On TV: Michael & Michael Have Issues

For a certain narrow segment of the adult population, Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter are household names. Their notoriety stems mostly from the overlapping rabid cult followings of Wet Hot American Summer and MTV's The State, but their more intimate work on Stella and in their solo efforts would be enough to make them respected practitioners of modern, Galifianakized comedy. The anti-punch lines flow freely on their new show Michael & Michael Have Issues, beginning its run tonight on Comedy Central.

The premise of Michael & Michael hearkens back to the Seinfeld idea of a "show about nothing." Michaels Ian Black and Showalter play a version of themselves who write and produce a comedy show starring the same version of themselves. They keep the meta moments to a minimum (Showalter doesn't like a joke during the script read-through: "I just don't think I'd say that line."), but those mirrors of mirrors of themselves allow for continuity as the show jumps between the backstage Larry Sanders-type material and the performance of the actual show they are working on, which includes sketches and more thinky pieces recorded with a live audience.

While the humor is not as subtle or intelligent as Comedy Central's spring hit Important Things with Demetri Martin, Black & Showalter wisely emulate that show's brisk pace and emphasis on playing with language. The games of Michael & Michael are more childish (farting butterflies) and often profane (inventing a hybrid cuss word), but no less precise in locating the humor and then moving on. The plot of the first episode revolves around an intern doing a story on Michael & Michael and next week's episode involves buying a birthday present for their producer, but this show will not have memorable plots. The goal is to get two agreeable, pretty nice guys into conflict and then bring them back together. The bromance here is in its later stages, when you and your buddy sound like you are bickering even while agreeing.

There are supporting characters - notably versatile character actor Josh Pais - but this is all about the Michaels. But with all that Ian Black and Showalter all over the place, I found myself missing the input of David Wain, their frequent partner in comedic crime. This opinion might only resonate with the diehard fans, but the anarchic energy of David Wain and the joy of smart silliness that made Wet Hot American Summer require repeat viewings are absent here. I wouldn't say that Michael & Michael Have Issues, um, has issues, but it could be a lot more fun.