Series Run : 2000
12 episodes
Network: ABC
Series Premise (as far as I can tell):
Single, Irish dad lives with son and his own father and works as an architect
Episode Watched: Love and Dermatology (Season 1)
Episode Summary: Ben wants to get back in the dating scene, so his secretary sets him up with her dermatologist.
My Thoughts: While this show doesn’t break any new ground in the sitcom world, either through its premise or characters, as I watched it I was mostly entertained, however its lead actor ultimately sabotages anything good this show has to offer. This show lists James Burrows (of Cheers fame) as a consultant, which gives it some clout in the world of TV executives, but you have to question if he was brought on before or after the lead was cast. I am not sure who thought Gabriel Byrne would be the perfect lead for a sitcom, but whomever was responsible was probably fired after the measly 12 episode run of this show was over. Don’t misunderstand me, Mr. Byrne is a fine thespian, and I have enjoyed him in many films, but as a comedic lead, even here where he is mostly the straight man, it just doesn’t work. The real bright spot here is the guy who plays his dad, an Irish actor by the name of Roy Dotrice, he shines in every scene he is in, too bad I’ve never seen him in anything else. This episode follows a tried and true plot line where the recently single man re-enters the dating world, only to immediately fall for the first person he dates, leading to “hilarity”. Too bad the casting process wasnt better, oh and for those fans of Murphy Brown, Miles shows up on this show as Gabriel Byrne’s loser co-worker, friend. A show that teaches us that it does matter sometimes who is your lead.
Memorable Quotes:
“You ought to try the laundry room Benji, it’s a great place to meet women” -Seamus
“When I was a lad we only had one doctor, and if he couldn’t cure you, you went to the undertaker” -Seamus
“I’m a matchmaker, not a pimp, Ben!” – Wendy
Acting Notables:
Gabriel Byrne- Ben
Roy Dotrice- Seamus
John Hensley- Luke
Tomorrow: The man who displaced Mr. Belvedere as my favorite sitcom butler
365 Days of Sitcoms 