Junk Food For The Soul

I just watched The Class, a new show debuting September 18 on CBS, and was surprised how much I liked it. I’m not a big fan of network shows and CBS is probably my least favorite of the networks. But I really did like this show.

Kudos for CBS having the foresight to put it on TiVo before it premiered.

The pilot introduces the characters as Ethan - played by Jason Ritter, son of the late John Ritter - decides to throw a surprise party for his girlfriend. Since he met her in the third grade, he thought it would be a great gift for her if he gathered all of their third grade classmates.

Of course, nothing goes as planned. There isn’t much from the pilot to go into except that you learn a little more about the characters and their personalities. One still lives with his mother, another is engaged to a much older former football legend, and my favorite character so far: Kat, the deeply cynical one who didn’t want to come to the party but enjoys when it starts to break down. She is played by Lizzy Caplan, a former Smallville guest star (shape-shifter named Tina).

I thought the jokes were really funny and not too predictable, the characters are very likable, and it probably helped that they are about the same age as me. It was created by David Crane, who was the executive producer for FRIENDS. Not surprisingly, the show feels a little like FRIENDS. Very sarcastic and funny, but not quite what I would call biting or extremely edgy.

Overall, I really like this show so far and will definitely give it a shot. I give The Class an 8.

The Class, Mondays at 8 p.m. on CBS