Less Than Kind

This is my favourite sitcom at the moment. Only The Office comes close and Less Than Kind is better than. It's sort of like a cross between the British sitcom Shameless and Malcolm in the Middle.

Just to give an example of how well written and well acted this show is, in the episode in which the Blechers cars are being repossessed, there is very minor character, the towtruck driver. He only appears for two minutes and only in this one episode, but in those two minutes they gave him a whole back story and a fully-fleshed out personality. You want to see more of this guy.

After pursuing them through the whole episode, the towtruck driver, gently persuades Sam to let him take the car. "People bounce back from these things all the time, man. I see it every day." It's a wonderful scene and the way Maury Chaykin plays Sam's slow and tired surrender is pure genius.

Chaykin is one of Canada's best actors of all time. But in Less Than Kind he plays second fiddle to the awesome Jesse Camacho who really carries the show.

Less Than Kind has been renewed for a second season. In the meantime, I'm happy to watch the first season episodes over and over again. It's that good. You can watch all the first season episodes on the CityTV website.

I can't believe I've never seen this mind blowing clever, hilarious and heartfelt experience before season 3.

Less Than Kind is one of the greatest shows ever made and holds a special place in many a heart right next to Judd Apatow's dearly departed Freaks and Geeks. The cast is so good it's unbelievable. Given the range of subject matter (death, love, sex, shame, coming of age angst) its amazing to watch how every cast member's character has evolved over time. Each character holds my attention when they get their screen time. The comedy itself is very successful but tends to be a bit over the top. Everyone is so great they make it work and its hilarious. I can only imagine what the writer's room is like when they're riffing on Josh and Eric's parts.

If anyone from the show is reading this, don't stop! I joined IMDb just to post this review. It's killing me season 1 and 2 aren't available on DVD yet! HBO get on it!

The premiere of the second season was quite an enjoyable episode. Sheldon and his anxious family stand vigil at the hospital while his father, Sam Blecher is repeatedly on death's door. Dave Foley (Kids in the Hall) guest stars as a doctor who might be a little too eager to see Sam pass on. Definitely check out this great adult show on HBO. A detailed analysis of the series after the jump.

Generally, I dislike Canadian humor. They never help out our stereotypes. That was why I could never get into Corner Gas and I won't be watch the upcoming Hiccups or Dan for Mayor. One of the few exceptions which didn't feel completely Canadian was Kids in the Hall. This particular show, Less Than Kind happens to be written and produced by one of the founding members of Kids, Mark McKinney. Perhaps, he's better known in the U.S. for being a cast member on SNL from 1995-1997.

Less Than Kind features Sheldon Blecher an overweight Winnipeg teenager living with his dysfunctional Jewish family. I like the show because it's not trying to glamourize Canada by making it look fun, it's the place last place Sheldon wants to be. In fact, the theme song is titled "I Hate Winnipeg." Less Than Kind was airing on City TV last year. Despite the fact that it was on one of Canada's major networks last year and that the show is about a family, this is a surprisingly adult show, filled with constant f-bombs and the occasional nudity. This year, it's a much better fit on HBO and it will be able to expand to a wider audience.

This is a really funny series! Haven't had as many belly laughs from a show for quite a while. The writing (and acting) may be as good as breaking bad or mad men, though admittedly it's a comedy - the characters are not as deep. However they are deep enough. I'm only through 3 episodes.

By the way, the rating system where 10 = excellent - seems a bit low. Meaning 10 should be exceptional, and 9 could be excellent. I'd give this a 9.5 certainly. But I gave it a 10 because it is at least excellent.

The fellow from Winnipeg who gave it a 1, not sure if he's a self-hating Winnipeger, or just from the planet humourless, but something has got his goat. I would ignore that rating if you like witty writing, a bit of a slapstick presentation and good colourful characters.

This was a good show. I liked the stories and characters. Maury Chaykin was awesome. Some of the other actors were a bit off and after Chaykin died it was not a very good show any more but still better than most Canadian comedy TV shows. Almost wooooooot!?!