Oh boy. Here’s a glimpse of what the world of a prolonged writer’s strike would have looked like. It’s not pretty, folks. The Return of Jezebel James, filling a hole for missing programming, was thankfully canceled after only two weeks. For those who missed this inglorious moment in TV history, and have a strong stomach, check out our review (and your chance to view the full Pilot episode) inside the Full Diagnosis.
The Return of Jezebel James
1 Star
Parker Posey stars as Sarah Tompkins, a Manhattan book editor whose defining characteristics seem to be her annoying nature and a complete inability to shut-up. For no real reason, other than the plot calls for it, she decides to have a baby. A trip to the doctor however reveals her inability to conceive. What is she to do?
Out of the blue she calls up her estranged younger sister Coco (Lauren Ambrose) to offer her the opportunity to carry her baby. The two haven’t spoken in years, don’t get along, and don’t even really know each other. Coco, of course, decides against all logic to agree to the arrangement, because, well, the plot calls for her to. And so a sitcom is born. Thankfully it lived only a short time.
Although I’ve seen worse shows on television, I’m not sure I remember one centered around such an annoying character. The show was created by Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman who forgets the cardinal rule about a sitcom – to make it FUNNY! In two episodes I watched, I laughed only once – at the complete and absolute absurdity at the entire enterprise.
Even with extensive rewrites I doubt this show could be saved. It certainly could be better, but never passable. Posey has her uses in films and television, but this is just a bad fit for her, and since the writers never decide who Coco is supposed to be Ambrose can be given a little slack for never getting a feel for the character. Bad casting choices and bad writing make for bad television. With the writers returning to work we can be thankful, at least, that this one was put down quickly.