Parents' Guide to Rutherford Falls

The cast and creators lead audiences to expect wall-to-wall LOLs, but this cool, fresh sitcom takes its time ratcheting up the humor level in favor of character- and world-building. Rutherford Falls' approach is smart and sophisticated, but some audience members' patience will run out before the gags start really flowing, in much the same way that early viewers checked out of the fledgling Parks and Recreation and The Office, both of which had an awkward adolescence before blossoming into comedy gold. Rutherford Falls shows distinct signs of following the same pattern; it gets funnier as it goes along and viewers understand just who they're dealing with. After all, we've never seen characters like this before, particularly the electric Michael Greyeyes as calculating casino head Terry, and Jana Schmieding's Reagan Wells, who is alienated from her peers thanks to her fancy out-of-town college education and outlook but still hopes to worm her way into acceptance with the Minishonka Cultural Center she directs. And, in a nearly unprecedented move, despite her being a woman with a large body type, Rutherford Falls not only presents Reagan as smart, funny, and dignified, but also gives her a love interest, without a whiff of condescension or pity.

Helms' Nathan feels like a character we've seen before -- with his rich-kid obliviousness, he comes off as a riff on The Office's Andy -- but even he reveals more layers as time goes on, though it continues to be slightly mystifying what holds his friendship with Reagan together, since he consistently overrides her feelings and needs with his own ego-centrism throughout the first season. The heart of the show lies in complicated political and cultural politics, which could be a deadly dry focus for a sitcom, but Rutherford Falls' talented writing staff is up to the challenge. Jokes are both brilliant and unexpected, like when Terry interrupts Reagan in the midst of a long-winded plea for more cultural center funds to sum up her character: "You're smart. I'm guessing lots of college; not Ivy League, but so close it drives you crazy." "Northwestern," sighs Reagan in agreement. You'll want to spend time with these people, in this place; Rutherford Falls is a winner.