Cupid

It's all light, good fun. Yes, there's a heavy dose of syrup, but Cannavale should be able to cut that to satisfactory levels. Paulson is perfect as the love guru who believes in rationality while Cupid believes in passion.

Cupid, like most romantic comedies, can be sappy, sloppy and schemingly manipulative. But the bright writing (no surprise to anyone who watched Thomas' snappy teen-detective drama "Veronica Mars") and affecting performances by Cannavale and Paulson make being manipulated seem a guilty pleasure in this case.

The two investigate love stories, not homicides, a clever conceit that injects the procedural form with the dizzy spirit of a Drew Barrymore film festival.

It's nobody's fault that Cannavale and Paulson so far lack the chemistry a show like this needs. The problem with this version of Cupid isn't the actors, but its strained "Touched by a Love Boat" concept, which has the two main characters gluing together a fresh couple every week while inching bickersomely toward their own mutual attraction.

There are some great lines, but it seems like a predictable formula: Get one couple together per episode, flirt with doctor. Where's the magic in that?

The problem is, though this good-natured show doesn't lack for energy, Cupid is a little bland and formulaic.