TV: "Big Shots" Review

Of all the networks, ABC does ensemble casts the best. So it's no surprise that they have so many shows in that format. Where at one point in time they were known for their family-friendly shows, these days they've become more attached to scandal and intrigue. They've already cornered the market on female-centered ("Desperate Housewives," "Men in Trees") and unisex ("Grey's Anatomy" and "Brothers & Sisters") plots. And now they're trying to dabble in the fairly unpopular genre of the male-centered plot. Most shows that are geared towards men involve action, sex, and dark storylines. Not many can boast the poetic humanization of the every-man. That's what ABC is attempting with "Big Shots," a show about four guys who find solace in their friendship while their world crumbles around them.

Like the other shows that I've mentioned, the writers of "Big Shots" really fleshed out each character so that they're easy to relate to. It panders to men so that they have an avenue of expression, and to women so that they have a proverbial translation of the male psyche. Here are the four characters that are expected to mend the divide:

Duncan (Dylan McDermott from “The Practice”) is a CEO of a cosmetics company, which is fitting since he's so superficial. He's been married many times, but seems to suffer from a rare form of emotional ADD. Even though he divorced his first wife, he can't seem to stop wanting to have sex with her. Maybe it's because they had a child together, who is now 19-years-old and a pain in the ass. She humbles him when he starts behaving like he's king of the world. It's probably why he drinks so much and always has a five o'clock shadow, like he's perpetually recovering from a hangover. She reminds him of what a failure he is in her eyes, having abandoned her when she was 8 years old. But she's not the only one who will serve to give him a reality check. A journalist, writing a profile on him for a magazine, wants to get dirt on him. Unfortunately, he pulled a Hugh Grant, and almost had sex with a transvestite (the 2nd to appear on an ABC show this season). Now he has to figure out a way to retain his credibility and quiet the enterprising journalist.

Brody (Christopher Titus from “Titus”) is the owner of Alpha Crisis Management, a company that helps you when you're in a bind, which he often is. He's married to a woman who treats him more like a personal assistant than she does a husband. And despite the fact that he's treated this way, he worships her. It's interesting that we never get to see her face in the pilot; makes it seem like she really is a goddess, so beautiful, so mighty, so powerful that the lowly may not gaze upon her. That or they're saving the big reveal for sweeps week where they'll get a huge guest star to boost ratings. Despite his stressful lifestyle, Brody is the comic relief of the show. Often getting a joke in no matter the situation.

Karl (Joshua Malina from “The West Wing”) is the owner of Devotion Pharmaceuticals, a cleverly named company that produces Viagra. It's ironic that a short, geeky looking man runs a pleasure company, is married to a pretty people-pleaser, and is having an affair with a gorgeous woman named Marla (Jessica Collins from “Tru Calling”). But, like a non-Adonis would, he feels guilty about what he's doing and admits that he just needs the ego-boost. Unfortunately, he tried to get one from a needy woman who is hell-bent on inserting herself into his life like she's entitled to the same attention and benefits as his wife. Hell, the woman wanted couple's therapy. Can you say...Fatal Attraction?

James (Michael Vartan from “Alias”) is a young ingenue at Amerimart Industries who is married to a beautiful woman and has kids. By his company's name, it's obvious he is the representation of the ideal American man: faithful, hard working, innovative, and family-oriented. But, I really do think they hired Vartan for his "panic" face. You can always count on him to look terrified of messing up. He plays a character that had it all, but as luck would have it, his boss wanted what he had too. He planned on firing him, but he died before he informed the company. It's only after his boss bites it that he starts to see life for what it really is, as though he were asleep all that time. He discovers that his wife was sleeping with his boss. That violent jolt to reality served to motivate him. As he says in his promotion interview, “If I were you, I’d hire someone who knows what it’s like to lose something, because he will never let that happen again.” Unlike the other characters, James has a friend at work, Katie (Nia Long from Are We There Yet?), who will probably end up his love interest. But she provides an interesting look as to how men see their "platonic" female friends.

On the surface, these guys are stereotypical versions of men we can point out in our own lives. But it's what they say to each other that they wouldn't say to a woman that'll keep viewers coming back. Duncan spouts the most wisdom. Informing viewers of the three male rights of passage: “Loss of virginity, first threesome, and discovery of the cheating wife.” Editorializing about marriage: “Till death do us part. Sometimes it sounds like a threat doesn’t it?” And lamenting their recent misfortunes: "Men...we’re the new women.” The dialog, the plot lines, and the characterizations are good because they're not trying to lure young and hip viewers. With the classy, old school music and frequent trips to the golf course, it's obvious that it's catering to a more mature crowd. Competing with serious dramas like CBS's "Without a Trace" and NBC's "ER" on Thursday nights at 10pm, it does something that they can't. It aims to not only create a forum for men, but a venue for understanding their connections to women.

Speaking of connections, if you must compare this show's concept to "Sex in the City," here's who I think the doppelgangers are:

Duncan - Samantha: nymphomaniacal commitment-phobes
Brody - Charlotte: overly obsessive, control freaks who are very demanding and persuasive; and when they fall in love, they fall hard.
Karl - Miranda: even when they have everything, they won't allow themselves to be happy, and they get themselves into situations that could've been avoided.
James - Carrie: they put all their eggs into one basket (Mr. Big) and when their hearts break, they dwell on it for eternity.