1 star
ABC, 8-8:30 PM, Tuesdays
The players: Stars John Ritter, Katey Sagal, Kaley Cuoco, Amy Davidson and Martin Spanjers. Directed by Gil Junger. Created, produced, and written by Tracy Gamble. Produced by Tom Shadyac, Flody Suarez, Michael Bostick
What it’s all about: A father (Ritter) contends with his wife’s (Sagal) return to work and the prospect of caring for his two teenage daughters (Cuoco and Davidson) and pre-pubescent son (Spanjers). Developed from the book by humor columnist W. Bruce Cameron.
What can I say: Ever wonder what it would be like to see Jack Tripper as a father? Man, what kind of crazy misunderstandings and double entendres could he and his kids get into! Well, keep wondering. John Ritter‘s Three’s Company alter ego was a bit of a cad, but at least he knew how to live with women. Here, Ritter‘s Paul Hennessy has apparently taken no interest in his daughters from ages five through sixteen. Granted, the premise of the show is: What happens to a sexist, self-absorbed and/or son-absorbed man when he’s “forced” to play parent to his teen daughters? But, as a man, I’m offended by the suggestion that this is the best men have to offer. As far as Hennessy sees them, his daughters are alien creatures. He can only remember them as little girls and thinks solutions to their adolescent woes will come either in the form of Mickey Mouse pancakes or constant “my generation vs. your generation” outrage.
Bottom line: The show is a waste of all talent involved. Sagal, for one, barely appears in the premiere. The kids are fine in their stereotypical roles of blonde sexpot, plain brooder, and bratty little brother. But since the show is really on Ritter‘s shoulders, he simply needs a better character to play. What would be so horrible about depicting a man who not only loves his kids but can draw on his experience as a human being (not just as a man) to help raise them? Or at least smooth talk them down at the Regal Beagle.
