I am - Hercules!!

An NYPD detective relocates to London. But is it more like “Lock Stock: The Series” than “McQ”? Here’s the Her Royalness:

“Keen Eddie” /FOX/Paramount/Littlefield Co.

Well, hello Eddie! What a pleasure! This new pilot for Fox is a blast of minty-fresh air. From Paramount and the Littlefield Company (Warren Littlefield: former President of NBC), written by J.H. (Joel) Wyman (the Mexican), and to be directed by Simon West, “Keen Eddie” is a funny, tightly paced and very clever script with the stylistic flavour of “Lock, Stock” and it’s brethren.

Because this project is one of a few director-driven pilots, I’ll save the longer review for after it’s been shot.

Eddie Arlette is straightforward, ball busting NYPD detective, about to score the biggest, most high-profile drug bust of his career. Or not. Oops. All because he trusted a broad. Not one to take this disgrace lying down, he follows the trail of the dame and the drugs to London, England. (no, not London, Ontario). There’s not much to keep Eddie in New York, really. His girlfriend is sleeping with someone else, his matchbook history of Manhattan went up in flames, and all he’s left with is his dog, Shitty Pete. Shitty Pete’s not just a dog; he’s also Eddie’s greatest nemesis.

The U.K’s six-month quarantine period for pets causes a very dry-eyed separation between the two, and it’s not another moment before Eddie is busy rubbing the local constabulary the wrong way. Eddie’s brashness is not welcome, as expected, but the London police are on board. Very quickly Eddie realizes that nothing in London is as it seems. The apartment Eddie’s supposed to be renting isn't vacant after all, but occupied with its surly owner, a young woman named Fiona. Fiona has a cat named Duchess, and a sex life named Nigel. Fiona’s supposed to be in University, but she obviously isn’t….a threat to call Mommy…. and presto, Eddie’s secured himself a crash pad. PIPPEN, the straight-laced chap assigned as Eddie’s partner turns out to be a bit of an odd egg. Before Eddie’s surprised eyes, drinks at a pub with Pippen and friends turns into a mutual grope fest, which segues into a heavy swinger party, which has Eddie wondering what the hell the Queen thinks of all this. But, swinging works well for Eddie, as it gives him the first hot clue to pursue his case in this (very) foreign land.

But one small piece of the puzzle is missing to really make Eddie’s life complete. Pippen is a bloody SPCA member, and he uses his pull to spring Shitty Pete from the old hoosegow. Oh goody, says Eddie. Oh goody, says Duchess the cat. Oh goody, says Shitty Pete, helping himself to a little interspecies lovin’….

Spoilers from here in…..

The plot is tight, it twists and turns, always going where you least expect it. Mr. Wyman is ever a step ahead, coaxing the reader’s expectations, and then screwing with them. Even the typical scene where the Bad Guy and his thugs work Eddie over turns into a wink, when the identity of the Bad Guy is revealed. It’s one of the great moments when Eddie walks in with Mr. Bad Guy only to be laughed out of the room when it turns out he’s arrested the British equivalent of the 7-up guy. Bad Guy’s an actor, hired by the drug lords, to play the part of a drug lord. (Curse that broad!)

Eddie is not amused. But he gets sort-of-even in the end, pulling together the biggest, most high-profile bust in his career. No sign of the broad, though, so that story is to be continued. He’s made everyone look good, himself and the London Police. A very ambitious man, the head of Scotland Yard offers Eddie a permanent post, knowing Eddie can probably help him make it to the top.

One element that won’t transfer to the screen is the carefree, eponymous way Eddie names the characters that move in and out of the story. We see them the way he sees them, by their distinguishing features: CHEAP TRICK (thug with said T-shirt), MISS MONEYPENNY (secretary), GIL HAIRDO (‘nuff said) and so on. If FOX can find the right guy to play “Eddie”, I’d put money on this getting to air. It takes the trusty Cop franchise, and spins it in a new direction with fresh style. There’s enough here to appeal to both men and women, so it could work post-Boston Public on Monday Night (though I’d love to see it paired with “24”). If all goes well, “Keen Eddie” will shoot on location in London. Troubles casting “Eddie” may mean this project is pushed back, at best, to midseason. If AICN readers have any ideas, share ‘em.

Princess X

SRC=images/herculesthestrong.jpg>

To order coffee mugs and boxer shorts adorned with
the image of a green, handicapable “Buffy” fanatic,
click here.