No 'Winner' Puns Needed: The Show Stinks

Mid-season TV isn't all that exciting, but "The Winner" looked interesting because it starred Rob Corddry, who was tremendously successful as one of the most out-there correspondents on the Daily Show. (To relive the memories, see his piece on Boston, featuring the line, "Did you know Boston has a merit badge in corruption? It's called the Big Dig!")

When he announced that he'd be leaving the Daily Show, it was natural to assume he could follow Steve Carrell's career path - Daily Show, successful sitcom, moneymaking movies. Obviously, this is a guy you want to root for.

Unfortunately for Corddry, "The Winner" isn't "The Office," not by a long shot. It doesn't even hold up to "Family Guy," and you'd think it might since it is produced by Seth MacFarlane of "Family Guy" and "American Dad" fame. MacFarlane's shows are funny in an inside-joke sort of way, but they work because they're animated. The medium is everything, and MacFarlane can get away with a lot more through animation.

The live-action "The Winner" is essentially a spoof of "The Wonder Years" and an excuse to wax nostalgic over the early '90s. Glen Abbott, who is now "the richest man in Buffalo," looks back on "the summer I turned 32 and became a man." Glen lives with his parents and has no job. But his old crush from his youth, now a hot divorcee, moves in next door. He awkwardly attempts to reconnect but winds up becoming best buddies with her preteen son. And that's where it gets a little weird.

Matthew Gilbert at the Globe wonders if it seems strange for a 32-year-old guy to be hanging out with a preteen and talking about sex with him. The MacFarlane brand of comedy is outrageous and envelope-pushing, but Bostonist wasn't able to suspend its disbelief that this buddy-buddy relationship would happen in real life without the cops or concerned teachers becoming involved.

We hate to say "The Winner" is a bust for Corddry. As a lovable loser, he's perfect, and he pretty much out-acts everyone on the set. But the script doesn't live up to his skill. At least he has parts in a few upcoming movies, so, if "The Winner" gets canceled, we'll see him again soon.

Also check out LAist's take on "The Winner" - they called the show "whiny, boring, and drippy." Agreed.