Maybe it’s because I know a few people who have gone to med school, or that I know one in particular who went to med school later in life, but I kind of had a bit of hopefulness in watching the new CBS show, Carol’s Second Act. The short exposition dumped early in the episode is that Carol taught high school science, had some kids, etc., and then her marriage fell apart and she went to med school. Now she’s the oldest intern. Sounds like the show, The Rookie, except instead of cops, it’s medicine, and female instead of male. I would say also it’s supposed to be a comedy instead of a drama, but that’s highly debatable.

The show stars Patricia Heaton, and for many, that’s apparently a bonus. Sure, people liked her long-suffering role on Everybody Loves Raymond, and the audience applauds as soon as she appears in the episode. But it’s a comedy. And I don’t think I even smiled the entire episode. It was more farcical than comedic and her own attempts to be funny? Ridiculous. Even down to the “I’m going to rant and rave and then stop, only to find out you were going to apologize” scene. This passes for comedy?

She’s surrounded by five other doctors, all ridiculous caricatures. The strict, no-nonsense black woman boss. The laid back, pseudo hippie senior attending physician. Three other interns — quiet guy, Latino girl, over-confident white guy. The only good scene in the entire episode was Dr. Carol talking to a patient and giving bad news, drawing upon her life experience to deal with him compassionately and professionally. Sweet. Touching. Redeeming if it wasn’t done by her since her ethics were already intact. Snore.

I’m out, and I’m betting lots of other people will be too. It’s just not funny.