I'd be very interested to find out why this show never got on the air when it was actually made. The six episodes are very entertaining, shot with some style, and clever. Wait a sec, this is network television, so I guess that's 3 reasons it didn't make it. It's all becoming clear now! Seriously, Jason Bateman is great in the lead role, and the chemistry with Greg Grunberg (as his best friend) and Nikki Cox (potential love interest) seems evident even in the pilot episode. The interactions between those characters just don't feel forced at all in the six episodes, which is unusual early on in a new show. I think the show would have found better ways to integrate the other characters, particularly Kyle Gass' oddball teacher (who knows, if the show had continued, maybe we would have seen a cameo with the other half of Tenacious D).
I would love to have seen a whole lot more of these characters and dialogue. All in all, "The Jake Effect" was a funny show with a lot of potential, that for whatever reason, didn't get a shot to succeed. Take the opportunity to check it out while you can.
I would love to have seen a whole lot more of these characters and dialogue. All in all, "The Jake Effect" was a funny show with a lot of potential, that for whatever reason, didn't get a shot to succeed. Take the opportunity to check it out while you can.