I just watched the first three episodes, which aired back-to-back on NBC last night. I found the show somewhat entertaining, but I have to wonder how long they can sustain the premise. Shows (and movies) about lowlifes and doofuses suffer from an inherent problem: unless the writing and acting are superior (as with the Coen Brothers' movies) the characters can become annoying rather quickly. And after only three episodes, most of the people on this show seem like little more than caricatures: the scheming ex-wife, the stupid brother, the ex-con who's found Jesus, the squirrelly little gay guy, etc.
There have been several clever and original bits: the giant-type Bible, and Randy asking the guy with the throat mike to say "Luke, I am your father," for example. But too much of the show relies on people acting stupidly and/or getting out of a bad situation through dumb luck or a quick spin: the bad things Earl has done turn out to be not-so-bad after all.
Also, while I like looking at hot babes as much as the next guy, how plausible is it that the two main female characters in these guys' lives (Joy and Catalina) would both be drop-dead gorgeous?
So, overall, I'd rate this show at 6-7 stars so far - just above the middle of the curve, worth watching occasionally, but not really special. Your mileage may vary.
There have been several clever and original bits: the giant-type Bible, and Randy asking the guy with the throat mike to say "Luke, I am your father," for example. But too much of the show relies on people acting stupidly and/or getting out of a bad situation through dumb luck or a quick spin: the bad things Earl has done turn out to be not-so-bad after all.
Also, while I like looking at hot babes as much as the next guy, how plausible is it that the two main female characters in these guys' lives (Joy and Catalina) would both be drop-dead gorgeous?
So, overall, I'd rate this show at 6-7 stars so far - just above the middle of the curve, worth watching occasionally, but not really special. Your mileage may vary.