TV review: ‘Mixology’

| Staff Writer


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpgBkkJoMqw
When: Wednesdays, 8:30 p.m.
Channel: ABC

Where is the line between spoof and the genuine exploration of a genre? “Mixology,” an upcoming ABC comedy, attempts to find out as it follows 11 singles as they attempt to make the most out of a typical night out at a trendy Manhattan bar. Each episode features a different pairing as it meets for the first time, and the storylines continue as side plots in ensuing episodes, leading up to the season finale, which reportedly will feature the end of the night.

The first episode, already available on ABC’s website, features a Ted Mosby-type protagonist, full of hope for love and dressed in professor-like corduroy. Recently dumped from a decade-long relationship, he is exuberant at the prospect of meeting someone else yet breaks down into tears at the mention of his ex-fiancee. Encouraged by his stereotypical bro-friends to approach a girl who is obviously out of his league, he welcomes the fact that she calls him a “little b—-” as constructive criticism and succeeds in inexplicably charming her enough to get her number. Meanwhile, a single mom has her purse puked in by a guy she met online, and a cocktail waitress “breaks up” with a bartender only for him to reveal that he never knew her name. The second episode follows the same format, now focusing on a girl having second thoughts about her engagement. Different characters become acquainted, but there are still references to what happened in the pilot, such as when the typical love-struck awkward guy sends a “funny drink” to the girl whose number he had gotten.

“Mixology” has a unique take on storytelling in which characterization arises almost as much from “telling” as “showing.” In each episode, the members of the titular pairing receive a full rewind: an omniscient narrator goes all the way back to their births and thoroughly details the issues in the characters’ pasts that have led them to being so romantically troubled. Although this method is entertaining, there is a strong possibility that it will soon become very repetitive as every character’s backstory (except one that took place in a car) has begun with a typical hospital delivery room scene. The dialogue, while humorous, also relies heavily on cliches and political incorrectness as the characters tell their still-grieving protagonist to “man up” and how, having recently gotten out a relationship, he should simply look for a drunk girl who would be willing to hook up with him. However, these jokes go so far that they appear to actually be poking fun at both the rom-com genre and the stupid conversations that people have in real-life bars.

Although “Mixology” definitely has its problem areas, at its heart it is a cute show that humorously makes fun of the perils of modern dating in a relatable way. Like similar shows that feature many independent stories, such as 2011’s “Love Bites,” “Mixology” is in danger of being too predictable, too repetitive and altogether not original enough to attract viewers week after week. My advice to the show’s writers: either throw in a huge plot twist or raise the stakes for some of the characters. Instead of having Jessica, the single mother, simply looking for love before she gets too old, make her try to find happiness because her life has some sort of expiration date. Have Kacey, the cocktail waitress, discover that she’s pregnant by Dominic, the bartender who previously snubbed her. Throw the characters into strange, uncomfortable situations and then figure out what happens next. By making these slight interruptions to the show’s monotony, “Mixology” could be more than a one-season flop and actually become a really promising show.

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