Ben Donovan’s (Matthew Perry) is managing The Sunshine Center, a popular venue that welcomes over 17.000 guests for important events such as sports games, concerts, the circus and more. While the 40-year-old Ben has his issues (he is a self-centered guy with commitment issues), he is practically the sanest person working there. His boss, Crystal (Allison Janney) is a nut job who barely has had a decent conversation with her adult son. She hires him to connect with him, but as Ben soon realizes, the guy has no skills. Then there is his ex friends-with- benefits Alice (Andrea Anders) who prefers Ben’s colleague (James Lesure, Las Vegas’ Mike) over him. As episodes progress, we get to see the competitive and shallow sides of the couple. Oh, and Ben’s assistant Heather (Portia Doubleday) is rumored to have set a guy on fire…
Mr. Sunshine is a lovely comedy/drama with the ever charming and entertaining Matthew Perry. His Ben is a very easy character to rela3te to, and you feel for him as he does in fact seem to be the only person getting real work done. He handles Crystal and her requests, and pulls the big events off. While his work mates are nutty, they are likable and well….what office isn’t full of nutty characters?
Ben is less depressing than Matthew’s previous TV show character Matt (Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip). While it was a solid drama that I was sorry to let go, Mr. Sunshine is a lot lighter and it concentrates on the comedy rather than the drama. Mr. Sunshine show isn’t always hilarious and I don’t think the creators (Matthew Perry being one of them) never intended to give you stomach cramps from laughing. It is good entertainment with interesting characters. Let’s hope Mr. Sunshine gets more seasons. Even though Chandler will always be my favorite (and to me, the funniest) Matthew Perry character, it is always a pleasure watching him on screen.
Some Favorite lines:
Episode 1:
It is awkward since Alice dumped Ben (Matthew Perry) to be with Alonzo (James Lesure). Ben and Alonzo are walking, and Alonzo sees the elephant the circus is currently missing.
Alonzo: (seeing the elephant) Alfonso: There´s an elephant in the room
Ben: (taking it metaphorically): Yeah.
Alonzo: No, really.
Ben: What do you do in a situation like this?
Alfonso: I´m gonna run for my life.
Ben: Yeah that sounds good.
**
Episode 2:
Alice and Ben run across each other and compare their lowest moments:
Alice: I just stole frisbees from blind children
Ben: I just got a hot teenager’s phone number
Then they both look down and go their separate ways.
**
Fun notes:
- Andrea Anders co-starred in Joey, the Friends spin-off. She starred opposite Matt LeBlanc.
- James Lesure and Matthew Perry co-starred in the drama Studio Sunset on the Sunset Strip.
Also on Matthew Perry
The Ron Clark Story starring Matthew Perry
17 Again starring Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Michelle Trachtenberg and Leslie Mann