Photo by Matt Hoyle, © Comedy Partners. All rights reserved.
The "Workaholics" gang consists of, from left, Anders Holm, Adam Devine and Blake Anderson.
"Workaholics" usually lives up to the negative criticism it gets — it's irresponsible, silliness over substance and juvenile — but the Comedy Central hit can claim one positive note legitimately.
The half-hour sitcom has a voice and isn't afraid to use it.
That's actually a major achievement in a landscape of comedies happy to pander more than have a backbone.
Opening with a third season (10:30 p.m. Tuesday), "Workaholics" would be easily dismissed if taken only on face value. But there's clearly a yearning to toss taboos away and go for it. And for that, "Workaholics" deserves to be appreciated on some level.
Mind you, "Workaholics" doesn't strive to be high art or particularly clever. This isn't the groundbreaking sort of programming like "Curb Your Enthusiasm" or "Sex and the City."
"Workaholics" is about three fresh-out-of-college and into-the-working world roommates, who live to party and don't care much about their dead-end careers. Well, two of the three of them don't.
Clean-cut Anders wants to make the most of the situation and try to climb the ladder. Holding him back, to some extent, are his roommates Blake and Adam. They haven't grown up yet.
In the season opener, Adam and Blake try to convince Anders to take acid with them. Instead, he goes on an out-of-town business trip with his no-fun boss.
Of course, everyone ends up high by the end, leading to calamity.
On other shows, this kind of setup would call for constant apologies. "Workaholics" won't apologize and, yet, it doesn't celebrate drug use.
For that, it may not deserve praise, but it should get credit.
Score: 3 stars (out of five)
Terry Morrow may be reached 865-342-6445 or morrowt@knoxville.com.
© 2012, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!
- |
Comments » 0
Be the first to post a comment!
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.