The TV Set

Early in this satire of the television industry, heavily bearded writer Mike (Duchovny) advises an actor sporting similar Grizzly Adams–esque facial hair that he looks perfect for an audition. It’s meant to gently mock the writer’s self-absorption and obliviousness to his own ego. If only former television writer Kasdan could maintain that critical distance from his television-writer protagonist. Instead, Mike becomes the one sane voice in the crass, venal wilderness that is television production. This transparent bit of narcissism by Kasdan mars a generally amusing attack on a ripe target.

Mike has written a pilot for a series that sounds, frankly, like crap, but it’s heartfelt crap based on Mike’s experiences after his brother’s suicide. A network has greenlighted the pilot, but exec Lenny (Weaver) just has a few notes. Like, for instance, could we lose the suicide? It’s such a downer. Mike thinks he has an ally in Richard (Gruffudd), a new suit brought in from the BBC to give the network a little class, but Richard’s commitment to quality is quickly compromised. Meanwhile, Mike has to watch his dreams of a great drama face the cold hard winds of reality. The lead actor (Kranz) the network has forced on Mike turns out to have two basic emotional registers: flat and psychotic. The director seems more interested in dramatic shots than actually filming the actors. And so it goes. There’s plenty of funny stuff here, if you can get past Kasdan’s obvious blind spot. (Opens Fri; Click here for showtimes.)—Hank Sartin