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NBC’s “My Name Is Earl” a pleasant surprise

I watched the series premiere of “My Name Is Earl” last week on NBC; I can’t remember why or what I was watching beforehand that lead me into it, but I have to admit I quite enjoyed it.

I was worried that it might have been a fluke, so I watched a second episode tonight before blogging about it. My verdict? Thumbs up.

I’m not quite sure what it is about the show, but is has a certain Raising Arizona charm to it.

The premise is unique in this reality-television era; Earl Hickey was a criminal who kept having bad things happen to him (he wins the lottery and promptly loses his ticket) but while watching an episode of Carson Daly learns about karma and decides to try to right every wrong he committed. He makes a list and gets after it — and as his behavior improves, his luck improves (he gets back his lottery ticket).

On one level, it’s a simple show with funny scenes that’s well scripted. But on another level, you’re left questioning Earl as a character. At times, he seems like a genuinely good guy that feels remorse for the wrongs he’s committed. At other times, however, he’s comes across as a villain that’s just tired of bad luck.

Right now, the show is early enough that the dichotomy can be ironed out as the character develops. But at some point, the writers will have to begin addressing the issue — is Earl selfish or genuine?

I also enjoy that the show has a good message. Do good things, and good things will happen to you. Does that always hold true in real life? No, probably not. But if you want a brighter world around you, I do feel you have to try to contribute to an overall positivity. “My Name Is Earl” reflects that thinking.

Tue September 27th, 2005 11:10 pm

Filed under Reviews, Televsion