Super Fun Night

We've all seen great new shows come and go, be they comedy or drama or whatever, and lamented the passing of a good new show that didn't seem to catch on with a wider audience... soon acquiring the 'cancel' stamp from The Network Execs. I've seen enough of these to suspect Super Fun Night is one of these "bubble" shows. Pity, really.

Super Fun Night is a well-written comedy. The characters are entertaining and endearing. The actors are perfectly cast, and know their comedic craft. The premise is simple and familiar, but offers a new take on standard sit-com themes. Rebel Wilson is a force of comedy, with excellent timing, expression, and presence -- with a ensemble cast equal to the challenge.

I'm not going to pretend this is yet a show for the ages -- it isn't Seinfeld or Arrested Development... but it is my favourite for best new comedy of the 2013-2014 season.

I think Rebel Wilson is adorable and hilarious. Heavy women know exactly what it's like taking their clothes off in front of a man for the first time and so does Rebel. She is putting all of our secrets out there and I think she is going to help with the stigma of being an overweight woman. At first I didn't care too much for the show, but it has evolved and now I DVR it every week, just in case I can't be home when it comes on. She also gets into all the other things that women like us face, like binge eating because we are in pain. Self-medicating ourselves with food is an addiction that is nearly impossible to break and Rebel brings this all to light. I think if this show stays on long enough, it will gather a huge audience of women who will identify with Kimmie. I also believe it will help people to see that being overweight is not just a sign of gluttony and indolence. I am giving this show a 9 instead of a 10, because I believe if it stays on the air, it will continue to grow.

I found the show to be OK....it has some funny jokes and Rebel is a great comedienne, but anyone who's seen her earlier work, mainly in Australia, knows she can do way better than this. Those who've seen Bogan Pride will know what I'm talking about. Perhaps she had to avoid taking risks to conform with American TV standards, and a show with the same un-pc sense of humor of Bogan Pride wouldn't work in the states (at least not outside cable), but I hope it does succeed. The cast is OK, but they didn't have time to develop their characters yet, so it will probably get better as the season goes. It has potential, but it needs to avoid clichés if they don't want to be just another show on the air.

I would not describe Super Fun Night as a great comedy. The humor is sometimes forced, the series doesn't always seem to have a firm grasp on its characters, and episodes vary in quality. But I would describe it as very likable and good hearted, and say that it's funny more often than its not. It's a shame it's been cancelled.

One oddity of the show is that besides following Kimmie and her friends, it follows her crush and his girlfriend. These sections don't really fit that well, and I really think it was done just so they could show Kate Jenkinson in a nightie from time to time. But I'm okay with that.

Friends turned me on to this show via on-demand TV and we watched four episodes. It is a real find. Rebel has it all over Molly McCarthy in MIKE AND MOLLY (except Molly was superb in HEAT). Her character and her roommates all seem real with just the right touch of hyperbole. I love that Rebel's character is highly-accomplished yet neurotic. And she is just up front with body issues that one can relate to no matter one's weight. The three geek neighbors are a little overdone, but still funny. Well, there is nothing about this show I don't like. It is NOT the predictable sitcom fare. This is up there in quality with BIG BANG THEORY, GROUNDED FOR LIFE, FRANK'S PLACE, to name just a few. I hope it stays on the air.