The series is centered around a Brooklyn writer named "Jonathan Ames" (who also happens to be the real-life scribe behind the show) who becomes an amateur detective after placing an ad on Craigslist. It's a simple setup for some complicated story lines which often lead to hilarious shenanigans. My favorite episode was one in which Jonathan attempts to retrieve a married man's sex tape and enlists his friends for a long, loopy night of adventure in New Jersey. Ted Danson, playing a magazine editor who is a bit of a senior stoner, is fantastic as he yearns for adventure after tiring of his wealthy, A-list, Manhattanite existence. It seems that he, more than Jonathan, is the one who is bored to death.
Another charm of the series is its mixture of real-life and fiction, especially when it comes to the Ames character. Jonathan is very much a TV doppelganger for the author's publicly stated interests and obsessions, such as boxing, Brooklyn and beer (or wine or vodka). There is even an interesting collaboration with Zach's character, who is a graphic artist, which mirrors Ames' work with Dean Haspiel on their incredible graphic novel "The Alcoholic". The show's focus on Brooklyn is unique as well, with a number of famous (Brighton Beach) and not so famous (Prisoner's Monument) local spots showing up and looking gorgeous. The show is a true love letter to the BK and all it's quirky charms.
Season 2 just finished its first run on HBO recently. It almost makes me want to get cable so I can watch it on-demand. Almost. I am dying (ha) to see what happens to this happy gang in the next go-round.
