So maybe a show focusing on the foibles of a
once-married couple facing the challenges of life after divorce isn't the most
original concept ever to hit the small screen. But, given the fact that the
half-hour sitcom is a dying breed, the new CBS comedy "Gary ... moreUnmarried" is a
welcome addition to a fall lineup that's otherwise heavy on drama and
high-concept science fiction. Jay Mohr ("Jerry Maguire") stars as Gary Barnes, a recently single
painting contractor who's learning how to negotiate life after 15 years of
marriage. He's got a controlling ex-wife, Allison, played by Paula Marshall ("Nip/Tuck"); two oddball kids; and a new love interest in
single mother Vanessa (Jaime King) to deal with. And, as you might expect, he
makes his fair share of mistakes in trying to juggle it all. But things get
really complicated when Allison announces that she's engaged to the marriage
therapist they're both seeing. Sounds all a bit contrived, to be sure. But Mohr
seems well-suited to the role of leading man in a sitcom, and the show offers up
genuine laughs. Here's hoping this sitcom helps to revive a noticeably
underrepresented genre. (Premieres Sept. 24 at 8:30 p.m. on CBS) -
BF
