DVD Review: Fat Actress Season One (B-)

Fat Actress - Season One
Starring Kirstie Alley, Rachael Harris, Kid Rock, Bryan Callen, Kelly Preston, Jeff Zucker
MPAA: UR
Grade: B-

Review by Scott Standish

No where is the influence of the Larry David show on television comedy more apparent than on Kirstie Alley's Fat Actress. The show is basically Kirstie (as herself) dealing with everday issues, surrounded by a cookie cast of friends and assistants. If you have seen the Larry David show then you know that the format is loose, the jokes are often improvised and each episode has a documentary style. Both shows are also funny as hell.

On Fat Actress, Kirstie Alley copes with her weight problem. She is obsessed with it, and apparently, so is the media. She is on the front page of tabloids and can't seem to land a new acting gig. Instead of starting a sensible diet and sticking to it, she opts for crazy schemes and of course, they don't work. She is constantly pushing her assistants around and trying to manipulate her old network (NBC), usually by blackmail.

As a mindless diversion, Fat Actress is decent television. It's fast paced, there are some great running gags (her obsession with Kid Rock is hilarious) and co-stars Rachael Harres and Bryan Callen are tremendous. Definitely worth a rental.