Retrospective: Episodes (Season 1)

After a bumpy pilot, Showtime's Episodes, which just finished airing its 7-episode first season, proved itself to be a light and fun look behind the scenes of the entertainment industry. The show centers on Sean and Beverly Lincoln (Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig), two British writers who created an award winning sitcom in England, who are invited to come to Hollywood to produce a new version of their show for the US (like NBC's development of The Office). However, the basic punchline premise of the show is that the American network executives completely butcher the show, changing it from Liman's Boys, a dry headmaster's relationship with the students of a boys' boarding school, to Pucks!, an arrogant hockey coach's relationship with the school's team, starring Matt Le Blanc.

The first episode is a little rough, as the two leads come off as a little dull. Sean is ever the optimist, finding all the benefits in their new surroundings, while Beverly has a more difficult time adjusting to the L.A. lifestyle. Le Blanc doesn't really enter the show until the second episode when the executives insist on casting him, even though practically everyone agrees he is completely wrong for the part, including Le Blanc himself. His exaggerated cockiness is skillfully played with just the right amount of subtlety, hilariously mocking his own shortcomings (like cheating on his wife) and serving as the show's archetype for the lavish life of a Hollywood actor (which quickly charms Sean and alienates Beverly).

Although much of the Hollywood and entertainment industry critiques are predictable and unoriginal, the show excels by portraying them either effectively understated or absurdly exaggerated, like the ridiculously despicable network executive Merc Lapidus, who cheats on his blind wife and is constantly insincere. The shows other supporting characters, such as the seemingly age-defying and spunky actress Morning Randolph, also help maintain the show's comedy. Particularly hysterical are the absurd facial expressions of Myra Licht, the head of comedy for the network (pictured at right).

Bottom Line: Largely thanks to Matt Le Blanc, Episodes has proven to be a fun and ridiculous trip through Hollywood in its first season, and hopefully Showtime will pick it up for a second.