I have a theory that many successful TV and film writers were nerds in high school, and that writing about high school (and coming up with unflattering depictions of their former tormentors) is their revenge. I think some of that is what’s behind former Office scribe Caroline Williams’ Miss Guided, which premiered on ABC last night. The sitcom has only one joke, and it’s one we’ve heard often, but it’s still a good one: that no matter how old we are, we never really graduate from high school. Proving this unfortunate maxim is Becky Freeley, former high school nerd who returns as a guidance counselor to her alma mater. She’s still a nerd, she’s still pining after a dim hunk (auto-shop-teacher-turned-Spanish-instructor Tim O’Malley), and still seething over her old nemesis, homecoming queen Lisa Germain (who’s also a new teacher at the school).
Now, I love Judy Greer; she’s a terrific comic actress who’s deserved her own vehicle for far too long; I just don’t think this is it. (Read the magazine’s quick-hit review of Miss Guided.) I’m not sure how much fun it’s going to be to watch her hapless, older-but-not-really-wiser nerd get humiliated in gag after gag, week after week. Still, she won me over during a scene where she lurks in the bushes outside the homecoming dance, watching Tim and Lisa chat inside, and singing along to the Pussycat Dolls "Don’t Cha." She gets able comic support from SNL/30 Rock alum Chris Parnell as a martinet vice principal; she has nice chemistry with Kristoffer Polaha (best known for starring as JFK Jr. in that made-for-TV biopic a few years ago) as Tim, and even Baywatch babe Brooke Burns provides more layers than mere vampiness to Lisa. I’m just not sure if all that will be enough to sustain the show beyond its well-worn premise. In fact, I’m not sure who this show is for: I don’t think a lot of adults really want to relive their high school embarrassments, but a lot of the humor will sail over kids’ heads.
Raise your hands, students: who watched this show last night? What did you think of it? Will you stick with it?
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Fern Mayo is funny. Who knew? Strangers with Candy was funnier, but this will do. Chris Parnell is the man.
I watched it. It was better than I thought it would be, and I enjoyed it. I think this sitcom deserves a chance – last night was the first episode. I’m going to start Tivo’ing it. IMO it’s premature to dismiss this show already. Let it ride for a half dozen episodes, then revisit this subject and see what you think.
It’s better than Samantha Who, another show with a one-note premise (hey, she has amnesia!).
I enjoyed the show. I think its got a lot of potential, once it hits its stride.
i dvr’d it, but havent watched it yet. I love Judy Greer, so unless something terribly tragic happens, i think i will love it.
i dvr’d it, but havent watched it yet. I love Judy Greer, so unless something terribly tragic happens, i think i will love it.
It usually takes about 3 episodes to make a judgement for me but I thought it was funny. And I do believe you never really graduate from high school.
I missed it! Thanks for letting me know. I love Judy Greer, too and hope this is worth her talent.
i watched it..and loved it, probably b/c i love Judy Greer, but I hope this show sticks around
I watched it, and while it wasn’t the greatest thing I’ve ever seen, I enjoyed it. I usually try a show out at least twice anyway before dumping it. But I like Judy Greer. She gives me the urge to flash my chest and shout “This is the last time you’ll be seeing these!”
i liked it! it earned it’s season pass setting on my tivo. i thought it was charming!
I liked it; I can’t wait for Ashton Kutcher on tomorrow’s episode. He looks pretty dreamy in the commercials. And yes, Chris Parnell IS the man — I wanted to hear him break out an inappropriate rap at the dance.
I watched it. Started off okay but put me to sleep within 20 minutes. Not a good sign for a half-hour show. I love Judy Greer, but the show was just “meh” for me. I’ll give it another chance or two, as long as there’s nothing else on against it.
i watched it because there was nothing on after dwts. and i’ll probably continue watching it, because there isnt anything on tv on thursdays at 8. but i didnt really love it. if it doesnt get better im back to food network on thursdays.
I absolutely loved this show. The supporting cast was very funny and Judy Greer is amazing. I really, really enjoyed it and hope it stays on the air.
Didn’t watch it, but thanks to this snap judgement, I might check it out.
I thought this was just a “pre-view” for the show. There was even a commercial for it during the show saying it would premiere Thursday. Unless that just means it will move to Thursday…I’m confused.
I did like the show though. Judy Greer and Chris Parnell are enough for me to watch.
Eh. I’ll give it two more episodes. But I thought the main character could have been more likeable (less pathetic, more of an adult). I though the nice guy respecting the nerdy girl over the hot girl was too ’sixteen candles.’ And I thought the writing was not so sharp. Still, I like the premise and I think the tone of the show was just right. Here’s hoping for better in episode 2.
I really enjoyed this show! I watched it b/c I heart Kitty Sanchez from Arrested Development and loved when she said ‘this may fill the hole in your mouth, but it will never fill the hole in your heart’ or something to that effect. And her dance moves in her office! classic! Good bye George Bluth!
i won’t really be able to decided until i see another episode, but so far, it’s pretty funny.
Chris doing an inappropriate rap would have been priceless.
I’m gonna stick with it for now. At least until my beloved Office returns…
I thoroughly enjoyed the diversion after sitting through 2 1/2 mind numbing hours of American Idol and DWTS! Judy Greer is a great comedic actress and I’m really looking forward to Thursday’s episode with Ashton Kutcher. Hope the show does well in the ratings!!!
I enjoyed the show, and I thought it was funny, but this was just the first episode, so I can’t wait to see what the next episodes brings us.
Funniest sitcom I’ve seen since 30 Rock premiered.
I have a friend who is a teacher and she told me teachers are as “cliquy”as the students, there is a teacher’s lounge “cool table” and various other factions.
Is the Todd Holland who directed any relation to Savage Steve Holland?
i will definately keep watching. there aren’t too many non-reality choices out there and i think this show was pretty funny and i actually liked the talking-to-the-camera bits and the flashbacks…
My 15 year old brother and I(23 years old) watched this show last night and enjoyed it a lot, seriously we couldn’t stop laughing, boy Judy Greer is really beautiful, I hope people will watch the show and ABC will stick with it!!
She kind of looks/acts like Becki Newton in this, no?
I thought it was pretty funny. Then again, I absolutely LOVE Judy Greer, and I did catch myself sort of overlaughing at jokes and gags that weren’t really that funny because I wanted the show to be good so that Greer could become a big star. I still think it has potential.
Also, after sitting throught the painful “Jezebel James” (also starring a pair of actresses I love) this is comedic genius.
I actually went to high school with Judy Greer, and she’s not kidding about being nerdy then (that photo of her in the credits is actually her real yearbook photo). She may have been nerdy, but she was also charming and hilarious and deserves every bit of success she has/will have. Love her, love the show.