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Hank Azaria in "Huff"
courtesy of SHOWTIME
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"Huff" (SHOWTIME)
"Huff" is a new dramatic series airing on SHOWTIME. It stars Hank Azaria as Dr. Craig Huffstodt, a man who is forty-two years old and is just now becoming aware of his life. Thus the tag line "Life. Sometimes you wake up in the middle of it." Huff is halfway through his life and is just now waking up.
The series starts with a traumatic event occurring in Huff's life. One of his patients, fifteen-year-old Sam (Noel Fisher), commits suicide in Huff's office. This seems to be the event that wakes Huff up to his life and makes him want something better than what it has been. He wants to be a better husband, father, son, brother, employer and friend.
Huff's wife Beth (Paget Brewster) is worried about Huff, but she is also in the middle of a war with his mother Izzy (Blythe Danner). These two women are fighting for the mind and soul of Huff and will continue to battle for him even if it kills him. Meanwhile Huff's son Byrd (Anton Yelchin) watches and worries and hopes for the best.
Huff's best friend is his attorney Russell Tupper (Oliver Platt), a self-destructive man who finds his pleasures where he can. He is a brilliant attorney but his life is a wreck. His brilliance does come in handy when Huff is sued by the parents of the boy who killed himself.
The stories in this show are complex but in the hands of a totally skilled cast they all come together and make sense. They also entertain. Hour after hour and week after week this show appears to be SHOWTIME's answer to "Six Feet Under" and "Sex In the City." It is quirky, dramatic, sexy and sensational.
Azaria leads the cast and he is a strong centerpiece. Still he gets major competition in the acting department from Danner and Platt. These two are amazingly absorbed by their characters, and add punch to every scene in which they appear. The secret weapon of this series however may well be the young Mr. Yelchin. He has an ability to make every word coming out of his mouth seem totally honest and refreshing. If the show gives his character a pivotal story line, he will make people watch.
Take a chance and tune in to "Huff." This series appears to be one of the brightest of the year. With a first rate cast, and intriguing scripts it will hold your attention. Watch the first two episodes at least and you will be hooked.
"Huff" premieres on SHOWTIME November 7 at 10PM. It will air in this timeslot all year. |
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©2004 Jackie K. Cooper |
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