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Entry #7
The Secret Is Out With FX's New Hit
'Wilfred'
Posted August 22, 2011, 9:10pm by Chris
Fetterman
 “A
joke is a very serious thing.” – Winston Churchill
The surprising new FX hit "Wilfred" continues to put almost every
other comedy i have seen to shame. Week after week, episode after
episode, no matter what my mood, I am always left wanting more from
the funniest man-in-dog-costume character ever.
The show was brought over to America from Australia by its co-creators
Jason Gann (Wilfred) and David Zuckerman (of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,
Family Guy, King of the Hill, American Dad fame) and continues to be
the toast of the TV community. It’s not as big in the states as it
could be -- and I am guessing will eventually be-- but in my opinion
it is clearly the best show on TV.
Ryan, played by Elijah Woods (Lord of the Rings) and his hot neighbors
(Fiona Gubelman) dog Wilfred are brought together when Ryan has a
failed attempt at suicide. Wilfred is a normal dog to everyone else,
but Ryan sees Wilfred as a grown man in a dog costume. The original
series pitted Wilfred against his owner and her boyfriend, but the
American version follows Ryan and Wilfred around as Wilfred, “Bear”
and “Raffi the Giraffe,” try to get Ryan to open up and live life a
different, more aggressive and imposing way.
There are 4 other shows that I can honestly compare Wilfred to.
Seinfeld, for obvious reasons, Curb your enthusiasm (see Seinfeld) Its
Always sunny in Philadelphia and more recently the Comedy Central hit
Workaholics are all smart, funny, and brilliantly written and
produced, but Wilfred’s consistent brilliance puts it on a whole other
level. The show uses psychosis and delusion as a form of humor that
everyone can relate too. Wilfred’s attempt at opening Ryan’s mind puts
Ryan in terribly awkward, and hilarious situations, not like any we
have seen before (and that’s saying a lot – watch “Curb Your
Enthusiasm” for 10 minutes). Gann should, in my opinion, win an Emmy
for his portrayal of Wilfred, while Woods’ brilliance should also not
go unrecognized.
The final scene of nearly episode is not only a great closing case,
but happens to be some of the funniest parts of each show. Every week,
Ryan and Wilfred—and sometimes Bear—sit in Ryan’s basement, get high
and talk about what just happened during that episode, or just random
hilarious fart gags. When you hear the fantastic piano piece start
playing, you know that the episode is ending and you still find
yourself laughing hysterically. As soon as you stop laughing, you
start thinking about everything you just watched and realize we are
all a little crazy and could all use a Wilfred in our lives.
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