I know I get excited about a lot of TV, and I mainly think
its because I just enjoy TV (almost) more than anything
else, but this mid-season’s premieres are looking VERY
promising. That being said, I don’t think I’m overstating
how funny and endearing FOX’s new show Enlisted is, and is
perhaps the standout of the bunch (although it may be a
little early to predict the number one). This show is
Private Benjamin meets the Bad News Bears meets Brooklyn 99
meets Modern Family. Enlisted is an updated comedy about
three brothers, all serving in the United States Army, one
of which is super-soldier, over-achiever Pete (played by
Geoff Stults), while the other two brothers, Derrick and
Randy (Chris Lowell and Parker Young, respectively) have
their own *ahem* challenges.. While the premise sounds like
it could venture into political commentary, or come off as
disrespectful, it’s not condescending at all, nor does it
make light of the circumstances that make this show a
work-place comedy of sorts. Enlisted is more a show about
it’s individual parts than it is about the whole.
The combination of the Hill brothers and the supporting cast
is golden and has endless potential. The chemistry among the
brothers is charm personified, as the older brother Pete
returns home from the war in Afghanistan after being demoted
to the Rear Detachment Unit to join his brothers. Derrick is
the middle brother with little respect for the Army and a
wit and sarcasm that balances the sentimental with snark.
Randy is the youngest brother, and the most naive and
earnest of the three -- playing the butt of his brothers’
jokes. The show is not afraid to make fun of itself or the
main characters and the timing could not be better executed.
Of the three episodes I saw, the third, Prank Wars, was the
funniest and most well crafted. This installment captures
what this show is already getting right and what makes some
shows (especially this one) exponentially funnier than
others. Its jokes are simply absurd enough to have a broad
reach, yet clever enough to appeal to a jaded, cynical
viewer. With lines like, “You can’t cover your junk with
excuses,” Enlisted is going to appeal to a lot of viewers.
If you haven’t taken my advice about anything so far, take
it about this show. I have a feeling its going to be a giant
hit, and is going to be talked about with the likes of New
Girl and The Mindy Project (except with a lot more
testosterone).
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Page updated 12/31/13
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