Sons of Tucson puts Tyler Labine in the tool shed

I like Tyler Labine — I really do. I loved him in Reaper, and when I heard the show was canceled, I was hopeful we’d see Labine in something new soon. Well, even before the official Reaper cancellation was final and confirmed, it was mentioned that Labine was going to be in this new comedy, Sons of Tucson. Fans were both elated and frightened — elated that Labine found another way to be on TV, and frightened that their fears of Reaper‘s fate were solidified. We all know how that ended … and here we have it: Sons of Tucson is here. So, how is it?

When our TVs and DVRs are filled with new comedy greats such as Modern Family, Community, The Middle and Cougar Town, there’s going to be some really high expectations for anything else new to vie for precious viewing and recording space. Unfortunately, Sons of Tucson isn’t in the same league as these new shows, and it’s only good for a very few laughs. It pretty much stinks.

I’m actually two episodes into the series so far, and that’s about as far as I’m willing to go. You would think that maybe these kids that Ron (Labine) is stuck helping out would turn out pretty likable, but I mostly found everyone on the show pretty despicable to the point that anything nasty they did made me more angry than make me laugh. There’s also one huge plot hole that sort of makes the whole putting-Ron-in-the-shed thing make no sense: once these kids decided to make Ron pose as their dad, Ron had them over a barrel. There’s no replacing the guy who you said was your dad. Maybe that’s the funny part that I’m just not seeing.

Anyway, if there’s going to be a regular post about the show here, it won’t be from me. Now, instead of being happy to see Labine on TV again in a comedic role, I’m hoping the show tanks so he can move on to something better. Since this is FOX, odds are pretty good.

Clacked by Keith McDuffee
on Mar 14, 2010 @ 21:46 EST5EDT