(June 20th, 2011.)               Hank Azaria (The Simpsons, Huff), Kathryn Hahn (Hung), Mo Mandel (Love Bites, Modern Family), Al Madrigal (Wizards of Waverly Place, Gary Unmarried), Anthony Head (Merlin, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Joe Lo Truglio (Backwash, Mad Love) and Natasha Leggero (Ugly Americans, 'Til Death) star in the half hour comedy Free Agents, coming to NBC on Wednesdays at 8:30pm, this fall.

This comedy is based on the cult U.K. series of the same name that explores the trials and tribulations of two public relations executives on the rebound. Alex (Azaria) is newly divorced and can barely keep himself together while his co-worker Helen (Hahn) thinks she has it together but is obsessed with her deceased fiancé and actually is falling apart. Then a drunken Alex and Helen end up in bed together, and in the resulting sober confusion, Helen decides that they should only be friends. Meanwhile Alex’s co-workers, Dan (Mandel), Gregg (Madrigal), and Stephen (Head) fail in their attempts to help him get back out on the dating scene. When Alex finally agrees to a date, Helen gets a little jealous, and he gets cold feet, so they end up back where they started, in a casual, intimate and beautifully awkward relationship.

I like the chemistry between the stars, but neither of these people really seems to be the people they are trying to play. Perhaps in a few episodes, with a couple of better scripts, this comedy will start to go somewhere. Right now all we have is a pilot episode focusing on two people who both seem to be dealing with their own self-loathing by sleeping with each other. While it may be interesting for a little while, it is not enough to fuel a full season of this comedy series.

Hank Azaria is a brilliant supporting actor, but his performance lacks the strength of character to propel a scene. He reacts as much as he acts, a good trait for a subordinate role, but not for a star or even a co-star. The exact thing can be said about Kathryn Hahn.  When the script calls for her to take the lead in the relationship, those scenes are not focused enough. Her character is indecisive, her performance should not be. Both actors will improve over time as they come to know their characters. But in TV land, there not be time to make those improvements before they find themselves on the chopping block.

One of the great problems in converting a British comedy for American television, is that the Brits have a very dry sense of humour that often does not play well across the pond. That does not mean this comedy cannot succeed, but the entire production staff had best be aware that the success this idea enjoyed in England does not assure them success here. Success here will come only if this comedy picks up the pace and delivers a lot more funny.

 

 - Editor    

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