Ever wonder what happens to former sitcom stars when the sitcom lifeline has been cut? They end up in movies like “Crazy on the Outside,” the latest vehicle for Tim Allen. Judging from the trailer, this might have made a viable premise for a new sitcom for Allen – if sitcoms were still popular. From what I’ve read, “reality” shows are much more popular than sitcoms, and more lucrative, given their relatively low overhead, which pretty much dooms the sitcom to a the same graveyard now occupied by the prime time western and variety show genres (Jay Leno’s new slumberfest not withstanding).
Perhaps Allen might have considered making a reality show about making a sitcom, getting the best of both worlds. Instead, the concept (an ex-con tries to adapt to his wacky new straight life on the outside, now that he’s no longer a ward of the state) has been worked up for a feature length film, directed by Allen himself.
Sharing the screen with Allen is another former sitcom heavyweight, Kelsey Grammer, in a supporting role as a cuckhold. Go figure. Helping to fill out the ensemble cast are several other names who fit snugly in the “whatever-happened-to?” category: Jeanne Tripplehorn, Sigourney Weaver and Ray Liotta. Mind you, I’m a fan, but I keep waiting for Liotta to take where he left off in “GoodFellas,” instead of rounding out supporting casts in films that make a minor entrance, then go quietly into that good night.
J.K. Simmons is also on hand, but he belongs to different category altogether, the “haven’t-I-seen-him-in-something-before?” cohort, which, on the whole, is probably a better place to be, as it’s an indication that your career curve is sloping upwards rather than in the opposite direction.
