My Name Is Earl Series Review

My Name Is Earl (2005-2009)
Season 1 - 24 episodes (2005-06)
Season 2 - 23 episodes (2006-07)
Season 3 - 22 episodes (2007-08)
Season 4 - 27 episodes (2008-09)

Rent My Name is Earl on Amazon Video (paid link)
Created by: Gregory Thomas Garcia
Starring: Jason Lee, Ethan Suplee, Jaime Pressly, Nadine Velazquez, Eddie Steeples
Rated: TV-14
Watch the trailer

Plot
A ne'er do well wins $100,000 in the lottery and decides to right all the wrongs from his past with his newfound discovery of karma.

Verdict
While comedic, the core of the story is that no lowlife is ever too far gone. Earl has committed nearly every crime imaginable, but one decision changes everything. He wants to spread good and right all the wrongs he's caused to people. In each episode we encounter a wild cast of characters, all desperate just to get by as Early relays whatever wild deed caused him to lie, cheat, or steal and then his plan to make good on the error. This is never serious, and it's an easy watch with the main plot line usually concluding in that episode. It's a fun show, and Earl is incredibly likable as he does the best he can with what he has.
Watch It.

Review
Despite the show ending on a cliff hanger, it's worth watching. This isn't a show necessarily focused on the story, at least not a serialized drama. The story is just a vehicle for Earl to relay his wild crimes and showcase his various unique friends. While initially picked up for a fifth season, an argument between. the studio and the network over payments for the show ended up in it being canceled unexpectedly. Creator Garcia later said that a show like this can't really end, but he imagined that Earl would eventually meet someone with their own list, discovering that Earl's idea of a list propagated and Earl realizes he's finally done more good than bad.

It's a simple premise that works really well. Earl (Jason Lee) is stereotypical trailer trash that wants to spread good. He creates a list of everyone he's wronged and plans to make amends. He frequently encounters his ex-wife Joy (Jamie Pressly) and her husband Darnell (Eddie Steeples) on his adventures, with help from his brother Randy (Ethan Suplee).

Ethan Suplee, Jason Lee play Randy, Earl

The first episode sets up the premise for the show, Earl discovers the concept of karma and decides to rectify a past mistake. With an instant payoff, he's convinced karma is real. It's almost dumb, but Early fully buys into karma and that starts his wacky adventure of trying to right his many wrongs. It's an easy watch and a lot of fun. The humor is mostly how ridiculous each situation is. Earl is this easy going guy that has a lot of misdeeds to correct. Each episode is a new adventure as Earl either recounts what he's done wrong or tires to reconcile a mistake. It's a unique combination of characters that skew towards trailer trash, but they're earnest.

The charm of this show is that Earl is such a likable guy. He just wants to help people, and he'll go to any length to do it. You can't help but like him. The second season has an ongoing story arc where Joy is at risk for being arrested due to stealing a truck, but the core of the show remains. The second seasons ends with a big swing which makes you wonder which direction season three will go.

Eddie Steeples, Jamie Pressly play Darnell, Joy

Season three alters the premise with Earl in jail. It takes the setting farther than I imagined, but it works. Of course Earl knows a lot of people in jail. The thing with this show is that Earl is ready to accept responsibility and make amends. I also appreciate how this show continues to build the backstory with all of the characters crossing paths earlier than we might have imagined. Then later it goes back and build even more backstory.
I didn't like season three as much. It tried to change the format too much. I didn't mind jail, but this puts Earl in a dream state later in the season which undermines why I like the show. Earl also tries to run from karma, but eventually returns to his list.

Season four returns to status quo. Earl continues to work through his list amidst challenges as we delve into the past and continue to build character's backstories. This season even provides an answer for the blue door on Earl's car. We also find out Darnell's backstory finally. Unfortunately this seasons ends on a cliff hanger with the parentage of Earl Jr. up in the air.

The show remained consistent it's entire run time. It's a great idea and Earl is the perfect character for it. While Earl has been guilty of a multitude of crimes, we watch him realize his mistakes and decide to fix them. Of course that means we get to see all of the wild adventures that created those mistakes. The corrections are equally as entertaining as it usually results in Earl replacing or fixing the damage he caused. There are shows that are just fun to hang out and watch, and this is one of them.