Ranu's Reviews

Boss

Starz

10PM Fridays

Kelsey Grammer is back on television as the Mayor of Chicago, Tom Kane. If you are looking for Kelsey to revive the lovable Dr. Frasier Crane on this show—you better lay down on the couch—we have a lot to talk about.

The 411

Mayor Tom Kane (Kelsey Grammer) sits on the throne in Chi Town and he didn’t get there via Foursquare. Kane is a very powerful man, but is finding himself powerless against a recently diagnosed degenerative brain disorder that he is keeping from just about everyone, including his estranged wife and daughter. In order to stay in power, he must keep this a secret. The question is, “For how long?”

The Good

I should call this section “The Great,” because that’s exactly what Kelsey Grammer is on this show. Kelsey’s ability to display such a diverse range of emotions in a scene is truly a pleasure to watch. You have never seen this man in a role like this and based on his performance—it is no wonder Starz renewed Boss for a second season before the first episode even aired.

The writing on the show is excellent. I’m not a big fan of politics, but Boss takes you inside the inner sanctum of City and State government like no other show I’ve seen. I also like the way the show is shot and I definitely see the influence of the show’s creator Farhad Safinia (Apocalypto) in some of the racier scenes (thankfully involving Kathleen Robertson)—sounds odd, but you’ll see when you watch the show.

The Not-So-Good

I really don’t have anything truly negative to say about the content of the show itself, however, if I must bitch about something—I think the opening credits are pretty weak. Unless they somehow tie into the show later in the season—I think the sketch drawings make the show appear juvenile. However, this review is written by a 40-year old juvenile, so take it with a grain of salt.

The End Result

Starz reached for the stars when they lured Kelsey Grammer to their network of solid programming with relatively unknowns. Kelsey gives the network more credibility and it doesn’t hurt that Boss is one of the best new shows of 2011—so it is win-win for Starz.

Boss will take your emotions on a roller coaster ride from love to pity to revulsion with Kelsey Grammer as the conductor of this 60-minute ride that you’ll not want to ever end.

For more information on Boss, visit their web site: http://www.starz.com/originals/boss.