One of the reasons I didn't feel like reviewing the first episode was because it was too focused on settling the characters. That's not a bad thing to do for a pilot but it left little room for interpretation of what the show would be about. The teaser suggested it was about this rich kid trying to fit into public school, a premise that held up so well it brought me back for a second episode. Now that the show had time to try on some new stories I'm not sure if Allen Gregory is that kind of show I hoped it would be.
I anticipated a witty, wise-crackin' lead that would comment on everything viewers would regard as normal. Allen is like that, in a way, but he's much more active than that. He pursuits the acceptation of his peers in shameful and improbable fashion which is entertaining too, just not as "smart" as I thought it would be.
My biggest issue with the show is the storyline of Allen and his principal, Miss Gottlieb. Where the awkward, weird base of such relationship was borderline funny, the show pushed it too far. '1 Night In Gottlieb' sees our protagonist spreading a rumor that he and Gottlieb made a sextape. Partly to impress the school's cool guy but also to wreck Gottlieb's marriage to Allen's shrink. Because he is, in fact, serious about getting it on with Gottlieb. Say whut?
And while the majority of the episode tried to make that story happen, the show's only real voice of reason, Julie, had to prove to her eccentric dad that her friends exist. Now, as ridiculous as it may sound, is a much more accessible story. But even then the weird Jeremy and Patrick were too big of a characters to allow any of Julie's sharp wit to come through. Not to mention that of her friends.
Julie is a solid reason to check back in next week but I wonder if the creators recognize where the stronger humor can be found. If Allen Gregory continues to tackle unlikely stories I'm not sure if it's worth the ride.
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