The Middleman

Have you caught The Middleman on ABC Family? It is a superhero show, paying major homage to older comic books. And it does it with terrific quips and quirky style. It's like if the old-school Batman TV series met The Gilmore Girls, with maybe a dash of Buffy thrown in. It is a very, campy show, but it knows it is a very, very campy show and uses it to it's full advantage. The show's budget is about what'd you would expect for a show on ABC Family, but the low-budget special effects add to the overall lighthearted feel of the show, which can only be a plus. The characters are well fleshed out and have sufficient motivation and drive. The stories are well-thought out and executed beautifully.

In some respects, the show is almost a Chuck, having someone thrown into unfamiliar situations and having to deal with them, while balancing their top-secret life with their own personal life. (Chuck, of course, being the comedy variation on Alias, which had the same premise.) Here are a few lines which struck me funny during this week's episode. Out of context, and without the (surprisingly good) actors giving their terrific delivery, they lose something. But, I typed them up anyways:

- "I'm as serious as a Hefty bad full of rottweilers."
- "We need to consult someone." "Who?" "Our consultant, of course."
- "I thought you solved your female problems." "I don't think 'female problems' mean what you think."
- "Roxie, this is the middleman. I'm in the middle of a sticky-wicky, so I'll get to it."
- "Can't kill the dead, can I?" "No. But you're funny!"
- "So, what now?" "We have all the time in the world if you'd like to have some sort of emotional breakdown." "Kind of numb right now, but I appreciate the offer."