Bored to Death: HBO Strikes Comedy Gold

If you are looking for a new show on Sunday night, look no further than HBO's Bored to Death. This comedy follows the fictional character, Jonathan Ames, on his exploits around the Big Apple. He is a struggling writer living in Brooklyn who decides to moonlight as an unlicensed private detective. After his girlfriend leaves him for drinking too much alcohol and smoking pot, Jonathan posts an advertisement on Craigslist so he can live the life of the private detectives in his favorite books. Each week he has a new adventure in New York City, sometimes enlisting the help of his friends. All the while, he wants to get his woman back. Jonathan is played by Jason Schwartzman (Rushmore, Darjeeling Limited), who does a great job in the lead role.

Ted Danson (Cheers, Damages) plays George Christopher, editor of 'Edition' magazine. He is a wealthy divorcee, who sometimes employs Jonathan the writer. His magazine is losing subscribers, and he is always looking for a way to increase his audience. His therapist has some interesting and extreme suggestions. A product of the 1960s, he also likes to smoke marijuana when he can, but never has his own stash. Jonathan and Ray don't seem to mind indulging his weakness from time to time.

Ray Hueston is a talented cartoonist, who is searching for his big break. He is dating a woman with two daughters, who does not want to have anymore children. Played by Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover), Ray is Jonathan's best friend and confidant. His relationship with his girlfriend is stressful at times, and the two are working on some intimacy issues. Whether working on a new comic series or donating sperm to lesbian couples against his girlfriend's wishes, Ray's life provides a nice side story to the main adventure each week. You can take a look at his drawings by artist Dean Haspiel here.

Whether following a suspected cheating boyfriend, helping a Russian ex-con, tracking down a stolen skateboard or thwarting the plans of a blackmailer, the trio of Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis do not disappoint. They are the perfect actors for this masterpiece by the real Jonathan Ames, the show's creator. If you subscribe to HBO, you should definitely check it out or at least DVR it. If you don't subscribe, it will be worth the rental fee when it is out on DVD and Blue-ray. I highly recommend this series, and anxiously await the next episode. It is unique and a nice escape from reality.

Check out the Bored to Death website here.