User Reviews

There have been many sitcoms about mixed-gendered groups of friends (e.g. Seinfeld, Friends, etc.) and most of them centre on the relationships between the individual characters, and the group as a whole. The group of friends formula has worked so well because people can relate and make comparisons between TV characters and their own friends. We can't forget that this is a "formula" and so there have been many failed attempts at getting the chemistry right between characters and sad attempts at spin-offs (e.g. Joey).

My Boys is a new version of the "friends formula" and it works! The story lines centre around a group of friends (mostly men) in Chicago and the protagonist is PJ - a tomboy working for the Chicago Cubs. When I first saw the previews for this show, I thought, "Please, not another 'Friends' spin off!" I decided to give "My Boys" a try and was pleasantly surprised.

The relationships between PJ and her friends are interesting because of the fact that guy-girl dynamic is not overtly sexual as it can be on other shows. PJ and "her boys" are genuinely friends, not men and a woman who hang out with each other because they secretly want to be together. It's refreshing to see a sitcom where the female character and her male friends aren't trying to pursue a sexual relationship with one another (or where the back-story was that they did in the past and it failed).

On top of the great dynamics between the characters, the story lines themselves are funny! I don't want to spoil any of the story lines here but there are some pretty hilarious scenarios between PJ and men who aren't part of her group of friends - because she isn't your typical female (i.e. acts like "one of the boys"), some of the guys she comes across are baffled by her.

"My Boys" doesn't attempt to be edgy or over-the-top (like "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" - which I love by the way). It's just a good, solid comedy with interesting characters and story lines. Hopefully the writers stay true to this and don't attempt at turning the show into something it's not (another "Friends"). There's a lot of potential material for this kind of premise. Stay tuned!

I don't know what this guy was talking about...but i love this show.

Maybe it's because i can relate to it more than some people. I love Chicago, the cubs, and i'm a lot like PJ in a someways. I have guy friends just like her and they can be that crazy sometimes.

Also, i see this show as a more down to earth, get real type of show. The characters are just like someone you could meet on the street without it being a "reality" show. But it's enough of a sitcom that when you sit down and watch it you don't get depressed like when you watch those CSI shows.

I wouldn't say this show is the BEST SHOW of all time because it's not, but for a good witty comedy that I enjoy watching it gets an A plus. I'm glad TBS picked it up for another season, i'm def. looking forward to it.

TBS's "very funny" new comedy, "My Boys," may be the best new comedy on television since "Everybody Loves Raymond" -- certainly, since "The Office." After a middling start, the show is beginning to really gel, and so is the cast. In fact, the ensemble program is the first worthy successor to the storied "Friends." Its premise is both straightforward and modestly subversive. P.J. is a beat writer for a Chicago newspaper, covering the Cubs. But -- and here's the interesting part -- she's a girl. (And, btw, far more masculine than any of her costars. In a good way.) She lives in a cool but not unrealistically over-sized (in a refreshing departure from most television sets) "bachelor pad," complete with comfy chairs and the primary feature, a decked-out poker table.

Her pals -- old college buddy and possible flame Brendan ("Brendo"), a heavy-metal deejay; heart-on-his-sleeve Mike, a sports public relations flunkie; somber, mildly neurotic, romance-impaired Kenny; and the newest addition to the gang, Bobby, a fellow Cubs reporter -- and P.J.'s older, wiser, melancholy brother, "Fun" Andy, perpetually complaining about his ball-and-chain half-existence... and she are inseparable, going to dinner together, hanging out at Crowley's (a cross between Bennigan's and Mother's) together, and, most importantly, playing poker together. A lot. P.J. is, though she'd never admit it, both "den mother" and social glue to the gaggle of late-twentysomethings. P.J. is also best friends, improbably, with would-be debutante Stephanie who, like Brendo, first knew "Peej" at Northwestern, where Stephanie seems to have studied men, mostly.

The show is laugh-out-loud hilarious, and getting better as it goes on. The chemistry between the cast is exceptional, and after a sometimes inconsistent beginning to the first season, the male costars and their characters -- particularly Andy, but also Brendo and, surprisingly, the reserved Kenny -- are beginning to come into their own. Nominal series "star" Jordana Spiro -- unfortunately, btw, saddled with a voice that's part Swedish Chef, part Terry Griffith from "Just One of the Guys" -- but otherwise pretty damned hot -- generously allows her "boys" to snag more than their fair share of exceptional lines and pratfalls. It seems that ad-libbing is encouraged on the show, and becoming even more so, and that's a very good thing. Clichéd zaniness is kept to a minimum -- these are "real" people, here -- and that's also a very good thing. Much of the credit, of course, needs to go to the writers, but the cast makes their characters -- and the show -- appealing, delightful, lovable.

Let's hope "My Boys" has a long, successful run. It deserves it. Bravo.

There are very few shows that are popular amongst men and women, but "my boys" is a rare breed. Its a show about dating and relationships, the main character is a woman, but the twist is shes a sports writer who has guy best friends and uses sports analogies to explain everything.

It really takes three things to make a good show: 1, a funny concept. 2, witty writing. 3, likable characters. "my boys" hits on all three.

The main actress is cute in a normal-girl kind of way, and is very funny, and i hate to keep using the same word, but shes just naturally likable. If she existed in real life, you'd want to be her friend. All the actors/actresses have good chemistry, and the stories so far have been solid as well. If this show were on NBC, it would on Thursday night right after the Office. I gotta hand it to Turner, after the Closer quickly turned into one of the best crime dramas on TV last season, My boys is definitely one of the top comedies this season. Also, its a show you can watch with your significant other and both enjoy it. I definitely suggest giving "my boys" a chance.

Network: TBS; Genre: Romantic Comedy; Content Rating: TV-14 (for occasionally strong language and suggested sex); Perspective: Contemporary (season 1 - 4);

Seasons Reviewed: season 1

In a sense, I have to feel for "My Boys". It isn't easy trying to put together an urban romantic comedy with the genre pretty much already perfected by "Sex and the City". Not to mention the frustrating reality that viewers come to these shows with their own relationship baggage and selfishly demands that these shows conform to their own personal experience. Even with this uphill climb TBS's (the sister station of TNT, Ted Turner's station that dreams to be FX) scripted comedy attempt doesn't hold water. Any slack I've given the show gets strained as episode after episode goes by without a single, solitary laugh.

PJ (Jordana Spiro, who despite her inexperience looks and sounds the part quite well) is a sports writer, adamant Chicago baseball fan and the glamorous Hollywood version of a tomboy. Her best friends are 5 guys - her roommate Brenden (Reid Scott), loudmouth Mike (Jamie Kaler), meek Kenny (Michael Bunin), ex-boyfriend and co-worker Bobby (Kyle Howard, "Related") and kept married man brother Andy (Jim Gaffigan). Let's start with these characters. They are oddly likable and that likability keeps the show watchable (which is more than I can say for TBS's other "10 Items or Less" or "The Real Gilligan's Island"). And in a sense they act like real guys. A smoothed over sitcom version of real guys but still a welcome change from the cheating, scheming sex-obsessed pigs of most TV.

But a winning personality aside, the acting is awkward all around. "Boys" is a first time effort for creator Betsy Thomas as well as most of the leads. It shows. The chemistry feels manufactured, nobody feels comfortable, and while that can be chalked up to Freshman season kinks the idiotic amateur-hour characterizations cannot. We know that Kenny is the pathetic one because he's bald. We know that Brendan is the cool one because he is never seen without a T-shirt or jacket with Led Zepplin, Black Sabbath or The Ramones blazed across it. The only name in the cast, Gaffigan, is handcuffed in the corny I'm-funny-because-I'm-not-funny role. Let's not forget the only female influence in PJ's life, Stephanie (Kellee Stewart), as the requisite "strut your stuff" girly girl. This is the type of character you see and just know the phrase "how long has it been?" is about to come out of her mouth.

There is a half-way descent character somewhere in "Trout" and the show almost squeezes a laugh out of him in an episode about an exclusive club called "the Streisand" (said in hushed tones) that works best because it most successfully manages to pilfer from "Seinfeld" and "Sex and the City". Both of which you can catch in reruns on TBS.

The show's creative ace-in-the-hole is PJ, the reality that Spiro brings to the character and the simple potential of a tomboy - something that we just rarely see on TV in a real way. PJ could have an identity crisis, conflicted between her a love of guy things and uncomfortable with the mores of femininity required to date guys - or maybe she can't date at all. The show could strike a blow against the "men and women can't be friends" myth that has been allowed to grow long since "When Harry Met Sally". But all the show can think to do is have PJ's boyfriends get jealous of her time with the guys. As for that "When Harry Met Sally" myth, let's just say the season finale is a big disappointment. "My Boys" may not have a typical sitcom laugh track, but it is so riddled with sitcom beats, tones and clichés that it might as well.

The writing is flat-out awful. If I hear one more baseball metaphor about how PJ and the guys make such a great team I'm going to throw up. Those annoyed by Carrie Bradshaw's ability to turn everything under the sun into a relationship metaphor will go nuts with all of PJ's lame life-through-baseball narration. And it's not that I didn't want to be taken back to that "Sex and the City" magic, because I did. But the show fails to be either wondrously romantic or critically insightful and it sure isn't funny.

"My Boys" is brought to you by match.com "Boys" itself is like a match.com ad perpetuating the idea that everyone finds somebody and there is little more to life than dating and sports. PJ's got it all - brains, looks, IQ - she just needs a little Guy-Q. Good God. Thank you, Dr. Phil, I just threw up again.

* ½ / 4

It's official. I'm addicted. Yeah yeah, some people may say they don't understand why other people find this show to be funny, but I don't understand how anyone wouldn't. I suppose humor is a very personal thing, and everyone has his/her own style, but this show hits me square on the funny bone. And hard.

I've seen every episode (thanks to my DVD-R), and I have laughed out loud, several times during each. I love the concept of this show. Maybe it's because I have always been a gal with many guy friends, and I can somehow relate, but I love the relationships PJ has with "her boys". The dialogue between them is extremely witty and smart. Each "boy" in the group has a very distinct personality, and the actors play them all very well. The facial reactions, body language, and tone and timing of responses are all spot-on. The guy who shows up in some episodes, to play "Trouty" is so fabulously, irritatingly obnoxious -- he plays the character SO perfectly. Man, he makes me laugh. PJ's lone girl friend is fun too, and even the "guest" characters are great. Watching everyone give each other "advice" on dating and whatnot cracks me up, because none of them seems to be content in their being single (or married, in Andy's case). Even the ringtones used for each person's phone add to the understanding of the characters. Jordana Spiro comes across as a "real" girl -- approachable, likable, fun and smart. I think she was a perfect choice for this role. She's adorable.

I have to say I am very impressed with TBS for putting this show on. It is the type of show I would generally expect to see on one of the major networks -- I typically look to TBS for fun movies and such, but I don't think of them when it comes to sitcoms. This show's tempo seems much like "Sex and the City" to me (I know everyone says that, but there's a reason) -- although it was all women, and this is almost all men, the ensemble works really well together: the banter is quick and sharp, the relationships solid and distinct. It's a truly fun show to watch -- it makes me feel like if they were real, I'd want to hang out with them at Crowley's, or on poker night.. or even at (come on, whisper it...) Streeeissssand.

The *only* thing I don't like about this show? The match.com plugs. Having them write in a scene where they have to mention they are on match.com just breaks up the otherwise fun flow, plus, it's just kind of annoying. Hey, if you want match.com to sponsor the show, great -- just have 'em double-up on advertising time -- during the *commercials*. Not cool, man. It detracts from the show.

In summary, "My Boys" is "my" new favorite show. I am really hoping this gets picked up for years to come, because it is a smart, funny, light show that makes me laugh, and I look forward to watching every new episode. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, gang! Much success to everyone involved in its production!

P.J. Franklin (Jordana Spiro) is a sports reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times covering the Cubs. She hosts poker games for her friends, and they hang out at the local bar. There's Kenny Morittori (Michael Bunin) and Mike Callahan (Jamie Kaler) who owns a sports memorabilia shop. Brendan Dorff (Reid Scott) is her college roommate who crashes at her place for extended periods. Her lawyer brother Andy Franklin (Jim Gaffigan) often lies to his wife to sneak into the game. Bobby Newman (Kyle Howard) is a reporter from another paper and new to the group. Stephanie Layne (Kellee Stewart) is her only close girl friend.

This is a standard single gal sitcom. The group is a fun bunch. I love Gaffigan who leaves after three seasons. Kyle Howard is not the usual romantic lead type. Spiro has an easy nature but she could be more tomboyish. The biggest missing aspect of this show is her job. There is one great episode about the gang at spring training. The show could do more with her work. Otherwise, this is a well made standard sitcom with a very likable cast.

I must say that this show is refreshing. It moves along at a good pace with excellent writing and the ensemble cast does a really good job. Though I am not as much a sports enthusiast as Jordana Spiro's character I must say I "get" her character way more than some of the other "females with friends" shows. It is nice to see a show about an attractive female that is not a clothes horse or obsessed with shoes. Also I love Kyle Howard and have since he starred in House Arrest. The rest of the cast is just as wonderful to watch. The writing is witty and well done and I hope this show lasts for a little while. It is nice to see a show about inter-relationships when the girl has a lot of guy friends that are friends. That really does happen you know.

There should be no wonder that the majority of the comments approving of this monstrosity are female. This show is a female's dream: to be cute, single, no kids and to have 4-5 decent looking successful, charismatic guys just hover around her, make her the center of attention, but none ever hit on her. EVER. OH-but they're totally hetero. Sure, that's realistic. When in the history of Earth has that EVER taken place? Not to mention introducing alcohol? But she never gets fired at by any of her "boys". It's all totally platonic, they don't introduce any other females that would threaten all this attention she gets, but she just maneuvers in this bastion of testosterone and there are no awkward moments, no lude comments, nothing. Puh-leeze. This is an abomination to all sitcoms and television as a whole. This show couldn't be further from reality if they had the "boys" become bionic cyborgs with the powers on invisibility that can bend space time and had flesh eating incest's that fly out of their mouths, in fact that would be more entertaining because you wouldn't need such a huge suspension of disbelief. This show sucks to holy hell. Once again, this is a woman's fantasy played out on TBS, it's so jacked up and far from the truth, that's the only comical value. It would be fine if they weren't trying to pass this off as 'realistic'. Make a mockery out of male/female relationships like When Harry Met Sally, but don't give me this fantasy-land and insult my intelligence.

This show will more than likely be called "Sex and the City" for guys, but after 4 shows, it holds up beyond such a comparison. I would call it "Sex and the City that your boyfriend/husband will actually watch without wanting to pull his eyes out", but I don't think that would fit on a billboard promoting the show. No pretense, well written and acted, down to earth relationship comedy that is not forced like most of today's sitcoms. Plus, no laugh track! And who doesn't need a little Jim Gaffigan in their lives?

Give this one a shot. Unlike network TV, you know that TBS will allow all of the episodes to air and give the show a chance to breathe and grow.

I'm very excited about this show!! I love the first two episodes. Witty, pretty and sporty. I've been in withdrawals since HBO has nothing new or (even renewed) this season. The network stuff is mostly flat (except Thursdays) and tries too hard now to be like HBO, then each show ends up as another rehash of either Friends, Thirty Something or XFiles.

In this new comedy series, the actors are all fresh, not yet famous faces, but well versed in TV appearances. The writers are also fresh and seemingly not jaded, while both the directors have excellent resumes that juxtapose each other well with TV drama and comedy experience.

PJ is the girl that is just one of the guys. She's easygoing, sporty hip, smart and sexy in an ungirly kind of way. She's kind of a tomboy Kate Hudson. PJ (Pamela Jo, Paula Jean?) hangs with the guys mostly and also works in a guys world (sportswriter for the Chicago Sun Times), PJ does have her girlier best friend, Samantha, on the side (she doesn't really hang with PJ's "boys" it seems) who probably will do the advertising for all the hipster clothing (and apparently plug internet dating sites).

I assume the poker games happen every week, so it's a way to keep track of the time going by?

All the"boys" characters are okay so far--real enough (believe me) and two of them cute enough to keep me watching. I hope each guy character does not get too contrived or personalities get too over the top to fall into typical sit-com guy stereotype (it may be too soon to tell though). OK, so the brother character is that already, but...I still laughed. PJ's bro, Andy, is also the most recognizable and experienced of the cast so he may be there as the grounding force of the group.

So... certain things still often can happen to a girl that hangs with the guys--especially when a couple of them are pretty hot. There should be enough material there to spread out over many seasons and I think they've made a good establishing start of it. I look forward to the next 7 shows and if material gets thin, I can probably get plenty enough for another season out of my journals!!!

I hope there are enough girls like me out there that can relate enough to keep this show going and enough guys out there that can hang as well.

Husband had one comment though--he wonders if the show will play too much on the sexual tension/unrequited lust that is the nucleus of, for example, The Office, and he hopes the show doesn't rely so much on that between PJ and Bobby. We want to see PJ keep movin' on and thru experiences, but not just a tomboy Carrie, please.

I also the love all the underground music references such as the Waco Bros. Nice to have a good forum to turn people on to something better than mainstream music. There is always the danger of sliding that bar too far ( I quit liking U2 and REM around 1988), but it's a good thing that people figure out there is more music out there than the Billboard Top 100 and classic rock.

My Boys has great potential--it's my new favorite show.

Oh my gosh! I love this show! It has great one liners and is really in its own league. You can't compare another show to it and say it sucks cause it isn't a girlie show. It's called My Boys for a reason and it shows it in each episode. I've followed each episode and find myself laughing every time. I believe it's more family friendly than some shows out there, not every episode is based on sex, maybe gender but not the nasty. It may have it's corny moments but it has a relate-able cause that makes sense to some or maybe a lot of people outside of baseball. It's something I look forward to every Tuesday it's on. It makes me laugh, you may just find yourself with the same feeling.

I was home one night and found this show on. So I watched the one episode. Wow...Loved it! Then during the super bowl every episode from Season 1 was on TBS. I watched every single one. I have never laughed so much in my life. And talk about good looking guys. I have loved Kyle Howard for years. And the guy who plays Brandon .......wow. And PJ is the best. She is so funny and down to earth. What an excellent cast. So entertaining and you feel like you are right there living it up with them. I was completely into every episode. Can't wait for the next season.

Way to go TBS!!! D. Irwin

Every now and then a show comes along that redefines your relationship with the whole genre. Seinfeld was like that, The Sopranos as well. Maybe even Californication. This show is about as far from that as possible, bar reality television.

As you watch it, you feel like you've seen that episode before, and you kind of know how it's going to end. That's because, in a way, you HAVE seen that episode before, and it's going to end exactly like any episode of any unimaginative half-hour sitcom based on some vaguely idiotic premise. It's the same old lame fodder we've seen a million times. It's kind of bearable and mostly dull and pointless, but at least it's not According to Jim.

A feeling of déjà vu not unlike visiting a childhood home, but one in which you were molested by a crazy uncle. Recognition, repetition and repulsion, in one fell 30-minute swoop.

But, once again, at least it's not According to Jim.

(Could ANYTHING be as awful as that? I mean, really? It's the television equivalent of a colonoscopy.)

I absolutely loved the first season of this show. As was mentioned in the comments before mine, I can relate with P.J.'s character so much more than I could with other shows such as Sex and The City. I can also relate with P.J.'s friend Stephanie. The two women really seem more grounded and realistic than other female characters on television.

I also love the men in this show. It is such a great balance of flaw and great character and truly holds the concept that men are a totally different creature, but should not be at odds with women. We have a lot in common as human beings and as a female viewer it is nice to watch a television show in which the male characters have great qualities and with whom I relate with as well.

The writing and acting is sharp and witty and really funny and the acting is fantastic. I get a really warm feeling while watching it and the bottom line is I really care about the people in this story and it is good fun. Oh I also love that there is no laugh track. I HATE laugh tracks! I truly hope this show can continue for many more seasons without losing its charm.

First off, who is the target audience of this show? It is too lame for Guys and not enough Sex in the City for Girls (but good effort, has anyone else noticed the main character wears a recognizable necklace ala Sex in the City).

Next, I live in Chicago - am I supposed to like the show because the mention real bars and restaurants? "Yes, I have been to the new Potbelly's, why it looks and tastes just like the other 50 in town..." Plus her condo is would easily cost over 450 grand, living a bit out of her income don't ya think. Trust me, Sun Times doesn't pay that well.

The production value is also pretty low. Scrubs and Arrested have set a standard for single camera comedy - and this is far from either of those 2 shows. Some of the shots look like they were thought up on the fly and it is lit like 3 camera - shadows are OK.

I feel bad for Chicago, all efforts at a comedy sent in the town fail. Did anyone actually watch the loop... maybe someday a real Chicago show will rise up and be seen. But not this hack job.

Recently during a homebound injury day and a vomiting amount of NOTHING to watch on TV, I came across the First season of My Boys on TBS' On Demand section, and the boring day was flushed away.

I'm bummed I never tuned in before on a weekly basis, because this show is EXCELLENT! I probably never watched originally because the Title has that girl-show sound to it. But as a guy, I was won over. It's got it's own unique sense of humor that I found genuinely intelligent (few bits of corny too) and there are scenes that create an enjoyable laugh.

Personally, I'm so sick of the many copycat shows that exist purely on the lowest common denominator of gutter comedy. The language of this show is real, it's adult, it's comfortable, and it is funny. My Boys also has a nice fluidity from episode to episode. There's an underlying flow, not just what crazy mishap'll take place this week. And at the end of some, there's a positive ending. That part I really like.

Lastly, the ensemble cast is a great mix of characters and personalities. It's not a bunch of stereotypes inflated by a funhouse mirror, but a likable group of friends who enjoy Baseball, Poker, and each other. They have a real chemistry as a group.

My Boys is different from what else is on TV. Guys and gals will love the show. And I'm really really really glad that a show has been made that doesn't make me feel like I need a shower after I watch it.

I enjoy. You will too.

The show was an entertaining Surprise, and a good one at that. Well worth tuning in for Season 2 on a weekly basis.

This is a show with a good concept. Granted, it's "Sex and the City" meets "Friends" minus the pretentiousness of either show, but that makes it one of the better shows to pop up in the post-Friends era. These are characters you might have actually met, been friends with, or possibly were yourself. (really, do you know ANYBODY who can afford 50 pairs of $400 shoes or afford a 2-bedroom apartment off Central Park, even with rent control?) Jordana Spiro, who received a lot of buzz for her part in "Must Love Dogs" plays the tomboy-like role of a female sportswriter for the Chicago Sun-Times. But like Anthony Michael Hall's geek character from "Sixteen Candles," she bashes many of the tomboy stereotypes by not only having a good rapport with her male friends but also with her Sex and the City-inspired best female friend, Stephanie. (not to mention she's as comfortable in a little black dress as she is in a tank top and jeans.) Jim Gaffigan, whom I was really worried about in terms of playing a role in this sitcom, does very well as her "whipped" older brother. Her friends, Brendan (Reid Scott), Mike (Jamie Kaler), and Kenny (Michael Bunin) work very well both individually and as part of the group. Stephanie (Kellee Stewart) might seem like a weak spot in the show, but she is an effective counter to P.J.'s "hang out with the boys" persona. If there's one weak spot to the group, it's rival sportswriter and on again-off again potential love interest Bobby (Kyle Howard).

Although some of the plots may get a little goofy, the group works very well together. All in all, it's a solid show in an era where the TV comedy is definitely in bad shape.

I love sit-coms and am always looking for a new one to enjoy. Finding "My Boys" wasn't a choice, it was hyped for months and I was looking forward to watching it. After seeing the show I realized it obviously wasn't good enough for network television and that is probably why it ended up on TBS. I usually enjoy the more intelligent sit-coms but also enjoy some of the stupid ones. I rated My Boys a 2 out of 10. I found it to be very dull, boring and disappointing. After all the hype I thought it would at least be mildly humorous but I was wrong. It was awful. The only thing as bad is perhaps Saturday Night Live during the Tina Fey years.

So yesterday afternoon I was looking at a blog about faces that are begging to be punched, and while I didn't think too much of it at the time, I kept coming back to it later that night as I watched the latest (and my first) episode of TBS's sh*t factory otherwise known as "My Boys." With the exception of Gaffigan, who gets a pass because I like his stand-up and he seems to be the only actor on the show who isn't as awkward as a boner-afflicted 14-year-old at a jr high dance, there isn't one person on My Boys who does not, within the first 30 seconds of being on screen, make me want to punch a wall or kick a dog (and i love dogs).

I'm guessing that the guy who plays the loudmouth jackass is probably a monk or a stenographer in real life, because he sure as hell doesn't know the first thing about being a genuine loudmouth or delivering his lines in a way that doesn't sound like he's repeating testimony. "I can make a shirt sure i can i am like a fashion god and i could make a shirt i am like a fashion god." Jesus man, put some air under that sh*t.

I won't go into the rest of the actors individually, but suffice to say they are played by only moderately better androids. And as far as that "strained" relationship between the bald guy and the black friend, the only thing strained was the inner wall of my colon, which was pushed to new limits each time they exchanged mistimed, campy glances.

This is not to say that the writing is good and the actors are bad. Not at all. The writing is the worst part of it, in fact, though the writers did accomplish several feats I had previously assumed were mutually exclusive: they made the plot over-the-top yet unimaginative, the dialogue simple-minded yet smug, and the punchlines clichéd yet unfamiliar (clichés are clichés because at some point there were funny, but the ones in My Boys lacked any vestige of humor).

It was as if someone took the worst sitcoms of all time, put them in a computer, and had the computer spit out what it thought a sitcom should be. I was honestly expecting one of the actors to spontaneously launch into a monologue from She's the Sheriff.

The lack of a laugh track only amplifies the awkward terribleness of this show. But I don't suggest adding one now, as it would be unrealistic. Perhaps the sound of people spitting blood or throwing up would be a better fit. Is there a sound for people simultaneously punching themselves in the throat?

This show really is great. The biggest reason of all why I truly enjoy it is because it takes place in my home town. You will hear them mention Northbrook, Evanston, and a few other locations. Its crazy hearing this show name all the local hangouts and other places I used to hang out at when I lived in Chicago. From the Sybaris (never been there) to Crawly's, to a few of the other places. The Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building is an incredible restaurant. I am sure the restaurant will make a lot of money off of mentioning it on the show. It really brings back some memories for me! If you are ever in Chicago, check out all the hot spots on the show. I am sure you will enjoy them! Anyway, great show! Hopefully it will last for a while!