Whut.

[Content Note: Violent crime.]

I've never read Leif G.W. Persson's Backstrom books, so I have no idea what the tone of the books is, but the description of this television show based on the series is raising all the red flags:
The series centers on Detective Everett Backstrom (The Office's Rainn Wilson), an offensive, irascible detective, as he tries, and fails, to change his self-destructive behavior. Throughout the series, Backstrom leads his team, the Serious Crimes Unit, as they navigate Portland's most sensitive cases.
At this point, I wonder: Has comedic actor Rainn Wilson been cast in a serious drama, or is this basically Law & Order: SVU reimagined as a comedy? And apparently it's the latter.
"[Bones creator/exec producer] Hart Hanson and Rainn Wilson are the perfect combination of creative vision and on-screen talent to bring this one-of-a-kind character and story like Backstrom to Fox," said Fox chairman Kevin Reilly. "I've been in business with Hart for a long time, and not only does he have a rare gift for infusing darker themes with relatable humor, he's one of the best showrunners out there today." Added 20th TV chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman, "There are so few creators out there with the genuine ability to mix great procedural storytelling with humor, and Hart Hanson is one of those guys. Getting another show on the air with him has been a top priority of this company."

Backstrom reunites Wilson with his Office co-star Mindy Kaling, who toplines Fox's The Mindy Project, and Reilly. "Fox is the perfect home for this fun and disturbed piece of entertainment," Wilson said.
A "fun and disturbed piece of entertainment" about "the Serious Crimes Unit" and "Portland's most sensitive cases." Sure. It's about time we had an entire series that was one giant rape joke.

[Related Reading: Oh, Crap.]

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