minisode - Silver Spoons: “Me and Mr. T.”

Maybe I’d enjoy My Boys more if I were more of a sports enthusiast than I am, but really I think what it comes down to is that the show just isn’t that funny. If you’re looking for the perfect sitcom to bring some laughs into your living room, I’m afraid you’re going to have to keep on searching.

Overall Picture:
Show: C-
DVD: B+

- Mike Spring

Editor