New on the tube: "Cavemen," "Carpoolers"

  First of all, the good news for all Kansas City: John Lehr is not attached to "Cavemen."

Lehr, who's from here, was the first actor to appear in a Geico ad layered up in prostheses and hair, pioneering the role of the modern day Cro-Magnon whose job it is to bear the cross for all us schlubs who struggle to obtain competitive quotes on car insurance.  

But even though Lehr helped set in motion the chain of events by which a 30-second TV commercial was turned into this 30-minute sitcom, he had a prior commitment (his TBS comedy “10 Items or Less,” returning midseason). And thus did he dodge what may well be, for all involved, a career-killing bullet.   I just don't see how this got off the drawing board. (It should be noted, out of fairness, that I've only seen the pilot, and that it's been recast and rewritten and reshot — though not, I would point out, re-released to critics.)

The central joke of “Cavemen” — which debuts tonight on ABC — is that Cro-Magnons have become part of our society, but their biological differences have relegated them to a sort of cultural sideshow, so that non-cavemen can comment on their strange looks, strange habits, even their sexual habits, seemingly with impunity.

Here's the stupid part: The show's writers and producers deny that this is in any way an allegory for racism. Of course it's an allegory for racism. Even if “Cavemen” were brilliantly executed, it would still rely on the residual memory of an earlier, uglier time in American history. Kevin Willmott knew that when he crafted fake Confederate TV ads for his “C.S.A.” mockumentary, and the subtext is here too, even if everyone involved denies it.  

Leaving that aside, it's a one-joke sitcom that I've already written too much about.  

The good news is that ABC can double-run episodes of “Carpoolers,” also premiering tonight, to fill the hole in the schedule that's left after “Cavemen” is driven off the air by low ratings and a grassroots protest of outraged viewers led by Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, the NAACP and, who knows, maybe the Bill O'Reilly fan club.   Not that “Carpoolers,” a show about four guys who share a ride to work every day is going to steal the Emmy from “30 Rock” next year. From what I can tell, it's going to be the same show every show. Four guys ride to work, sing some hilariously lame song from my teenage years together, then, inevitably, stick their noses into each others' predictably bizarre home lives. Yet even though this comedy wears its seat belt and keeps under the speed limit, it's miles funnier than anything Jim Belushi ever starred in.   Yes, I kind of like “Carpoolers,” and in this age of the beleaguered sitcom, that's high praise.

Comments

[Dave]

Mr.Barnhart.
Can we stop the endless promotions for "30 Rock"?
we "get"that YOU like it -but as for the ratings and the "rest of us" - look...
it' a BAD show, Tina Fey can't write comedy and viewers activity change the channel -even from a low-rated show like Scrubs as it's lead-in.
30 Rock is this year's "Joey".
Good concept.
Bad execution.

[Paul Murray]

So Aaron should not make a passing reference to the show that won Best Comedy last month when reviewing a sitcom? These rules can be so complicated; I hope he's taking notes.

[stu]

Gee Dave, ratings determines what's good and what's bad?

I feel really sorry for you.

(as for 30 Rock, I didn't think it started out as an awesome show, but found its way there before season's end)

[Dave]

Stu,
You are of course correct that basing viewing habits and choices solely on ratings would give you some baaaad shows (CSI Miami comes to mind).
But, I'm not sure basing your selection on EMMYs would in result in anything better.
You'd be watching Al Gore, whatever David E. Kelley has on that year, and of course "Joey" (oops I meant 30 Rock).
Remember, the EMMYS nominated "Lost" for writing!!

[Mark Jeffries]

I don't think Al Gore has appeared on his own network any longer than a few minutes every so often. Current TV is not about him, you know.

[Aaron Barnhart]

Dave, I can't remember ever pulling the plug on someone for just being lame.

But maybe there's a first time for everything.

[Schneid]

missed premeires, so i tivoed the second ep of each of these shows. Cavemen was absolutely unbearable. got through 7 minutes and i was getting a migrane. turned on carpoolers, and was presently suprised. O'Connell getting all into his fake family was hilarious. Jerry Minor's character is funny, too. that's alotta kids. gonna season pass it. good light hearted comedy.