The TV Chick

Up All Night premieres tonight on NBC and it centers around Reagan and Chris (played by Christina Applegate and Will Arnett) who have to figure out a way to balance their former (partying) lives with their work and their newborn baby. It co-stars Maya Rudolph as Ava, Reagan’s confidant, who is the host of a talk show that Reagan produces. Nick Cannon plays Calvin, Ava’s co-host. The pilot was significantly re-shot to change Reagan and Ava’s workplace, to add Calvin and increase Maya Rudolph’s presence. I adore Maya Rudolph and thought she was the best part of the original pilot and she’s still great as an Oprah-type character. However, they cut a few characters (Reagan’s assistant, for one) who I liked, so the reshoot was a mixed bag for me.

The concept is funny and original. The actors are fantastic. But it was missing something. Christina Applegate and Will Arnett are both hilarious in their own rights, I just wanted to see a little more chemistry. Both of them have babies in real life so the show definitely mirrors what they are going through at home. And I would love to see more of Applegate and Arnett’s true personality shine through. We saw a bit more of Arnett’s as he has a hilarious scene in a grocery store that one of my favorite parts of the pilot. Up All Night has a ton of potential. As I said, it has a phenomenal cast and I really think once the show finds its voice, it’s going to be great. Pilots generally don’t tend to be the best episode of a show, with a few exceptions, so I am hopeful that this one will capitalize on the talent that they have. The pilot made me laugh a few times and that’s more to be said for some other new comedies this season, so I am looking forward to seeing how it develops.

Up All Night premieres tonight at 10 PM on NBC.