Tom Maurstad

Mr. Baker has charisma to burn. The dialogue and storytelling in The Guardian are sharp without being overly slick. [25 Sept 2001, p.10C]

As the episodes have continued, something unexpected happens - the action begins to take a backseat to characters. It's not so much that you begin to care about this collection of cartoonish misfits, but the depth and breadth of their weirdness becomes the show's primary source of entertainment. Reno 911! ends up being more a surreal soap opera than a Cops parody. [25 Aug 2003]

If you're looking for signs of intelligent life in the new fall season, Freakylinks is one of a few blips of light in the darkness. [6 Oct 2000, p.4C]

That's Life encapsulates what's most frustrating about network television: lots of obviously talented people working on a fundamentally weak and/or worn-out idea. The show and its cast struggle valiantly to have genuine moments shared by real people. [1 Oct 2000, p.7C]

The macho-vigilante ethos of the show quickly grows tiresome. But with scene after scene of the Chief's righteous indignation - uttering lines such as "I don't care how much it costs, people out there are dying" - The District can be silly fun. [7 Oct 2000, p.1C]

Madigan Men has a talented core of actors, and the topic of how men do (or don't) get along has plenty of storytelling potential. But in the premiere, the writing falls flat and, thanks to that laugh track, you can't help but notice how many of the "jokes" aren't funny. [6 Oct 2000, p.4C]

The Trouble With Normal is one of those television shows that makes it hard to believe that the networks ever turn down any idea. The premise of this new ABC sitcom is that people suffering from mental illness are funny...OK, that's stating it a little harshly, but only just a little. [6 Oct 2000, p.4C]

Judging by the pilot, it seems a safe bet that soon enough everyone will have slept with everyone else on the show. But unless the storytelling evens out, there won't be anyone watching.