Bored To Death Extends HBO's Streak

HBO’s new comedy about a loser may be a winner.
In the pilot of the new series, which launches Sunday, starts up like “Stripes.” Star Jason Schwarzman’s girlfriend dumps the struggling writer and moves out leaving him convinced he and best friend struggling artist Zach Galifianakis are losers.
But instead of joining the Army like Bill Murray and Harold Ramis did, Schwartzman, inspired by Raymond Chandler novels, puts an ad on Craigslist claiming to be an unlicensed private investigator.
Comedy ensues as Ames gently attempts to solve his clients’ problems–as well as his own.
Schwartzman’s character is named Jonathan Ames, which is also the name of the real life writer whose short story the series is based on. According to the Los Angeles Times, “Schwartzman, who is small and thin and dark, does not resemble Ames, who is tall and bald and buff (and a dozen years older). But the actor embodies the sound of the writer’s published prose, which is oddly stiff and formal, almost as if he’s afraid of doing injury to the language.”
Along for the ride is Ted Danson as George Christopher, a pot-smoking, Viagra-popping magazine editor for whom Ames works. After “Cheers,” Danson is turning into a cable gem, with his award-worthy turns on “Damages” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” supplemented by major mileage he gets from his few scenes here.
The New York Times called “Bored to Death” “idiosyncratic and delightful,” pronounces Danson as a scene stealer. And Time Magazine says the the show hits its stride in the episodes following the pilot.
USA Today was less complimentary. “‘Bored’ is TV that’s tailor-made for people who hate TV. It won’t make you laugh, but it will make you feel hipper than the room, and for some, that will be enough.”
HBO has been riding a hot streak lately, and it looks like “Bored to Death” will keep the network on track.
PS: If you have HBO on Demand, you don’t have to wait till Sunday.