This week Amber West and I take on two new television programs on Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday where two of TV’s funny men return, only with issues—TNT’s Perception and FX’s Anger Management.
Before we get started, and for the sake of keeping all of the Charlies straight and less confusing, “Sheen” will refer to the actor and “Charlie” will refer to the character.
While I didn’t get a sneak peek at TNT’s Perception like Amber did, I have to believe that Charlie (played by, you guessed it, Charlie Sheen) has the most issues between the two. Maybe not as far as the television series go, but considering the network and his production company took his “real” life issues and twisted them into a new sitcom, I have to say he’s WINNING as far as the issues component is concerned.
At first, I thought Charlie was going to be a member of an anger management group. But instead, he leads a group as their therapist. The group consists of: a grumpy, old man (played by Barry Corbin, Brenda Leigh’s daddy from The Closer); the token gay (Michael Arden, a young actor from my hometown of Midland, Texas); the angry, Latin-lover, who chopped off her man’s you-know-what (Noureen DeWulf); and another character that I honestly can’t even remember right now.
But then as the pilot plays out, viewers learn that Charlie is indeed a previous member of an anger management group. I believe that following his days as a professional baseball player, he loses his cool and even breaks his knee when he attempts to smash a bat over his leg during a temper-tantrum. I say “believe” because the series really didn’t leave that much of an impression on me and I’m having a hard time remembering the facts—bad for a TV reviewer, I know—sorry about that.
Anyway, current events lead Charlie to believe he needs to get back onto a doctor’s couch. The problem is, the only other therapist he trusts is the woman he is currently sleeping with (played by Selma Blair). Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t this sound like something Charlie Harper (Sheen’s character from Two and a Half Men) would do?
In a twist that I wasn’t expecting, Sheen plays the role of an ex-husband and father, and I must admit that the scenes with the ex-wife (played by Shawnee Smith, from the Saw movies and TV show, Becker) and daughter (Daniela Bobadilla) are some of the best. Despite the divorce and apparent anger issues Charlie has, his family loves him.
As I was with Selma Blair, I was excited to see Michael Boatman (Arli$$) in the role of Charlie’s next door neighbor and friend. But after two episodes, it doesn’t appear Mr. Boatman has that big of a role after all—and that’s a shame. And speaking of smaller roles that should have been bigger, Brian Austin Green played Charlie’s ex-wife’s boyfriend in the pilot… but the couple already broke up. I would have watched more of Anger Management for 90210‘s David Silver alone! Talk about missed opportunities…
As I said earlier, only two episodes of Anger Management have aired to date. But the ads for the new comedy promise Charlie’s (either Charlie works in this instance) new show to be funnier than the current episodes of Two and a Half Men. Having seen both, I must disagree. My guy stopped watching after the pilot, and while I sat through the second half-hour, I’m not sure Anger Management will find a permanent home on my DVR queue. For that, I must award the NIV rating—Charlie and his group might fit perfectly into the TV slot associated with our sleep-timers in bed.
What do you think? Have you watched Anger Management? How would you rate it? Do you feel FX is “beating a dead horse” giving Charlie Sheen a new show so closely related to his “real” life? I’d love to hear from you!
Now click over to Amber’s blog and see what she thinks about Will’s new role, I mean Eric McCormack, in TNT’s Perception.
Come back next week when Amber and I review something… it’s summer time and the heat is taking a toll on our planning ahead.
Remember to stop by the #watchwed hashtag in Twitter to discuss any of today’s reviews, or to mention any television programs that you’d like to see on Why It’s Worth a Watch Wednesday in the future.
A Recap of The WatchWed Review System:
GTV (Gourmet TV): Everything we want and more
MacTV (MacNCheese TV): Guilty pleasure. Not perfect, but is satisfies
GMacTV (Gourmet MacNCheese TV): A combination of fine wine and comfort food
JFTV (Junk food TV): It’s not great for us, but we’ll go back for seconds
TBPTV (Twice Baked Potato TV): Part gourmet and delicious, while absolutely horrible for our cholesterol
SSTV (Still Simmering TV): It has potential, but the jury is still out
NIV (Nyquil Induced Viewing): Perfect for that late night television sleep timer
LOTV (Liver&Onions TV): Do we really have to explain? Blech
Tiffany A White's Ooo Factor 
Is this like Fat Actress, where Kirstie Alley tried to capitalize on her issues? Bury the horse already. I’d be far more willing to forget the crazy Charlie if he’d take on a great acting role and show us he’s still worth watching. Thanks for taking one for the team here, Tiffany.
And now back to my watching The Glades today…
I actually have already forgotten about “crazy” Charlie, which is why I gave Anger Management a try. I mean, I loved Two and a Half Men before he left. And, I don’t mind it now that Ashton has taken over either. BUT, Charlie isn’t putting his acting skills to the test IMO. He’s playing another damaged character…. named Charlie. Why are all of his characters named Charlie?
Thanks for stopping by, Julie!
I’m not really interested in Anger Management. There’s already too much on TV I REALLY want to watch right now.
Ah, Andrew with Hannigan…what a couple. LOL. I’ve met Andrew in real life, and I never saw that smug look on his face. It must be because he’s saying “Look at me” with the hot babes. LOL
LOL, Lauralynn!! I absolutely loved the head shots Andrew sent to us to use… I’m glad Amber selected this one. He looks adorable!!
🙂
Exactly right, LL. I’m practicing that face for when I make it big.
It’s an awesome face. 🙂
Can I borrow Amber for her Photoshopping skills?
I try not to pimp Amber out too much… but she is pretty darn fantastic. 🙂
What say you, Amber?
Let’s give Charlie Sheen another chance. Who not among us trashed his hotel room, boss and flamed out in public. After all, he’s an entertainer.
I feel I did give Mr. Sheen a chance. After all, I watched Anger Management. Two episodes worth. Maybe he needs to step away from TV, since he seems to play the same character over and over again — and they’re all named Charlie, BTW — and get back to his motion picture roles. How about a new Major League? That’s such a great movie…
Thanks for stopping by, Tom!
LOL to the photoshopped pics. It’s a shame about Anger Management. I would think that a show playing around with Sheen’s issues would have a lot of potential for a funny show. Oh well.
I’m not saying it’s not funny… I’m just saying it’s not really all that “fresh” if that makes any sense. I’d rather watch the new TBS comedy, Men at Work.
And Yes, Amber is a Photoshopping QUEEN!!
Thanks for stopping by, Sonia! 🙂