Amazon dips a toe in the original content waters with 'Alpha House'

TV in 2013 isn't what it was in years past. One of the best shows of the year was "House of Cards," which was an original production of NetFlix. Network shows are time filler, for the most part, and every channel on the dial has original programming.

But in a post "House of Cards" world, having a channel on the dial doesn't matter. Last spring Amazon announced that it was going to be joining the original programming fray in the most fascinating way possible — they offered a set of pilots free online and asked people to provide feedback. Based on the feedback they received, a few series were ordered.

The first of those, the political comedy "Alpha House," made its official debut today. In addition to the pilot, two additional episodes have been made available free of charge. I actually watched and weighed in on the pilot for "Alpha House" last April, so I was excited it got a series order and curious to see how it would develop.

Perhaps the best comedy on TV in 2013 is the HBO series "VEEP." I've written about it before, but part of the reason it works is that it offers us a depiction of government that mirrors public sentiment. Faith and confidence in government has never been lower. Approval and favorable ratings for everyone from the President to Congress are paltry, at best. In fact, what we think of when it comes to government now is often incompetence, self-centeredness, and people who are constantly campaigning.

As a hapless Vice President, Julia Louis Dreyfuss hits that perfectly with "VEEP," an irreverent show about an administration that can't get anything right.

"Alpha House" is right in that sweet spot as well. It's about a quartet of Republican senators who room together in Washington, D.C. and have similar problems when it comes to public perception and accomplishing their goals. With three of them — senators played by Clark Johnson, John Goodman, and Matt Malloy — facing key election challenges, there is plenty of humor to be mined.

Mark Consuelos rounds out the core four as a senator with plenty of ambition and plenty of potential landmines. Front and center is his aggressive new girlfriend, played by Yara Martinez, who could be his potential doom.

The show — which comes from Gary Trudeau, best known for "Doonesbury" — does well by focusing on these four characters, their foibles, their struggles, and the way they try to lead the country. It's an exceptional cast, and the fact that they have four very strongly defined and unique characters helps make it work.

Goodman is an exceptional actor. His last steady TV gig was as a focal character on the first season of "Treme." The show has never been what David Simon fans hoped, but that first season was exemplary when it allowed Goodman to do his thing. Whereas that was a more dramatic role, this is a highly comedic role. But the constant remains Goodman's presence on the screen and his talent at bringing flawed characters to life.

His foils onscreen — the polished professional played by Johnson and the constantly unlucky media target played by Malloy — work incredibly well. Those three are fascinating to watch and really help carry the show. I'm not as sold on Consuelos' smarmy mover and shaker, but when all four are together the series hums.

All of the three episodes made available to the public mix the humor and story well. They flow smoothly and easily as this looks like a series that could stick well.

This fall was notable for the number of new comedies offered. A couple months into the broadcast season, most of those new comedies are barely clinging to life. But, as it turns out, the best new comedy of the year isn't on TV, it's on Amazon.