The Philanthropist: The Complete Series

James Purefoy stars as Teddy Rist, a jet-setting playboy billionaire and partner in a multinational corporation, in this short-lived cable series originally broadcast on NBC in 2009. Haunted by the death of his only son, Rist—a man best known through tabloid headlines—becomes addicted to philanthropy heroism, preferring to do the charitable dirty work himself, whether it's hauling medical supplies through the jungles of an African country embroiled in a drug war or tangling with the Russian mob in Paris to stop sex trafficking. Inspired by real-life philanthropist Bobby Sager, the show mixes current events and political activism with colorful adventure in episodes spotlighting human rights abuses in Myanmar, ethnic animosity between Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo, and political tensions between India and Pakistan in the border region of Kashmir. Unfortunately, however, each segment is narrated by Teddy—as a bar story, party tale, report to his board of directors, etc.—in a self-effacing manner that grows old fast. In fact, for all of his false modesty, Teddy is a little too full of himself to be fully embraced by viewers, which may be why the series ended after a mere eight episodes. Jesse L. Martin costars as best friend and corporate partner Philip; Neve Campbell is Olivia, Philip's wife and head of a charitable organization of her own; and Michael K. Williams is right-hand man Dax, a streetwise bodyguard and man of action. Optional. (S. Axmaker)