Why is everyone bemoaning the ...
Question: Why is everyone bemoaning the renewal of
Jake in Progress? If
John Stamos did go to
ER, he would have little opportunity to showcase his charm and comic talents on that depressing snoozefest. I liked the few episodes of
Jake that I saw. Stamos was surrounded by a stellar supporting cast and benefited from some witty and polished writing.
Answer: I liked John Stamos more than I liked
Jake. The show reminded me what a charismatic TV star he can be, given the right material. And from what I've heard,
Jake may improve from some new, behind-the-scenes creative blood tweaking the show a bit. If so, then the yelps of puzzled surprise that greeted the show's unexpected renewal may subside when
Jake returns midseason (at the moment, scheduled on Mondays post-football). It's true that
ER has squandered many of its opportunities lately, when even the gifted
Linda Cardellini of
Freaks and Geeks is rendered dull and glum. But since
ER isn't going away anytime soon, I had welcomed the prospect of Stamos joining the show. Expectations for
Jake are middling, and
ER would have at least guaranteed him a long-term job.
