Charlie and I are getting back together. I had caught the debut episode of his new TV show, Anger Management, along with 5.74 million viewers (making it the most watched sitcom premiere in cable history), and I didn’t bite.
I caught the second season (by default), and I was hooked. Laughter is the name of the game he’s playing here. Who cares if Charlie is a toxic, vainglorious clown? It doesn’t mean he’s a bad person.
Anger Management has brought together some rich characters. The cast is peppered with familiar pros (Selma Blair, Shawnee Smith, Michael Boatman, Barry Corbin), and fresh faces (Noureen DeWulf, James Black, Derek Richardson, Michael Arden, Daniela Bobadilla). Charlie Sheen is the nucleus these highly charged electrons orbit, in a finely choreographed comical dance.
Charlie (Dr. Charles Goodson), plays an ex-minor league baseball player with issues. He decides to help himself and others by becoming an Anger Management therapist. Balancing an anger-based therapy group at home, as well as a group in prison, assures the action will never get ho-hum. The story line has plenty of flawed psyches and unique situations.
Selma Blair (Dr. Kate Wales), is Charlie’s friend with benefits. She has a hard exterior, but she’s not an empty shell.
James Black (Cleo/Derek) plays a gay prisoner who isn’t really gay. Noureen DeWulf (Lacey), plays a spoiled rich Indian girl with plenty of attitude. She’s been court-ordered into the group for shooting her cheating boyfriend in his genitals.
This week’s episode has Charlie sparring with his real-life, and TV-life Dad, Martin Sheen. When Charlie is asked to substitute coach his daughter’s school baseball team, he can’t resist getting back in the game – until his Dad insists on helping out, with funny but calamitous consequences.
Anger Management airs Thursday nights at 9:30 o n FX.
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