NBC’s ‘Earl’ a tale of redemption
Can the sitcom survive?
For years we critics have been bashing the networks for imitative comedies, lame spinoffs, “Seinfeld” clones and tone-deaf American translations of British hits.
But sometimes not even originality will get you through. While there is something novel, even audacious, about trying to turn the book “Kitchen Confidential” into a sitcom, it’s still not a very good sitcom.
“My Name is Earl” (9 p.m., NBC) leans on a more suitable comedic foundation. Clearly inspired by the Coen brothers’ 1987 screen hoot “Raising Arizona,” “Earl” stars Jason Lee in the title role as a petty thief and all-around lowlife with an engaging, lovable personality.
With his wayward hair and mismatched outfits, he even resembles Nicolas Cage’s unforgettable “Arizona” character.
The story of “Earl” is a simple one. Earl wins a $100,000 lottery jackpot and is immediately hit by a car. Sitting in his hospital bed, he overhears TV personality Carson Daly discussing karma, the notion that those who do good are rewarded in kind. Addle-brained Earl concludes that his squalid station in life may be the result of his lifetime of lying, cheating, stealing and other venial transgressions.
He makes a list of more than 250 people he has wronged and sets out to make amends one by one.
Earl’s list could provide fodder for years of contrition. And the show’s game cast, droll wit and amusing narrative don’t hurt matters, either.
Jaime Pressley is pitch-perfect as his cheap, no-good, cheating harpy of an ex-wife. Ethan Suplee plays Earl’s beer-guzzling brother Randy, and Nadine Velasquez rounds out the ensemble as Catalina, a hotel maid and co-conspirator.
“Earl” has the over-the-top quality of a Carl Hiaasen novel or a Barry Sonnenfeld movie. It remains to be seen if those who enjoy this offbeat humor will return in sufficient numbers to support “Earl” week after week.
Other highlights
Gibbs vows to avenge Kate on the third-season premiere of “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS).
A prep-school murder cover-up on “Bones” (8 p.m., Fox).
Tyra Banks hosts the new season of “America’s Next Top Model” (8 p.m., UPN), but without Janet Dickenson by her side.
Rory does her community service on “Gilmore Girls” (8 p.m., WB).
John O’Hurley and Kelly Monaco return to the soft-shoe circuit as “Dancing with the Stars” (8:30 p.m., ABC) returns for a dance-off.
A terminal patient’s sunny nature makes the doctor wary on “House” (9 p.m., Fox).
“Wide Angle” (9 p.m., KSPS) looks at avian flu, a disease that now threatens millions worldwide.
The eight-episode series “Transgeneration” (9 p.m., Sundance) explores the world of four transgender college students.
Stabler goes undercover to stop a paroled rapist (Robert Patrick) on the season premiere of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (10 p.m., NBC).
A slob and a neat-freak switch places, again, on “Wife Swap” (10 p.m., ABC).
Dick Butkus appears in “Bound for Glory” (7 p.m., ESPN), an eight-part reality series set in the world of high school football.
Sean battles to keep the practice afloat as “Nip/Tuck” (10 p.m., FX) enters its third season.
A New Yorker and a Londoner conduct a trans-Aatlantic romance in the new comedy series “NY-Lon” (7 p.m., BBC America).
Cult choice
A high school football squad takes on the invading Soviet Army in rural Colorado in the 1984 Cold War fantasy “Red Dawn” (9 p.m., Spike), directed by John Milius.
Series notes
Pounds lost amid ounces of prevention on “The Biggest Loser” (8 p.m., NBC) … Wrigley hooky on “According to Jim” (8 p.m., ABC).
Julie Chen hosts the “Big Brother 6” finale (9 p.m., CBS) … The search continues on “R U the Girl” (9 p.m., UPN) … Campers fall prey to a legendary creature on “Supernatural” (9 p.m., WB) … Annual awards prove mortifying on “The Office” (9:30 p.m., NBC) …