Smallscreen Reviews

Review: 'Wilfred' akin to the 1960's far-fetched comedies

By April MacIntyre Jun 23, 2011, 16:52 GMT

They were the original "Get Smart" written by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, and "My Favorite Martian," starring Bill Bixby and Mr. Hand (Ray Walston) from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High."

There were two television comedies that influenced my lifelong taste in TV sitcoms that I watched as a tot.

They were the original "Get Smart" written by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, and "My Favorite Martian," starring Bill Bixby and Mr. Hand (Ray Walston) from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High."

They were ridiculous in premise, completely absurdist, politically incorrect and demanded that the viewer just sit back and suspend all disbelief. And they were well served by the right casts (and writers) who were able to pull off the wink with style.

So it is with FX's taste in comedies. Their canceled "Testees" was a brave buddy comedy that was rude and wrong. I loved it.

"Wilfred" is the latest from the network, an Aussie remake that is also well served by an odd couple: Elijah Wood and Jason Gann, playing a man and his dog.

Ryan (Wood), is a suicidal guy who is saved inadvertently by his neighbor’s dog who appears to him as an Australian man (Jason Gann) dressed in a gross tatty dog outfit but as an actual canine to everyone else.

This is a buddy tale, one of redemption and bucking up with raucous and naughty humor. Elijah plays his role a la Bill Bixby in this comedy and Jason Gann plays his Wilfred as a bit doggedly devilish, but there to complete his human charge and make him look at life differently. He's all 'seize the day' to Wood's glass is half empty outlook. They're perfect for each other.

Wilfred is what it is, and in that pure sketch comedy way- it is a perfect summer show that fits in with the brilliant mid-life crisis comedy Louie, The League, Archer and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

There's nothing like it on TV-which is the biggest compliment you can pay a comedy these days.