Screener Girl Checks Out FOX’s The Return Of Jezebel James

Jezebel James PhotoIs The Return Of Jezebel James a Hot Mess?

Jezebel James Photo
 
I’ve seen the premiere of The Return of Jezebel James.  I should say, I’ve made it through the premiere of The Return of Jezebel James, metaphorically kicking and screaming the whole time.  

Let’s run down the things that this show has going for it.  Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino, the two people that made Seasons 1 through 6 of Gilmore Girls some of the best stuff on TV.  Parker Posey, my absolute favorite character from two of my favorite films: Waiting for Guffman, and a little known, completely insane movie called The House of Yes.  Lauren Ambrose, she’s freaking Claire Fisher from Six Feet Under, how can you not love that?  Scott Cohen, he is Max Medina from Gilmore Girls and I love him from The 10th Kingdom from years ago.  Run down the list of positives the show has going into the premiere, and after the hour, you’re left wondering to yourself why you wasted your time.  

The story itself is unique to TV – it’s probably the first comedy that hinges around a woman (Sarah played by Posey) who needs her sister (Coco played by Ambrose) to be a surrogate to the baby that she suddenly realized she needs to have.  I think played out differently, with an hour long dramedy, in the vein of Gilmore Girls, for instance, would have made it much more interesting.  Instead, we get a laugh track and a multi-camera shoot, and horrible jokes, and Parker Posey having a horrible time spitting out AS-P’s dialog and Lauren Ambrose overselling her slacker ways.  

It’s rare that I call something a hot mess. But tread with caution; because what we have here, folks, is a hot mess.  

 
The Return Of Jezebel James Premieres Tonight On FOX 8/7c