The whole "I'm a cop you play a cop on TV " gag is overdone. The stories are basic and predictable. Worth watching when you don't want to think.

Harley Carter, a native of Bishop, returns home following a disastrous public relations meltdown in Hollywood that leaves his TV show, Calling Carter, in hiatus. Jerry O'Connell plays Charley Carter, and he plays him in a very natural, likeable way, as a sort of slightly dim-witted Castle who people think has criminal investigative expertise, but who really just stumbles, bumbles, and occasionally gets lucky as he helps the Bishop police, especially his childhood friend Det. Sam Shaw (Sydney Tamiia Poitier) solve cases, with some help from another childhood friend, Dave Leigh (Kristian Brunn). The show is a lot of fun with great chemistry between the actors, not a lot of graphic violence, a Canadian feel, believable police work, good writing, and a good dose of subtle humour. I was hesitant to watch the show and had to catch up on back episodes on Bravo, but I was hooked from the first episode I saw. I thought, "This is a summer replacement show. Why isn't it on the main CTV network instead of Bravo?" It's honestly good enough to be a regular fall-release TV show. Along with Global's Private Eyes it has to be about the only good stuff I've found to watch all summer. I look forward to another season and hopefully more, and am glad that Carter is also now being aired in the United States and the United Kingdom. If you watch it, I think you'll really like its endearing qualities and true Canadian feel.

Watched the first episode, and struggled with it. I found Jerry O'Connell a bit over the top, and couldn't take him seriously, and also couldn't stop comparing it to the excellent Castle. Wasn't sure whether to bother with another episode, but really glad I did. This isn't a serious crime drama, and if you can get past that it's actually pretty good. It's a little silly, it's a bit light hearted, and it's just good fun. A very easy watch.

I also find the actors were well chosen and completely agree that although allusions can be made to Castle, it's not. Many shows have an awkward uneasiness until the actors figure out their characters. I didn't find this lasted past episode 1 with this show. The characters are interesting & likeable and it is enjoyable - filling a gap in t.v. that Castle left when it ended. I also enjoy the fact that it is filmed in North Bay - picturesque and somehow familiar to most Canadians. I also hope it is renewed for another season.