Battlemouth

I can count, on one hand, the number of shows that I will admit to the world I watch. Ok that may not be entirely true (I watch a lot of crap), but regardless, I will certainly not write about just any old show. HBO has recently started running  a new show created, written, and produced by Johnathan Ames. Ames is an author with many New York Times acclaimed novels under his belt, and a long running column at the New York Press. Just last year in September Ames released his first graphic novel, “The Alcoholic” with DC, which has evolved into what I will be considering for one of the best shows ever.

While I am aware of my tendency to over exaggerate the qualities of a show, I feel justified in saying “Bored to Death” is nothing short of brilliant. HBO announced already (last week) that it will be running a second season of the show and the 4th episode has only just aired this past Sunday (October 11). Not that this immediately validates my opinion…but for the record I did shed a Glen Beck, I mean tear, while I typed “brilliant”.

Jason Schwartzman leads the way as “Johnathan Ames”, a struggling young author (addict & alcoholic) clearly at the beginning of his career. “Johnathan” is aided in his mischief by his best friend “Ray” played by my personal hero, Zach Galifianakis, and his sometimes employer and friend “George”, played by Ted Danson (think Curb not so much Becker). Left in a funk by his girlfriend leaving him, thanks to a drinking and smoking problem, and his inability to come up with a second novel, Johnathan posts an add on craigslist.com offering services as an “unlicensed private detective” and almost immediately picks up a case searching for a girls missing sister. Between George, magazine editor, failed husband, and international man of tom-foolery, constantly enabling Johnathan’s habits, struggling comic book creator Ray’s advice, and Johnathan’s own attempts at detective work, each episode has been better than the last. If Wes Anderson made a television show I think it would feel something like this, all it’s missing (so far) is Kumar Pallana.
“Bored to Death” airs on HBO Sunday Nights at 9:30 EST and it will blow your mind.