When the networks decided last week to release some of their new comedy pilots, there was one I was not keen on watching: Ben and Kate. While I had definitely wanted to see the pilots for Go On, The New Normal, and The Mindy Project (and I watched the Animal Practice pilot just because it was on after the Olympics, but I'm regretting that decision), I was not interested in Ben and Kate. The trailer didn't really appeal to me, and I wasn't that interested in it. But after I heard some early word that the pilot was actually good, I decided it wouldn't be a bad thing to give it a try. I'm very thankful I did. This, at least out of the pilots I've seen, was the biggest surprise for me! I went from having no interest in the show to adding it to my list of shows to watch this fall. The set up is fairly simple: Oscar winner Nat Faxon (yep, he co-wrote the screenplay for The Descendants) plays Ben, the crazy, unpredictable older brother to Kate (Dakota Johnson), a woman with a plan, minus one unplanned pregnancy in high school, resulting in her cute, precocious daughter Maddie (the adorable Maggie Elizabeth Jones). Basically, the pilot episode sets up a situation where Ben moves in and helps Kate raise Maddie so that Maddie can move on with her life and her dreams. Also in the mix is Echo Kellum as Ben's best friend Tommy (he's also obsessed with Kate) and Lucy Punch as Kate's BFF BJ (there's a joke about the name, of course!). The writing for this show mixes the best elements of two other new comedies: the heart of The New Normal and the wit of The Mindy Project. In the end, the project comes out just as good as those two prospects. Faxon's character is definitely a big pill to swallow, but the lovable dork comes off really sweet at episode's end. Johnson's character is pretty funny, and she's good with potential to get better. Jones easily beats Bebe Woods of The New Normal for this fall's cutest child actor. She's funny and sweet and I'd love to see how involved Maddie gets in the plot of the show. Kellum's character is pretty funny, although I hope he gets more material beyond obsessing over Kate, but the highlight of the cast so far, it should come as no surprise, is Punch. I thought she was easily the best part of Bad Teacher with Cameron Diaz, and I'm so psyched to see her here, although in reality, she should be the lead of her own TV show, but she gets to steal the show here, and that could land her some attention. Now I can see Fox's plan in pairing this show with Raising Hope: both are witty and funny, but have sentimental family elements, and if this show can reach Raising Hope levels, it should be a great success for Fox. In fact, with the family hour followed by New Girl and The Mindy Project, Fox might have the funniest block of TV this fall (The Neighbors kinda ruins ABC's two-hour block on Wednesdays, but NBC's Thursday block is pretty strong). Overall, I was very surprised by this strong pilot episode. I still think Go On is the best comedy pilot of the season (so far), but I'd say Ben and Kate is just as good as The Mindy Project and The New Normal, although I really won't be able to judge which show is better until I see more episodes, but I would really suggest everyone check out the first episode and see what I was surprised to find. Here's the trailer, which could persuade you to watch the pilot, but you'll just have to take my word and let me know if I was correct in the comments section below!
Evan
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