Again, we have this weird mix of terrific acting and a certain degree of painful truth about American business, and Porky's-level comedy about how sex is dirty and funny and gross.
The Best of Shows and the Worst of Shows
House of Lies is really two shows. There's the cynical behind-the-scenes look at capitalism in decline that hints at moral complexity and adult sophistication. Then there's the bawdy Showtime sex comedy that plays like it was written by overexcited twelve year-old boys. Maybe they should spin Doug (Josh Lawson) and Clyde (Ben Schwartz) into their own Entourage-style show where they compete at manipulating naïve women, while Marty (Don Cheadle) and Jeannie (Kristen Bell) star in a sharp dramedy about management consulting, and being a divorced parent.
Will You Respect Me in the Mormon?
Marty goes to Utah to try to sell the firm's services to a budget motel chain run by Mormons. When the CEO (Peter Mackenzie) turns out to be a racist, Marty puts Jeannie in charge. (Kind of a surprising choice, because I find that racism and sexism often go hand-in-hand.) The CFO (True Blood baddie Michael McMillian) turns out to be secretly Jewish. Monica (Dawn Olivieri) decides to take care of Roscoe (Donis Leonard, Jr.) while Marty's away, mainly using him as an accomplice when she burgles her lover's house. Doug and Clyde talk about anal sex. A lot.
Let's Not Talk About Sex
No, really. A lot. I'm fine with a joke or two about anal sex and corn. I mean, it's not like I'm a prude or something. But it seemed like half this episode was about anal sex and corn, and all played in such a smarmy, leering, adolescent way. This show can do better, can't it? Marty and Jeannie's relationship has some depth to it, and Marty's home life has been surprisingly compelling. I'm sure that at some point, they're going to add some layers to Clyde. I suspect that underneath that affability lies the heart of a sociopath.
In the meantime, why does Jeannie tolerate and even encourage Doug and Clyde's competitive womanizing? Tough as she appears to be, I'd understand if they gave some indication that she was uncomfortable with it, but didn't want to say anything. That doesn't seem to be the case.
Best Lines:
"Get out of here, fecal fingers."
--Marty is creeped out by Doug's failure to wash his hands after using the bathroom.
"'Cause you're toying with my son, you ignore yours, and you're the poster girl for narcissism."
--Jeremiah (Glynn Turman) tells Monica why he hates her.
"Receiving doesn't count, Doug."
--Jeannie challenges Doug's contention that he's had anal sex.
"You should maybe check those just to make sure that everything is kosher."
--Marty subtly threatens to expose the religious background of the CFO who challenges his numbers.
"Another thing: I might possibly be the last person on the planet who has known you for longer than five minutes and actually likes you, and all you do is s__t on me. So you know what? F__k you."
--Jeannie gets tired of Marty's unwarranted criticism.
Recommendations:
