TV SERIES

MY NAME IS EARL
Producer: Jason Lee
Cast: Jason Lee, Ethan Suplee, Jamie Presley, Nadine Velasquez
Genre: Comedy TV Series

A small time crook, a ridiculous half star motel, rolling tumbleweeds and karma, these are the ingredients that catapulted the new comedy series, My name is Earl into a primetime hit.

Created and written by Greg Garcia (Yes Dear), My Name is Earl is about a pretty robber who won the lottery. Earl (Jason Lee, Almost Famous) decides to spend his winnings to correct all the wrong things in his life but misfortune gets him once more. While at the hospital, Earl discovers karma and sets out to undo all the bad things he has ever done.

Although the series centers mainly on Earl, it's definitely not a one man show. Earl brings a band of simpleminded but reliable friends to provide laughter and trouble along the way. There's Randy ( Ethan Suplee), Earl's gullible brother who lives in his sofa, Catalina (Nadine Velasquez), the nasal voiced cleaning lady who works for Earl, and Joy (Jamie Presley), Earl's charming ex-wife who tries to manipulate Earl into doing favors for her. The interaction among these plain but different characters provides help and complications as Earl tries to reach his goal.

The show has definitely gained much attention. Even though it is just on its first season, it has been able to garner awards and nominations from the Golden Globes to the SAG Awards. Most likely, the show's success can be attributed to the good comic timing of the actors, the simplicity of dialogue and the fact that anyone can easily relate to Earl's experiences. However, this doesn't make the series immune from being compared to Disney's 100 Good deeds for Eddie McDowd. Both shows have an uncanny resemblance when it comes to the plot that it's not farfetched to think that Earl could possibly be the bandana wearing mutt reincarnated after failing to finish his good deeds.

My Name is Earl is an entertaining show. In spite of its light situations and wholesome exploits, it offers a unique style all on its own. The plot's simplicity makes it effective, convincing and naturally funny. Although there could be concerns over the fact that Earl's list might soon run out, you can be sure that its creator Greg Garcia and producer/actor Jason Lee are looking for ways to lengthen Earl's stay in the limelight.