HBO's "Bored To Death"

Bored to Death, the newest HBO 30 minute comedy this side of the awful "Hung," stars Jason Schwartzman as Jonathan Ames, a lethargic lush of a novelist whose girlfriend moves out during the very first scene.

Now alone and "bored," Ames puts an ad on craigslist advertising himself as an unlicensed private detective with reasonable rates. His friend Ray (comedian Zach Galifianakis) is mere comedic relief and not a real partner in crime (er, make that crime solving)--at least not through episode 3. Ted Danson plays George Christopher, Ames' friend who also hires him to get quotes from celebs at George's art parties.

The show, at least the three episodes watched by this reviewer, is frustratingly less fun than its premise and actors would suggest. Schwartzman is a very gifted comedic actor, but his wry, awkward hipster humor doesn't always work; it often feels contrived and pedantic.

Danson's character has some choice lines about being middle-aged, but is under-used, and Galifianakis, even by his fan's accounts, is an acquired taste.

Structurally, the show bares a slight resemblance to USA's "Burn Notice:" the balancing act of a guy helping others while trying to help himself. The fun of "Bored to Death" lies in Jonathan having no detective skills other than what he picks up from reading Raymond Chandler novels.

The show is neither cringe-humor ("Curb You Enthusiasm") nor wacky ("Flight of the Conchords"), leaving it in a purgatory where the writing is often too clever for its own good without a genre to identify the show's tone.

Some people will really like "Bored to Death." Others may not be hip enough to handle it. For them, at least there are still new episodes of "Curb You Enthusiasm." According to IMDB, Parker Posey and Patton Oswalt appear later in the season, so perhaps all hope is not lost.