"Call Me Kat"

This new sitcom on FOX started out so syrupy I almost didn't make it five minutes into the first episode.  And then Mayim Bialik breaks the fourth wall and turns to the camera.  It was great.  Three episodes in this comes off as a very G-rated version of "Fleabag".  Many of the themes are the same.  A not 20-something single woman tries to find love and meaning in life's work.  Both have strong supporting casts who provide a good amount of input and reflection and the occasional snarky aside.  "Call Me Kat" doesn't have the raunchy sexcapades of "Fleabag" but still provides a good number of smiles. 

Which leads me to some confusion.  Everyone loves "Fleabag".  Loves, loves, loves it.  Critics however, have piled onto this show (which is an American spin on a UK show "Miranda").  They think the direct-to-camera action is too much, the whole thing ungrounded.  While there is some basis for the latter the former seems ... hypocritical.  Mayam Bialik went so far as to address the feedback on a YouTube video.  The ratings are actually pretty good so what is the issue?  Well, first of all, it is hugely saccharin but frankly I really need an escape right now and this fits the bill.  Second, there are things that can be cleaned up.  Some potty humor could be eliminated (thank you, FOX) and Swoosie Kurtz, who I love, needs to go.  She looks like some emaciated advertisement for bad plastic surgery and nothing in her flat line readings feels real.  In the most recent episode they had her spreading biased stereotypes about Puerto Rico, which is, frankly, unacceptable in this environment.  Third, and perhaps most importantly, Ms. Bialik can be a devisive figure.  She has spoken out about Israeli rights over the Palestinians and she advocates, voraciously, for attachment parenting.  Finally she inferred that she isn't subject to Hollywood sexual harrassment because she dresses conservatively.  In the end I can't help but think that the criticism of the show is a critique on her.  

I don't necessarily like what she says but I also don't believe that actors should be muzzled.  Like any human being they have opinions and should be free to share them.  The show is enjoyable and I choose to watch it because, quite frankly, I'm looking for smiles anywhere I can get them these days.