Brothers & Sisters

That’s how the new ABC show Dirty Sexy Money is described in a TV Guide interview with star Peter Krause — “Brothers & Sisters on crack.” After watching the first episode last night, I’d add “and filled with really unpleasant characters you will be happy to never see again.” But I guess that’s not so catchy.

I thought I’d give the show a watch because it stole a bunch of Brothers & Sisters creative types, including show-runner Greg Berlanti and writer Craig Wright. I wanted to see if I should wish them well, or wish them back. And after an hour of my life I’ll never get back, I’m yelling, “Come back! Come back!” It’s like they gave a show to the obnoxious family from “Game Night,” times 1,000.

I’m a fan of Peter Krause from Sports Night days, and I enjoyed watching him well enough, though I wish his character was a little more masterful in dealing with a family that he knows so well will try to take over his life. Man, if you’re going to do things your own way and keep your own hours, might I just suggest that you try screening your calls?

I did think that Donald Sutherland was fabulous as the patriarch. In an era where we like our rich folk to be blowhard exhibitionists making fools of themselves on reality shows, Sutherland’s Tripp seemed more like the real deal: a guy whose smile and straightforward manner almost but not quite hide the fact that he is Satan.

The scene at the end, when Tripp shows up at the hangar where Krause’s Nick is surveying the wreck of his father’s plane, casually notes that Nick is holding his father’s briefcase, then suggests he take the helicopter home, was so full of menace it gave me goosebumps. The rest of the show? Mostly nausea.

At any rate, it’s a good sign if Brothers & Sisters is enough of a known quantity now that it can be used to define another series. There are a few other B&S references in the Krause interview, too. He mentions that while he has made it a point to watch Dexter, which stars Six Feet Under castmate Michael C. Hall, he hasn’t managed to catch Brothers & Sisters — a fact that could get him in hot water with boss Berlanti as well as another former Six Feet Under costar:

“If Rachel [Griffiths] reads me saying something about that, she’ll call. [Affecting an Australian accent] “Peter! You watch Michael’s show! I’ve seen quotes in the paper from you about his show!”

Did you watch Dirty Sexy Money? What did you think about it? Are you hoping to add it to your regular viewing schedule, or hoping it will end soon so that Peter Krause has lots and lots of time to catch up with the Walkers? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Brothers and Sisters, ABC, Dirty Sexy Money, Peter Krause, Greg Berlanti

_{Photo: ABC.com}