Hung (HBO 2009-2010, Thomas Jane, Jane Adams)

In off beat comedy drama series Hung we enter into the world of Detroit based serial loser Ray Drecker, a middle aged basketball coach whose life is on a downward spiral. His wife has left him for someone wealthier, his house has been badly burnt in a fire, his job is in the balance as his team are on a losing streak and his teenage kids would rather live with mum than share a tent with him (even if it does have its own microwave oven). Determined to give it one last shot at turning his life around Ray goes on a get rich quick seminar, after hooking with an old flame, Tanya, Ray realises that he has one thing going for him. He is very well endowed! Tanya convinces him to set up in business as a gigalo aka Happiness Consultant.

The kind of show that only pay tv can seemingly take on, Hung is a kind of male version of Secret Diary of a Call Girl and is out of the same mould as Californication. Very funny (and quite sad too) and with a couple of brilliant performances from Thomas Jane and Jane Adams. Ray actually isn’t that likeable but you can’t help empathise with him. The show is full of strong language and graphic sex scenes but its definitely a class act.

production details
USA / HBO – Tennessee Wolf Pack – E1 Entertainment / 1×60 minute episode 29×30 minute episodes / Broadcast 28 June 2009 – 4 December 2011

Creators: Colette Burson, Dmitry Lipkin / Music: Craig Wedren / Theme Music: The Black Keys / Executive Producers: Alexander Payne, Colette Burson, Dimitry Lipkin, Michael Rosenberg, Noreen Halpern, John Morayniss, Emily Kapnek, Scott Stephens

cast
THOMAS JANE as Ray Drecker
JANE ADAMS as Tanya Skagle
EDDIE JEMISON as Ronnie Haxon
CHARLIE SAXTON as Damon Drecker
SIANOA SMIT-McPHEE as Darby Drecker
ANNE HECHE as Jessica Haxon
LOREN LESTER as Howard Koontz
REBECCA CRESKOFF as Lenore
STEVE HYTNER as Floyd Gerber
GREGG HENRY as Mike
MARYLOUISE BURKE as Jessica’s Mother
ALANNA UBACH as Yael Koontz
LENNIE JAMES as Charlie