Fox has a full episode preview of its new romantic comedy, The Mindy Project (you can watch it now on Hulu, and it premieres September 25 at 9:30PM). I don’t watch many medical shows, but if the pilot is any indication, this show is light on Mindy’s career as an OB/GYN, and heavy on her quest to find the perfect man of her chick-flick-loving dreams.
Fortunately for the show’s longevity, Mindy Lahiri (played by The Office’s Mindy Kaling) seems to be about as lucky in love as How I Met Your Mother’s Ted Mosby. After a drunken speech at her ex-boyfriend’s wedding, she’s arrested for disorderly conduct (which included riding her bike into a pool) and bailed out by her best friend. On blind date (with guest star Ed Helms), she’s charmingly awkward enough to get the guy’s interest, but messes things up with her reaction to being called in for a delivery.
Her own office offers up two possibilities to liven up her love life: a British hottie who’s available for no-strings hookups, and a rival doctor who gets on her nerves, offers unwanted advice, and mocks her favorite movies (hello, inevitable soul mate). Rounding out the supporting cast is Mindy’s best friend and her daughter, and what appears to be the office’s head doctor and receptionist.
The episode was pleasant and humorous, and with a lead-in like New Girl, should stick around long enough to find an audience. It’s too soon to tell if Mindy’s quirks and self-sabotage will be endearing or annoying, but the juxtaposition of idealized romanticism and realistic dating disasters should be a hit among female viewers.
I watched the pilot for The Mindy Project yesterday with one of my Dish co-workers and we both loved it. It has some room for improvement, but for a pilot, I thought it was great. Mindy Kaling is one of my comedy heroes and I’m willing to give anything she does a chance, so I’m really glad this didn’t disappoint me. Since I work late, I’ll be counting on my Hopper to record this show for me. The Prime Time Anytime feature makes it really easy for me, since it tapes everything during the prime time hours on all four major networks. I can’t wait to come home every night to a full DVR.