"The Grinder Rests"

As the ending credits to Grinder rolled, I was almost giddy with excitement.  This review might be the easiest one I ever do (and possibly the shortest)

I LOVED IT!

Rob Lowe and Fred Savage are perfectly cast in this fun, half hour comedy made by FOX.  Rob Lowe plays an actor who was on a popular law procedural.  The pilot begins with Fred Savage, Rob Lowe and family watching the series finale of said show and without spoilers, the show is a perfect parody of every law and detective show you've ever seen!  After his few seasons on Parks and Recreation, I'm so excited that Rob Lowe is doing comedy again.  For you Parks and Rec fans, Lowe says "literally" at the end of this pilot and it made me miss Chris Traeger so much!

And Fred Savage I adore!  I can't believe he has disappeared from the acting sphere so completely. Apparently since his Wonder Years days, he has concentrated on directing and his resume credits are extensive: from episodes of Boy Meets World to Modern Family to Eddie Murphy's Daddy Day Camp, which earned him a prestigious Razzie nomination.

I completely buy Fred Savage as this small town lawyer from Iowa who feels overshadowed by his hot Hollywood actor brother and I kept laughing out loud at his angry outbursts.

And later in the episode, when Rob Lowe tries his hand at real life court proceedings, you have this to look forward to:

The opposing lawyer in the gif above is Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley, Franklin and Bash) whom I adore.  He's one of the smaller actors I was excited to see in this pilot- people who will hopefully become super famous soon.  (If for some reason you are not watching Silicon Valley already, I highly recommend it!)

Another shout-out goes to Mary Elizabeth Ellis, who plays Fred Savage's wife.  She and Fred have such great chemistry and I loved their scenes together.  She has been in countless TV shows, usually for a couple of episodes, so she has had plenty of time to hone her great comedic chops.  You most likely will recognize her as the waitress Charlie Day stalks in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

When I finished watching this pilot, I was struck at how I forgot to take notes after the first few minutes.  Instead of analyzing and deconstructing every moment and character choice, I simply enjoyed the episode.  

My only worry for the series is whether or not they will be able to sustain the premise they have set up.  But regardless, I am 100% on board for the ride and plan to continue watching!

I have purposefully given a lighter and less in-depth review because I think you will enjoy this pilot going in blind.  Go watch it now!  Here's a link: Grinder Pilot

I give this pilot 9 out of 10 notecards!