Director: Jake Kasdan

Writer: Jake Kasdan

Composer: Michael Andrews

Starring: David Duchovny, Lindsay Sloane, Ioan Gruffudd and Sigourney Weaver

Mike Klein (David Duchovny) has created a pilot for television, which begins filming in three weeks. The television plot involves a man who comes back to hishometown after the suicide of his brother, and finds his life again. However, Mike has problems of his own, both on and off the set. His wife is pregnant so he really needs the show to be picked up by the network, the actor he wanted is replaced by an awful amateur star, his back is acting up, and last but not least, the producers tell him they love the script with one small exception: They don’t want the brother to commit suicide. It’s just too depressing.

“The TV Set” is very similar to the ’90s TV show “Grosse Point” (which ironically also stars Lindsay Sloane) minus depth, thought or humor. It has one very clear message: Writers are unloved and unappreciated and everyone else is selfish, shallow and boring. One can only assume the writer/director Jake Kasdan was himself an unappreciated television writer to be so bitter about it all as he portrays co-workers in an unflattering light.

This is a very narrow-minded look at the world of television creation. It’s not a satire. It’s not clever. It’s not original. It’s just insulting with it’s belittling everyone involved in the industry – except the writers, who come off as saints, oppressed by mindless network companies. It would be fine if we got some dimensions and some levels in the characters. The producers, as passionate as they are, don’t take control of the script. The lead actor is only portrayed as annoying and sleazy. Why not give him some character? There is nothing of value here; just a very disappointing, pretentious story about nothing.

There is nothing to talk about in the movie’s acting because, to be honest, there is little any of the actors could have done with such an oppressive script. They all fulfilled the roles they had, and they were all competent – which is more than can be said for this film.

Best scene: As the pressure gets to McAllister (Ioan Gruffudd) and his wife, she packs her bags, but he walks in and sees her. It is here both of them begin to understand how things went so terribly wrong – a brief scene of prominence.

Favorite performance: Sigourney Weaver’s aggressive, power-wielding producer Lenny is the high point. Sadly, she only gets to play a one-note character, but does wonders with the poor script.

Overall: A very disappointing, unoriginal and especially shallow look at the television industry. Some may find something of worth, but “Knocked Up” has more laughs and may be more worth your money.

Two Stars (out of five)

Oscar nomination chances: 0 percent

See it: Don’t waste any money; maybe watch it for free at a friend’s house. Maybe.

Rated R for language

Running time: 87 mins.

Tag line: A place where dreams are cancelled.