Happy Summer Time Fun Show

Alright, the two accurate words in that headline are "Summer" and "Show." Dennis Leary and Peter Tolan's Rescue Me kicked off the third season on the FX Network last night, and you should do yourself a favor and watch the 13-episode season. The series got off track last year, and has the potential to collapse under the weight of its large cast and B, C, D, E, and oh yeah, F and G plots, but damn it's funny and tragic and angry, and ultimately compelling.

Be advised, there's lots of swearing, lots of sex, and an equal number of adult and juvenile themes (did I mention anger?). All these elements work the way they're supposed to work (most of the time) and a show about some of the most tragic human beings on the planets is one of the funniest and brutally honest.

If you have a chance, I like the first season over the second. Of course, it's a linear story so the second is kind of necessary for the overall story. The first episode has one of my favorite end sequences ever, even if it sets up the "music montage" trend the series continues through the latter episodes.

Great writing (usually) and a great cast. And it's got some of the best cold opens I've ever seen. So set the TiVo, figure out when the reruns air, and watch Dennis Leary self-destruct. You'll almost forget he did Demolition Man. Almost.