What About Brian

The title, What About Brian, refers to the character played by the handsome and likable (but definitely not edgy) Barry Watson, a lone, single guy approaching his third decade with his clique of college friends, all of whom have hooked up or married.

I never watched thirtysomething and have yet to see Brothers and Sisters, but I have a strong feeling that What About Brian is something like those programs–soft-soap. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but the show is so wishy-washy that after a few episodes, I felt I had seen enough (so, apparently, did the viewing audience when the show was airing: it was canceled, after tossing out just 19 installments of the single-guy saga).

What About Brian is well-acted and showcases some good characters and interesting storylines, but the show still comes off limp and lackadaisical. Watson is well-cast as the good-looking “nice” guy who is pining after his best friend’s girlfriend (played by Matthew Davis and Sarah Lancaster, respectively) yet still managing to hook up left and right (in the second episodes, he sleeps with roommates one night after the other, both named Lisa).

On the other end of the singles spectrum is Brian’s sister (Rosanna Arquette), who is wed to a young man/model/actor and trying to have a baby; and then there’s Brian’s long-time married business partner, Dave (Rick Gomez), whose wife Deena (Amanda Detmer) has recently expressed her boredom and proposed an open marriage.

What About Brian is worth a look, especially if you like chick-flicks… but if you’re ambivalent, then you’d best stick with this season’s best TV as it airs (Heroes, Dexter, Chuck, and many other shows with one-name titles).

Presented on the 5 DVD set are all 25 aired episodes (apparently, two unaired episodes leftover from Season 1 are not included… what gives?) along with deleted scenes and some standard behind-the-scenes interviews.