One Mississippi

Fans of the downbeat but effortlessly funny Notaro know what they're in for: smart, intermittently hilarious and well-written comedy that's occasionally a downer. That's what you get on One Mississippi, all right. The laughs are smart and frequent, but the show delves rather daringly into high-stakes drama right away: The first episode opens with Tig's mother's death and closes on her funeral. Sensitive viewers will be in floods of tears. The show is lightened at intervals with great deadpan jokes, often delivered at the expense of Tig's taciturn stepdad.

"How's Mom?" asks Tig, newly arrived at her hometown to see her dying mother. "She's on life support. And we're going to take her off life support," says Bill from the back seat. "Thanks, Bill," Tig deadpans. "And hello." A few minutes later, after Tig's mother has been disconnected from her respirator (mercifully, behind a curtain, though we're treated to the sight of the whole family sitting around staring at her as she slowly dies), Tig has an absurd vision. She's wheeling her mother out of the hospital, dead, on a gurney, as the hospital's staff gather around to wave her on to what's next: "Good-bye!" "Good luck!" That's some pretty strange territory for a show we hesitate to classify as a sitcom, but it's moving. This is good stuff, but it's not for everyone.