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| Left to right: Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair |
Welcome to a new column called Channel Surfing, in which I sporadically look at current TV shows and talk about them. These are not ones that I care to write weekly recaps for and are instead reflections either on the episode, the series, or particular moments. This will hopefully help to share personal opinions as well as discover entertainment on the outer pantheon that I feel is well worth checking out, or in some cases, shows that are weird enough to talk about, but should never be seen.
It has been a good few years since we last heard from the comedy duo Lennon Parham and Jessica St. Clair. Their previous show, Best Friends Forever, was an unfortunate victim to the NBC scheduling and after airing only six episodes, it disappeared. It is strange to think that the show would fail, especially in an era where majority of networks have turned more towards female-lead shows. From Girls to Broad City to even 2 Broke Girls, female empowerment has become the norm. With the short lived show, it seemed like they had a perfect formula that at very least captured some of the more fluid chemistry of any of these shows. It wasn't a particularly complicated show, but it was a delightful show.
Maybe that was the inspiration for their new USA series Playing House, which is slightly higher concept than Best Friends Forever. Even if it is essentially about two women hanging out and enjoying their lives, there is the tagline that sums up their entire platonic plot: "2 Women, 1 Baby, No Clue." The pilot episode does all of the serviceable notions to get us to understand who these characters are and why we should care. Maggie (Parham) is career oriented and decides to visit the pregnant Emma (St. Clair) to hang out. Through the course of events, Emma decides to hang around for good and take care of the baby.
It isn't a particularly complicated series to get into. Much like Best Friends Forever, the show is basically about those moments when the two sit around and laugh with each other. The worst that things get involves a raccoon in a miniature house in Emma's backyard. Their attempt to remove it is comedic, though mostly in the fact that they are a little scared of being attacked. With that said, the characters aren't tropes, as they are given their own moments of independence and proof of established careers and ideals. Over time, it is likely that they will continue to flesh out the weak spots and make us respect them more.
It helps that Parham and St. Clair have a defined chemistry together. Even as they sing songs in the car, there is something authentic about their approach. A serious conversation derails into comedic moments and their true intentions are made present. Much like Broad City, Playing House lives or dies on what the moment calls for. Even then, it can survive on riffing and making jokes or simply being there for each other. Even if it hasn't quite captured any sentimentality that makes it a sweeter comedy like Enlisted, it does feature plenty to admire in its characters. Everyone simply exists at this point, but I do feel in time, things will continue to become more interesting.
If anything, the pilot is supposed to be a rough introduction to the themes. Best Friends Forever got better over time because it relied more on growth in dynamics. Even if pregnancies are kind of a dull plot point to base this series' existence on (The New Normal, anyone?), it doesn't seem to be the defining feature here. They live their everyday lives rather normally and I am curious to see how these two bond and become caregivers to each other as the series progresses. As the pilot stands, there is enough to capture intrigue, but the episode itself doesn't have many standout moments.
Playing House is a welcomed addition to the landscape of new 2014 comedy series. The only hope is that it will continue to improve and give us a glimpse into the brilliance that Parham/St. Clair can give. There are traces here and there (even in the above teaser) that make this seem like a compelling show. It may be more relative to women, especially seeing as the dynamic is slightly askew from even its closest comparison points. It is a rather unique view that is at times crass, but overall sort of heartwarming. It is like a relationship in its early stages that promises to engross you as time goes on. Let's see if it does.
If anything, the pilot is supposed to be a rough introduction to the themes. Best Friends Forever got better over time because it relied more on growth in dynamics. Even if pregnancies are kind of a dull plot point to base this series' existence on (The New Normal, anyone?), it doesn't seem to be the defining feature here. They live their everyday lives rather normally and I am curious to see how these two bond and become caregivers to each other as the series progresses. As the pilot stands, there is enough to capture intrigue, but the episode itself doesn't have many standout moments.
Playing House is a welcomed addition to the landscape of new 2014 comedy series. The only hope is that it will continue to improve and give us a glimpse into the brilliance that Parham/St. Clair can give. There are traces here and there (even in the above teaser) that make this seem like a compelling show. It may be more relative to women, especially seeing as the dynamic is slightly askew from even its closest comparison points. It is a rather unique view that is at times crass, but overall sort of heartwarming. It is like a relationship in its early stages that promises to engross you as time goes on. Let's see if it does.
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