The Mindy Project: Season One

After years as an actor, writer, and producer on The Office, Mindy Kaling created The Mindy Project, in which she stars as Dr. Mindy Lahiri, an ob/gyn and thirtysomething New York single woman dreaming of living out one of the romantic comedies she grew up on—but not having much luck. Both a workplace sitcom and a relationship comedy that turns anxieties about dating and commitment into telling satire, the show consistently delivers clever dialogue within some very funny comic situations. Mindy shares a practice with two male residents, Danny (Chris Messina) and Jeremy (Ed Weeks); banters with an eccentric but generally likable office staff; and cares more about her work than she lets on. While there's plenty of humor built around her ethnic identity (mainly concerning other people's assumptions and perceptions), Mindy's Indian heritage is only one aspect of who she is. The first season of The Mindy Project was one of the success stories of the year, thanks to a strong vision, great cast, and consistently sharp writing. Guest actors—all making multiple appearances—include Mark Duplass, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Chloë Sevigny, while Anders Holm is on hand as Mindy's enthusiastic and genuinely altruistic minister boyfriend, Casey. Compiling all 24 episodes from the 2012–13 debut run, extras include deleted scenes. Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)