Wilfred

Stuffed with absurd situations and piles of bad taste, Wilfred is the strangest new show on TV. And the funniest.

It's up in the air as to how Wilfred will be perceived by viewers. The first three episodes are fantastic, but proudly off-color, like most of FX's comedy line-up.

The second season is to explore Ryan's character and the vulnerabilities that enable him to see Wilfred as a biped.

It's crude and hilarious and clearly aimed at a young male audience.

In the end, all of this may amount to little more than a one-trick dog and pony show. But Gann can be irresistibly gross at times while Wood is good at being hapless. Together they sometimes make quite a comedy team. Almost as good as Turner & Hooch.

On paper, it all appears to be functional. In reality, I find myself uninterested in Ryan's minuscule problems and Wilfred's repeated attempts to hector or nag Ryan into taking more chances with his narrow little life.

The show is The Odd Couple redefined by psychosis and whimsy. I'm not wagging my tail. [27 Jun 2011, p.46]

Faithful to his crude humor, gives through third and fourth seasons all the clues, some confusing, of who or what is actually Wilfred and what is his mission in Ray Wilson life, with a heart-aching finale. Not a classic but it's a good choice for a middle week evening.