Doing good

The Philanthropist explores the heart and mind of charity | Megan Basham

Kelly Walsh/NBC

Amidst a television field dominated by tacky reality shows, NBC's scripted drama The Philanthropist debuted on June 24 to surprisingly good numbers, winning its time slot.

Based on real-life billionaire Bob Sager, James Purefoy plays Teddy Rist, a handsome rapscallion of a CEO who finds that wine, women, and riches aren't enough for him anymore. In an effort to add more meaning to his life, he turns his resources and talents to helping people in need in far-flung parts of the world.

The exotic settings, not to mention Purefoy's James Bondish quality, keep the show from becoming a didactic bore. And while Rist and those around him frequently allude to his "bacchanalian ways," at least in the premiere, he is never shown acting them out.

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