TV Review - About a Boy

Some people might recall the British film of the same name starring Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult. It was the adaptation of the book by Nick Hornby. Jason Katims (Friday Night Lights and Parenthood) has decided that Hornby's book could also be the basis for this TV series. Hugh Grant is replaced with David Walton who is perhaps not as funny but Walton is extremely more sexy. Walton has been in several TV series that have been either short-lived or quickly cancelled, and in almost every series, he's proven that he would never have trouble landing ladies. His brief appearance in the film Burlesque (2010) proves that he wouldn't have trouble landing men either.

David Walton plays Will and basically his problem is that he's getting older. He's in his 30s, probably mid to upper 30s. His best friend Andy, played by Al Madrigal (The Daily Show), as well as his other friends are getting married and having children, so that means Andy is not as available to hang out and party all night long with Will. This angers and upsets Will.

Will can hang out and party all night long every night being that he doesn't have to worry about money. Will is taken care of due to his music royalties. He gets a new neighbor, Fiona, played by Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting), a single mom. Her son is Marcus, played by Benjamin Stockham. Marcus takes an interest in Will. Unlike Andy, Marcus is available to hang out with Will and he wants to hang out with Will.

The conflict comes up when it's made apparent that Will doesn't like children. In fact, it could be argued that Will actively hates children. When Will is forced to be with Marcus, it also could be argued that he's a bad influence or a corrupting presence. The best episode that deals with these conflicts is Episode 3, which determines if Will is going to be a godfather to Andy's kids. It was well-written, well-acted and ends on a great joke.

The other episodes seem rather boring. At times and most times, it feels forced in the ways that the writers concoct scenarios to have Will and Marcus together. Typically, it's Marcus imprinting and latching onto Will. Having Marcus be such a socially awkward kid and be so unaware like in Episode 4 doesn't seem to work as it does in a show like The Middle with the awkward Brick Heck.

Two Stars out of Five.
Rated TV-PG.
Running Time: 30 mins.
Tuesdays at 9PM on NBC.