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#11 Breaking Up (formerly The Rules for Starting Over)
Who picked it up? Fox
When does it air? Midseason
Who stars? Craig Bierko, Rashida Jones, and others!
Why should you care? Insiders share that this was the highest testing Fox comedy pilot in a long, long time. It also has a cinematic feel to it, which makes sense given it was produced by the Farrelly brothers (of There's Something About Mary fame). Plus, it can make a claim few other half-hour comedies can make these days: It is laugh out loud funny!
Why should you worry? The humor isn't for everyone. It is a little over the top (there is wild monkey sex -- literally!), and at times it is raunchy. It will also be interesting to see where Fox eventually schedules this gem since it doesn't make the best fit with any of the other comedies they've ordered. If it goes to the Sunday night animation lineup, it will probably get lost in the mix -- that audience has become somewhat jaded by the live action crap that has been on that night.
Bottom line? This was the most debated show in our countdown. It is easily a high risk, high reward type of show. While the pilot works quite well, we can see where it could quickly devolve into something completely ridiculous and unintelligent. We ultimately settled with the #11 spot because the show has heart and because Fox needs to work on developing something as irreverent as it is entertaining. After all, their animation block has been solely carrying that burden ever since Arrested Development was canceled. Interpret our #11 placement as a sign of hope.