I think they’re supposed to be in their 40s, late 40s at that. Valarie’s character is supposed to have college-aged children and if she was only 40 she’d have had them while still in high school (not that that’s out of the question).
I don’t think Valerie looks 50. I buy her as mid-40s, though not 40. Well, maybe her character’s divorce has aged her a little. 
Leeves is mighty skinny, which has aged her face out of playing a 40something altogether. When will these over-thirty actresses learn that a little padding is good for your looks?
The script was the definition of mediocre – I kept flashing on the sitcom-within-a-sitcom from Lisa Kudrow’s The Comeback. There’s even a sex-obsessed Aunt Sassy (Betty White’s role), complete with track suit! White and Leeves were the weak links for me. White’s feisty old lady gets laughs from saying “hookers” and “whores” and “pot.” Hilarious stuff … in 1983. Leeves just doesn’t have anything to do. I don’t mind Malick, though her aging soap diva is a cliche too.
I’m glad to see Valerie Bertinelli working again, because she’s very charming. I’ll give it another couple of chances out of loyalyt (hey, I’m a '70s kid too). I sure hope the scripts improve, for her sake!
I think if we’re lining them up with the Golden Girls, I’d assign roles this way:
Betty White = Estelle Getty, the older, sometimes inappropriate, been around the block a couple more times broad.
Wendie Malick = Bea Arthur, the snarky one.
Jane Leeves = Rue McClanahan, the appearance obsessed one.
Valerie Bertinelli = Betty White, the “nice” one.
Malick and Leeves both share a certain amount of both snark and appearance obsession, though, so that’s not as much of a one-to-one matchup.
Eh, having watched the second episode, I don’t think I’ll bother. The performances were better from the whole cast, but the script is still painful sitcom cliche after painful sitcom cliche.
I think I’ll keep on another 2 episodes or so. This one was definitely better than the first, and the characters are great. I hope the script catches up soon. I thought Betty White’s timing improved dramatically to boot.
See, I’d be much happier with the show if Betty White were out of it altogether. I don’t feel she’s adding much. And I’ve always been a sucker for Wendie Malick’s boozy floozy brand of humor.
OK this second episode was seriously funny.
One big problem though, it’s BETTY WHITE who is seriously funny
The familiarity with Golden Girls still is strong. White’s character Elka is becoming more Sophia-like by the moment, with Jane Leeves character Joy, assuming the role of “so called slut” that Blanche played
They even have the three girls sitting around a table in the kitchen at night, but instead of cheesecake, they’re drinking wine, and in walks Elka.
This was the one of the funniest lines
I rewatched the first episode and Valerie Bertinelli’s character Melanie was said to be 40 years old. When Elka says Melanie is too old, Joy says “40 is the new 30.” But I guess she could mean 40 as 40s, but we’ll have to see as the ages of the women appear not clearly established yet.
Still it was a funny episode, and as I said, the cast is excellent. Given time this could be quite a good sitcom.
If you don’t have cable you can torrent it at EZTV.IT
Maybe they will add Scott Baio or Tony Danza. (smirk)
Some of those sharp shoulders look dangerous.
40something guy who likes the old chyx, so I’ll give it a chance.
I don’t expect it to stay around, even if it begins to bring teh funni.
I disagree on the first part, but wholeheartedly agree with you on the second - usually I hate that brand of humor/persona in real life, but she’s great with it.
Key part is “given time”. Tons of great shows start out sluggishly, then work doggedly for a few years to just keep from being canceled. I can only assume that the first 3 episodes of “Two and a Half Men” were out of this world, and people have stuck to watching it in the hopes it returns to its former glory. It’s the only reasonable explanation.
I’ve often wondered why people love “Two And A Half Men” and the only thing I can think of is people like bathroom humour.
Wendie Malick doesn’t seem to be playing a floozy or former floozy here. That seems to be going to Jane Leeves.
I won’t say it’s a classic show, but it’s a fun way to kill a half hour. “Mama’s Family,” was also the same. No classic show but a half hour full of laughs.
Tonight’s episode was OK, but the “Downtown” joke went on too long. And TVLand is airing a repeat of the exact same episode right after it? :dubious: That’s strange.
Worked out for me who missed the episode at 9 and wanted to watch it.
The third episode was great. This is getting better all the time.
Who does this casting for this show? DW Moffett, George Newbern and Carl Reiner as guest stars.
This episode didn’t allow Betty White to steal everything and the other cast and guest cast absolutely carried the show without a flaw.
All I can say is, keep it up. I must say I really love Jane Leeves in her role.
The 4th episode and we’re back to weak writing again. Note to writers, if every other joke is about oral sex, that’s a bad thing.
I will admit I dislike Huey Lewis as an actor so I may have had my objectivity clouded a bit.
I love the casting of Amy Yasbeck, the former wife of the late John Ritter, was good for a surprise laugh at the end.
I’m watching episode 3 and 4 now - I had my DVR switched out, and forgot to record it!
Okay, episode 3 was great, but episode 4 wasn’t too bad. I think the writers are getting out the kinks, and I hope to see more of episode 3 humor. I think I’ll stick with it. Did everyone see that it’s been renewed for a second season?
Uh oh, I hope I’m not the only one watch it anymore ;). I’ve decided to stick with it, especially since it’s been picked up for next season. The diaper pants were great, as was Elka’s hair.
It’s growing on me. I don’t like Mallick much, but I will tolerate a lot to watch Bertinelli.