tv review: rescue me

there's pretty much no good television on during the summer. and the o.c. doesn't start again til november 4th (mark your calendars). so if you're looking for something to watch on wednesdays at 10pm instead of crank yankers or the 1,392nd airing of this year's world series of poker, check out "rescue me" on fx. it stars dennis leary, who rules, as a member of the FDNY. the show is totally cliche, but somehow still appealing (as is the theme song called cmon, cmon by the von blondies). and it's always funny when leary tries to be a bad ass cuz he's pushing 130 lbs soaking wet (and coming from me that is no good). also, i like how fx is free hbo. they say "shit" and "pussy" all the time on the show (don't ask me how this is legal). the characters get in over-the-top sex situations. and how can you not find it hilarious when the crotchety, fat, old fire chief is setting up the rules for a penis-length contest? now, don't expect any actual firefighting (there's been just 1 fire in the 5 episodes i've seen, and that one existed only so some unknown fireman could die and leary & co. could go kick the guy who started the fire's ass. and so someone could start screwing the hot widow.), but expect lots of booze, sex, cussing, and leary's on-screen uncle to never wear anything but boxers and a wife beater. maybe that last one isn't so appealing, but cmon! you still got the booze, sex, cussing, and dennis fucking leary!

-ETG