THE PLOT THUS FAR
Happily Divorced centers around Los Angeles florist Fran (Drescher) as she deals with dating after finding out her realtor husband of 18 years (John Michael Higgins) is gay. Fran juggles her new relationships, while still living under the same roof with her ex-husband. The cast is rounded out by Fran’s best friend Judi (Tichina Arnold), her parents Dori and Glen (Rita Moreno and Robert Walden) and her flower delivery employee Cesar (Valente Rodriguez).
WHAT WE THOUGHT
Fran Drescher has just made a new sitcom based on her divorce from a gay man. What makes it worse is how she tries to play up the laughs, even though she was the one who outed him in real life. Peter Marc Jacobson has seemingly forgiven his ex-wife, as he now works on the series. But, what about the show? Does TV Land have another sitcom hit on their hands?
The problem with the sitcom is based on the fact that Drescher never progressed past that late 80s/early 90s sitcom mindset. She’s still trying to throw a little sass on top of the tired canned laughter sitcom format. Have we not seen a divorced couple forced together by forced out of their control before? Have we not gotten tired of Drescher’s whiny antics before? Does no one other than me remember “Beautician and the Beast”? Ugh, this show gave me a headache.
The DVD comes with interviews and a behind-the-scenes featurette. Plus, you get a message from Fran Drescher on the DVD menu. It’s not the packed experience that you expect from “Hot in Cleveland”, but it’s a solid introduction to a new show. “The Nanny” fans will be pleasantly surprised by the release, but I don’t see it winning over any new devotees. In the end, I’d only recommend a rental to the curious.
RELEASE DATE: 03/06/2012
