From Gags to Riches

Since my blog is basically named in honor of Eddie Izzard, you'd better believe I was eager to check out the new TV series he's starring in with Minnie Driver, The Riches, which debuted last night on FX. I was encouraged by the first episode, yet also found it hard to judge, since it seemed to clearly not be representative of a typical episode of the series to come.

The Riches depicts a family of con artists who steal the identities of a family moving into a luxurious house. And this first episode chronicles how all this comes to pass. In superhero terms, as Shocho put it, this was essentially the "origin story." So you got a sense of who these people are and how they behave, but little sense of what's to come.

One mark against the show right out of the gate is what appears to be a very limited premise. How long can this family really keep up their charade? The same problem has dogged other shows, notably HBO's Big Love (which I sampled early on, but couldn't get hooked into). Will the characters ultimately prove interesting enough to compensate for the claustrophobic setting in which they've been placed?

Fortunately, it seems they might. Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver were both excellent in this first episode, and their three children also seemed to make a good first impression. Those expecting long runs of stand-up-like humor from Eddie will be disappointed, as this show is primarily a drama. Still, he does here and there toss off the very oddball one liner or turn of phrase that recalls his great concerts, Glorious and Dress to Kill. And fun though that is, seeing him display some true dramatic chops is even better. A scene in this first episode in which he interacts with the wounded victim of a serious car accident is one highlight among several great scenes.

In short, my early feelings are that the show is going to need to find its way from a writing standpoint before I can say "I like it" without reservation. But with strong characters and acting, I'll easily find the patience to wait and see if that happens.