OUT THERE

**1/2 (out of ****)

The last thing we need is another weirdo cartoon about little weirdos growing up to be bigger weirdos. And that’s exactly what Out There, which had a sneak preview last week, and premieres seems like on the surface. It’s about two social outcasts trying to get through the hell that is middle school, but one has a crazy werewolf head, and the other looks like a dog/turnip monster. The weirdest part about Out There, however, is that’s kind of where the weirdness ends. The rest of the show does nothing revolutionary, or particularly hilarious, but stays honest and real. Werewolf Head is a quiet kid who wants to fit in with the cool crowd, and get noticed by the girl he has a crush on. Turnip Dog is a loudmouthed asshole, the kind of nerd who gets laughs by popping off during assemblies, but that doesn’t translate to real life popularity. They’re pretty good foils for each other, as they would be either dead or bored without each other, but they also give two different takes on all of the same shit that we went through in seventh grade, albeit with more Werewolf Heads. Out There has its voice already locked down, which puts a step ahead of most new shows. Now it just needs a couple jokes.

SECOND GENERATION WAYANS – * 1/2 (out of ****)

REAL HUSBANDS OF HOLLYWOOD ** (out of ****)

BET jumps into the original comedy programming game…maybe for the first time? It’s hard to say. I honestly forgot it was a channel. Second Generation Wayans stars Craig Wayans and Damien Dante Wayans as themselves, in a scripted show about them trying to make it in show business. It’s a confusing premise, because they are trying to escape from their last name, and getting jobs solely based on it, but on the other hand, that’s the only thing they have going for them. Early in the episode, one Wayans or another, in an attempt to set-up the premise for the show, comments on how he can’t believe the phone stopped ringing after Dance Flick. This is not said as a joke. There is not a hint of irony. He thought Dance Flick was going to take him to the heights of his uncle Marlon, but instead, he is still broke. That’s the attitude on display for the entire episode; it has no idea where it should get its laughs from, or how awful it truly is.

Showing a little more promise is its lead-in, Real Husbands of Hollywood. Kevin Hart leads a no-star cast in a parody of the Real Life Housewife shows. The group of guys, which includes J.B. Smoove, someone who is legitimately funny, have pretty good chemistry, and Kevin Hart is game to come off like the schmuck. The drama of this episode revolves around Kevin Hart insulting a pie made by a fat eight year old, who proceeds to kick him in the nuts. It’s basically a skit show with a premise, that is really only handcuffed by its terrible, terrible jokes.

-Ryan Haley