‘Mr. Sunshine’ shows promising sitcom cast
The original cast members of “Friends” have all had their hands busy since the show ended back in 2006.
Perry returns to television as the co-creator and star of ABC’s new sitcom “Mr. Sunshine,” which feels more like Mr. Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Rain. Perry establishes himself as a modern day Bob Newhart, but his character proves to be too frenetic, and it is difficult not to see his character as Chandler Bing, only older and edgier.
Like “Cougar Town,” “Mr. Sunshine” features an amiable cast of performers, occasional humor, and room for some improvement. The show has the feel of an offbeat workplace comedy, filled with possibilities for humor, which Perry takes advantage of with his wise-guy banter. However, the pilot starts the show off slowly, with the storyline falling flat about halfway through. But, as said, there is room for improvement.
Perry plays Ben Donovan, a self-absorbed manager of the Sunshine Stadium in San Diego. Donovan schedules events, such as hockey games and circuses, leading to a lacking bit about an elephant loose in the stadium. The premiere episode features Donovan celebrating his 40th birthday, and displays how hard-hearted he has been toward his employees, which foreshadows some ongoing character development. Perry does seem to be a smart choice for the lead role, considering his past trips to rehab and relationship issues with women.
The other kooky Sunshine Stadium workers include Alison Janney (“West Wing”) who plays Crystal, the stadium’s fanatical, pill-popping owner, and James Lesure (“Las Vegas”), who plays overly-postiive former N.B.A. player and head of the stadium’s outreach program, Alonzo. There’s also Alice (Andrea Anders), the sexy marketing director who is in a “friends with benefits” relationship with Donovan.
Janney’s character adds a bit of satire to the show, as Crystal makes racist comments about multiculturalism and neglects her childlike adult son, Roman (Nate Torrence). Torrence brilliantly depicts his character as clueless and sympathetic, as the audience sees him striving to find his place as an employee in the arena.
Provided that Perry keeps his edge and the show picks up some comic stream as the story moves along, “Mr. Sunshine” may manage to stay on the air for a while. The show may come off to some as heavy on psychobabble, but if Janney’s surprisingly doltish performance or Perry’s fame from “Friends” doesn’t keep viewers interested, then “Mr. Sunshine” will be doomed to black clouds and April showers.