Fox deserves credit for originality. After all, which other network would be brave enough to create a sitcom around trash-talking puppets⢠"Greg the Bunny" is not for the young.
The show is reminiscent of the feature film "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" But instead of animated characters being alive, puppets are the minority, living in a world of humans. The puppets come in all shapes and sizes, from cute little hand puppets to 6-foot-6-inch tall monsters.
The show's hero is Greg the Bunny, a cute little brown hand puppet who shares an apartment with a human. Greg's roommate, Jim (Seth Green), is a pool man. It may not sound like a great job, but at least he's working. Greg can't find a job anywhere. It's tough for puppets in the human world. Most of the humans are prejudiced — against puppets.
"I don't let it get me down," says Greg. "Some of my best friends are human."
Jim's father, Gil (Eugene Levy), produces a children's television show for a cable network. Greg begs Jim to get him a job at his father's company. Although Jim does not get along with his dad, Jim finally agrees to call him. Greg happily runs to the studio to interview for a position as an assistant. Instead he finds himself auditioning for a starring role on the show "Sweetknuckle Junction."
Gil has been under pressure from the new network executive, Alison (Sarah Silverman), to fire the show's star, Rochester. Rochester is a longhaired bunny that has seen better days. Not only is he looking a bit ratty, but also he can't remember his lines.
"We need to find the next Elmo if we are going to reach a younger audience," says Alison.
"A younger audience?" says Gil. "We already reach 4-year-olds. How young do you want to go⢠Fetal?"
Alison falls in love with the charming Greg and insists they hire him. She even compares his comic genius to Robin Williams. Gil readily agrees.
"You're one funny bunny," Gil tells Greg.
Greg quickly becomes initiated into the "Sweetknuckle Junction" family. There's Warren "Professor Ape" Demontague, a tough talking monkey who always wears a helmet. Count Blah looks like he escaped from a demented "Sesame Street." The human actors on the show are Junction Jack (Bob Gunton) and Dottie Sunshine (Dina Waters), who is extremely perky and naive.
"This place is filled with freaks," says Greg. "I'm gonna fit right in."
"Greg the Bunny" quickly loses its original concept and turns into a regular situation comedy. The show has a chance to be a witty commentary on life, exploring the dimensions of racism and friendship. Instead the show offers the bunny being chased by a dog.
"Greg the Bunny" airs at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Fox
