I wanted to like The Grinder. First of all, it stars Rob Lowe. Some of the best moments in West Wing’s run were with Lowe in the episode, tilting at windmills. Second, he’s playing a lawyer. I like law shows, I like when Lowe plays a lawyer. Perfect. Third, he’s not really a lawyer, he’s pretending to be a lawyer without going to law school. Hey, I like Suits, could be good. Fourth, it’s a comedy. Umm, wait…what?

Well, not exactly a comedy, more like a dramatic comedy or a comedic drama, or something it just can’t figure out what it is. It’s not satire, it’s not really a comedy, but it is self-aware comedy. With Ben Savage as the brother. He had the Wonder Years, they’re over. The first episode had so many bad cliches, it felt like a spoof. The whole episode felt like I was watching an Airplane-inspired remake of A Few Good Men, without the military. Okay, bad image. But better than anything in the show.

William Devane plays the father, and I thought, hmm, he is okay in cameos and on Stargate. Kind of enjoyed him back on Early Edition. And they gave him such inspiring lines as “I like where this is going.” Really? That’s it? There is no reason for him to be excited about any of what’s going on, but he is. Totally undeveloped.

Now, it IS a comedy. It’s only 22 minutes. How much character development can there be, and still have a plot to deliver? That’s basically why I don’t watch many comedies. And this will be another one that I am not watching. Pass.