Paul Castagno

The show lacks nuance and character development. Rather than play Bill's loss of wife as an obstacle to overcome the writer's make the weaker choice and he comes off as a pathetic drunk and not that much fun to watch (in the Butley--Alan Bates--mode). At least Bates had some fire in the belly. Plus, where are Bill's student allies outside of the student who gives him a ride? The little girl grates from the start and her relationship with Bill is cloying and overdone. She's too mean to her mother and it gets shrill. So the balance is off. Same with the very multicultural student body--why would they be attracted to this uptight Mr. Chips kind of institution? Why not let David D. have a go, and let's see how he handles the feedback if his scholarship is dated? At least it would ramp up the entertainment level. The scene where he splits from Sandra to play his guitar just ends up flat. You can't blame him since her character's screed about contemporary scholarship is so overbearing. The old white guys as incontinent profs reeks of ageism and the university can eliminate programs and personnel that are no longer viable. As an academic and former chair this is not something admin would ask a chair to do. Their obstructionist ways toward Yaz are self-serving but in the end she's holding the cards with a big offer from Yale. As for nuance, through 5 episodes the writer's lack insight into the routines of chairing that could breed more interesting story lines, instead of Sandra driving around a lot, picking people up, and dropping in which is rare. Most often it's the unexpected that drops in your office and derails the day's plan, or maybe it's the unreliable assistant. The show's point of view is somewhat satiric but this note has to be stronger to work, it becomes more a mashup of styles that don't cohere.

A by the numbers romcom vanity picture that places producer/lead Lopez in the spotlight at every turn. Wilson reprises his befuddled character tropes that define his limited emotional range. The math fantasy of all in junior high students echoes School of Rock. Savvy screenwriters will note every plot point from the 17 minute marry me moment to Owens sad montage walk around where every billboard, cab header, and storefront has JLo’s pic!