Review of Andy Barker, P.I.

I strongly suspect that the work of most real-life private investigators is deeply, irredeemably boring. In fiction, however, these fedora-wearing sleuths nearly always tackle big, juicy, spectacular cases dealing with topics like murder, blackmail, adultery and drug smuggling. The fictional private eye genre also drips with remarkable tropes and clichés. If you want to see a clever attack on the fictional side of things I recommend "Andy Barker, P. I.". It's a hilarious comedy series about a middle-of-the-road accountant who starts his new business in a location formerly used by - you've guessed it - a private investigator. When people mistake him for the previous owner, he begins to tackle cases far outside of his comfort zone, aided and abetted by some of his new neighbors. Before long he is fighting with the Russian maffia or trying to liberate unjustly convicted one-legged sexpots.

One of the running jokes consists of the accountant's abiding fidelity to the habits and ethics of his profession. For instance, in one of the episodes the traditional "race against the clock" deals with the legal deadline for filing a tax return. Another episode sees him giving a client investment advice during a car chase.

Funny, and concise enough to remain fresh and punchy.