The Future Forecast for 'Mr. Sunshine' on ABC: Cloudy with Rain & Threat of Cancellation

ABC, February 9, 2011, 10 PM (ET) '" The premiere of "Mr. Sunshine" does not shine brightly for the future of series star Matthew Perry ("Friends") and co-star Allison Janney. Perry has had some bad luck in comedic vehicles since the cancellation of the truly fine ensemble comedy/drama series "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip." [I've always wondered if the emergence of "30 Rock" at precisely the same moment in time caused confusion amongst viewers, but reports of the day said it was just too expensive to keep on the air,--- among other issues.]

"Mr. Sunshine" should get a good lead-in audience from "Modern Family," arguably the hottest and best-written comedy sit-com on TV today ("Office" and "Thirty Rock" fans: I hear you. No whining, please.).

Unfortunately, for me, the lead-in will not help after watching the first episode.

DISASTER STRIKES

Perry plays Ben Donovan in this series, the director (but not owner) of a second-rate arena in San Diego known as the Sunshine Center. The arena is actually owned by Allison Janney's character Crystal, who is a closet racist, a bigot, and denies she has a grown son even when he is seated in the room. Apparently, part of the humor is supposed to involve Donovan's trying to keep his boss from constantly inserting her bigoted foot in her always open mouth. There's also a bit about how she is afraid of clowns---not a particularly original premise after Stephen King got to it first in his writing.

Also present as head maintenance man is "Hurley" from "Lost" (Jorge Garcia) who is only to answer "yes" to any and all questions from boss Donovan, one of the few amusing bits. As the series opens, it is Ben's 40th birthday and he is re-examining his life as a completely self-centered single man, since his friends-with-benefits ostensible girlfriend, the head of marketing, is considering moving in with his best friend Alonzo (James Leisure), an ex NBA star with a perpetually cheerful attitude. Hence, the romantic triangle is set up for future episodes..if this series makes it very far into the future.

Here was the best line from the first episode, spoken to the unattractive and klutzy son of the boss lady (Allison Janney). [You be the judge]: "There's an elephant loose in the building, the ice won't melt, your borderline racist mother is making a speech in 20 minutes, and you are apparently just always around."

I feel for the cast of "Friends." Jennifer Aniston's next movie with Adam Sandler ("Just Go With It") looks like a horror in preliminary clips, David Schwimmer's fine movie "Trust" seems to have not been seen outside of the Chicago Film Festival (and the film was very good, with the 15-year-old star from Texas winning Best Actress honors in Chicago), the less said about Matt LeBlanc's career choices, the better, and now Matthew Perry---who really does have good comic timing, but has had some personal issues in the past that have clouded his career---appears in this stinker.

Sorry, Mr. Sunshine. I just can't want to watch this show any more.