Well … that was interesting.
From all indications, everyone (well … every I know at any rate) was expecting Charlie Sheen to come out with guns blazing in his new FX series Anger Management. Not exactly the case as it seems.
Mr. Sheen portrays Charlie Goodson, an ex-ballplayer with anger issues — none of which were believably evident in the first two episodes — who has nevertheless decided to ply the trade of anger management therapist in a two-for-one deal: Help out those with the same issues and, in the process, heal Charlie’s self, an angle sure to hold promise for gags and comedic chicanery. Right? Maybe.
Quite evident in the initial two episodes was the need for the writers to flesh out Charlie’s character further. He’s far from what we we thought we’d see in his return to television and a bit directionless in these first two outings. That doesn’t mean the series isn’t without promise — it simply needs to find its footing. And I’m certain it will with Sheen playing a (somewhat) toned-down horndog ala Charlie Harper of Two And A Half Men. The writers will continue to mine that previous territory for laughs. After all, they didn’t have a problem doing so in this new vehicle’s first hour of programming.
We’re introduced to all the main players in short order: Charlie’s primary therapy group made up of Patrick, a typically sarcastic gay guy (Michael Arden), an even more sarcastic crotchety, older bull Ed (Barry Corbin, The Closer, Northern Exposure), a lacking, somewhat sarcastic doofus Nolan (Derek Richardson, Men In Trees, American Horror Story) and Lacey, a bitingly sarcastic cupcake (Noureen Dewulf, Hawthorne). From the start it’s not difficult to surmise what type of tone the therapy sessions will take going forward in the scheme of things. But there’s more. I rather enjoyed Selma Blair as Kate, Charlie’s sex interest/therapist as well as his ex-wife Jennifer (Shawnee Smith, Becker) who delights in seeing him squirm in awkward situations. But the OCD daughter Sam (Daniela Bobadilla) didn’t do anything but add filler to the show. Rounding out the cast is a second therapy group Charlie oversees as a volunteer councilor at a prison. And one more familiar face made her appearance as a restaurant/watering hole barkeep: Brett Butler (Grace Under Fire). Nice to see her on television again, but my hope is she’ll get meatier lines and situations then we saw at the first.
Was Anger Management worthy? Not yet. (And, thankfully, not as the Adam Sandler vehicle it is loosely based on. *shiver*) Interesting, yes … but there’s a lot of room for growth. Still, I enjoyed it for what it was, knowing it will improve. If you were looking for the Charlie Sheen of the past year with all his drama and words and actions, you’ll be disappointed. Instead, he’s lost weight and harkened back to the respectable comedy model in an effort to get business in order … and us back on his side so we can get this show on our DVR schedule.
It could very well work out that way.
Clacked by Michael Noble 
on Jun 29, 2012 @ 09:34 EST5EDT
I did’nt like it and won’t give it another shot. The painfully obvious writing, the unbelievable coincidences and the flatness of the jokes feel very much like Two and a Half Men . . . it’s just no fun without the two men.
If I need my dose of Charlie Sheen (btw, who came up with naming sitcom characters by the actors first name?), I watch reruns of Spin City, the first five seasons of 2 and a Half Men or some of Charlies movies.
*POST AUTHOR*
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If the writing was that painfully obvious (other than “the spaghetti incident”) I wouldn’t have chuckled. Some of the jokes were flat, granted. But … have you seen 2 & 1/2 Men since Kutcher came on? Horrible stuff. I would watch this over that any day of the week.
You are absolutely right about Two and a Half Men . . . it really is terrible (and, to be honest, has been terrible for a while), I stopped watching it regularly somewhere in season six and quit entirely when season eight started.
However, in my opinion, “Anger Management” is not a good show, even though in shines in comparison to TAAHM.
I am really not a fan of comedy shows since “Friends” and “Seinfield” left original programming. I did watch “2 and 1/2 men” when Sheen was the main character–it was easy to leave it when they went with, what may be one of the worst and most overrated actors of this decade, Kutcher. On the other hand, I was one of many who tuned into “Anger Management”. I found it pretty clever for a pilot, and as Michael notes, it is worth my DVR time, and has the potential to be a good light comedy. Think what you might about Sheen’s personality, and real life; he is a good actor. It took his dad several years to get his life in order, but I think he is also one of the best actors of his generation. From a movie standpoint, the same could be said of “Robert Downey, Jr.”, who seems to be doing well with his second chance.