5/10
Generic mid-2000s FOX
20 June 2013
Life on a Stick was a short-lived multicamera comedy on FOX. Only five episodes aired before cancellation though the full 13 episode order was eventually shown in a number of countries. The show was one of many failed attempts by FOX at extending the family comedy brand established by That '70s Show and while it featured a number of veterans behind the scenes it can easily be seen as by-the-numbers at best.

The major plot line revolved around the romance of Laz and Lily, two young out-of-high-school workers at a mall food court hot dog counter/restaurant. It's not a case of will they/won't they, it's fairly telegraphed like the Eric/Donna romance on That '70s Show. Instead the conflict comes from Laz wanting a relationship while Lily wants something casual.

Laz's best friend Fred also works at the restaurant and is your typical "wacky" guy. Laz is the oldest sibling in a family where the mother and father each have a child from their previous marriages as well as one child together. Laz is the child Rick, the father, while the middle sister, Molly, comes from the mother Michelle's previous marriage. The shared child is Gus who doesn't figure much in the show.

As with Laz/Lily, Molly has a romance runner with Jasper, the boy she likes but who is dating at the time they meet but she stays close as a friend hoping things change. Many plots also revolve around the parents seeking approval from her or her being embarrassed by them.

You would expect pranks and hijinks around the hot dog setting, and there are some, but mostly it's a wasted opportunity. Perhaps the episode where a competing mall food court establishment sings to attract customers and annoys the gang enough to want to fight back shows where they could have gone more to distinguish the sitcom setup. However the show sticks more to the relationship comedy formula.

In the end it's a very throwaway show. Laz is played by Zachary Knighton, nowadays known best from Happy Endings, and some of the other actors are of the "where do I remember that guy from?" type. If there's any breakout actor/character it is Rachelle Lefevre as Lily, but that's not saying much given the general blandness of the comedy.
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