TV REVIEW: ‘Andy Parker P.I.’ may end up a victim of its own perfect time slot
The trouble with being a TV critic is that when you hit this time of year new shows premiering are few and far between. But, while we were all enjoying our spring breaks a few shows did make their debuts. One of those shows was “Andy Barker P.I.” on NBC.
“Andy Barker P.I.” stars Andy Richter, who is best known as being Conan O’Brien’s sidekick in the early days of Conan O’Brien’s show “Late Night.” Conan and Andy were the ones who created “Andy Barker P.I.”
The show revolves around Andy Barker, an accountant who has just moved into his new office trying to start up his own CPA business.
Little does Andy know his new office was once home to a private eye. It doesn’t take long before a person enters Andy’s office thinking he’s the private eye and asks him for help. Before long, Andy is knee deep in a kidnapping case involving the Russian mob.
I really like Andy Richter as an actor. In 2002 he had a show called “Andy Richter Controls the Universe,” which last six hilarious episodes before it was cancelled.
“Andy Barker P.I.” is a funny show. The supporting cast is great. Tony Hale (“Arrested Development”) plays Andy’s friend, Simon, from the video rental store right below Andy’s office. Harve Presnell (“Flags of Our Fathers”) plays Lew Staziak, the old private eye that used to occupy Andy’s office.
“Andy Barker P.I.” is a light comedy that has been put into a great timeslot. NBC has put it on after “Scrubs” on Thursday nights hoping to add it into the new “Must See” lineup, which includes “My Name Is Earl” and “The Office.”
The show has potential if it were to catch on. My feeling though is that it won’t. While it’s a pretty funny show, it’s not nearly as funny as “The Office,” “My Name Is Earl,” or “Scrubs,” which may end up driving viewers of those shows away.
The trouble with “Andy Barker P.I.” is that there really isn’t an overall theme that will keep people coming back for more and that will really hurt it in the long run.
“Andy Barker P.I.” airs Thursday nights on NBC at 8:30.
Aaron Peck is the man when it comes to all things on television, that’s why he’s The Statesman movie critic. You can send him comments at aaronpeck@cc.usu.edu.