A week from tonight, Starz debuts the ambitious Boss, starring Kelsey Grammer as a ruthless mayor of Chicago hiding a debilitating neurological disorder. But the Comcast subscribers among you can watch the entire pilot now (even if you don’t have Starz) through the XfinityTV service. (I don’t have Comcast myself so, full disclosure, I am taking their word that the link works.)
I’m working my way through the episodes Starz sent me, but I had mixed feelings about the pilot. Grammer gives a forceful performance that dispels any memories of Frasier Crane quickly, and there is some intriguing narrative about the machinations of state and city-council politics; and the pilot, directed by Gus Van Sant, is visually electric. But at times the show feels almost like a parody of an over-the-top cable-antihero drama in its brutality, dourness and darkness.
In the meantime, I’m curious to hear what you think of the preview, so if you watch, come back and let us know if Kelsey has your vote.
