There's no way to genuinely dislike a detective show. Because of the dialogue and style of film noirs, perfected in the 1940s, we associate detective stories with fast-talking guys in sharp suits getting disappointed when they realize that Mary Astor set them up all along.
The series "Moonlighting" took that motif and transplanted it to the '80s, a time when we needed Bruce and Cybill talking fast, but dressing like Tubbs and Crockett. Currently, "Veronica Mars" has the snappy rapport among the leads that we remember from Bogey and Bacall, and also transplants the darkness of the gumshoe world to the white bread suburbs of California. NBC's new comedy, "Andy Barker, P.I." gives us what we need from detective television while still satirizing the genre. It is also hysterically funny.
Andy Barker is a mild-mannered accountant opening up his own practice. Unfortunately, his new office was formerly owned by a private detective, several of whose clients demand that Andy solve their mysteries for them. It's just the sort of high concept comedy designed to fail, which is why we are fortunate that the elements making up this show are engaging and amusing.
Andy Barker is, like the protagonist of the short-lived "Andy Richter Controls the Universe," awkward and whiny. He may certainly appeal to a wide audience, but this reporter is not a part of that audience. It is very lucky, then, that the writing is delightfully absurd and the supporting cast is hilarious.
This show marks Tony Hale's welcome return to television, and he is proving that he can (despite what "Stranger Than Fiction" (2006) would have you believe) play a role other than Buster Bluth. As the owner of the video rental place below Andy's office, Hale is terrific. His film knowledge, of course, comes in handy in crime-solving, something that is masquerading as a plot point but really feels like a Horatio Alger story.
Any member of the audience who has seen "The Maltese Falcon" (1941) multiple times and now thinks they're well-suited to don a trench coat and open up business will empathize with Hale.
It's worth noting at this point that this show will certainly be cancelled before it has run a full season. While NBC's airing of the program online before it comes out on TV might seem like a good idea at first, ultimately if the Web site has a low number of views, the show will be short-lived.
This is a real shame. Richter and Hale are no strangers to early cancellation, and they share something in common - their shows did not feature established stars, but had casts made up of some of television's most talented comedic performers.
"Andy Barker" is a show like this. The cast's chemistry is fun, and the show is genuinely silly and enjoyable. It's a comedy, and that's all. It doesn't possess the sophistication of "The Office," nor does it aim to have plots that are universally recognizable, like Brad Garrett's latest piece of trash.
If NBC was interested in actually making money, of course, it would put shows like this on every night - shows that get funnier and funnier, and are worth buying on DVD. Instead, NBC prefers to keep its head in the sand, constantly trying to make another "Friends." It's not a new story; NBC will continue doing this for decades, and so will all the stations. Watch "Andy Barker, P.I." while you still can.
