The Daily Star - Stay Tuned
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coverstory Tinkering with prime time The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y., Friday, April 26, 2013 ABC welcomes comedy 'Family Tools' By Kyla Brewer TV Media S pring has sprung in prime time and, as flowers begin to bloom, a fresh crop of TV series has sprouted up to entertain viewers. Networks tinker with prime-time schedules to make way for new spring shows, but midseason replacements have a tough row to hoe if they want to stay in the ratings game. Luckily, the right tools can make all the difference, and ABC has rounded up a freshfaced cast, some star power and a tried-and-true formula for its latest comedy. A hapless man bumbles his way through managing the family business when his dad gets sick in "Family Tools," premiering Wednesday, May 1, on ABC. Jack Shea (Kyle Bornheimer) can't seem to get anything right, and he's tried just about everything, from joining the Army to attending seminary school. But when his dad, Tony (J.K. Simmons), has a heart attack, Jack has no choice but to "man up" and take over the family handyman business. Facing failure at every turn, Jack is determined to make his dad proud, but his troublemaking assistant, Darren (Edi Gathegi), doesn't make his life easier. Things are further complicated by Darren's sister, Liz (Danielle Nicolet), an employee at the local hardware store. Fortunately, Jack finds some support in his oddball cousin Mason (Johnny Pemberton) and his Aunt Terry, played by Leah Remini of "The King of Queens" fame. Springtime often isn't kind to new comedies -- many break down before they get the chance to win over an audience. ABC is taking an ag- Leah Remini returns to television in "Family Tools" to high acclaim. NBC's vergressive approach to try to bolster its already popular sion of BBC's "The Office" has Wednesday night comedy been a huge hit for the Peablock. The network was one cock Network, though its atof the first major broadcasters tempt to resurrect the U.K. out of the gate with new comedy "Coupling" failed comedies this spring with the miserably. Fox has had incredpremiere of Sarah Chalke's ible success with such imports "How to Live With Your Paras "Hell's Kitchen" and ents (for the Rest of Your "American Idol," a take on Life)," on April 3. Britain's "Pop Idol." Now it's time for "Family With any luck, "Family Tools" to benefit from a Tools" will survive its freshstrong lead-in from the hit man season and go on to comedy "The Middle," starweather the sophomore jinx ring Patricia Heaton. Interest- suffered by "White Van Man." ingly, this isn't the first time Although the first season of Heaton and Remini have apthe U.K. series did very well, peared on the same night on the second season only atnetwork television -- Remini's tracted about half as many "Queens" gig aired Monday viewers and was axed. nights on CBS, along with Appealing to the handyHeaton's previous comedy, man has worked for ABC in "Everybody Loves Raymond." the past with another show It's about time ABC gave about tools -- "Home Im"Family Tools" a shot at prime provement." Starring Tim Altime; it's been almost a year len, the show aired from 1991 since the alphanetwork placed an order for the show, which is based on the U.K. series "White Van Man." Created by Adrian Poynton, "White Van Man" scored the biggest sitcom launch ever for BBC Three when it premiered in 2011. The show is one of many British series remade for American audiences, some to 1999 and was one of the highest-rated sitcoms of the '90s. Allen has since come home to ABC in the Friday night comedy "Last Man Standing." "Home Improvement" was a huge hit thanks to Allen, and the fate of "Family Tools" likely rests on the shoulders of its star as well. Bornheimer has one of those faces that's tremendously familiar, but many viewers may not be able to place him right away. He first made his mark on TV in a string of national commercials for everything from Geiko to Coors Light to T-Mobile. However, his breakout role came in 2008 when he was cast in CBS's "Worst Week." The role prompted "Entertainment Weekly" to call him the "find of the fall season." Since then, he's starred in NBC's "Perfect Couples" and on the big screen in such films as "You Again" (2010) and "She's Out of My League" (2010). Remini's star power and a talented cast bode well for "Family Tools," but some critics have speculated that the show is already on shaky ground. It didn't look good when ABC cut the season order from 13 to 10 episodes this past fall, but the network cited scheduling conflicts as the reason for the cut, not a lack of faith in the series. Hopefully, the U.K. import will thrive on American shores. Check it out Wednesday, May 1, on ABC. Chirstopher's Coins 2x2 hollywoodQ&A By Adam Thomlison TV Media Q: The actor who played Paul of Tarsus in the History Channel miniseries "The Bible": was that the same guy who played in the film "The Brothers Grimm"? A: No, but there is definitely a similarity there. Paul of Tarsus, who begins by persecuting the disciples of Jesus but soon becomes one, was portrayed in the final instalment of the History Channel's "The Bible" by a very stubblefaced Con O'Neill. In "The Brothers Grimm" (2005), Cavaldi, the policeman who first pursues the outlaw brothers before eventually seeking their protection, is played by an equally (almost always, in fact) stubble-faced Peter Stormare. O'Neill is a British actor best known for playing the titular role in the 2008 picture "Telstar: The Joe Meek Story," though he's probably more recognizable over here for a handful of one-off appearances in popular Brit mysteries "Inspector Lewis," "Wallander" and "Midsomer Murders" last year. Stormare, on the other hand, is a much better-known character actor who played a hitman in the classic 1996 noir comedy "Fargo," and, more recently, appeared opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in his great cinematic return "The Last Stand" earlier this year. Have a question? Email us at questions@tvtabloid.com. Please include your name and town. Personal replies will not be provided. A/Krazy Tom's B/State FarmMelisa Manikas 2x3