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| Show Reviews |
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Love Monkey
Dennis Burger
03/01/2006
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Produced by: Bayahibe Films Ltd., Paramount Network Television Productions, and
Sony Pictures Television
Network: CBS
Scheduled: Tuesday, 10 p.m.
Reviewed on: WAKA-DT, Montgomery
Channel: 8.1 (digital channel 55)
 A bittersweet moment in the pilot episode for Love Monkey deftly predicts the
show’s own undeniable and unfortunate fate: Our protagonist, a mega-label
A&R rep (Ed’s Thomas Cavanagh), bemoans the rampant superficial
commercialism of the recording industry to the thundering applause of his
coworkers, only to be immediately and ruthlessly fired. Taken in one context,
it’s just another train-wreck life moment in this hip-yet-heartwarming new show.
It’s also a brilliant indictment of the current TV environment, in which a
series like this—with its Everyman protagonist, grin-out-loud dialogue, and
somewhat esoteric Gen-X-culture references—doesn’t stand a chance against
America’s Shortest Midget Pole-Vaulter.
Even CBS’ sharp 1080i presentation
won’t save the show, which is a real shame. It carries a sort of Jerry
Maguire-meets-High Fidelity aura that telegraphs the series’ tone and
inspiration, and sports a deliberately broad cinematographic framing that
starkly contrasts the accidentally wide screen of most high-definition
offerings. The 5.1 audio could use a bit of work, especially in terms of vocal
clarity, but why bother? Love Monkey is simply too amiable, too
character-driven, and too harmless to make it in today’s market. I’ll be shocked
if it’s still on the air by the time this sees print. Thrilled, no doubt, but
utterly shocked.
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