The wretched ABC sitcom “Man Up!” premieres tonight (at 7:30 on Channel 7), following Tim Allen’s emasculated-men comedy “Last Man Standing” and hewing to the same pitiful manchild premise. Poor, poor men, forced to live in a world that doesn’t indulge their kidselves.
The show opens with a violent videogame sequence, watched by the guys in front of their respective consoles. As the 23 minutes progressed, I had the distinct thought that I’d rather be watching that videogame than this sitcom.
The three whiney guys, Will (Mather Zickel), Craig (Christopher Moynihan), and Kenny (Dan Fogler), fill the standard sitcom character types–one single, one married, one divorced from an over-bearing wife. Will is married to the understanding Theresa (Teri Polo); they have two kids. Kenny is divorced from the loud-mouthed Brenda (Amanda Detmer). Craig is in search of a mate.
Together, they represent the tragic state of modern manhood. “Your grandfather fought in World War II, your father fought in Vietnam,” Teresa tells Will. “You play video games and use pomegranate body wash.”
Send these guys to boot camp.
Overall a lame addition to a tired niche, that of the put-upon guy who fears for his inner caveman, “Man Up!” is just the latest fallout from the Judd Apatow school of boys behaving badly and the mommy-like women who ruin their fun.
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
