Last year, CBS introduced a new comedy called Life In Pieces, and I loved it. I rarely watch live television, and I rarely take to new shows, but in the case of Life In Pieces, I always tried to watch when it aired. The show would have me laughing so hard that I’d end up in coughing fits.
The show was renewed for a second season. I have no idea when it premiered this year, but a few days ago, Kelly turned on the show via On Demand, and we watched. I was worried. Rarely can a comedy maintain the tone that made it so funny the first time around. But to my surprise, and utter delight, Life In Pieces did it. I laughed even harder at the season premier than at any point in the first season, and that’s saying something.
The show is well-written, well-acted, and caters to short attention spans in a unique way, by bringing four interrelated vignettes per episode. There’s something refreshing about that break from the models that have become standard sitcom fare (studio audience with laugh track, documentary style, a la Modern Family, etc.). And as far as I’m concerned, it is the funniest show on television.
James Brolin is wonderful in the role of the family patriarch. And Colin Hanks. There was a scene where, within the space of a few seconds, he channeled two of his dad’s expressions and mannerisms so much that for moment, if you caught it out of the corner of your eye, you would have thought a young Tom Hanks had replaced him in the scene.
In middle age, I tend to get grump about television. I complain that I can no longer stomach dramas, that the writing isn’t as good as it used to be, blah, blah, blah. But there are gems out there, and I thought I should take a moment to call one out, rather than complain about the stuff that I don’t like.
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