The show with the Cavemen

So, anyway, one of the most dreaded TV shows of all time premiered today and I made a point of watching it. It's the show based on the premise that Cavemen still exist and are walking around today. Despite being both phenomenally like the average Yuppie in all but appearance AND fugitives from Geico commercials, they raise an interesting point.

Predictably, they start with the premise we expect. Even though they are remarkably modern and well spoken, they have to deal with stereotypical prejudices and stereotypes. The plot line of the first episode was that the main character caveman is secretly dating a 'Sape (short for homo sapien, but is remarkably a white, blond haired, blue eyed girl) while his friend expresses contempt for such mixed relationships. The main character finally confronts his friend and girlfriend, and then is immediately struck with the possibility that she has a 'caveman fetish'. I did not see an African American character the entire show.

I get the fact that Cavemen = minority. And the relation is further emphasized by the fact that Cavemen are white except for having interesting foreheads and facial hair. They are exactly the same kind of hipstery, therapist visiting, uber txting, mildly elitist bunch we saw ad nauseum in the Geico commercials. But I think there is potential, and here's why.

The fact that they are cavemen could raise the issue of race in various different settings. For example:

Will their existence topple the theory of evolution and cause ID'ers and fundamentalists to make them celebrities?

Did Jesus die for Cavemen, or was the break off point for the salvation of humanity the "Missing Link"?

Will there be racism within Cavemen circles ?(Will Peking Man cavemen settle in with Asian communities or 'Regular Cavemen'? Rival street gangs of Neanderthal vs. Cro Magman - as the cro's killed off the Nean's in the day.)


And what if all of us, SOMEWHERE IN OUR FAMILY TREE - has a caveman ancestor? What if we are all part caveman? Could it show up in blood tests?


The first episode is rarely an indication of how good a show will be. (Remember the first episode of Seinfeld? Of course not) But in an day and age where most people confront the issue of race as entertainment - think "Everyone's a little bit racist"- mocking white people in cavemen suits may be interesting to watch.

Or it could be total crap like 95% of the shows that get canceled anyway.