HBO's Bored to Death is Anything But Boring

One of my favorite shows on television right now is Bored to Death. HBO really is the best channel around for entertainment, and this is obviously due to the fact that they are much less restricted with their creative license than the other networks. From the Sopranos to the Wire, and now Eastbound and Down and Bored to Death, HBO keeps me wanting more.

If you don't watch the show, Bored to Death follows the story of a struggling writer in Brooklyn who moonlights as an unlicensed private detective to make ends meet. The show is a comedy, and the main character Jonathan Ames gets himself into a variety of hilarious and sticky situations. In the supporting roles are two very talented actors. One is Ted Danson, from the long-running sitcom Cheers. Danson plays a wealthy publishing executive who pals around with Ames (played by Jonathan Schwartzman) in a futile attempt to retain his youth. The other member of their group is comedian/actor Zach Galifianakis, one of the most talented and funny actors around. He plays a self-loathing artist who is similarly having financial struggles.

The first season of the show was decent, entertaining enough to keep my attention but not enough to say it was great. This year, this show has really picked up. In only two episodes, I have laughed out loud several times in response to the witty one-liners and uncomfortable social situations created on the show. Just as one example: in the last episode Jonathan was hired by George's (Danson) arch-enemy (played by Oliver Platt) to spy on his wife while he is out. He suspects her of cheating on him, so he asks Jonathan to hide in his closet before the wife gets home.

To Jonathan's surprise, the other man in this love triangle turns out to be George. The result is a huge wave of tension that can be both seen and felt on the screen. Of course, some comic relief is provided at the end of the episode, and the credits roll with the audience waiting to see what happens next week. That is the sign of a good show.

I am excited to tune in for next week's episode as there will be a guest appearance by one of my favorite comedians of all-time: Jim Norton. I have no idea what type of character he is going to be playing, but I sure that it will be extra creepy and strange, just because that's the type o' guy that Jim is. As the season progresses, I will provide another review of the show to see if the quality remains.