Movies : Pop News

Last Updated: Aug 21, 2008 - 3:13:23 PM

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The Middleman By Henry Chamberlain Jun 15, 2008 - 10:37:10 PM

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The Middleman
ABC Family
Writer - Javier Grillo-Marxuach
Director - Jeremiah Chechik
Natalie Morales as Wendy Watson
Matt Keeslar as The Middleman

The Middleman debuts June 16 on ABC Family and brings to the small screen the comic book by Javier Grillo-Marxuach, published by Viper Comics. Javier is the creator and writer for the show so it would seem to make for a smooth transition from print to tube. I haven't had a chance to read the comic but from what I can tell from the official website, fans should be pleased.

I was pleased with the first episode after viewing it on iTunes. It's pretty much what you could hope for in such a tongue-in-cheek show. You have fast-talking characters constantly exchanging cultural references between smirks and looking fabulous while they do it. Nothing new there. But you have an appealing star to the show, Natalie Morales. Her character is Wendy Watson, a young temp worker unwittingly hired by The Middleman, who works for a secret inter-gallactic crime fighting syndicate.

Who knows what the future might hold for Natalie but she's in a very good place on this show. She's someone that everyone can find entertaining and likable much like Anne Hathaway. And speaking of Anne, The Middleman is very much in the same mold as Get Smart. The jokes are kid-friendly with a little bite which is pretty much what you'd expect from ABC Family.

Talking gorillas, alien blobs, really big guns, it's all here and mixed into a fun show. With Natalie Morales leading the way as an X-box playing whip-smart babe, you could say this show is like NBC's edgy Bionic Woman with a decidedly deadpan wit. But let's not forget Matt Keeslar as The Middleman who adds much to the chemistry. He's the perfect dapper retro leading man in charge of such drippy lines like, "Let's kick the tires and light the fires." It's his role that breathes life into this show's kitsch factor.

You have to love a show that keeps asking, "Ever read comics?" Make sure to watch it and look for the collected The Middleman book in July.


 

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