Economy Taking Toll as Nip/Tuck Starts Season Six

An unattractive economy is causing worry lines and giving people gray hairs.
Ordinarily that would seem to be good news for plastic surgeons. But as the new season of FX’s outstanding series “Nip/Tuck” begins its sixth season Wednesday night, business is seriously sagging at McNamara/Troy.
The richies don’t have the money they used to have to massage their vanity, which means fewer facelifts, tummy tucks and boob jobs. There are cutbacks at the now-quiet office, including serving generic yogurt. The clients are gone. So is much of the joy.
Things aren’t beautiful at home for our leading men either.
After finding out he wasn’t dying of cancer, Christian moved to end his marriage to the adoring Liz.
The spurned anesthesiologist is suing Christian, seeking the full half of his assets she’s entitled to under California law. That would include half of McNamara/Troy.
This creates opening for some familiar faces. Wayne Knight plays Christian’s lawyer, while Barry Bostwick represents Liz with some interesting ideas about rubbing out a settlement with Christian.
Sean has a new girlfriend and is fighting with Julia over money. He’s also seeking rent from son Matt, who dropped out of school (after Dad paid tuition) and enrolled in a mime class using Sean’s credit card.
As if having problems with fiscal fitness isn’t enough, a rival surgeon played by Mario Lopez has Sean and Christian feeling short of a six-pack. Chubby in fact.
Lopez is also doing boffo business with a special procedure that makes women feel younger in bed.
Sounds like a good idea, so they invite Lopez to use their facilities and push the operation in a cheesy late-night infomercial.
It’s no wonder Sean can’t sleep.
For this often-shocking, taboo-busting series, the season premiere is a bit tame. I’m sure things will heat up soon and it will be fun to see how the producers keep this show youthful and perky for another year.