The Cast of "Life on a Stick" want their cake and eat it too.
Not gonna' happen.
Every once in a while a fresh new sitcom graces the TV airwaves with its originality, sharp humor and quick wit. A few years ago, for instance, that show was “Andy Richter Controls the Universe” on FOX, created by Victor Fresco. And as it often happens, such smart comedies are yanked off the schedule faster than you can say “Action!”
So now three years later, Victor Fresco serves up his new sitcom “Life on a Stick,” about two dim witted best friends who work at a hot dog stand at the mall. After watching the pilot, I felt like I had chowed down one too many corn dogs, and was quickly in search of some Tums.
Corn dog on a stick = Enjoyable.
"Life on a Stick" = Not so much.
What’s wrong with this new comedy? Oh, well, it’s not funny. There’s a real science to writing “dumb” comedy and making it funny, and not stupid. “Get a Life” nailed it. “Life on a Stick” didn’t.
I just found this little image on the net, and thought I'd throw it in here. Tee hee.
“Life on a Stick” seems like it was pieced together by throwing some of the textbook sitcom formulas into a bowl, and picking at random: “Pair of lovable losers,” “Sarcastic teen daughter,” “Dumb parents,” “The one kid who’s too smart for his own good, and wise beyond his years,” and “Silly work place.” Thumb tack those to the board, then start cooking up trite stories and watered down comedy. And there you have “Life on a Stick.”
I went into this show hoping it would surprise me with some genuine laughs. Instead I kept thinking that if I had a hot dog on a stick right now, I might actually gouge my eyes out with said stick.
Is there any hope for this show? I don’t know. The show suffers from weak writing, in my opinion. And as we all know, my opinion is the only one that matters. So, I think if given better material, this show could make use of some of the decent cast. Amy Yasbeck is wasted so far, Maz Jobrani as Mr. Hut could be funny if given some decent lines, and the only character that showed anything close to a laugh was the sarcastic daughter, Molly.
In any event, the fact that it aired after “American Idol” and still lost to NBC’s premiere of “The Office” is pretty much a sure sign that “Life on a Stick” will probably be condemned after its 6 episode order.
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