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Review: The Crazy Ones

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Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar – Photo Credit: Robin Williams Twitter

You know how Robin Williams can sometimes be a little too Robin Williams?  It’s annoying isn’t it?  What starts out funny turns into a 10 minute gag with multiple characters and accents and lots of uncomfortable laughter from those on the receiving end. Thankfully, Robin Williams is only slightly Robin Williams in The Crazy Ones.

This show seems like the perfect fit for Williams’ return to series television.  As legendary advertising agency exec Simon Roberts, he still gets to flex his funny bone but there are some serious undertones in Roberts’ back history (divorce and possibly depression) that keep Williams grounded enough to ensure he doesn’t fly too much into the crazy Robin Williams category.

Playing the perfect polar opposite is Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as Simon’s straight-laced and all professional daughter and co-partner Sydney Roberts.  Gellar easily holds her own with grim professional determination playing opposite Williams and the two bring a believable father/daughter relationship on screen.

There’s also some great casting in the co roles with Hamish Linklater (The New Adventures of Old Christine), James Wolk (Mad Men) and Amanda Setton (The Mindy Project) who all get their fair share of laughs.

This first episode brings us straight into the action with a wayward Simon and a worrisome Sydney desperately trying not to loose their biggest client in McDonald’s.

The Crazy Ones premier’s on Sunday October 20th on FOX8 via Foxtel.

BTW  – keep and eye out for singer Kelly Clarkson playing herself in this episode.  She’s piss funny and should be brought back for more!

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