Reviewing the Pilot and First Episode of Fox's New Series The Wedding Bells

The concept behind Fox's newest comedy "Wedding Bells" seems ripe with possibilities. The show centers around a family owned wedding planning business - - The Wedding Palace - - inherited by three sisters. Their mission each episode is to make certain that their client's weddings come off without a hitch and hopefully live happily ever after or at least until the honeymoon is over. All the while, they must also manage their own complex lives.

The premier episode, which aired March 7^th, introduced the cast and set the stage for the show's overall premise. It received great reviews from the critics and opened to a really nice audience rating as well. I thought it was pretty good, but decided to hold my review of the series until the second episode aired (March 16^th).

I think this show may be a modest hit for Fox if they can keep the momentum going over a long stretch of time. I actually liked the second episode even better than the premier so I see that as a positive step in the right direction.

"The Wedding Bells" has a pretty good cast, consisting of:

Missi Pyle as Amanda Pontell,

Teri Polo as Jane Bell,

Michael Landes as David Conlon,

Sarah Jones as Sammy Bell,

Chris Williams as Ralph Snow,

Benjamin King as Russell Hawkins,

Kadee Strickland as Annie Bell,

Benjamin King as Russell Hawkins, and

Chris Williams as Ralph Snow.In the first episode, entitled For Whom the Bell Tolls, the sisters dealt with a real Bridezilla by the name of Amanda. The screaming, tyrannical bride-to-be seemed literally unhappy with everything that the Bell sisters had done, but her real anger had to do with the wedding singer and his band. She didn't like the way the band played her chosen wedding song and she belittled and berated them as nauseum. The wedding singer Ralph, played by Chris Williams, eventually lost his temper and returned some of the bride's harsh words, causing her to demand an immediate wedding cancellation and refund.

Of course, eventually everything was worked out and the wedding was planned. But on the wedding day, Amanda experienced cold feet and stated that she wasn't going through with the marriage because she didn't feel sexy enough for her "special day." The Palace's photographer David, played by Michael Landes, took things into his own hands and arranged a few private shots to get her into the appropriate sexy mood.

In a sub-plot dueling mothers, which included the mother of the groom Edith (played by Patrika Darbo) and the mother of the bride Sheila (played by Delta Burke) amped up the stress level for everyone. Since the groom was Jewish, the religious ceremony wasn't suppose to mention the name of Jesus, but the mother of the bride insisted that His name be worked into the ceremony at least three time, in honor of the bride's Christian heritage. The method by which the minister pulls off this feat is all part of the humor of the episode.

In the second episode, which aired March 16^th, the wedding in danger was one of a bubbly young woman to a man that everyone - - and I do mean everyone - - believes to be gay. At first the minister threatens not to marry them, saying he can't be part of a marriage sham. The father of the bride (played by Dan Lauria) threatens not to walk her down the aisle. Even the brides maids get in the ruckus; threatening an intervention. Of course, as I'm sure most episodes will, everything worked out in the end and the wedding went off without a hitch.

I really enjoyed the focus of the second episode, which clearly pointed out the general public's misconceptions of gay men as being flamboyant and effeminate. This episode managed, in a both a very funny and heartwarming way, to make it clear that such snap decisions are not only harmful, but can also clearly miss the mark.

Even though the central theme of each episode focuses, as it should, on the wedding du jour, it is the sub-plots galore swirling around the three sisters and their extended family that truly make the show a delight to watch. The first episode sets up one of the sister's (Jane) enchantment with the business's catering chef, Ernesto (played by Costas Mandylor).

Polo's Jane seems sweet, smart, and sophisticated, albeit a tad neurotic. It is clear she has some issues with her husband, Russell, which will likely play out over the course of the next few episodes. Polo is a highly talented actress who should be able to sell this character in her sleep. So far she is as impressive as one would expect, pealing away layer after layer of a complex character that I suspect has a tattered heart.

Another sister, Sammy, is established as having the habit of sleeping around. In the first episode, she has sex with one of the wedding's bridegrooms who, it turns out, is married. In the second she is caught shooting pellets at another wedding member's private parts.

I am unfamiliar with Jones and her work but her character seems to border the line between flirt and something a little less desirable; leaning heavily in the less desirable position. While I suspect there is a back story that will explain this character's rather questionable actions, the show needs to share it soon before the audience simply writes her off as a lost cause.

Annie, the sister who takes the lead role in the business, is established as being somewhat anal retentive. There is obviously a back story with this character that will be explored at some point. I suspect it somehow involves The Palace's photographer (David) because the nuanced verbal exchange that often takes place between these two characters.

Kadee Strickland reminds me a great deal of Courtney Cox and she appears to have the same kind of all American girl appeal. As a slightly more closed-off character than those of her sisters, it will take a while to determine the depth of Strickland's talent within this particular role. However, I have high hopes for her so far. She, like Polo, seems to have layers of complexity that should make her character interesting to watch.

Pyle's Amanda is annoying and not very likeable. They are going to have to do some real character change here to make her play to a large cross-section of their potential audience if she is going to be a reoccurring character. I almost tuned out because she was grating so heavily on my nerves. They started some reform in the second episode so I'm feeling a little better about where this role may be leading. However, I'm still not totally convinced that this is strong enough character to play next to Polo and Strickland. We'll have to wait and see.

Landes's David is a bit of a scoundrel. He opens the second episode in bed with someone who he clearly doesn't remember. Hopefully the writers will continue to temper his roguish ways with some heart as well. Landes is innately charming so hopefully the show will take advantage of that and play it up on screen. This is an immensely likeable actor that has a lot to offer. It's about time that some took advantage of his talent. David may well be the right character in the right place at exactly the right time.

Williams, much like his character Ralph, is utterly witty and charming. It also doesn't hurt that he can sing like a lark, bringing some much needed fun music to each show. I say give us more of Ralph. He's fun to watch.

King and his character Russell are a little less likeable at the moment, but I suspect the show specifically set him up that way. We'll have to wait and see where this role leads.

As a wedding plan helper named Debbie, Sherri Shepherd brings her unusual wonderful acidic wit to this show. She is a pure delight to watch on screen; wringing every ounce of humor out of a tiny amount of screen time. In the second episode, Debbie gets a little more play when her ex-boyfriend is hired to help sing at the wedding. We learn that the two broke up because she wanted to get married and he didn't (at least at the moment). Although they get off to a rock start, eventually, they iron things out paving the way for further interaction in upcoming episodes. All I have to say about Shepherd is give us more, more, MORE!

In just two episodes, the guest star power of this show has already been impressive. I mentioned Delta Burke's and Patrika Darbo's roles in episode one as mothers of the bride and groom. Sisters Heather and Nicolle Tom, playing twin brides-to-be with a few hilarious issues of their own joined them.

Episode two guest stars included Dan Lauria in the role of the bride's father. He was joined by Erin Grey (of Buck Roger's and Silver Spoon's fame) as the bride's mother. Clevant Derricks played the role of Debbie's ex-boyfriend.

I love David E. Kelley's work and his ability to call in favors from his talented friends, so I have high hopes for this show. If Kelly can keep up the pace, he may be able to string this show along for two or three years without breaking a sweat.

The Wedding Bells is produced by 20th Century FOX Television in association with David E. Kelley Productions and distributed by the FOX Television Network. The series has been given a 13 episode initial order.