'Trust Me's' Double Whammy

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

So, it's taken me most of the day to figure out what I wanted to say with regards to the two new episodes of Trust Me that aired back-to-back this week.

And, I'm still not sure.

The show has slipped into being too predictable for me, and I'm afraid the scenarios in this week's eps weren't much of an exception.

First episode: Conner bonking the marketing director of a big time account the team needs to secure in order to survive ('cause we recall they lost Arc Mobile). Turns out she dumped the last agency because ... uh, the relationship didn't work out.

Gee, we couldn't see that coming, could we?

No offense on Amy Pietz's portrayal of Diane the Dish, but the minute she slithers in and starts flirting with everybody, I'm like, "So, this is going to end with her sleeping with Conner, then dumping Conner, then ruining the account for Mason."

And for the most part, I was right.

Except in the end, when the boys actually stick it to Diane and turn one of Conner's midnight romps with her IN to the actual advertising campaign - which she fumes over but is outvoted by HER boss.

I swear, she was even more paranoid schizophrenic than Sarah.

And annoying.

Seriously, does Conner actually think anything through?

Second episode: Conner and Mason - whilst on assignment in the middle of Nowhere Nebraska studying focus groups for aforementioned Diane's account - run into Conner's former art director partner.

You know, the one before Mason.

Whom he apparently ditched some years back when he realized the guy had zilch-o talent but didn't have the cajones to actually own up and say it to his face.

And Stu (remember Stu?) fired him.

Well, fast forward to Conner feeling all guilty for how it all went down, and thus, gee we couldn't see that coming conning Mason into hiring him onto the team only to have his work be just as bad as it was a decade ago, and Conner still not having the cajones to man up to get rid of him.

Now there were a couple of charmers in these episodes - mostly concerning Sarah Clarke's Erin (again). Seriously, I really can't get enough of the scenes between her and Eric McCormack. They have got some true husband-wife chemistry if I've ever seen it.

And Sarah's attempt to get Rolling Rock (yes, the beer) to become one of Mason's accounts was funny - especially in her attempts to keep it secret and/or speak in the-crow-is-in-the-barn code.

And Conner's former partner really WAS a decent guy. Kinda made you feel bad he had been lead to believe he really had talent to work in the advertising industry. He almost seemed TOO decent to be part of the insanity.

And the first episode finally gave us (er, me) the magic Mason/Conner moment showing why they should even BE together: they are a really good team when they want to be.

But really, I was left mostly underwhelmed again by what was on display. It continues to be a shame, too, because I think the cast gels really well together. All the actors get that rapid fire delivery of lines, the quick pacing of the scenes, the never-ending source of energy required to work in advertising.

Unfortunately, the show is just stuck on the Mason has problem/Conner tries to fix problem/Conner makes problem worse/ya-da, ya-da formula that plays too much like a one-trick pony.

**PROGRAMMING NOTE: Next new episode of Trust Me airs on March 31st, with two back-to-back episodes beginning at 9 p.m. You can learn more about the series by visiting the Trust Me Official Web site.

'Trust Me' Is Running on Empty

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

Well, that was quick.

Last week, Trust Me reminded me of why the show has promise.

This week, not so much.

In fact, at the end of this week's episode, we were given the heads-up that we'll have two back-to-back eps NEXT week starting at 9 p.m.

This, I fear, can't be good.

Why?

It seems to suggest TNT is trying to get rid of the show's new eps as fast as possible because ... well, it just isn't doing all that well.

And herein lies the problem once again with the show: it just isn't grabbing people.

For as much promise as the show seemed to have in its premiere, it has dropped off considerably in terms of having that wow-must-watch factor - even though Eric McCormack and Tom Cavanagh can riff off one another like the day is long.

Even I found myself yawning through this week's ep which, again, seemed to focus on the same things as all the previous eps (give or take): Mason has problem. Conner wants to fix problem. Meanwhile, Conner has his own problem that somehow becomes Mason's problem. Mason doesn't want Conner to fix problem or take his advice. He does so anyway and gets into some sort of conundrum over it. Something happens to bring it to resolution. Next ep.

For as much as I lament the formula of procedurals, THIS formula is old after only a handful of eps.

And how much longer can we go with Sarah Krajicek-Hunter thinking she just doesn't fit in? Isn't doing well? Still needs a partner? I think this oddball out concept with the character is beginning to wear very thin. Yes, I think Monica Potter is doing a wonderful job in her portrayal, and I think this week's ep finally showed the character turning a bit of a corner. However, for the most part, her I-don't-fit-in routine has been beaten into our heads way too much. We need to move on.

I still do think some of the best aspects of the show are Mason's homelife sequences - and that McCormack and Sarah Clarke gel wonderfully as hubby and wife. Yet, that can't be the show's focus because ... well, it's supposed to be about two ad guys with yin-yang chemistry.

But there doesn't seem to be one compelling theme to the show, or one super motivating factor to want to watch.

Two great comedic actors isn't enough.

Trust Me airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on TNT. You can learn more about the series by visiting the Trust Me Official Web site.

'Trust Me's' Promise

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

I know I've been bagging on Trust Me these last few weeks.

Believe-you-me, no one wants to like this show more than I do.

But the Mason Conner Chronicles that have been on display of late have gotte a little ... repetitive? boring? annoying?

However, last night's episode reminds me once again of the show's promise.

Now, I don't know if that is because the focus was on Mason and his ever delicate balancing act of how to deal with a life-devouring job whilst still making time to have said life (something a lot of people can relate to).

Or if it was because the other members of the creative team had more to do than say a couple of lines of dialogue, which gave us a sense of ensemble chemistry (and took the focus off the can-be-annoying Connerness).

Or if it was because Sarah Krajicek-Hunter met her match with her new partner (which took the focus off of her can-be-annoyingness).

Or the fact that Sarah Clarke's Erin wasn't just waiting around at home, cleaning up and getting ready for Mason's next "Hi, Honey! I'm home! Guess what ...?" unwelcome surprise.

Or maybe it was because Tony Mink got the better of his entire team after putting them through a marathon weekend session to try and come up with a campaign to get the 2016 Olympics in Chicago (which essentially pulled a gotcha on us viewers, too).

Whatever it was, I happened to enjoy last night's episode given most of us can related to the dilemma facing Mason. Did he handle it the best way? No. What other choice did he have? Not sure - since it seemed to boil down to you WILL do what your boss says OR you don't have a job.

That said, I still don't understand why Mason puts up with Conner, or why he would even think Conner could be put in charge to manage the team in Mason's I-need-a-staycation-save-my-marriage absence.

Sure, Conner wanting to help out his buddy's home life is a cool thing.

But we all know Conner is one big goof most of the time - and that includes Mason. And yet, we viewers still only have a very loose understanding of the so-called "depth" of their relationship.

Yes, they are best friends. Yes, they've worked together for a decade. Yes, they do bounce ideas off each other. But by in large, we've mostly been shown how much Conner is a screw up/can't be left to his own devices/acts like a teenager/gets Mason in trouble more than he bails him out of it.

I'm kinda waiting for the defining moment to show us why in the world Conner is THAT close with Mason. It still seems as if he would've dumped Conner eons ago.

Then again, just like there are some women who can't resist the "bad boy" boyfriend, perhaps Mason can't resist the complete-opposite-BFF that is Conner.

Or there is some creative genius of Conner's we have yet to see.

In any event, the show redeemed itself a bit for me this week.

Trust Me airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on TNT. You can learn more about the series by visiting the Trust Me Official Web site.

'Trust Me' Bags It ... Sort Of

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

Can I just say that I would have loved, at any one point during my previous tenures in marketing and advertising, to have been able to just let loose my frustration on a client's product as a direct result of said client ... uh, bailing on me? Thinking I'm no longer any good? Trying to one-up me? All of the above?

Griffin Dunne's Tony Mink did just that this week on Trust Me, and I was envious. His put - your - Arc - Mobile - cell - phones - in - this - bag - and - watch - me - beat - the - heck - out - of - it moment was a classic.

Why was he doing this?

Oh, you know ... the account has gone into the dreaded "review" phase.

Read: client wants out. Or, as Chief Big Boss Denise so kindly puts it to us at the end: they want the team to do more for less money.

But up until THAT moment, we're pretty much thinking Tony, Mason, Conner and the rest of the team are screwed given the loss of their biggest client. Better get to replacing that $75 million, eh?

Now, aside from that classic outburst moment by Tony, the rest of the episode was so-so for me. Yes, we've got Mason inevitably trying to do the right thing - wanting to save the client, wanting to not think the world is coming to an end, remaining ridiculously dedicated to his job AND still trying to be a nice guy.

We've got Conner doing what Conner seems to only do - find ways to convince Mason to do the impossible all in the name of being some sort of genius, renegade, don't-do-things-by-the-book Creative Director.

We've got Sarah pretending she's still married to her ex-husband, and thus, forcing him to take her out on a date to celebrate her birthday (for which she sends herself her own gift basket at the office).

And we've got Tony trying not to have a nervous breakdown in light of the fact Mason and Conner decide to proceed shooting an Arc Mobile commercial even after a) Tony says no; b) the firm doesn't want any more money spent on the account given it's in "review."

Right, like that's going to stop Conner from finagling Mason into flying across the country (again) to do something they shouldn't do (again) only to try and save the day (again) when all the odds are stacked against them (again).

Do we see a pattern here?

We do. And it's kind of bothersome to me.

Almost like a formula: Mason has problem. Conner needs to try and help Mason fix problem. Conner's idea to fix problem is absurd. Mason balks, but then eventually consents. Mason still frets. Conner flies by seat of pants. A little push here, a little push there, problem gets strangely solved only to lead to new problem. And at the end of the day, we still have Mason being the "boss," Conner the copywriter with too much iPhone time, and Sarah as the neurotic co-worker.

I do formulas on procedurals; not on non-procedurals.

And while I do see that this whole what to do with Arc Mobile/how do we get our $75 million back is going to be the overarching theme for this season, I sort of feel like we're going in circles. We just watched Conner and Mason fly to Los Angeles on a whim last week ... did we really need to see that again this week? It rang too similar. And I'm still not finding any real depth to the Conner character. The super-speed-talk schtik is getting old. Mason has some depth thanks to the homeslice sequences with wife Erin. And Sarah has at least got some issues on display that do NOT have to do with some sort of missing tag line for a client's campaign.

Hmmm.

So, Trust Me, what can you really do with this formula that won't bore the heck out of us who really, really, really, really want to like your show?

We shall see.

Trust Me airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on TNT. You can learn more about the series by visiting the Trust Me Official Web site.

'Trust Me' Goes For Au Courant

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

Poor Trust Me.

They are trying to be so au courant, aren't they?

Or maybe they're just trying to be too cool for school.

Dunno.

As the show continues to struggle to find its footing (er, audience), this week's episode moved into Mason's home life, which is even more entertaining than his work life.

Reason Number One: Sarah Clarke (Erin, his wife, who we got to see lots more of - yay!).

Reason Number Two: Vanessa Marano (Haley, his daughter, who I'd like to see lots more of).

There was something so very real about dad (Mason) being so desperate to prove his up-to-date-hip-young-coolness (read: au courant) to an account at work that he enlists the help of his teen daughter in a show-me-what-you're-into moment. Ne'er mind that her I-downloaded-this-new-book scenario makes dad bomb in the meeting, or that she only has three Facebook friends, daughter Haley isn't so insecure and lame to feel the need to keep up with the teen version of the Jones.'

She's actually pretty cool in her own right.

As an individual.

Her own person.

And fine with it.

So is mom.

Dad should take note.

Which he does, at the end of the ep, after going to the ends of the earth to try and secure in-like-Flynn director Spike Jonze for Conner's revamped idea of doing a web-i-sode campaign for aforementioned teen account.

Which once again shows us Conner is good for ... nothing? pie in the sky ideas? spending $4,000 to fly across the country to try and trick Spike's agent at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to get Spike to do the gig AFTER they promised teen account it was a done deal?

(Um, yeah ... like you could really just walk into the lobby of CAA unannounced, pretend you're Spike Jonze, have the receptionist buzz your high powered don't-return-Spielberg's-calls agent who would then just automatically come down to get you no questions asked ...)

I'm going to have to agree with one of our reader's comments from last week (thanks again, John) that, thus far, we've seen no real genius on the part of Conner aside from his "What Can You Do With One Hand?" line from the pilot.

Yet, that's exactly what he's supposed to be.

A creative mastermind.

A save-the-day kind of guy.

Yet, all he seems to do is get in the way or come up with one ridiculous scheme after another to get nothing accomplished. True, he did step in and try and save Mason's bomb of a meeting with teen account, and he did ACTUALLY look like he was working once - maybe twice - on the computer during this ep. But I've got to confess I'm finding everyone else on the show more interesting to watch. And this whole yin-yang relationship that supposedly exists between Mason and Conner is actually way too much yang on the part of Conner, which makes me think we'd be better off without him.

Or a dialed down version of him that gives us more substance and less a) womanizing; b) pie-in-the-sky ideas; c) talking too fast to be understood; d) use of his iPhone.

And given what I'm coming to learn of Mason, it seems he would've ditched Conner a LONG time ago. Or, at the very least, Erin would've told him to find a new partner.

I mean even the Junior Ad Team guys going back/forth with Sarah about the posted-on-a-blog rumor that said she's gay was more interesting to me.

Got to love blogs.

Wait, was that a plug?

Trust Me airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on TNT. You can learn more about the series by visiting the Trust Me Official Web site.

'Trust Me' Trudges On

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

I really want to stop reading about how Trust Me is bombing in the ratings.

Or the Who, What, Where, When, How and Why people can't seem to get into the show.

I've perused some of the other television blogs, some of the reader comments, some of message board stuff. I guess most of the discontent seems to boil down to: "Is advertising really like this?" to "Monica Potter is just so annoying" to "There isn't anything compelling between the two men to make me want to watch."

We all know I disagree.

And I guess I'm one of the few who "gets" the show.

Working in an ad agency - or any creative agency - is really a schizophrenic experience, complete with neurotic know-it alls, egotistical maniacs, the good guys trying not to be the bad guys, the bad guys trying to be the good guys, the arse-kissing, the one-upsmanship, the figure-it-out-by-4:00-p.m.-or-you're-fired daily threat. I guess since I've seen all this first hand, the show doesn't come out of left field to me.

That said, I have to say last night's ep was a little ... how should I say ... annoying.

And it was at the expense of Tom Cavanagh.

I wanted him to stop talking.

I wanted Conner to stop talking.

I wanted to focus on Mason's dilemma in trying to prevent Sarah from being hired away to another creative team WITHIN the agency.

I wanted to focus on Mason having to deal with Big Boss Lady Denise.

I wanted to see more of Mason and wife Erin (played by the lovely Sarah Clarke).

And as annoying as some people feel Monica Potter is, she doesn't speak at a pace that equates to Mr. Mumbles.

Plainly, Cavanagh's Conner distracted me.

And I wonder if he's distracting other people, too.

Now, I've said both he and Eric McCormack have tremendous riff-off-one-another chemistry. They do. Problem is, they might have TOO much chemistry (if that can be said), and I don't need to be watching it for 45 minutes straight or have it interrupt my ability to follow the other stories and character development.

When they both go back and forth so quickly, and seem so insanely wrapped up in one another, the viewer gets lost; we can't take a breath to catch up and "get it"; and, we end up wanting Conner to just.stop.talking long enough to actually understand what is being said or to move onto something else.

I hate to say that because I know this is a gift Cavanagh has - that of a rapid fire recitation of lines (and improvisation), but I'm finding it might be getting in the way.

And I'm not sure the show has much leeway to allow for things to get in its way.

Trust Me airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on TNT. You can learn more about the series by visiting the Trust Me Official Web site.

Chat Live with 'Trust Me' Stars

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

So, now here's your chance to see just how fun it is to talk (or would that be chat-email-comment-something-or-other?) to Trust Me stars Eric McCormack and Tom Cavanagh.

Eric, Tom and the rest of the cast of TNT’s new series will chat with fans live tonight online at tnt.tv from 11 p.m. to Midnight (ET) immediately following an all-new episode.

Simply logon to tnt.tv, click on the Trust Me web chat and ask your questions.

And don't forget to tune into tonight's all new episode at 10 p.m.

'Trust Me' Gets it Right .. and No One is Watching

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

There are some shows to which you can fully relate.

Then there are others you really love, but you can't actually look at the screen and go, "Been there, done that. Worked with him. Saw that happen. Lived to tell about it."

And yet, every once in a while a show comes along whereby you can not only relate to it, but you swear at some point in this life (or another life) you actually lived it.

Trust Me is fast becoming my I-think-I-lived-this-show-once hour of television.

Take, for example, the promotion-in-title-only scenario that plagued poor Mason this week.

Been there. Done that.

And the writers just nailed this PERFECTLY.

Boss is overly excited to hand you a brand new box of business cards with a fancy new title, falls all over himself to congratulate you only to then dance around the fact there is no adjustment in pay for your promotion.

Um, yes, I'll take a super-sized version of work, extra stress with half a serving of politics. Drama on the side. And lots of money.

Oh, but you're out of money?

Can I cancel my order?

Or, how about the hot shot something or other who comes in, makes you think you can't live without him, screws everyone over only to leave, come back, then leave again before anything official ever hits the floor?

Or the stolen creative idea?

Or the neurotic do-gooder who needs one less serving of Red Bull so that we can all just ... well, actually focus on our work?

Speaking of ... how good is Monica Potter as Sarah?

Awfully good. We got a much more thorough introduction to her this week, and I have to say she entertains me in the most strangely annoying way. It's like I watch JUST to see how she can get under Mason's skin.

And while I sit hear and sing the praises of this show, I'm confused to its debut to less than stellar ratings (which continued this week).

This has BJ and Co. as the lead-in and is brought to us from the SAME people who give us BJ and Co.

WTF ...?

Please don't tell me we are going to have the Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles syndrome of Monday night doldrums that lead to the demise of yet another good show.

Honestly, TV Land still confuses me sometimes, and I don't get why Trust Me isn't catching on as yet. Is it too fast? Too ad agency-esque? Too ... I don't know ... quirky? Does everyone expect Eric McCormack to turn back into Will Truman?

Someone told me a long time ago there are a lot of GOOD shows that DON'T succeed.

Please don't let Trust Me fall into that group.

Trust Me airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on TNT. You can learn more about the series by visiting the Trust Me Official Web site.

'Trust Me' ... It's Good

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

When I first saw the promos running for TNT's new don't call it a dramedy series, Trust Me, I thought: that's going to be good.

Why?

Aside from Eric McCormack being front and center once again (thank you, there is a TV Goddess), all of the cop and lawyer shows that are EVERYWHERE on the tube these days get a little a) boring; b) repetitive; c) predictable; and, d) border on burn out. (Like, is no one coming up with anything else?!?! Do we really need another CSI?!?! What the hell happened to the sitcom?!?! Why is no one watching 30 Rock?!?!)

Anyhooo, it's refreshing when something light, bright and airy comes along. That, or at least something that doesn't take itself too seriously à la In Plain Sight (which proves cop shows CAN be funny).

Enter Trust Me.

Humor. Wit. Dialogue written at the speed of light. Sarcasm. Irony. Poignant moments. Clever inter-personal struggles. Perfect chemistry.

I'm not sure what this show DOESN'T have (And, for the record, can we please stop saying it's a present-day Mad Men? It's not. Mad Men is way too mental and/or serious and/or 50s and/or drama and/or heavy and/or ... fill in your own blank).

Last night, we were introduced to Mason (McCormack) and Connor (Tom Cavanagh), two guys who have worked for an umpteen number of years at a high-powered ad agency in Chicago.

Mason, the art director, is the serious, focused, dutiful, hard working, lives-and-breathes advertising, doesn't-think-you-need-to-be-an-a-hole-to-climb-the-latter kind of guy.

Connor, on the other hand, is the fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants copywriter genius who would rather be downing a few beers at the local pub than concentrating on the campaign at hand.

Their yin and yang make a pretty good team. When Mason unexpectedly becomes Connor's boss (thanks to the dropping dead of the former Creative Director - who was played ingeniously strung out by the always good Jason O'Mara) ... well, things get interesting.

And they get why they can't live without each other.

The show is just fun to watch. It's sort of this mixture of serious and funny, and I've have to agree with McCormack when he told us here at PTR that it's like a cross between thirtysomething and Boston Legal.

Ahem ... for those of you NOT old enough to have watched thirtysomething, suffice it to say there's enough comedic stuff going on, but it's tempered by the struggle of what most of face in life - balancing work, life and friendship.

McCormack and Cavanagh work an amazing chemistry together. For anyone typecasting either actor from any of their previous roles, you will be nicely surprised at how well each fits into these new molds.

And on a purely shallow note: can I just say I love the set decoration? Can I work in an office like that some day?

Make a note: my Mondays are now split between BJ and Co and the Mason/Connor Chronicles.

Trust Me airs Mondays at 10 p.m. on TNT. You can learn more about the series by visiting the Trust Me Official Web site.

In McCormack and Cavanagh, We 'Trust'

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

Trust me.

When you have actors Eric McCormack and Tom Cavanagh on the phone at the same time, getting a word in edgewise is a challenge. You just want to try and keep up as they riff off one another, finish each others' sentences and let the one-liners fly.

Just don’t call their new show Trust Me a dramedy (you know, that combination of "drama" and "comedy").

“We don’t like saying ‘dramedy.’ Will one of you [bloggers] please coin a new phrase?” jokes Eric.

“Nobody likes to say ‘dramedy,’” adds Tom. “Come up with a new thing. That’s your single mission.”

The new TNT series, which premieres Monday at 10 p.m., centers on two best friends working as creative partners at a top-ranked Chicago ad agency. The series also co-stars Monica Potter (Boston Legal), Griffin Dunne (Law & Order: Criminal Intent), Sarah Clarke (24), Mike Damus (Lost in Yonkers) and Geoffrey Arend (Garden State).

In between both laughing AT and WITH Eric and Tom, we learn this was the right script at the right time for both actors to draw them back into series television.

Says Eric: “I missed being on a series. I wanted something smart that was about grown ups but was also funny. I didn’t want to be a cop or a lawyer. And the authenticity of this script – both the advertising part and the friendship part - really spoke to me. It was exactly what I wanted to do, and I just prayed to get paired up with somebody great.”

He pauses for a moment.

Cue the punch line.

“Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. But, I do get Tom Cavanagh, which is just fine. It’ll do.”

Tom laughs and says: “I’m [always] looking for anything that’s well written, and this was one of those instances. There is no good show without good writing, and in this instance, I like playing the guy who is a little darker [and] different from some of the other stuff I’ve done. [My] character walks a line, and the show [itself] walks a line between funny and serious. As an actor, [being a part of a show like this] is just a boon to play.”

Set against the backdrop of the high-pressure world of advertising (no, this is NOT a present-day Mad Men), the show focuses on Eric’s character of Mason and Tom’s character of Conner as a pair of ad men who have enjoyed a successful creative partnership for a number of years – albeit a yin-yang relationship.

Art director Mason is the responsible, workaholic family man with a wife, two children and a loyalty to the brands he helps sell. Copywriter Conner is single, impulsive and has the attention span of a teenager. Their relationship is put to the test when Mason is named a creative director of the agency, making him Conner’s boss, and the series follows the changing dynamics between the two friends.

On playing Connor, Tom says: “I like everything about it. I like the fact he’s irresponsible, petty, shallow, immature and brilliant. He can skate on a lot of things simply because he’s decent at what he does [work-wise], but he [is also] actually a decent friend. There’s goodness in spite of all [his] womanizing and drinking. And he feels very real – like a lot of the guys I know. So, it’s enjoyable playing him. And he’s exceptionally well written. Any time you’re doing episodic [television], and you’re going to see and play the [same character] every day, you want it to be something that you like to do and [also have it be] a character that is well written.”

On playing Mason, Eric agrees and says: “For me, as much as it’s fun to play characters that are a complete 180 degrees from your own personality, there’s a part of me that really likes bringing my own sensibility and sense of humor to [a role]. I had eight years [on Will & Grace] of [portraying a gay man], so it’s nice to now be able to play [husband and wife] stuff. And some of what has been written for Sarah Clarke’s character and I - as husband and wife - has mirrored my life in terms of some of the arguments I’ve had and some of the situations I’ve had with my own wife. So, that is fun – to be able to bring your real life [into] those [fictional] situations. And, I like Mason’s central dilemma; the idea of a guy that didn’t really think he wanted any power suddenly having power and trying to figure out how to use it. As an actor who has been a producer, I’ve had that exact dilemma where one day I’m happy to be the boss and happy to be in control, and the next day I just want nothing to do with it. I just want to play like actors play and let somebody else make the decisions. So I think I relate to [his dilemma].”

Inevitably, one wonders how audiences will take to Eric’s new role after having adored him for so long as the incomparable, Emmy® award winning Will Truman on Will & Grace. That is, does he fear audiences have typecast him as being an actor only known for playing gay-centric roles on sitcoms?

“I guess we’ll find out,” says Eric. “But, I don’t think so. What I found when I started to shop around again and meet with some of the people at the networks to see what the next step might be [to get back on a series], they weren’t only presenting sitcoms to me, and they weren’t only presenting gay roles. There was a lot of leading man stuff. So, I think I managed to play [Will] and circumvent that [kind of typecasting]. I’m very proud of Will and of [Will & Grace], but I think people know that was just a role I was playing, and they will hopefully give me a chance to be Mason.”

When I specifically asked both actors what they found most challenging about being on the new show, it actually turned into what they’ve found most rewarding: the writing. Seeing as this show is being brought to us by Hunt Baldwin and John Coveny, c0-executive producers of TNT’s hit series (and PTR Fave) The Closer, we’re not surprised.

Says Eric: “Both of us have worked on hour or half hour [shows] where half of your energy is spent looking at the dialogue going, man, how do we fix this? How do we make this work? But here, we’ve just found [script after script] arrive, and we don’t want to fix anything. It’s all just really working. Every script has been really great.”

So what does the duo think will compel people to want to watch the new show?

“If you can get in on Trust Me from the beginning,” says Eric, “you’re going to love these characters and the fresh setting. This show doesn’t feel like any other show that I’ve seen in the last few years. I’ve been saying it’s kind of thirtysomething, but it has almost a Boston Legal kind of madness to it as well. I think it’s a real mix for people looking for a smart funny hour.”

But leave the type casting at the door.

“Don’t judge us,” says Tom.

“I think both of us have shows behind us that we are really proud of, but we are exceptionally proud of this [show]. We hope people that watch television understand that we’re actors, and we have to move from thing to thing. But, at the same time, if you’re a big fan of a certain show, certain characters get burned into your minds. Just give us a chance to be these [new] guys and not the guys we used to be. I think you’re going to love these characters.”

And tell your friends and family to watch.

“And their friends’ families and their families’ friends,” says Tom.

Trust Me premieres Monday, January 26th at 10 p.m. on TNT. You can learn more about the series by visiting the Trust Me Official Web site.