[cjf4]

It's all about characters. If they're able to create an audience connection with characters, the show will be long lasting.

Entourage (this show's closest comparison) had some pretty stupid episodes (the last season in particular was awful), but I stuck through it all because I liked Ari and Drama.

[subpixel]

I agree completely. If The Office and Parks & Rec had you laughing at the paper business, or town governance, they'd both be done after two episodes. But they give you nuanced characters that you laugh at and care about at the same time.

That said, I do wish Adam Scott were in this show - he'd be pretty great (esp. if you saw him in Party Down, where he played a character trapped in the catering industry).

[Apocryphon]

I think they'll ultimately need to ease up on the wacky humor and make it more of a drama, similar to Entourage or other HBO rags-to-riches shows like How to Make It in America. I'd be concerned at such a pivot, but Mike Judge had episodes of King of the Hill full of real, warm, human drama, so I think he can pull it off. Office Space had heart at its core, too.

[cjf4]

I think SV will go in that direction too, the last scene sure made it seem like the show cared about its characters.