So I wanted to wait until “Sherri” got its sea legs before I reviewed the eponymous Lifetime show from “The View” co-host. I watched last night’s episode and then went back and looked at the pilot again. The good news is that Shepherd can actually carry a show. She had good comic timing when she was a smart talking sidekick on both “Less Than Perfect” and “Suddenly Susan” but now she’s got a bit more grit than before (working with Lee Daniels will do that for a sister.) And it proves to me that this woman’s real talent is not sitting around talking current events.
Anyway, the premise for the show (woman starts over after her husband not only cheats but gets the other woman pregnant) is at least a place to start. Malcolm-Jamal Warner and James Avery as said husband and Shepherd’s opinionated father make the show more watchable. (Too bad they’re not in every episode). But Sherri spends a good deal of time in her office and that’s where the show loses steam. Her colleagues/friends are poorly drawn multi-culti versions of standard sitcom characters. Frankly, they bore me (cat lady included).
The pilot was better than last night’s episode “All In The Timing” mostly because the latter lacked Warner and Avery. (Plus you don’t see much of the kid either). But Michael Boatwright as the love interest is another good casting coup (what a change from “Spin City”.) Overall, the writing is no better (or worse) than your standard sitcom—think “Reba” or any other show developed around one woman that used to be on the CW. In other words it doesn’t have me rolling my eyes and begging for it to be over like say, “Meet the Browns”.
The key to whether the show lasts is actually its timeslot. It’s hard to remember that “Sherri” is on when there’s are three pretty compelling reason to stay tuned into CBS all night (”NCIS”, “NCIS LA” and “The Good Wife”). So that may impact the ratings. Look “Reba” lasted for six seasons mostly because people liked the country star maybe “Sherri” will catch on too.
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