Love Monkey is quirky new drama

January 25, 2006

Ed’s Tom Cavanagh is back. He traded in Stuckeyville and his small town, bowling-alley-lawyer gig to be a music talent scout in New York City.

New York City? Yep. And he’s got a whole new set of pals. His best friend’s name is Mike, just like it was on Ed. (How funny is that?) Jason Priestley, of Beverly Hills 90210, plays Mike, who happens to be married to Tom’s sister. His other best friend is female - and hot. She and Tom have a Joey/Dawson dynamic going, with the banter and soul-baring scenes. I’m certain she’s supposed to be his love monkey, at some point in the future.

The rest of Tom’s pals complement his personality well and offer plenty of humorous moments, such as this gem known as “Grant’s Law.” It means that men can never be satisfied. (It’s named for actor Hugh Grant, who was busted picking up a hooker, despite dating supermodel Elizabeth Hurley.)

Tom is Ed-like, in that he wants to do his own thing and do it his way. He’s also a bit of a music snob. He loves Bob Dylan, but dissed Air Supply and Jewel. (I forgive him anyway.)

The show also gets points for casting Ivana Milicevic. Felicity fans will recognize her as Sensa, the Russian mob chick. The TV geek in me couldn’t help but laugh that her first word to Tom was “Hey”, perhaps a clever homage to Felicity’s trademark phrase. (OK, so maybe the Felicity nod was only in my own twisted mind, but it made me laugh.)

Even if the show gets canned, young musician Teddy Geiger, one of Tom’s clients, is going to be a breakout star. That voice is amazing.

I liked Love Monkey. That’s a sure sign it’s doomed.

Catch Love Monkey Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on CBS.

Tube talk girl can be reached by e-mail at jennifer@tube-talk.com.

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