The strange saga of ‘Breaking In’

| Movie/TV Editor
When
Tuesday, 8:30 p.m.
Channel
FOX

I had never heard of “Breaking In” until it got cancelled, back in May 2011. At first, I had a mini-heart attack. The thought of my beloved “Breaking Bad” getting cancelled was unbearable. But no, it was some Fox show starring Christian Slater. A quick search on Google revealed that it was a workplace comedy about a high-tech security firm. It’s also on Netflix. I have yet to check it out, as the guilt of never having seen “The Wire” prevents me from starting any show that has not been anointed the “Greatest Ever” by at least three of my friends. But I would never have to check it out. It got cancelled after one season.

And then in August it was announced that “Breaking In” was renewed for a second season. Or as I like to think of it, it was un-cancelled. Perhaps even resurrected. Fox, why would you un-cancel “Breaking In” but not “Arrested Development”? Is there a way to petition ABC to un-cancel “Pushing Daisies”? Fox, of all the Lazarus-like candidates in the television graveyard, you picked this? Then again, is anyone surprised? Television has never been about quality, and it seems only fitting that it “un-cancelled” a series that nobody cares about. It averaged 8.24 million viewers during its first season. That’s less than “Rules of Engagement,” some cancelled show called “The Defenders,” and an ABC show called “Secret Millionaire.” It doesn’t have awful numbers, but they certainly aren’t impressive by any means.

But “Breaking In” is back, with a bit of fresh blood, too. Megan Mullally (“Will and Grace”) stars as the new boss of the security firm, and any way to keep her on TV is fine by me. Her guest stints on “Parks and Recreation” and “30 Rock” were hilarious, and she’s a two-time Emmy winner. She belongs on TV. Do you think you could cast Kristen Bell, also, Fox? Erin Richards (“Being Human,” the British version) will play her assistant. Mullally and Richards join a cast that includes the aforementioned Christian Slater as former boss of the firm Oz, Bret Harrison (“Reaper”) as hacker Cameron, and Alphonso McCauley (“Love That Girl”) as the prank-loving gadget guy Calvin ‘Cash’ Sparks. Some of the first-season cast, including Odette Annable (“Cloverfield,” “House”) will return in their old roles. “Breaking In” will be part of a retooled Tuesday comedy block from Fox, necessitated by the “Glee” hiatus.

“Breaking In” premieres on Fox on Tuesday, March 6, at 8:30 p.m. CST.

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