6 x 7: TV SHOWS

#7 The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (IFC)

Created by and starring David Cross. With Will Arnett, John Fortune and Sharon Horgan.

Okay, I admit that the first two episodes proved to be vastly funnier than the five subsequent episodes, but for sheer audacity and unabashed weirdness, nothing this year may top the ponderously titled The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret.

Clearly inspired by the satirical lunacy of Arrested Development and his own cult-hit sketch show Mr. Show with Bob and Dave, David Cross fashions a story about a bumbling, nebbishy, pathologically lying office temp named Todd Margaret who manages to "Peter Principle" his way into a middle management position heading up British distribution of a quasi-legal energy drink known as "Thunder Muscle." Saddled with a smiling, backstabbing subordinate (Fortune), a profane, overbearing, moronic boss (Arnett) and a product that only shadowy terrorist-types seem interested in, the one thing the increasingly desperate Margaret seems to have going for him is the attention of a comely, wanna-be molecular gastronomer (Horgan) who is extraordinarily patient with all of Margaret's schemes, half-truths and outright lies. So of course, Margaret misinterprets her good nature as a chance to score and only gets himself into more trouble as a result.

There's more, much more in this densely plotted little comedy, including a grotesque running gag involving a cat back home that has to be seen to be appreciated. I do hope Todd Margaret gets renewed for another season, but if it doesn't, please look for it on Netflix or DVD. It's worth it. Plus, the way the season ended, there doesn't seem to be much farther for the storyline to go, although I'm sure the demented Cross will come up with something if he has to.

My grade: B+

You May Like This Show if You've Also Liked: Arrested Development, Mr. Show with Bob & Dave, The Ben Stiller Show, Absolutely Fabulous, Community, The Comeback.

Peace...