Conference ljsrv1::tv_chatter

333.0. "Platypus Man" by STRATA::RUDMAN (Always the Black Knight) Wed Jan 25 1995 09:45

Richard Jeni as the host of a N.Y. cooking show for people who aren't great 
chefs but would like to cook a nice meal to impress their date, etc. 

He's sort of modeled after Tim Taylor in that he brings up personal issues
on the show.   UPN's answer to Home Improvement, I guess.

I think Jeni's humor is hysterical, and, like Tim Allen (et. al.), the show
is a vehicle for that humor.  If it stays as funny as the opener, I'll
have to start taping in come football season.   Unless they re-schedule
it before then, in the Boston area it'll be on Monday at 9PM, TV38. 

Since its syndicated and may get a second airing this month, here's a few 
spoiler lines...




















He has back problems. He gets a professional massage.  She likes coffee 
and is new in town.  He shows her around the coffee spots, etc.  They
have a great time, and he falls for her and her almond-scented oil.  

His brother is a bartender who wastes his time dating sex-crazed models 
when he'd rather settle down with a wife & family.  At the bar Richard
notices that a friend of his (an Oscar Madison type) smells of almonds.  
You guessed it; the night before he and his hairy body got a massage.  
Problem is, an hour afterwards Richard is at the movies eating popcorn 
out of her hand.  

Then his brother develops an almond scent; he had a date with twins and
he strained something while they were trying to tie him to the bed with 
cinnamon-flavored dental floss.  Since Richard spoke so highly of her
skills...

Heading home, Richard has to go across the hallway to get his spare key 
from his neighbor (a "just one of the guys" woman who says she buys 
condoms every week so the guy at the drugstore thinks she has a life).
He finds her on the table getting a "There, that's the spot!" massage 
from the girlfriend.  An argument ensues...
   
If you like Jeni, and the show can maintain the Jeni humor, you'll like 
Platypus Man.

     							Don

    I do like Jeni's humor, but I don't think he's a very good actor (he
    was terrible in The Mask).  But then, neither is Seinfeld.  Just funny
    guys with thier own shows!
                                    
    MJ

I liked Jeni's show a lot.  He's light years ahead of Seinfeld in terms of
acting.  At least he can get mad without smirking.

I didn't care for the other new show, Pig Sty.  The humor was pretty lacking.

adam