It seems that not too many people are watching ABC's Mr. Sunshine. I find that very disappointing, because it's a kooky, fun show that deserves a little love. It has a humor not unlike the too-soon canceled Better Off Ted, but with a central character who doesn't try so hard to please. In fact, when he can get away with it, he doesn't try at all. Plus, its supporting cast boasts huge talent. While the series is still searching for its footing, each episode has had me laughing, and it deserves more time to figure things out.
Last night, Ben (Matthew Perry) can't get the air conditioning fixed in the arena because the entire staff hates him. With good reason. He can't even remember any of their names! So Roman (Nate Torrence) makes Ben flashcards of everyone and suggests a clever trick to help with the memorization, a rare stroke of good sense from the demented boss's son. Ben takes Roman's idea and plays it a little too mean, writing insults on each card that he can use to remember their names. It works, and he is soon friends with everyone... until Roman accidentally scatters the cards all over the arena floor.
Is it realistic that Ben can get everyone to like him so quickly after being despised for so long? Of course not. And Roman dropping the cards in a public place is easy to see coming from a mile away. But Ben's delight in his delusion, and the realization that Roman is his only friend at work, are glimmers of something great brewing beneath the surface. I want to see more of Ben finding out things about himself, and genuinely trying to improve. I want to see more of Roman being useful and integral to the plot, rather than just a dumb stooge.
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