Pilot Review: Let Me Help You

As well-written as it was at times and as likeable as the cast were, the sitcom Cheers always had one very specific weak point: Ted Danson. The same can almost be said for Becker.

Something astounding took place while viewing Let Me Help You…Ted Danson actually became a credit to a sitcom.

So, what’s it about?
Consider it Dear John v2.0. The shows protagonist is a psychiatrist played by Ted Danson, while the rest of the cast are members of his group therapy session. Naturally, all of the cast have their own quirky approaches to life, with problems that will inevitably be overcome by fellow members of the group.

Who’s in the darn thing?
Well, there is Ted Danson holding the show together. While his performance isn’t exactly wooden, its still very much by the numbers. But, honestly, does anyone really expect that much more from him?

Other familiar faces include Suzy Nakamura (Dodgeball, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Deep Impact), Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm In The Middle), Thomas F. Wilson (Freaks and Geeks, Back To The Future), Charlie Finn (Life on A Stick, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, Super Troopers), and in a karmic decision of casting: Jere Burns. Burns having been a cast member of the series Dear John, a very similar sitcom about a group of people in a support group for divorced people.

What happens in the first episode?
Everyone is introduced. Ted Danson’s daughter reveals that she has psychological issues with her father, and Ted Danson sleeps with his wife of whom he is separated from. It felt very tired plot-wise, but still quite watchable.

Is it any good?
Well, it isn’t bad and it’ll certainly be one of the better shows to screen over summer. Don’t get too attached as it was very recently cancelled in the US.

And it’s a heck of a lot better than the sitcom that follows it on Channel Nine, Till Death.

Watch for guest appearances in upcoming episodes TV greats Judd Apatow, David Anthony Higgins, and Brenda Strong. With any luck they’ll play part in a revolving number of people appearing in the therapy sessions. No doubt, though, that the series will stick with the same characters in therapy for the duration of the shows run, stretching the shows believability that little bit too far.