Sunday’s episode of “The Cleveland Show†was not only a markedly better episode than the lackluster pilot that aired a week before, but it also proved that Cleveland Brown can be funny without his friends from Rhode Island.
Getting himself in his own shenanigans for essentially the first time in his television career, Brown doesn’t disappoint. Seeing him try to cover up killing the family dog and later explain it in brutally honest fashion are easily the funniest moments of the series thus far.
If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, then perhaps seeing Brown star in his own Men’s Warehouse commercial or sing Lionel Richie songs, will.
Again, it’s not quite laugh out loud funny, but like the first few seasons of “Family Guy,†the show has a comfortable and fun-loving feel to it.
That’s because for a few minutes here and there, you almost forget about its ties to “Family Guy.”
Billed as “Family Guy with an Afro,†the people behind this show are doing it a grave disservice. While the majority of the cast still needs some spunk before the show can be a true success, there is chemistry developing between the Brown men and their new family. Seeing Cleveland Jr. get in his own shenanigans was fun as well, even though it’s still going to take a long time to get used to the weight he’s put on since season one of “Family Guy.†Just as eccentric as his father, Cleveland Jr. has the ability to be just as good a supporting character as Chris Griffin if written correctly.
The same can’t be said for the rest of the cast however, which just doesn’t cut the comedic mustard. The jury remains if they ever will.
Nevertheless, the second episode of the series was undoubtedly a step in the right direction, giving fans of “Family Guy†some hope that it can eventually develop into something more than just a spin off.
Remember, “Family Guy†wasn’t exactly appreciated during its first television run either and it wasn’t until it hit DVD that it became a cult-favorite. Will the same thing happen to “The Cleveland Show?†With a huge fan base behind it, chances are small that it will achieve sleeper status. Instead, it’s either sink or swim for this show. As of right now, it’s treading water.
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