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| Screenshot from trailer |
The show seems like an amalgam of other popular female-driven comedies on TV--New Girl, Parks and Rec, 30 Rock...It nods their way, but also adds its own freshness. Rachel Bloom, star and creator of the series, has a thing for parodied music videos, and the show is peppered with these. My favorite being:
Some of them are on point, while others are kind of a drag. It varies.
The show is weird and all over the place, but somehow, the majority of the 18 hour-long episodes in the first season kept me entertained. The cast is diverse, the plot lines are easy to follow, and some of the jokes are great.
One of my favorite characters is Paula (Donna Champlin), best friend of Rebecca (Rachel Bloom). Paula is fuel to Rebecca's craziness, the ultimate enabler. The middle-aged mother of two is dealing with dissatisfaction in her own life, and uses Rebecca's obsessions as a distraction. Though the show centers around Rebecca, I find Paula the more interesting, complicated character. Through Paula, we get a peek into the life of a character who has passed the dating stage, who has not reached the career heights she aspires to, and whose domestic life is completely detached from her self. We see her seeking a life she in which she finds happiness.
One of my favorite characters is Paula (Donna Champlin), best friend of Rebecca (Rachel Bloom). Paula is fuel to Rebecca's craziness, the ultimate enabler. The middle-aged mother of two is dealing with dissatisfaction in her own life, and uses Rebecca's obsessions as a distraction. Though the show centers around Rebecca, I find Paula the more interesting, complicated character. Through Paula, we get a peek into the life of a character who has passed the dating stage, who has not reached the career heights she aspires to, and whose domestic life is completely detached from her self. We see her seeking a life she in which she finds happiness.
White Josh (David Hull) is fantastic. He goes from a total periphery character to the love interest of Rebecca's formerly straight-identifying boss, Darryl (Pete Gardner). Never is White Josh's sexuality a focus, until Darryl begins to recognize sexual tension. For Darryl, this new aspect of his sexuality is overwhelming. White Josh, on the other hand, is comfortable and confident with his sexuality. These two men are very different people in very different stages in their lives. I love it.
Also, can we talk about how White Josh has the race-associated nickname instead of the other option, being Rebecca's love-interest Josh, being named Filipino Josh? I love that it is the white character whose whiteness is brought to attention, as opposed to a character of color, flipping the tradition of singling out people of color for their race.
Also, can we talk about how White Josh has the race-associated nickname instead of the other option, being Rebecca's love-interest Josh, being named Filipino Josh? I love that it is the white character whose whiteness is brought to attention, as opposed to a character of color, flipping the tradition of singling out people of color for their race.
The show could be tighter, some of the music videos could be cut, and the occasional precocious children could certainly be done without, but overall the show is fun and well done, and is deserving of the support and acclaim it has been given.
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| Screenshot from trailer |
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