‘Animal Control’
The new Fox sitcom Animal Control features Joel McHale playing a Joel McHale-type character. McHale’s Frank is a disillusioned Senior Animal Control Officer who is paired with a fresh-eyed, optimistic newbie. The actor channels the same pent-up angst and emotional constipation into his character as he did to portray Jeff Winger in Community, and it would be frustrating and boring if he wasn’t so darn good at it. While the series may not offer much originality, it adopts a digestible 22-minute format and delievers enough laughs to keep one pleasantly entertained. Each episode features Frank and his Animal Control team going head-to-head with a new animal that is wreaking havoc in their Seattle district. Think of the show as Brooklyn Nine-Nine (minus the copaganda) meets Parks and Recreation.