Roush Review: ‘Downward Dog’ Is a Howl
Review
We’re nowhere near the dog days of summer, which is when you might rightly expect to see a network try to sneak on something as ridiculous sounding as a sitcom about a talking dog.
But hush my puppies if Downward Dog isn’t one of the most pleasant and unexpectedly endearing surprises of this late spring season. Unlike ABC’s last “what were they thinking” high-concept sitcom, the appalling Imaginary Mary with its shrill mutant Mary badgering poor Jenna Elfman, some actual thinking went into Dog’s gimmicky premise, enhancing the show’s realism and adding an extra layer of empathy to its warm depiction of a relatable everywoman.
And yet there’s no question this will be a hard sell. Not since Buffy the Vampire Slayer has there been a show whose title and premise have forced me to insist repeatedly, and strenuously, “Yes, really, it’s good.”
Allison Tolman equals her star-making performance from the first season of Fargo as hard-working, long-suffering Nan, whose messy life is seen through the baleful eyes of her loyal mutt, Martin (played by Ned and voiced in a drolly funny deadpan by series cocreator Samm Hodges). Nan can’t hear Martin’s deep thoughts—“Sleep is the foundation of a productive day”’—but thankfully we can, and while we sometimes see his lips move, Mister Canine Ed this isn’t.
Martin’s narration is primarily voice-over, wryly commenting on his very narrow universe, of which Nan is unquestionably the center and where a taunting neighborhood cat (voiced by comedian Maria Bamford) is feared as an “emotional terrorist.” Neurotic and melancholic, borderline depressive in his forlorn but ultimately loving outlook, Martin is like a Woody Allen you wouldn’t mind petting. When he sees a fly in his water bowl as “legitimate cause for concern” that he’s being neglected, Martin laments, “I just don’t feel very respected, like as a being.”
Try telling that to Nan, who’s drifting through a quasi-relationship with her slacker ex (Raising Hope’s Lucas Neff, nearly unrecognizable under a forest of facial hair) and demeaned at work by a boorish boss (Barry Rothbart). Martin is her solace, and when these two lonely souls bond, putting their grievances and insecurities aside, you might want to join them in what Martin calls their “cry in the wine” time.
As Downward Dog cleverly expands its boundaries, Martin’s anxieties eclipse Nan’s, obsessing over a newly installed doggie door (“I think I just opened a portal with my … my mind!”) or festering in jealousy when she takes him to her office and he encounters her new “playmates.” He’s most hilarious when he preens over his mental superiority (“It’s not a sin to be smart”) then collapses in self-doubt when shown up by a trained pooch: “I’ve been so committed to the life of the mind that I feel like I’ve kind of missed out on the potential of my body.”
Not until the third episode does Martin finally admit, “I’m only human.” Those who take this dog, and his owner, to their heart will have realized that almost immediately.
Downward Dog, Series Preview, Wednesday, May 17, 9:30/8:30c, ABC; Moves to Tuesdays, 8/7c starting May 23
Conversation16 Comments
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R
If Nana and Jason were rabbits living in a hutch, the hutch would be overrun by their progeny - baby bunnies. This could be a cute family show with Martin giving his opinion on things and feelings of angst, but the bedroom antics have to go. There is enough of this stuff already on the tube and we do not need more.
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O
"Not since Buffy the Vampire Slayer"......LMAO
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G
I'll give it a shot. I love dogs! Designated Survivor season finale tonight!!
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C
I'll watch it if you do, but you have to watch it first.
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G
Ok, Lol. ABC is usually on point with comedies. Even The Muppets last season was funny at times. Imaginary Mary was the rare misstep.
Crazy how Last Man Standing's Tim Allen and fans are going bonkers over the cancelation. They are insinuating that it was politically motivated?
It lasted six solid years, most of those years on low expectation Friday. The fact is like Channing Dungey said, she needed to find slots for Once Upon a Time and INHUMANS/Agents of SHIELD. (now on Friday) there was no room for Last Man Standing or Dr.Ken. I believe her. I will miss those Friday comedies, but I'm happier that my favorite sci-fi/fantasy shows are renewed. So we will have another season of The Exorcist and Timeless. Unexpected but very pleased. -
C
Since you're more of a comedy fan than I am, I'll let you be the first judge. If you don't like it, nobody will...probably.
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G
I actually watched the entire ABC Wednesday night lineup live. Downward Dog wasn't hilarious , but was a clever observational comedy . Very few characters and the dog was by far the best one! Worth checking out if you have a dog or like dogs. Its basically shows you what it feels like to be a pet dog. Glad that Agent Hannah Wells was back in full action so quickly! Hope the new showrunners don't ruin Designated Survivor next season. Despite some inconsistencies and continuity issues the show kept my attention all season long (despite the multiple showrunner changes).
Very excited that FOX renewed Exorcist and NBC renewed Timeless!
And of course ABC's Once Upon a Time and Marvel Agents of SHIELD.
So I will be busy next season Hope I have time to watch the new Marvel shows airing on FOX (The Gift) and ABC (INHUMANS). -
C
Here's where we differ a lot when it comes to humor. I didn't think Downward Dog was the least bit funny. I didn't laugh, chuckle, or even smile during it. In fact, I found it very, very sad to the point that if I'd been in a depressed mood, I think I would have been crying during it. I don't even like that dog, but I felt so, so sorry for it. It reminded me too much of those late night commercials for abused, neglected, and abandoned animals.
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G
Now that you mention it, I did feel bad for the dog when he wasn't being walked and sent out in the fenced in yard (like prison) or when there was a fly in his water (that his owner neglected to rid of) or when the dog felt ignored when she had her boyfriend over. Thanks for enlightening me!
Poor dog.1
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C
In case you didn't hear: 21st Century Fox is shopping Last Man Standing around to other networks and thinks there's a good chance of one of them picking it up.
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G
Thank you for the info, now that's a solid comedy. I love the clever lines and political humor , Tim Allen , his family and co-workers are very well cast. CMT is already airing reruns and it seems to fit in well with their demo.
I read the syndication ratings and Last Man Standing is actually performing better than The Middle (another very funny sitcom). ABC claims they didn't have room for it because of the new fantasy/sci-fi Friday lineup (ONce Upon a Time and Marvel's INHUMANS/Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D). Ratings were quite strong for Friday, hope OUAT can achieve ratings like LMS has been scoring.
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P
It certainly seems to be worth a look. I think Matt has been overly harsh on 'Imaginary Mary'. It's done now, but the finale did have some touching moments. Further, it carried some decent themes. I don't think Adam Goldberg did all that bad with it.
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C
I have to agree with Matt on Mary. I could only stand about 10 minutes of it before I turned it off.
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G
Wow....I couldn't even watch the ads for it!
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C
Due to those ads, I don't think I purposely tuned in. It probably came on when I was too busy to change the channel. You wouldn't believe how many shows I've caught just little parts of because I was up to my elbows in dishwater or watching something on the stove.
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G
Bwahahaha! Good excuse!
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