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"The Job" worthy of second chance |
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Written by SHAWN FEAKINS
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Tuesday, 24 May 2005 |
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Canceled TV series never die given the ascendance of DVD. This often gives series a second life, a la the cult hit of “Firefly” and the renewal of “Family Guy.” One of these shows is Denis Leary and Tim Nolan’s 2001-02 series “The Job,” which was canceled due to poor marketing and a constant threat under censors by ABC.
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“The Job”
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 Entertainment
Art
Season I
4-disc DVD set
Starring Denis Leary
(Shout! Factory)
Released May 24, 2005 |
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Based upon an advisor Leary met during the filming of the “Thomas Crown Affair,” Leary and Nolan penned this dark comedy series about Detective Mike McNeil, an abrasive New York detective who often unsuccessfully tries to balance his wife, girlfriend, alcoholism, and an addiction to pain killers. Like most cop shows, there is a killer ensemble cast. Unlike most cop shows, the focus is not on the police work, but more on character-evoking similarities to the late, lamented “Homicide.” The label of sitcom doesn’t fit either, as the humor is given room to breathe with long character reactions and the blissful absence of a laugh track.
The humor is black, with severed limbs, cheating spouses, police sampling massage parlors, and beating grandmothers for information. But the comedy works because of this juxtaposition. The show fails when it falls back upon typical sitcom plots and gags, such as the “Is our co-worker gay?” episode.
EXTRAS
Special features are minimal, with a few paltry interviews and gag reels, and Leary and Nolan’s commentaries are ultimately disappointing and not illuminating. This is almost forgiven by the half hour discussion between Nolan and Leary, who take their time to discuss the series and its trials.
“The Job” is worth picking up simply for the quality and intrigue of the series. With the ascendance of cable, network television should look to shows that expand the genre as model as opposed to a detriment. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
