But the thing to remember is the people being asked questions. Hendrie blabbed on and on whether the questions were directed at him or not, often interrupting others on the panel, as well as critics asking questions.

The man was so desperate to be the center of attention that it was scary. And sad.

I knew we were in trouble right at the start. NBC showed critics clips of the show — all we had seen at that point — and there wasn't much laughter in the room to what were supposed to be hilarious bits.

Hendrie turned cheerleader instantly ("Yeah! Woo!") trying unsuccessfully to lead laughter and suggesting we were too "tired" to find it funny.

Fatigue wasn't the problem. Hendrie did, however, quickly became tiresome, utterly oblivious to the fact that the more he blabbered on the less likely anyone would want to talk to him.

Lest you think that I'm just a cranky, complaining critic, it's more than just that. At one point Matt Winston tried to stop Hendrie, saying, "I'd like to speak for myself" about his character.

Even that didn't stop Hendrie, so Winston added, "Be quiet. Just be quiet."

Nothing could stop the guy.

"You mark my words. (By the) 100th episode, oh, yeah, you're gonna want to know me," he insisted.

Unlikely on both counts.

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E-mail: pierce@desnews.com

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