Television Review: Wilfred

At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be much going on in Wilfred. A single-camera comedy with a very small cast- and for a show that says it takes place in L.A., it certainly doesn’t feel like it. To many, it appears to be another slightly offensive comedy with a typically-odd premise… plus it’s a remake of an Australian comedy. How many of those even make it over to the United States?

I won’t lie: Wilfred is a show about pot-smoking, fart jokes, and dogs humping teddy bears. But those looking for more in television shows won’t be disappointed; Wilfred is really the story of how a friendship can transform your life. When we meet our protagonist, Ryan, he’s in the middle of a suicide attempt (albeit a hilariously failed one). He’s a man who only knows what he doesn’t want or hasn’t got from life, which all changes the minute he starts talking to Wilfred, his new neighbor’s dog. Once he realizes he’s not hallucinating (and that nobody else sees a man in a dog suit but him, they just see a regular mutt), he realizes Wilfred might be right about his life (as Wilfred explains, “I can glean everything I need to know about someone from their ass”).

Ever awkward and resistant to change, Ryan is portrayed by Elijah Wood, who we all know from Lord of the Rings and the number of quirky character roles he’s played through the years. He may not be the strongest comedic actor we’ve seen on television, but the role of Ryan plays into his talents as an actor. He can be awkward without becoming annoying, and even when Ryan’s dialogue is written weakly (which it can be sometimes in important moments), Wood’s understated charisma keeps the show from becoming a sappy bore.

It also helps the show isn’t named after him, so the pressure of the show succeeding comes down on Wilfred himself. The pressure is doubled once you realize Jason Gann (the man in the Wilfred suit) is the co-creator and writer for both the Australian and American versions of the show, as well as playing Wilfred in both of them. This could lead to an egotistical mess of a project, but Gann instills the values and instincts of a dog into Wilfred so purely, it’s almost if he’s got the ear of the local mutts. Yes, good Christian families will complain that Wilfred is perverted, has bad habits, and is quite manipulative. But I’d argue that describes both humans and dogs, and at least dogs are loyal in ways humans aren’t. Gann has mastered the personality of Wilfred, and he steals every shot he’s in, captivating us with his unbridled optimism and sharp tongue.

Each episode opens with a famous quote obtaining to the theme of the episode (courage, acceptance, conscience, things of the sort). These values are always explored in simple, but philosophically deep conversations between Ryan (the creature of thought) and Wilfred (the creature of instinct). If anything, Wilfred will make people wish their dogs could talk, because while Wilfred look ridiculous smoking cigarettes in his floppy-eared suit, he’s usually got quite a good point to make. The personifications of these values create clean and focused plot arcs for each episode, although you may think its going off the deep end when it’s dealing with disturbed doggy day care owners.

These story lines are entertaining, but what makes Wilfred fun is its the story of a budding friendship between a man and a dog. It’s a living testament to the emotional attachments we have for our four-legged friends, no matter how many things they hump or weed plants they steal from your neighbor. You can complain about the secondary cast, and the sometimes noticeably one-noted characters, but the show certainly has its values. and a big heart underneath it all. In the world of crappy network comedies with the same dumb premises and unrealistic stories, Wilfred is a breath of fresh air, and a worthy tribute to the nature (and value) of our goofy, furry companions.

Overall: B+

Characters: A (for Ryan and Wilfred), C (for the rest)

Plot: B-

Acting: B

Production Values: B

Wilfred airs Thursday nights at 10pm on FX.