HUNG

HUNG

JUNE 28, 2009-DECEMBER 4, 2011

This is a sleeper comedy/drama that will quietly sneak up on the viewers and before they know it, they’re hooked.  The premise is a down-on-his-luck single dad, Ray Drecker (Thomas Jane) who teaches at the local high school as well as coaches the basketball team.  Money has become less and less while his ex-wife, Jessica Haxon (Anne Heche) marries a rich man, Ronnie Haxon (Eddie Jemison), who uses it to substitute his less than manly stature.  

Ray, who has reunited with a former partner, Tanya Skagle (Jane Adams), sets up a private escort service in order to supplement his income.  Tanya takes on the role of Ray's pimp, setting up play dates.  They are not always on the same page, giving room for Leonre Bernard (Rebecca Creskoff), a life coach, to set up dates with more wealthy clientele. 

When Ray's house goes up in flames, he is relegated to live in a tent in his backyard until he can earn enough money to begin renovations.  Damon (Charlie Saxton) and Darby (Sianoa Smit-McPhee) Drecker are Ray's twins who are different in almost every way except for the love they have for their dad.  Balancing the demand that is building with both Tanya and Lenore, his dual life, two children, being a teacher/coach and his ex-wife, his life is completely full.  Jessica is still Ray's number one love of his life but the two have grown apart over so many years and she prefers the higher standard of living.

The final piece to Ray's puzzle of a life is his co-worker and best friend, Mike Hunt (Gregg Henry), who always finds himself at the center of every possible teacher lay off.  The school district continues to financially struggle and Ray seems to fly under the radar while Mike's job is always at the forefront of downsizing. 

There is so much comedy which is sometimes dark and often real but the show is peppered with drama.  How Ray handles his children is at times so sensitive you can forget you are watching a television show.  It should easily be picked up for a second season.  Following these characters who are full of charm, wit, loyalty and give the viewer a chance to let their previous week slip from memory as Sunday nights and "Hung" will start the new one off right.