Debra Messing is a person who plays quirky characters. Some viewers will never like her. She isn't deadpan, she isn't mean (see: House). She is however good with her timing and a good actress. The show's premiere was a bit weak but still enjoyable but this is typical of pilots/premieres - you have to be introduced to characters. However, over the last two episodes, the characters settled down into their roles and the 3rd episode was wonderful. Critics - as usual - will loathe a show that doesn't fit a specific mold and to be sure, this show doesn't. They hated many other successful shows such as House for Hugh Laurie being "too mean". We all ended up loving him. If this show is given that chance, we will also grow to love the characters. People expect blockbusters for pilots and this is why so many shows fail, but if these shows go for blockbusters, they leave for the show not maintaining that hype or never introducing them.
So my review is to watch the 2nd to 3rd episodes and watch the season progress, it definitely got better after episode 1. Pilots are almost never anyone's favorite shows. Even Friends pilot was panned. Unfortunately, as of right now - with all the critics headlines of "BAD SHOW!" (some of which who admittedly only saw commercials... how do they get those jobs if they aren't watching the shows?), the outlook is a bit bleak.
This show will need lots of social media and fans to overcome those headlines and the iffy pilot.
