Greg Gayne
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‘Anger Management’ is, obviously, Charlie Sheen’s highly publicized return to television following his infamous summer of “winning.” A lot has been made of F/X being the network to put Sheen back to work, what with its critically acclaimed pedigree, but in the end, it’s a network and Sheen is ratings draw, especially now. ‘Anger Management’ is loosely based on the Adam Sandler film of the same name, and it’s just about as saccharine. In fact, the television version is so inoffensive and mild that I’m surprised its a Charlie Sheen vehicle at all. It’s time to grade!
Strength of Episode – B-: ‘Anger Management’ is a perfectly likable sitcom with enough chuckles to justify its existence. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it “good,” let’s go with “fine.” It’s obsessed with sex, as one would expect, but it’s playful enough to come off as pretty benign. Plus, the pilot opened with the obligatory reference to Sheen’s ‘Two and a Half Men’ debacle so we got it out of the way right quick. The easy, breezy relationship between Sheen’s character and his ex-wife, played by Shawnee Smith, is also a plus.
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How Is Charlie Sheen?: Despite his personal life, Sheen is good sitcom lead. He’s gruff, but also dynamic enough to hold a show together, and ‘Anger Management’ has a lot of moving parts. Truth is, I’ve never watched a lot of ‘Two and a Half Men,’ but what I’ve seen of it is cold and wildly unlikable. ‘Anger Management’ may not be great, but it’s better than that, and Sheen does an admirable job.
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Grade the Supporting Cast – B: Selma Blair! Shawnee Smith! Brett Butler! Barry Corbin! Michael Boatman! Kerry Kenny! It’s a murderers row of great comic actors. As I’ve said, the show isn’t very good, but with these supporting players there is at least some hope.
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Does It Feel Weird On F/X?: A little, yeah. Especially since it’s the lead-in for the ground breaking and downright brilliant ‘Louie.’
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Potential For Series As a Whole: Pretty high. I mean, not in quality per say, but it will assuredly be a hit and that’s all it’s designed to be. It’s not going to win any awards or bowl critics over, but most “hits” don’t. They appease and ‘Anger Management’ does just that. It appeases.
