I first became aware of the comedy stylings of Steve Byrne, nearly a decade ago, when he was the headlining comedian at Beacher’s Madhouse at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.  I saw his act a few times, and to this day chuckle when recollecting his hysterical "kung fu porno" impression of Bruce Lee making love to his wife, Linda (see clip, below).

So, when I heard, last Fall, that TBS had ordered a pilot of a sitcom starring Byrne, that was being executive-produced by Vince Vaughn (Swingers)  and producer-director Peter Billingsley (aka Ralphie, from A Christmas Story), I was hopeful.  When I heard that two-time Tony winning actress, Christine Ebersole (42nd Street – 2001 and Grey Gardens - 2006), was cast alongside her former “Weekend Update” co-anchor from Saturday Night Live, Brian Doyle-Murray, I was sold.

Ebersole (a living treasure) plays Carol – the resident barfly of Sullivan & Son (the blue-collar Pittsburgh bar from which the show derives its title that by the end of the pilot has just entered its third generation of Sullivans).  Doyle-Murphy’s Hank is another bar regular, played by the veteran actor as a cantankerous and politically incorrect cross between Archie Bunker from All in the Family and Cliff Clavin from Cheers.

Comedian and piano virtuoso, Owen Benjamin plays Carol’s dimwitted son (from one of her many anonymous one-night stands), and Steve’s lifelong bestie; and only bests the mother-and-child relationship between Steve and his mom, Ok Cha (played hysterically by Jodi Long) by being so utterly inappropriate that it could only have been thought-up in comedy heaven.  For instance, Carol and Owen frequently give each other pick-up tips, and perform together in a mother/son cabaret act (singing duets of such unsuitable songs as “Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gay, “Super Freak” by Rick James, and Bad Company’s “Feel Like Makin’ Love” as well as “Endless Love” à la Diana Ross and Lionel Richie).  On a show full of great relationships and easy to comprehend backstories, this is the one that most amuses me.

Vivian Bang is a riot as Steve’s younger sister, Susan; who’s in a completely one-sided bout of sibling rivalry with Steve (their mother’s favorite).  Dan Lauria, brimming with paternal warmth, is so genial in his role – that of the father who’s relinquished his ownership to his son and now acts as the wise bartender – it was momentarily difficult to reconcile with the father he played on The Wonder Years.  But he’s always fantastic in every role, so this is an easy hurdle to jump.

As much as I adore this show – and I really do – I would absolutely love to see the blooper reels.  Everyone’s eyes are always twinkling and the edges of their mouths are showing the faintest signs of crinkling up in a primal urge to smile.  These folks look like they’re having the times of their lives, doing what they love, with their friends; and that certainly contributes to making the resulting show a pleasure to watch.

Sullivan & Son on TBS
Thursdays at 10/9c
Click HERE for info

Get into it!