CBS certainly does not monkey around with its programming.
Queen’s University alum Tom Cavanagh (Ed) is starring in the network’s new show Love Monkey, premiering Jan. 17 at 10 p.m. The dramedy, based on Kyle Smith’s novel of the same title, revolves around 30-something single record executive Tom Farrell (Cavanagh) as he attempts to cope with a demanding job and finding love in New York City, aided by a diverse group of close friends. Along for the ride is fellow Canadian Jason Priestley (Beverly Hills, 90210) and Judy Greer (Elizabethtown).
With just a minute-long preview and clip on CBS’s official website to provide a small taste of what is to come, it certainly does not look pretty for Cavanagh’s character. The pilot begins the series with a double dose of rejection for Tom Farrell, and it only promises to amusingly highlight the ensuing highs and lows as he copes and moves on from the loss of a job and a girlfriend with the help of his friends.
Even from the a small preview, it is evident that Love Monkey plays around with the same ideas and themes as other popular hour-long television shows. ABC’s Jake in Progress, which also follows the life of a single professional, this time a celebrity publicist who must deal with the pressures of his high-profile career while looking for the perfect girl. It bears the most striking resemblance to cue from HBO’s Sex and the City, using narration to allow Farrell to comment on his life and situations.
What Love Monkey may lack in originality, it makes up for in its creative title. Attention-grabbing, it separates itself from the crowd and has the potential to draw in curious viewers who simply have no idea what the show is about. Based on the preview, it appears to be a warning to Tom Farrell from Greer’s character, who says he will become “one lonely monkey” in his attempt to find the “perfect branch” on which to settle. Cute, corny, call it what you will—but it certainly does attract one’s interest.
Creator and producer Michael Rauch’s (Beautiful People) assembly of writers is interesting. Most—with the exception of one or two—are relatively new to the playing field. However, this inexperience allows them the potential to bring some freshness to a medium that, through the mess of reality shows and gimmicky sitcoms, has become stale. The experience of three of Love Monkey’s principal cast (Cavanagh, Priestley and Greer) means they have the talent and ability to salvage the show from any weaknesses that may at times occur because of the writer’s inexperience. With such shows as Ed, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Arrested Development behind them, they certainly have staying power.
CBS stands behind its programming, placing Love Monkey in a golden timeslot following current powerhouse CSI. The show also rivals few ratings knockouts, with its only potential hurdle being NBC’s Law and Order: SVU, a show that placed 15th in the Nielsen ratings for the first week of 2006. CBS itself placed second for the same week, behind ABC, but is first in the season-to-date ratings. As NBC moves its popular comedies The Office and My Name is Earl to Thursday nights, it leaves open a void that Love Monkey has the potential to fill. It is unlikely that everyone who watches CSI will enjoy Love Monkey, but with the high saturation of legal shows airing on Tuesday night, the program gives some variety that people who enjoy the comedy genre will be interested in watching.
Nevertheless, the network is pulling out all the stops as a safety measure, having such music stars as Leann Rimes, Late Show bandleader Paul Shaffer and Ben Folds appear in the first few episodes in an effort to attract viewership. While this tactic often appears gimmicky or transparent, within the context of this show it has the potential to add to the plot lines, highlighting Farrell’s attempts to salvage and restart his career, and showing the importance music plays in his life. Music becomes another secondary character, playing an important role in the interactions between characters and situations that arise.
The success or failure of the first few episodes will determine whether CBS picks up a full season of the show, or whether it will the large graveyard of discarded shows cancelled during their first season. However, because of all the publicity and attention CBS has been heaping on it and the viewing public, Love Monkey, while not appearing to be entirely innovative, has the potential to be your new guilty pleasure on Tuesday night.
—With files from imdb.com, cbs.com, abc.com, zap2it.com
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