Presto! The Job has appeared on ABC's Wednesday night line-up, a wolf of the cable variety in sheep's clothing, the standard format of choice being a cop show. With Denis Leary as writer and star, ABC has thrown down the glove in an outright challenge to relative newcomer cable television. Fresh, funny, and frantic describe this offbeat and often off-color comic drama.

The basic premise centers around main character Mike McNeil, a detective trying to maintain some semblance of sanity between his job and his private life, which includes a wife and a mistress. He's one of the best detective in the squad, but his personal life just barely passes muster. His coworkers are his friends, and there's even one who might just turn out to be a lover (Diane Farr, Loveline).

So, what's the difference between The Job and other primetime network programs? The writing. Not only do The Job's characters squeeze outside the normal color lines for network television, but the stories revolve around "taboo" topics; mistress relationship troubles, a perp who leaves severed feet as a calling card, a character's need for a good bowel movement, or a masseuse whose expertise at giving a handjob has the entire squad taking turns to like on her table.

One of these topics might slide into the background during the course of a single season of NYPD Blue, the only show which comes close in terms of daring. The Simpsons is the only other program which can equal The Job in offbeat quotient, and it's a cartoon! Eddie Murphy has proven his expertise with bathroom humor in both The PJ's and his recent spate of successfully repackaged remakes. And of all the talented female comics who have thrown their hat into the ring of late – Bette, Geena, Joan Cusack - none has left a durable impression upon the small screen. Personally, I believe Janeane Garofalo could break that hard-luck syndrome with the right opportunity. Other than the aforementioned The Simpsons or MadTV, no other program has attempted the level of quality of audacity as has The Job.

Leary has gathered a fine supporting cast, including perennial character Bill Nunn as his straight-arrow, long suffering partner. Oversized Lenny Clarke is the old-style Irish cop with a weak sense of self but a good sense of humor. Diane Farr is the token female whose independence and nerve rival her good looks. Keith David, a fantastic actor seen in so many supporting roles in film, is the no bullshit lieutenant.

The Job premiered March 14, 2001, with only six episodes slated for airtime. Episode six ran April 18th, and no word as yet whether ABC will extend the series' run. But word of mouth is very positive. The chance always exists that this may be another of those great shows that appears once, then disappears forever. That would be a real shame.

Del Harvey, founder of FM, is a veteran of The Directors Guild Of America, The Walt Disney Co., and Lucasfilm.

Got a problem? Email Del at filmmonthly@hotmail.com