Sneak Peek: Cavemen

This Fall, ABC rolls out a new half hour sitcom based on a television commercial. From the start, this show is going to have to have to work harder than most to create viewers and if we hadn't seen a preview, we certainly would have passed Cavemen without a second thought.

But surprisingly, a program created from an insurance advertisement has turned from horrible idea into brilliant television. Cavemen creator Joe Lawson, the same man behind the commercials, was signed to ABC to write the pilot in March of 07' after the runaway success of the adverts. The original cavemen were at first meant to star, but instead the show now features Bill English as main caveman Joel, comedian Nick Kroll as caveman activist friend Nick and seasoned actor Dash Mihok as the goofy brother Andy.

The show follows the exploits of the three twenty-something cavemen as they deal with relationships, in-laws and at the heart of it all, racial stereotyping. The pilot takes place at the country club of Nick's fiance, where a western themed bbq is being held. Joel, Nick and Andy are stopped at the door when they are not on the list and from there, hilarity ensues as all three characters are roped into fulfilling the racial stereotypes equated with cavemen, such as clubbing people and wild sex. The writing is clever and the characters immediately likable from the beginning. The stand-out performance comes from Nick Kroll as the outspoken friend as he sweet talks the older gentlemen at the club, including Joel's future father in-law and in the opening scene, dominates the dialog as he points out how the caveman weather guy dresses up and dances for the camera.

Overall, Cavemen is an intelligent social commentary about the persistence of racial issues in America. It tackles racism with grace, brilliance and remarkable humor. Cavemen premieres Tuesday, October 2nd, 8pm.