Boss

Credits: Shot in Chicago by Grammnet Prods., Roya Prods. and Old Friend Prods. in colaboration with Lionsgate. Executive producers, Kelsey Grammer, Farhad Safinia, Gus Van Sant, Stella Bulochnikov, John Sher, Lyn Greene, Richard Levine co-executive producer, Bradford Winters producer, Peter Giuliano director, Van Sant author, Safinia.With: Kelsey Grammer, Connie Nielsen, Hannah Ware, Rob Hephner, Kathlean Robertson, Martin Donovan, Troy Garity, Darius Morrison, Francis Guinan, Karen Aldridge.People in politics are located in such low regard that producing a drama around City Hall shenanigans -- specifically in Chicago -- feels as if a continuing campaign. Taking a detour from Starz's recent blood stream-and-sci-fi leanings, "Boss" certainly creates a fancy role for star/producer Kelsey Grammer just like a callous Windy City mayor recognized getting a debilitating disease, adding a "Breaking Bad," nothing-to-lose quality to his serialized story. Still, the show labors beneath the weight of familiar political-movie cliches, offsetting its polished look -- and Gus Van Sant's unorthodox direction in the pilot -- getting a been-there, seen-that feel. Using intense close-ups, Van Sant, working from Farhad Safinia's script, zooms in have less Grammer's Mayor Tom Kane while he receives the tough news, giving him three to five years, ballpark, before he's disabled by an incurable condition. Frankly, it could help once we understood just a little a little more about Kane just before diagnosing, aside from the actual fact he's a Daley-like energy-broker and accomplished philanderer, dwelling in a relationship of political convenience along with his stately wife ("Gladiator's" Connie Nielsen), and estranged from his grown daughter (Hannah Ware). Rather, we understand him while he orchestrates a gubernatorial run by an ambitious youthful pol (Rob Hephner) in the seasoned incumbent (Francis Guinan), for reasons that -- four episodes in -- remain murky. What type of legacy, exactly, is Kane wanting to secure? Inside the interim, there are many the requisite pay-cable doings, from sex and nudity to substance abuse and, yes, some mob-like violence. Grammer's Kane, for instance, faced using the threat from the sanitation-pickup stoppage, reaches snap off lines like, "Permit the streets run with shit." It's all regulated controlled carried out continuously enough, though lots of elements appear plucked off their fare -- like the investigative reporter (Troy Garity) on Kane's trail -- the show struggles to differentiate itself. And frankly, showing a journalist using what appears to become semi-heroic mode, during support, feels oh-so-seventies. Although one hates to dissuade Starz from heading lower this stately path after it looked as if every program might have "Spartacus" inside the title, the finish outcome is that "The Wire," "Free Air travel Wing" in addition to "Boardwalk Empire" have set the bar with this particular type of material very high. In addition, there's hardly any humor inside the previewed episodes to balance the sensation of the show taking itself a tad too seriously -- to be able to reflect the absurdity of indicted Illinois real-existence pols, including ex-Gov. Fly fishing rod Blagojevich. Grammer do not need to prove his considerable chops manage a lot much much deeper than "Frasier," despite the fact that he's easily the finest title inside the cast, it's generally a firstrate ensemble. Starz made some news by tallying with a second season right before the premiere, that's type of like selecting office decor just before the voters have observed their say. Like Chicago politics, though, prestige drama can be a rough-and-tumble world. If Starz truly desires to compete inside the toga-free game inside the long-term, it will need candidates with a little more effective appeal than "Boss."Camera, Kasper Tuxen production designer, Daniel B. Clancy editors, Elliot Graham, Stephen Mark music, John Reitzel casting, Lauren Grey. 60 MIN. Contact John Lowry at john.lowry@variety.com