Weird Loners

Weird Loners is a comedy television series broadcast by Fox in 2015. Premiering on March 31 and ending on May 5 of the same year, the series, which only lasted for six episodes, exhibits a distinctive blend of humor, heart, and multilayered characterization. The tagline of the show, "Life is better weird," perfectly encapsulates the offbeat and unique nature of the series.

The story revolves around four relationship-phobic, singular individuals unexpectedly thrown together in a townhouse in Queens, New York. Although they all enjoy their independent lifestyles, past personal disappointments and a desire not to engage in a committed relationship have deepened their aloofness.

Stosh Lewandoski, played by Zachary Knighton (best known for his work on "Happy Endings"), is one of the lead characters. Stosh is an unapologetically womanizing pharmaceutical sales representative who relies on his charismatic charm to get away with his constant relationship manipulation. After being fired from his job and losing his company apartment for sleeping with his boss’s fiancée, Stosh finds himself penniless and homeless.

Moving alongside Stosh is Eric Lewandoski, Stosh's cousin, portrayed by Nate Torrence (famous from "Hello Ladies"). Unlike Stosh, Eric is an honest, hardworking, and innocent man who, following the death of his father, is experiencing what it's like to live on his own for the first time at the age of 40. Stosh decides to move in with Eric, leading to unlikely dynamics and a roller-coaster relationship between the two.

The female leads in this ensemble cast are equally endearing and relatable. Caryn Goldfarb, portrayed by Becki Newton ("Ugly Betty"), lives in the same complex as the cousins. She is a high-strung dental hygienist with a knack for falling for the wrong men. Caryn is constantly under pressure from her traditional Jewish family to settle down, yet she struggles with commitment issues herself.

Rounding out the gang is Zara Sandhu, an abstract artist played by newcomer Meera Rohit Kumbhani. Zara finds herself joining the group after abruptly ending an engagement, yet another testament to the commitment-related issues running through all four protagonists.

As the series progresses, these four unlikely friends discover that, even in their thirties, it's not too late to learn how to navigate relationships, love, and life. The distinctly non-nuclear family they form is the heart of the show, as they come together, push each other away, and support one another in the midst of various romantic and personal adventures. The show comedy is grounded in the compelling and funny characters and the naturally humorous situations that arise from their mutual but reluctant dependency and collective fear of long-term relationships.

Matthew Carlson, whose portfolio includes shows like "Malcolm in the Middle" and "The Wonder Years," developers Weird Loners. His writing in the series persuasively blends aspects of humor, pathos, and realism, offering fresh takes on the topic of modern relationships and the age-old fear of commitment.

The show's humor is primarily character-driven, emerging from the idiosyncrasies of the main characters and their interactions with each other. The humor of the events naturally flows from the oddball happenstances that occur whenever these four characters are put together in a room.

The charisma, chemistry, and performance of the four lead actors and a lively, relatable script are the highlights of Weird Loners. The show, with each episode running for approximately 22 minutes, has been appreciated for its ability to deliver a quick, humorous punch amidst a sea of comedic television series. Weird Loners represents an engaging, albeit brief, journey into the lives of four individuals whose love of freedom and fear of commitment have brought them together in the most unpredictable ways.