In My Write Mind

Give up?

You sure?

Well, if you think like me, usually you would get a confused look, and if it’s on television, an instant flip of the channel. But ummm … not this time. Nope.

This time, with that combination, you get something more. Much more. Introduced on a September Tuesday night on NBC, the combo is now one of my favorites, right alongside a #10 from McDonald’s, a General Tso’s platter from Hosho Yummi’s, and a well-proportioned woman.

Yes, my friends. The new fall season has brought a few surprises. The writing on many returning shows has been exceptional (The West Wing and LOST come to mind). And two new shows have caught my attention for its originality and writing.

First — I guess along with everyone else — is Everybody Hates Chris. The other show, the subject of this post, is on tonight at 9.

Which show, you ask? It’s My Name Is Earl. And as sure as my name is Will, I guarantee that you’ll find it amusing at least, hilarious at best.

Indeed, after just about a month’s worth of new material, I have to make an early admission: in my opinion, …Earl is the one new show that stands out — along with …Chris — due to its writing and plot.

It centers around a redneck named Earl, played by Jason Lee. After living a horrible life, which included robbing local marts and grocery stores and stealing cars from a one-legged woman (LOL), Earl finally has something good happen to him.

He wins $100,000 in a lotto scratch-off.

And as he begins to celebrate that fact, he promptly gets hit by a car. And winds up in the hospital. In traction.

As he’s recovering from the accident, he comes to a realization … while watching Carson Daly. A guest asked Daly about his accomplishments in life, and he answered that he believes in karma. Said he believes that what goes around comes back around, that if he does right by others, good things will come to him.

That’s all Earl needed to hear. He goes on to make a list of everyone he’s ever wronged through the years. The list swells to over 250. And each week, he randomly selects a person to visit and right that particular wrong.

That premise allows the writers to be more creative than in your everyday sitcom. Seriously, just imagine this career criminal having to go back to people he stole from, or who he terrorized years ago, and making amends so that he can live a peaceful life.

Think of the wide range of guest stars that could bolster an already solid ensemble cast, which includes an ex-wife intent on taking half his $100K, a dopey younger brother who means well, and a cleaning lady who just decided to tag along.

That right there has the potential to one day be classic TV.

In the pilot episode, we find out that the younger brother, Randy, has a favorite song. Turns out it’s “It Takes Two” by Rob Base. And while in a gay club with a person on Earl’s list, the song comes on … and Randy dances with the first available person. After reeling them in with a fake fishing pole. LOL In episode two, when Earl has to go make amends with Donny, a man that he allowed to go to jail in his place, he winds up deciding to help Donny’s mother stop smoking. Check out one of his voiceovers from the episode:

Quittin’ smokin’ is kinda like going to prison. If you can last three days, you’ll be fine. Me and Donny’s mom tried everything. We listened to the tapes, then we tried the patches, then we heard somewhere to try carrot sticks. We tried it, but we couldn’t get the damn things to light.

Different. Funny. And it seemingly gets better each week. I.love.this.show. True, creator Gregory Thomas Garcia may have been playing to the red states with this comedy. That’s the general perception. But I say, maybe not. Because when talking about righting wrongs, about do-overs, apologizing and finding peace … that’s universal, color blind.

And in this case — hilarious.

Please … do yourself a favor. Check this show out. Get in on the phenomenon. I’m sure, when you do, you’ll make the same “Earl-y” admission that I did, that the producers did when they came up with the show’s brilliant tagline:

Indeed it is.