Atlanta's Todd Chrisley is technically a real person, but his "reality" show feels more like a sitcom. Season two of "Chrisley Knows Best," which returns October 14, is no different from season one that way. Chrisley is perpetually kvetching about everything and resisting change while his kids treat him as a man who is more bark than bite.
But deep down, he plays tough cop because he loves his family - and really, isn't that all that matters? (Awww....)
The only thing missing is a laugh track.
Even the titles of the first two episodes airing night one sound like they could be from some TGIF ABC comedy of yore:
"Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter" and "Misadventures in Babysitting."
Clearly, the producers (and viewers to a degree) love Chrisley because of his ability to spout off Southern aphorisms galore. Sample when his son turned 18: "There ain't nothin' open after midnight except legs and the E.R. He's going to stay out of both of 'em." Or "I'd like a child that didn't need a lobotomy."
Then there's the underlying sense that Chrisley is more like Paul Lynde (the flamboyant actor) than Robert Young (the original 1950s era "Father Knows Best"), if you want two very very dated references. That just adds a level of intrigue to the whole affair.
Here's a preview of what you'll see Tuesday night when the second season opens:
Cue orchestra: The show frequently plays bombastic orchestral music you'd normally hear when the British royalty show up. The producers want you to think of the Chrisleys subliminally as (mock) royalty because they supposedly have a lot of money. (Maybe they do. Maybe they don't. His wife Julie is independently wealthy while Todd is in bankruptcy proceedings.)
Cue 1950s advertising music: When the boys are doing something stupid, you hear a soundtrack of goofy lighthearted instrumental music that reminds me of Bugs Bunny cartoons or a Colgate toothpaste ad circa 1958.
Wacky opening scene: Chase, the 18 year old, burns the burgers and almost shears his eyebrows off from the gas grill. This leads to a mini food fight - just because!
Julie returns to real estate: "I want to get out of the house a little bit," she said. She directs Todd to cook in her place. So here's the trope: daddy can't cook and he screws up when he tries. "If I want something therapeutic, I'll be on the beach, not in a kitchen with a sauce pan." Later, he says, "I can pop some Pringles and a Coke, and I'm good." One night, Chase and Todd make lasagne. Guess how that goes.
Savannah's 'American Idol" connection: The 16 year old daughter is interested in Spencer Lloyd, who competed on 'American Idol" last year and made it into the top 30. Spencer is 19 and Todd isn't happy. "I'm your daddy and it's inappropriate to me," he barks. Ultimately, she gets chaperoned. Good news: it's not Todd. Bad news: it's another family member. He still gets to warn poor Savannah with Spencer in the room: "I better not catch him doing anything or I'll cut if off and put it in my pocket."
You wanna hear me roar? Apropos of nothing, the producers include a moment where Todd says he wants to hear Katy Perry music in the car. "She puts me in a good mood," he drawls.
Daytrippin' : In the second episode, Todd and Julie leave their oldest son and daughter alone overnight for the first time to watch over Grayson. They decide to go off and do their own thing and lie to their parents, who end up having to return early. Guess how this one plays out.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
And in case you don't know who Paul Lynde is, here he is:
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
TV preview
"Chrisley Knows Best," 10 p.m. Tuesdays, starting Oct. 14, USA Network
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