“Shaken Not Stirred”

Wednesdays on MyNetwork

I just watched the debut episode of this semi-regular series. It is not what you think it is.

A few years back, Dick Clark, Mario Lopez, Jan Adams, and Danny Bonaduce hosted a daytime show called “The Other Half,” which was to be a male counterpart to “The View.” “Shaken Not Stirred” was promoted as a roast, but it is really a remake of “The Other Half.”

It began with host-chat, an exchange of banter among the four co-hosts: Anthony Anderson, DL Hughley, Paul Rodriguez, and John Salley. The setting was manly… Las Vegas, and on camera talent was free to smoke cigars and lean way back and relax… as men do. They brought out a guest and then the competition began to see whose voice could overpower the others to ask a question or proffer a verbal jab.

But after the hosts settled in and got comfortable, something interesting happened. The format started to work. It is no secret that I adore the art of conversation, and that’s what the show became: five people engaged in a conversation. Though there were people on the stage who didn’t agree, it was not only a civil discourse, but also funny and entertaining. It is a long format interview show that doesn’t have a stick up its butt (I’m looking at you Charlie Rose and Larry King).

If you enjoyed the style of Tom Snyder or Dick Cavett, give this series a chance. It might surprise you. Considering it is on MyNetwork, it shocked the heck out of me.