Hollywood Crush
We're Obsessed With 'The Mindy Project'
There's no shortage of TV series chronicling the romantic misadventures of single ladies in the city (see: "Girls," "New Girl," and, of course, the perpetually re-running "Sex and the City"). And to say Mindy Kaling's new Fox sitcom, "The Mindy Project," is fundamentally different would be disingenuous. But the series does boast one thing the others don't: Mindy Kaling.
The former "Office" writer-performer is having a moment—one that's been years in the making thanks to entertaining entries like Subtle Sexuality, the best-selling memoir "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)," and a nearly 2-million-strong Twitter following. To wit, New York magazine's recent cover profile of the star was simply (yet aptly) titled "The Cult of Mindy Kaling." But, I don't think you have to guzzle a gallon of the Kaling Kool-Aid to truly appreciate her self-titled show. (And, really, your doctor wouldn't recommend it anyway.)
In the pilot, we meet 31-year-old OB/GYN Mindy, who was raised on the false promises of romantic comedies starring Tom Hanks. Yet, it looks as though she may indeed find her Nora Ephron-approved happy ending when she meets-cute with fellow doctor Bill Hader in the hospital elevator. But, alas, he falls in love with a Ukranian bagel girl, ditching Mindy for a younger model. All of this is relayed through a flashback as our heroine sits in a police station, arrested for several disorderly conduct charges (an ex's wedding will do that to a girl). When Mindy is bailed out by her BFF ("Pitch Perfect" star Anna Camp), she has one final request: "Before I leave, would it be possible to get a tour of the Special Victims Unit?" Yes, a pop-culture-loving protagonist after our own hearts.
As the episode unfolds, we're introduced to her cute colleagues played by Ed Weeks and Chris Messina—the former, her f--- buddy, and the latter, her potential romantic foil à la Jim from "The Office" or perhaps, more likely, Adam from "Girls." But you'll have to stay tuned.
Admittedly, "The Mindy Project" tugged at me in a way I had hoped "Girls" would. Yes, I enjoy Lena Dunham's oft-cringeworthy take on the young urban female experience, but I just don't relate to it much. And after a little reflection I realized why: I'm getting old. Not old old. But older. And unlike Hannah and her cohorts, I'm no longer an early-20-something struggling with my career or inhospitable living environment. Like Mindy, I've mostly got my sh-- together, except, you know, that whole relationship thing. I'm still making plenty of bad decisions. And so is she. And that's why I'll give "The Mindy Project" a season pass.
Did you watch "The Mindy Project"? What are you obsessed with this week? Tell us in the comments and on Twitter!
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