David Walton
Benjamin Stockham
Al Madrigal
Annie Mumolo
Minnie Driver

Developed by:
Jason Katims

2014-2015
Comedy
NBC
TV-PG

(Watched the first two episodes; reviewed after watching the first episode)

“About a Boy” is a TV show based on the book of the same name by Nick Hornby. There was a pretty good film, which was released in 2002 and starred Hugh Grant, adapted from that book as well. There’s a good show in here somewhere, but they don’t find it in the first episode; at least it’s set in San Francisco, which always adds character to any film or TV show (except for “Full House” perhaps).

This TV comedy starts off pretty well with an all too familiar setup of a man, Will (played capably by David Walton), lying in order to attract a woman, Laurie (played by Annie Mumolo, who co-wrote “Bridesmaids”). She’s a cellist who’s a single mother going to a single parents’ support group. There’s some energy there.

The rest of this episode, which is directed by Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”), is a series of familiar sitcom moments that yield mixed results. The actors understand the rhythms of comedy, but the material’s banal. It even ends with a musical number that’s way too sweet.

Minnie Driver is wasted as Fiona, the mother of the boy referenced in the title. She doesn’t have to be as annoying as she is for “About a Boy” to work. She could have a bit of nuance. (I hope they add some as the series progresses.) Despite that misstep, the most promising part of the show is the relationship between the man and the boy. … They just need some material. Benjamin Stockham seems believable as Marcus, the boy. He’s a kid who gets bullied but isn’t too annoying; he’s just annoying enough. Contrastingly, the man’s best friend, Andy, played by Al Madrigal, is a throwaway character in the first episode. I guess he’ll serve as the man’s conscience; but, again, he needs better, more specific material. They might want to consider hiring Mumolo to write for them, instead of Jason Katims. He can do much better than this: NBC’s “Friday Night Lights” and “Parenthood,” anyone? At least this lasts only a half hour. …

The first episode of the second season of “About a Boy” doesn’t show much improvement. But, in the current TV sitcom climate, at least this show has a bit of a spark – just a bit. The friendship between the man and the boy saves this show from being relegated to the trash heap. At this point, the man has moved to New York City to live with his doctor-girlfriend, who’s played by Adrianne Palicki. But his royalties, which he lives on, have been cut in half due to a phantom person who claims to be a co-writer of the song that he supposedly wrote alone. Should he sell his San Francisco home and leave the boy behind for good to maintain his lifestyle? Or, will he leave the girlfriend and figure out how to stay in San Francisco, instead?

I won’t be watching to find out what happens. But there are people who will. My ultimate question is: Where’s the flavor?

Verdict: Whatever to OK

About: (Source: aboutaboy)

Will Freeman (David Walton, “Bent,” “Perfect Couples”) lived a charmed existence in San Francisco. After writing a hit song, he was granted a life of free time, free love and freedom from financial woes. He’s single, unemployed and loving it. So imagine his surprise when Fiona (Minnie Driver, “Good Will Hunting,” “Grosse Point Blank”), a needy single mom and her oddly charming 11-year-old son, Marcus (Benjamin Stockham, “1600 Penn”), move in next door and disrupt his perfect world. When Marcus begins dropping by his home unannounced, Will’s not so sure about being a kid’s new best friend. But before he realizes it, Will starts to enjoy the visits and even finds himself looking out for the kid. In fact, this newfound friendship teaches him a thing or two that he never imagined possible – about himself and caring for others.