You may not have realized it, but last night’s series premiere of Ben and Kate and The Mindy Project means that Fox, now in its second week of the fall television season, has already finished presenting its new line-up. Do you think that these two new comedies will find a longtime home on the network?
For Fox, both Ben and Kate and The Mindy Project fall within the familiar tone that New Girl set with its premiere last year, using quirky characters and high production values to help set itself apart from other comedies on the air: Ben and Kate has the loveably-moronic brother, Ben, while The Mindy Project has, well, Mindy.
Like New Girl, both series shine with their respective leads, who are surrounded by an eclectic cast of characters, helping to drive the series throughout. And even though both Ben and Kate and The Mindy Project are both thematically different (family vs. quest for love), their comedic stylings flow well together, making for an even stronger primetime programming block.
Unlike other networks, Fox has the least amount of programming space available, thanks to their 10pm evening newscast. While most other networks have five or more new series, Fox has three – a blessing and a curse. Tasked with having to pick three new series to help expand their network, Fox decided to focus more on their comedy than drama, leaving their strongest drama pickup, The Following, for the midseason.
Even though The Mob Doctor technically pairs well with Bones on Monday night, it’s difficult to see the new series lasting long on the network. With one new series down, all eyes fall on Ben and Kate and The Mindy Project to see the success of Fox’s new fall line-up.
Though it might take audiences some time to completely warm up to the antics of Ben in Ben and Kate, the quality is there, simply waiting for viewers to find it. Of course, mixed in with the familiar comedy that Mindy Kaling brings to The Mindy Project, perhaps Ben and Kate won’t have to wait so long.
But that, of course, all depends on you, the viewer. What do you think of Ben and Kate and The Mindy Project? Has Fox done well with their new comedies?
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Ben and Kate airs Tuesdays @8:30pm on Fox
The Mindy Project airs Tuesdays @9:30pm on Fox
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The Mindy project will 100% get cancelled within the new few mths….seriously what is the network thinking? This actress from the office has absolutely no appeal to an audience on her own. Terrible idea, even if the show gets better it will still get cancelled.
I watched them both. And I wondered why I finished the Mindy Project. I will not watch it again. However, Ben & Kate made me laugh. I will check out another episode.
Really wasn’t impressed with either.. I did give Ben and Kate a “I’m not sure yet” vote because Anthony raved about it on the podcast.. Surely he must have some deeper insight to the inner workings of genius comedy, right?!
I knew from the previews that the Mindy Project would be terrible. Co-producer writes and stars in the show, how bad does her ego need stroked?
MIndy Project is unwatchable, I couldn’t finish watching it. Ben & Kate, on the other hand, was funny and oddly relatable. B&K will be added to my DVR queue!
Ben and Kate was good. Funny but idk ill probably watch it if its on or a bored Sunday and I see it ondemand.
The mindy project was okay. My wife loved it. All I saw was Kelly in a nurse role. But it had its moments. Ill probably watch mainly cuz my wife.
New girl on the other hand was fantastic! Zooey deschanel is a favorite of mine she’s so funny and quirky she’s hilarious. The two new eps were outstanding. Glad it didn’t change too much from last season.
Annoying girl from The Office has a show that is unwatchable. Shocking…
Didn’t watch “The Mindy Project” because the ads/previews didn’t look appealing at all.
Ben and Kate? Well, it did have it’s moments, but they were too cutesy. And I kept thinking all you had to do was replace them with the cast of New Girl and you’d have the same characters but doing it much much much better. I’ll give it another shot, but honestly, it’s not even close to being a new favorite for me. And please get rid of the unfunny, slutty looking ditsy foreign blond-ugh. Oh, and just how does the main woman support a daughter and a nice house on a barkeep’s salary? Please!
LOVE New Girl!
ben and kate wasn’t awful, but i don’t see it getting the full season. mindy project, not amazing, the writing wasnt bad neither the performances, but like most of you said it’s just the fact that it’s mindy kaling who is more of a character actor than a lead. her writing is great, but writers arent the best performers.
Both shows will be cancelled. Mindy is a smart girl. She wrote/produced on the Office and she obviously created this show. But sadly, she’s not an attractive woman. It’s hard to say that and not sound sexist but it’s the truth. If they did want to run with an Indian actress…Janina Gavancar from True Blood or Hannah Simone from New Girl would have been better choices. This show will be cancelled.
As for Ben and Kate, haven’t we seen this how already a thousand times. Same recycled humor. Won’t last the month.
This is a ridiculous comment. I think the actress that plays mindy is atractive. She is way more relatable than many actresses out there and in my opinion that is refreshing,
It sounds sexist because it is sexist! The idea that women who don’t look like models aren’t fit to be seen on TV is totally repulsive.
I watched the premiere, and it was so-so.
Then I watched the second episode, and it was just embarassing. Kate is unsympathetic, and there is no real reason she started lying. Which gets just cringeworthy, I mean explain a picture of the black guy by saying she once dated the guy’s dead twin brother ?
And then Ben, he’s just rude and condescending, and it moronicness isn’t fun in any way like it was in Dumb and Dumber, it’s just selfishness and randomness that forms this onedimensional character.
The child is cute, that’s the only good thing. But so far the main characters haven’t done anything but random strange things that make no sence, that just reeks of bad writing by people who don’t care about their characters.
Mindy is not funny. Period. Her book sucked she’s a mess and the mindy project is something a child would dream up. I hated her on the office and I think fox threw away a good time slot on a sloppy show.
I disagree…. the Mindy Project could have been good, great or even excellent, if only it had a different title, different cast, different producers, different director, and only if Mindy Kalling had possessed a modicum of competence and talent.
Good riddance when Fox admits that it commissioned the show as a tax write off.
I like both the shows!
It’s sad to see that so many people hate The Mindy Project because the show’s main lead is not the skinny-beautiful-white girl like every other show…Agreed that Mindy Kaling’s character on The Office was annoying but she is talented and pretty;maybe not hot or beautiful.
Yeah The Mindy Project will be cancelled after the second or third season cuz it is a good show but not a brilliant show..
I love the Mindy project. I think it is witty and truely hilarious! It is seriously look forward to seeing this show. My biggest complaint is the midwife aspect… Mindy!!! Stand up for women and the power of birth! Male midwifes is insulting and making a mockerey of the trade is anti-feminist! I probably just lost all credibility with that last statement, but I believe this show could be on par with Arrested Development, 30 Rock and New Girl (starting 1st season post-winter break).
I watched the premiere of Ben and Kate and continued watching for a few weeks. Then I stopped and shortly after it was cancelled, no surprise. I never even made it past 10 minutes watching the premiere of the mindy project. That had to be one of the top three absolute worst shows I have ever encountered. And I can’t believe it is still airing.