Dog Park Review: Can a Comedy Thrive with a Misanthropic Lead?
Creating a television comedy series centred around a people-hating curmudgeon is always a challenging endeavour. The show must convincingly portray why other characters would willingly spend time with such an unpleasant individual. If the on-screen personalities do not enjoy his company, what incentive does the viewer have to continue watching?
This is precisely the dilemma facing Roland, the lead character and perpetual grump in the new ABC series Dog Park. His wife, whose reasons for staying with him remain baffling, has departed overseas for work, leaving Roland solely responsible for the family dog. This new duty forces him to navigate the local dog park and interact with its assortment of owners. Despite his overt disdain, these fellow dog enthusiasts persistently attempt to forge a friendship with him.
The narrative premise clearly sets up Roland's eventual discovery of social bonds within this canine community. However, his character is so fundamentally disagreeable that it becomes difficult to comprehend why anyone would invest the effort to connect with him. The success of the series hinges on overcoming this significant character flaw.
Married At First Sight Returns with Familiar Drama
The ratings powerhouse Married At First Sight returns, effectively immune to criticism. Viewers of this show are well aware that the central premise of genuinely matching compatible couples is a fabrication. The true objective is to engineer conflict and tension between the newly paired spouses. If every couple achieved lasting happiness, the program would have concluded long ago.
Audiences tune in specifically for the drama, which the show delivers in abundance. Critiquing it for lacking authenticity is therefore redundant, as that manufactured friction is the core appeal. This season introduces another mature pairing, featuring 51-year-old Rebecca and 50-year-old Steve, whom promotional materials label a silver fox—a term now broadly applied to any older gentleman with grey hair.
Given the notable age gap with other contestants, it is unlikely either will engage in infidelity. Adding further intrigue this year is the inclusion of bisexual contestant Julia. Without access to previews, it remains unclear whether she will be paired with a man or a woman.
From Roger Moore With Love: A Superficial Tribute
From Roger Moore With Love is a documentary about the actor best known for portraying James Bond, but its shallow approach may test even his most devoted fans. Initially, it is disconcerting to hear what sounds like Roger Moore's voice narrating the 2024 film, considering his passing in 2017.
The documentary quickly clarifies that the narration is actually provided by actor and comedian Steve Coogan, impersonating Moore while reading excerpts from his books. This revelation makes the tone feel even more peculiar, introducing an element of parody to the production. Coogan's involvement may have been an attempt to inject energy into what is otherwise a rather flat and uninspiring documentary.
The central selling point is purported to be a collection of Moore's personal home movies. Unfortunately, these offer little substantive insight, primarily featuring his family and various celebrity acquaintances, painting him as something of a name-dropper. The only potentially compelling aspect is his tumultuous love life, which included a wife who refused him a divorce for nine years and another who made him sleep in a cupboard under the stairs.
Even these personal dramas are treated with a superficial, jovial tone, lacking any real depth or analysis. The most definitive conclusion one might draw from this documentary is that Roger Moore was indeed the most mundane actor to have portrayed the iconic spy, James Bond.
