Tell-Tale TV Series Premiere Panels: The Grinder

In addition to a lot of great new dramas that have already arrived on our television screens this season, we’ve got some fun comedies to be excited about too.

And really, how could we go wrong with Rob Lowe and Fred Savage?

The Grinder is a new comedy about two brothers: one a spotlight-grabbing actor who plays TV’s most popular lawyer and the other, a real-life, small-town attorney who has yet to find his spotlight.

Our panelists are:

• Lizzie: contributing writer for Tell-Tale TV
• Ashley Bissette Sumerel: editor in chief for Tell-Tale TV
• Sage Young from Head Over Feels
• Carissa Pavlica from TV Fanatic

Give it to me straight, did you like the premiere?

Sage: I did, and this is really the only fall comedy I’ve been looking forward to. I am a child of the ‘80s, how could I not be all about a Wonder Years/Brat Pack team-up?

Carissa: I enjoyed it, although not as much as Grandfathered. I watched them back to back and was more taken with the John Stamos comedy. I laughed generously at The Grinder pilot, however.

Lizzie: Very much so. I had high expectations, because I love Rob Lowe, but Fred Savage was really the best part of a very good pilot.

Ashley: Yes! I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect, because it seems like an odd concept for a show, but I had to watch for Rob Lowe. I have to say, I really enjoyed it and laughed out loud several times.

What’s the show’s biggest problem?

Sage: ‘Exasperated Guy’ is not a sustainable or a particularly likeable character. This is a pilot, and of course it’s necessary to establish the strained, or at least imbalanced relationship between the brothers. But The Grinder would do well not to get locked in an endless cycle of 1) Dean does something arrogant and rash; 2) Stewart gets annoyed and tries to fix it; 3) Dean’s plan works anyway; before 4) they reach an understanding without Stewart getting much credit or Dean gaining any self-awareness. I’m falling asleep just typing that. Get the brothers working together early on, and so much more story will open up.”

Carissa: I’m not sure there is a problem as of yet. I understand what Sage is saying, but I hope that what was being conveyed in the final scene was some sort of awakening between the characters. Dean’s weakness is that he buries his insecurities in a false sense of bravado, and Stewart’s weakness is that he allows Dean to take credit even when it’s not due. But that’s kind of why they love each other, because they know each others’ weaknesses.

Lizzie: One episode in it’s hard to tell, since they’re just establishing the dynamics, but what I do know is that what we saw in the pilot is not sustainable on the long run. The show can still be funny without Stewart rolling his eyes at everything his brother does. Also, I think the rest of the family needs to be much more involved. There’s great comedic potential in the two kid’s relationship with Dean, and can their father actually have an opinion on something?

Ashley: I think I agree with Sage on this one, though my hope is that we are going to see a lot of growth there.

What’s the show’s greatest strength?

Sage: First of all, this is the kind of role that Rob Lowe shines most in, since he’s essentially playing an amped-up version of himself. (Or at least playing with the public’s conception of him.) One of the most promising aspects of the pilot is the way that Dean, to borrow a Marshall Eriksen phrase, ‘boom-LAWYERS’ every jam he finds himself in. (“Albert Krantz is not a menace to society. He is a menace to intelligence, because the man’s an idiot.”) Lowe smoothly shifts from winking charm to self-righteous grandstanding when he does it, and Dean is a fun twist on the superstar-relates-to-real-life stock character.

And is it just me or did Lowe really lean into drawing out all four syllables of the word ‘literally’? Miss you always, Chris Traeger.

Carissa: The entire cast. Rob Lowe couldn’t pick a better time to jump into a 30-minute comedy than right after a successful string of DirecTV commercials that everybody yearned for when Hannah and her friggin’ horse were introduced. He’s a funny guy and knows how to make fun of himself, and that’s exactly what he’s doing in The Grinder. Thankfully, the rest of the cast is essentially jumping on board and joining him by allowing for their less-than-desirable traits to be exposed, as well. It works.

Lizzie: I think the dynamics between Fred Savage and Rob Lowe, in particular, work really well, and the rest of the cast seems ready to step in a shine, if given the opportunity.

Ashley: Robe Lowe, definitely. And no, Sage that wasn’t just you! I noticed it too and it was such a great moment. Honestly, this character reminds me a lot of Chris Traeger, which makes me very happy.

Who or what do you want to see more of?

Sage: I haven’t seen enough of Stewart and Debbie’s kids to make a judgement, but Ethan at least is promising. (“I’ve been really coming into my own lately, and I think he’s picking up on that.”) Child actors can be a huge asset to a comedy in areas other than cuteness — see Trophy Wife — if utilized correctly.

Also, can Kumail Nanjiani prosecute every single case, please?”

Carissa: Dean and Stewart growing together in their relationship. I’m a sucker for that crap.

Lizzie: I’m interested enough in the rest of the family, but I agree with Carissa, I’m a sucker for complicated and yet loving family relationships. Give me more Dean and Stewart slowly re-learning how to navigate their relationship as grown-ups working together, please.

Ashley: Agree on the family dynamics, particularly between the brothers. There’s just a lot of potential. I also agree with Sage on Kumail Nanjiani. (Pindar!)

Who or what needs to go away and never come back?

Sage: I’m giving this show one, maybe two more episode to give Stewart’s wife Debbie (the hilarious Mary Elizabeth Ellis) something else to talk about besides Stewart’s problems, then I’m out.

Carissa: I really wish I had these questions in advance so I could have better prepared for this one, because unless someone really sticks in my craw, it’s just too early for me to kick anyone off the island at this point.

Lizzie: Too early to tell. Stewart’s wife was a bit flat, and their father didn’t have one good line in the whole episode, but I can give them a couple more episodes.

Ashley: Can Stewart’s son just please never say “peace” again?

Favorite quote/moment from the premiere?

Sage: “Hashtag best friend. Hashtag teen life.”

Carissa: Watching Stewart attempt to try a case utilizing note cards. It was just so pathetic as to be hilarious.

Lizzie:

Dean: Let’s say you’re in a restaurant and Noah Wyle is two tables down. You go into cardiac arrest, you don’t think Noah Wyle could step in and help?
Stewart: Yes he could help, by calling a doctor, because he is an actor.

Ashley: Agree with Lizzie! Love that quote.

What did you think of the series premiere? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The Grinder airs Tuesdays at 8:30/7:30c on FOX.