My Name is Earl – Love it, or leave it?

Not an easy question, my friends.

You know, we love to reminisce about the wonder that once was NBC’s Must See TV Thursday, but I don’t know if they ever gave us four consecutive comedy powerhouses in the eight to ten slot. To be honest, I think the issue is less about consistency, and more about how great the cornerstone shows are.

Not since 1987 have there been four great shows on, one after another: The Cosby Show, Family Ties, Cheers, and Night Court. The constant shuffling of the schedule has provided some cheers, and some jeers (1997’s Friends, Union Square, Seinfeld, and Veronica’s Closet was a bit of a stinker sandwich).

Like I said, it’s really an overall strength that makes or breaks the night. The Office? Not there yet on the audience side, but it can definitely stand amongst the greats as far as humor goes. 30 Rock I have some issues with, but I’ll concede to the fact that it rises far above the pack, although not to the top quite yet. The 8:30 slot is still falling on its face, and even with the renewal, Parks and Recreation is not long for the scrap yard. But, what about My Name is Earl?

Honestly, I’m not sure. I’ve been watching the show since the beginning, partially because I’m a huge fan of Jason Lee‘s. The conceit was like icing on the cake, and I loved to see just how bad a guy Earl had been, and how a crazy little thing called karma just spun him around. Ethan Suplee (Randy) is a talent as well, and I have fond memories of him from Boy Meets World and Remember the Titans, amongst other things.

There’s a large ensemble cast that makes up the rest of the Hickeys’ lives and town, some that I can take and some that I can leave. The truth is that they don’t really matter so much. Each one spins into focus for a different list item, and recedes into the background until needed. No harm, no foul.

Here, however, is the problem: the show has lost its focus. I don’t know what’s flying half the time now, and I don’t think the writers do either. To wit: “Our ‘Cops’ Is On!” in season two, was an awesome two-parter. “Our Other ‘Cops’ Is On!” season three, was so so. “Inside Probe,” this year, was just awful, and it’s clear that the writers are just phoning it in.

And then there are the list items. As varied as always, there’s just something about them of late that bore me. Maybe it’s the misdeed, maybe the cure, or maybe it’s just the quality of guest actor that’s tanked. Whatever it is, it’s just not working for me.

So, what to do? Should NBC cut it, or let it ride? Short order the new season, or put some faith in it? While I don’t have a crystal ball, I do have an opinion, one I’m sure you wish I’d just get to already: retool, and give it at least another full season pick-up.

First of all, ordering only a handful of episodes is detrimental to any show that’s enjoyed a modicum of success, because it makes everyone constantly nervous. It’s rare that a show can gain enough momentum under those circumstances, so all a network is doing is wasting money.

Second, there’s no point in throwing an older show out when you have other problems with your comedy lineup. 8:30 still stinks, and replacing My Name is Earl with something new now, when another new show will have to be slotted in at 8:30 come the winter, is just suicide for NBC’s 8:00-9:00 slot. It’s just not worth it, especially if all they have to offer is more garbage ala Parks and Recreation.

Now, had Greg Daniels heeded my open letter, this whole thing might not be a problem….

But I digress. What do you think; should My Name is Earl get another season to live?

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on May 14, 2009 @ 15:30 EST5EDT