A schticky, mostly unfunny new NBC sitcom scripted by three people with limited comedy-writing experience -- actor Josh Gad (“21,” “Back To You”), director Jason Winer (last year’s Russell Brand “Arthur” remake) and former White House speechwriter Jon Lovett -- “1600 Penn” follows an incumbent U.S. president, his kids and his new trophy wife.
It stars Bill Pullman (who played the president in “Independence Day” as well), Jenna Elfman (“Damages”) as the high-strung first lady, Martha MacIsaac (“Greek”) as the pregnant teen first daughter, and Gad as the underachieving twentysomething first son.
NBC may have greenlit it to series to make “Up All Night,” which resembles “1600” a bit in tone, seem funnier.
NBC’s “The West Wing,” back when it was winning the best drama Emmy four years in a row, was a much, much funnier show about the White House. “Veep” is a lot funnier too.
NBC offers a preview tonight, but it takes over the “Parks and Recreation” slot on Thursdays beginning next month.
... the three episodes I've seen rely a little too much on familiar sitcom tropes while hoping the setting will make them seem fresh. …
... the big idea is to stock the White House with characters familiar from a thousand years of situation comedy. …
The San Francisco Chronicle says:
... may not be as sophisticated as the hysterical HBO series "Veep," but it's still pretty funny when all the cylinders are firing. …
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says:
... whether you find idiot man-boy humor hilarious or dull will determine your first impression of the show. Personally, I’m not a fan. …
... Skip’s idiocy — he has spent seven years in college — appears to be the show’s big draw, which is more like a big gnaw. …
... practically screams for prime-time impeachment. …
... a sweet, silly comedy that represents NBC's attempt to shift toward sitcoms with broader popular appeal.…
... It would be easy to watch Gad for 30 minutes straight, but it’s a testament to what 1600 Penn could become that the cast rises up to the material that the writers mine for them, much like Modern Family did, as the episodes roll out. …
... doesn't generate nearly enough highlights to merit a filibuster-proof yea vote, much less a ticker-tape parade. …
9:30 p.m. Monday. NBC.
