Cary and Irene (THE AWFUL TRUTH)

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

HOT IN CLEVELAND is one funny show!



I've been watching Hot In Cleveland ever since it's debut back in 2010 on TV Land network. The series wraps up it's third season tonight and has just been renewed for a 4th one. And I have to say it is one of my favorite shows. Nothing like seeing veteran sitcom stars like Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick and Betty White work their magic. I know some may write this off as a throw-away series, but I happen to find it very funny. The general plot started back in 2010 when three girlfriends from LA take a plane trip to Paris and wind up in Cleveland due to an emergency landing. Melanie, the writer (Bertinelli); soap diva Victoria Chase (Malick) and make-up artist Joy (Leeves) make a decision to abandon the fast paced life of California where they each have some issues to make a new start in Cleveland. They end up buying a home there, which comes with a caretaker named Elka (our girl Betty White). And it's hate at first sight as Elka wisecracks on the three women constantly, especially Joy. But over time the four women bond and became good friends.

Ever the star, Victoria Chase turns on the charm at a super-market...
 
The chemistry between the four women is terrific. I especially like Leeve's character of Joy, who British accent always get ridiculed but she really has the strongest back story of all the women. What with being left at the altar, giving up her long lost son, green card troubles, and so on. Malick's Victoria Chase is a hoot and a half. As the one time soap queen who finds trying to get steady work very difficult. And it's great when her much talked about nemesis Susan Lucci pops up from time to time to cause her trouble. Bertinelli as Melanie sometimes gets overshadowed by these two and by White but her presence is always comforting and she gets in some good zingers every now and then. Of course Betty White gets the majority of the funny one liners and at age 90, proves she still has it.


The girls just hanging out on their front porch...


If you have never seen Hot In Cleveland, check it out. I love it. And guest stars galore have paraded through on the series so far. Such as John Mahoney (Frasier), Rhea Perlman (Cheers), John Schneider (Dukes of Hazzard, Smallville), Wayne Knight (Seinfeld), Tim Conway (The Carol Burnett Show) and tons more.

Here's a little taste of some funny bits...