Kevin's Big Miss

Last year, one of the most ballyhooed new shows was "Kevin Can Wait," a sitcom featuring the return of actor and comedian Kevin James to TV on CBS. It's a place where, with "King of Queens," he had become a star and done well for the network. And his new show started strong.

But the ratings continued to ebb down through the season. Finally, in the first season finale, the show did a bit of stunt casting and brought in Leah Remini, who starred opposite James on "King of Queens," in the hope pulling in some additional viewers. Little did viewers realize it was also the start of some behind-the-scenes work to re-tool the show.

I didn't love "Kevin Can Wait," but I watched the whole first season. It was a show that had its flaws, but also had its moments. But what I thought worked best was the fun interactions between James and his new TV wife, Erinn Hayes. That, to me, was the heart of the show.

Apparently producers felt differently or, at least, couldn't figure out how to make an addition of Remini work without making another change. So, during the summer, it was announced Hayes had been let go and the show was re-booting, adding Remini full time.

I was upset and confused. I didn't enjoy the two-part finale and what they did with Remini's character, and more importantly I really enjoyed Hayes on the series. But mostly I wondered how the show would explain this.

On Monday night we got our answer in a flaccid, pointless half hour that was also cold and callous in its handling of an important character. In fact, the only thing they said about Hayes' character was that she did a year earlier, made a quick joke, and moved on like she never existed. Kevin's loving wife for years and the mother of this children. And yet in an episode that featured his daughter's wedding, she wasn't even mentioned.

That's bad writing, bad storytelling, and demonstrates a poor understanding of people. And, worse yet, the sequences with Remini again felt awkward and forced. The episode drew a large number on Monday, but that could be the curiosity factor and the result of the lead-in, "The Young Sheldon," which had nearly double the viewers. The real acid test will be episode two.

Regardless, I won't be around to find out. Much like many fans that reacted with outrage and anger on the Internet, I'm done with the show.

It's OK to change characters and shift creative direction. It happens, and sometimes it's necessary. But it has to be done with a purpose and in the right way. Neither appear to be part of this move for "Kevin Can Wait," and it shows.