Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Odd-couple comedy lacks chemistry, relies on stereotypes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
How to Be a Gentleman
What's the Story?
When his sister (Mary Lynn Rajskub) gets him a gift certificate for a personal training session at the local gym, tightly wound columnist Andrew Carlson (David Hornsby) comes face to face with the one person he never wanted to see again: Bert Lansing (Kevin Dillon), the guy who made his high school days a living hell. But the two soon form an unlikely friendship that teaches Andrew how to let go of his outdated notions of HOW TO BE A GENTLEMAN.
Is It Any Good?
When the Odd Couple formula works, it's classic comedy, whether it's the original small-screen team of Tony Randall and Jack Klugman or the cross-dressing Bosom Buddies. But when it doesn't, it just feels like a painful cliche. The two keys, of course, are character and casting.
Unfortunately, Gentleman falls short on both counts; neither main character is well-written or compelling, and together, Hornsby and Dillon have zero chemistry. And that's a real shame, too, considering that the supporting cast includes some consistently funny character actors (Rajskub and Nancy Lenehan) whose talents are largely wasted here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the Odd Couple formula and why it's become such a go-to cliche. Does the use of clear-cut stereotypes help or hinder the laugh factor? Can you imagine what these characters would be like if they were less predictable?
How does this sitcom relate to the source material that spawned it (John Bridges' nonfiction book How to Be a Gentleman)? How does it differ in tone and concept? Do the book and the TV show have anything in common besides the title? How do you think the book became a series?
What's your take on the gentleman vs. man debate? Is it really so bad to be a gentleman? What does "being a man" mean to you?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 29, 2011
- Cast : David Hornsby , Kevin Dillon , Mary Lynn Rajskub
- Network : CBS
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 4, 2022
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