First look–TBS launching new anthology comedy “The Guest Book”

Funny is in the eye of the beholder. How often do you ever agree with anyone as to what comedy is truly funny? We each only know what makes us laugh out loud and what doesn’t. TBS nailed it with its new series Angie Tribeca last year. TBS’s next half-hour comedy also could be laugh-out-loud funny. It’s The Guest Book, and on paper it sounds like Newhart, only without Bob, and focused on the guests instead. Replacing Bob is Night Court co-star and funnyman Charles Robinson, which could be just as fun. The Guest Book sprouts from Emmy winner and series creator Greg Garcia (My Name is Earl) and his habit of writing fictitious stories in the guest books of various rental cabins while on vacation, in an effort to “freak out” the next vacationers.

Each week we meet new guests, but the townies will be the same, including Robinson as the cabin owner. The Guest Book is notable for getting Kellie Martin out of the normal roles she’s played (always brilliantly) on the Hallmark Channel, straight arrow roles like those she’s done on Mystery Woman and Hailey Dean Mystery (why hasn’t Hollywood tapped her for film roles?). Here she will be the local sheriff. Regulars also include Carly Jibson as Vivian, and Frank, played by Lou Wilson. Other cast members from the town include everyone’s favorite guest villain Garret Dillahunt (Burn Notice, White Collar, Life, The X-Files), plus Laura Bell Bundy (Angie Tribeca, How I Met Your Mother, Veronica Mars, Guiding Light), Margo Martindale (New Girl, Orphan, The Riches, Medium, The Firm), John Ortiz (Medium, Law & Order), and Jenna Fischer (The Office).

As with Angie Tribeca, it will be an opportunity each week to focus on guest stars, so it could be a great platform to meet old friends in an anthology environment. These include fan favorite Danny Pudi (Community, Powerless), Stockard Channing (Batman Beyond, Grease, Sesame Street), Michael Rapaport (Chuck, The 6th Day, Cop Land), Jaime Pressly (My Name is Earl, The Twilight Zone, Charmed), Lauren Lapkus (Adventure Time, Jurassic World), and Michaela Watkins (Angie Tribeca, New Girl, Saturday Night Live, Medium, Without a Trace, Charmed).

Check out these previews for The Guest Book: