Instead of watching, just ‘Leave It to Niecy’
‘Leave It to Niecy’
Sundayat 10 p.m., TLC
TLC IS BILLING “Leave It to Niecy” as a “reality sitcom,” suggesting that just turning on the cameras at the Niecy nash home will produce drama as fine and polished as a scripted comedy. Ornot. What Niecy Nash’s very own reality show does prove is that likable people can produce uninteresting television.
“Leave It to Niecy” spins off from last June’s TLC special on Niecy’s wedding to Jay Tucker. That event drew 5 million viewers, who obviously enjoy Niecy’s brash, bemused personality.
She was already known from “Reno 9-1-1” and “Dancing With the Stars,” and with the oceans of hours that TV networks must fill these days, they’re looking for potential breakout stars all the time.
Niecy remains a candidate, because she’s funny and seems inclined to say whatever’s on her mind, which maybe the single most important trait in a reality TV performer.
With all that said, there’s no pleasure in reporting there aren’t many reasons to watch “leave It to Niecy.”
The premise of the show is that Niecy and Jay are working on creating their new blended family. Niecy has a son and two daughters, Jay has one son, and Niecy’s mother, Margaret, lives with them.
The most casual viewer can probably guess what roles everyone here will fall into.
Niecy is the one with a constant stream of plans for how it will all work out. Jay is quietly tolerant while he works on ideas of his own.
Miss Margaret tells them what they’re doing wrong, while the kids spend a lot of time rolling their eyes.
The kids can also surprise you. Niecy’s middle child, Donielle, for instance, assesses Jay as perfectly okay, because he sometimes gives her money when mom won’t.
Trouble is, that’s about as lively as the drama gets.
The two main story lines in Sunday night’s opening episode are as follows:
1. Jay and Niecy try to find an activity in which all the kids can participate so they can start to bond through common interests.
These include riding bicycles and going roller-skating together. The parents push, the kids resist. This isn’t like watching a sitcom. This is like watching someone’s home movies.
2. Miss Margaret says it’s time for her to find a new man. Niecy says that’s not going to work, because Margaret wants a perfect man who doesn’t exist, and will reject all the real ones.
We sympathize with both of them. We wish Miss Margaret only luck and happiness.
There just isn’t much in the process that’s very compelling to watch.
At one point in “Leave It to Niecy,” one kid says: “I know these people. I wake up everyday and they’re still here.”
Nicely summarized.