The American remake of the Australian comedy series Wilfred premiered on FX Thursday night and I hereby deem it the summer comedy jam of 2011. The original show was a subversive hit in Australia, picked up by IFC in the States, then bought by FX for the remake treatment.

Elijah Wood (who keeps looking younger somehow) plays Ryan, an ex-lawyer in the midst of a severe nervous breakdown. We’re introduced to him through a frustrating suicide attempt. He’s about to give it another go when his cutie pie neighbor (Fiona Gubelmann) asks if he’ll watch her dog, Wilfred. For no reason (and frankly, I don’t want one), Ryan doesn’t see Wilfred as a dog. He sees a man in a dog suit.

Played by Aussie comedian/musician Jason Gann, Wilfred pals up to Ryan, who initially doesn’t see the humor or point in Wilfred’s tough-love pranks. For me the funniest part about Wilfred is not that he’s a man in a dog suit drinking beer and humping stuffed animals, it’s his deadpan canine personality traits and how he has to explain them to Ryan. He’s digging holes because he’s anxious his owner is never coming home. He wants to chase and kill a motorcycle. He can smell shit particles. Etc.

Anyone who knows and loves a dog can understand these traits. Seeing a big Australian dude act them out and explain them to a suicidal Elijah Wood is hilarious. Wood is great too. He’s one of those actors that have that certain…je ne sais pas. Something about him just makes him interesting to watch. This show is going to be awesome. Definitely make it part of your summer TV schedule. More specifically, make it part of the schedule that includes shows you like to drink/smoke while you watch.

Wilfred airs Thursdays at 10pm on FX. Check out the official Wilfred FX site to watch extra goodies.

- Oh Mars