Golden Guys Fail? This Show Needs More Sparkle!

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By the year 2025, we could all use a hearty chuckle. So, before we completely dismiss Mid-Century Modern as lacking in boldness, innovation, or groundbreaking qualities – and not every new series needs to be, truthfully – there’s nothing wrong with indulging in some light, entertaining diversion. That’s exactly what this series offers. Don’t anticipate deep themes. However, the fresh sitcom exhibits potential, with relatable situations and a hint of the quick-witted humor that made sitcoms like Friends and Will & Grace so delightful to watch in the 1990s.

Indeed, the latest 10-episode series hails from the minds behind “Will & Grace”, specifically Max Mutchnick and David Kohan. This fresh offering promises to be both engaging and humorous, with legendary director James Burrows (of “Cheers” and “Will & Grace”) and executive producer Ryan Murphy (“Pose”, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”) lending their talents. It’s a modern take on the classic “Golden Girls” format, featuring Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, and standout Nathan Lee Grant as a trio reminiscent of Blanche, Rose, and Dorothy. Meanwhile, Linda Lavin’s character brings to mind Sophia with her sharp wit.

The Golden Guys

Instead of the sultry backdrop of Miami, it’s the alluring Palm Springs that serves as the setting. While the premise – three older individuals sharing a home with an elderly mother – shares some resemblance to the iconic sitcom The Golden Girls, the creative comparisons are relatively thin. The Emmy-winning sitcom was the brilliant creation of Susan Harris, who also brought us Soap. Oh, wouldn’t a show like that be a delight right now!

The Golden Girls was truly groundbreaking in its time, tackling subjects such as aging, social issues, and challenging societal norms. Mid-Century Modern aims for similar heights, but sometimes falls short, or at least not convincingly yet. Can you sense the optimism in our tone?

Despite the puzzling sensation of finding so much talent gathered together in this series and yet feeling unsatisfied afterwards, there’s an emptiness to “Mid-Century Modern” that’s hard to ignore due to the star-studded cast. Out of the 10 episodes, only half of them truly deliver a powerful impact. However, considering the era, perhaps that’s sufficient. The trio of Lane, Bomer, and Grant are captivating, keeping us hooked on each episode. You’ll be eager to see how each story unfolds. Nevertheless, the writing can sometimes be inconsistent, and the overall mood of the series occasionally seems discordant. This show is still finding its footing, and some characters disappoint. (We’ll discuss you in a bit, Mr. Bomer.) And yet, “Mid-Century Modern” has its appealing aspects.

The narrative opens with an unforeseen demise. Longtime companions Bunny Schneiderman (portrayed exuberantly by Lane), Jerry Frank (Bomer), and Arthur Broussard (Nathan Lee Graham) are grieving the loss of their cherished friend George, a member of their close-knit group. Following the memorial services, Bunny proposes that they all move in together to his stylishly modern Palm Springs residence. As everyone is growing older, he reflects, wouldn’t it be more fulfilling if they could live communally and lend mutual support during this new stage of life?

The character named Sybil, who is Bunny’s talkative mom, resides with him. This arrangement doesn’t cause many problems. Subsequently, Jerry and Frank decide to move in, leading to the humorous events that unfold. For instance, Jerry attempts to acquire Donny Osmond concert tickets from a casino, while Bunny worries about losing money unjustly. On another occasion, they revisit Fire Island, hoping to revive old connections, but end up making new ones instead. Sybil also encounters a phone scammer and assists Arthur in finding a job as a personal shopper. However, Arthur soon discovers that the fashion industry has shifted from focusing on styles to sales, leaving him feeling out of place. These contemporary issues may resonate with viewers.

​​​​​​Bright Moments of Wit Arise from Time to Time

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In terms of the writing style, there’s an element of witty humor scattered throughout. For instance, instead of being chained to a wall like a starfish and treated poorly like a background actress in “Game of Thrones,” it will take some time before you get to see my stomach. There are even more provocative lines such as, “I don’t have what you have – foreskin, for one.” One of the most entertaining lines is, “Check out this place! It’s where kitsch and tragic join forces with dirtiness for a threesome.

Indeed, it’s reminiscent of Kohan and Mutchnick, who expertly crafted some of the best dialogue for the cast of “Will & Grace.” The duo may not write every episode, but Dan Bucatinsky, known for his work on “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Lipstick Jungle,” and creator of “Web Therapy” starring Lisa Kudrow, pens an episode titled “Maid Serviced.” In this installment, the guys disregard Sybil’s advice and recruit a handsome yet inexperienced man to serve as their unqualified housekeeper.

The program improves its rhythm in later installments, and if you’re curious about whether or how the narrative will tackle Lavin’s sudden demise, stick with it until the end to witness it yourself. The series struggles slightly to smoothly transition from some of its fast-paced comedic scenes. Nathan Lane’s character is so energetic that it’s tough to accept certain storylines without getting to know the characters better first. However, what we are shown offers a sneak peek into what this series and these characters might evolve into over time.

The One Star That Is the Weakest Link

Notable actors join the cast, with Pamela Adlon from “Better Things” taking on the role of Mindy, Bunny’s sister. Adlon brings an exceptional blend of humor, authenticity, and credibility to the storylines that intertwine her and Bunny’s lives. We hope to see more of this talented actress in this series. Richard Kind appears frequently as a possible (and somewhat implausible) love interest for Bunny, but these scenes lack conviction.

Speaking as a film enthusiast, let me share my thoughts on the main actors in this production. First off, it’s a delight to have Ms. Lavin on board! You’ll definitely want to see more of her character Sybil, but I feel the showrunners didn’t quite manage to fully explore her potential. It’s entertaining to watch Rhea Pearlman (from Cheers) spar with her, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential.

As for Nathan Lane, he’s an actor I can never help but admire. His character Bunny is a delight – nervous, over-the-top, and self-deprecating. It’s fantastic, albeit a bit too much at times. But hey, when it comes to Nathan Lane, you know it’s going to be sharp, strong, and all good!

Indeed, Matt Bomer is a skilled actor, yet it seems the writers aren’t fully utilizing his talents. It’s almost criminal. Bomer’s presence is too powerful to convincingly portray a dimly lit, stereotypical gay flight attendant, who was expelled from the Mormon Church – a plot line that is distinct. However, Bomer’s Jerry appears to be a distant relative in terms of believability to the character, McCoy, that he played in the reboot of ‘Will & Grace’, and that character also lacked authenticity. Unfortunately, Bomer’s character seems to be the show’s Achilles heel. Beautiful, yes. Powerful, indeed. But there are question marks surrounding his performance.

Nathan Lee Graham shines as Arthur, the show’s most intriguing character, with a rich past and an enticing future in his fresh surroundings. Graham’s comedic delivery is spot-on, making Arthur seem like he was made for this role. Lane and Bomer are also part of the cast, but they’re not just actors – they’re executive producers as well. This dual role might be contributing to the occasional intense vibe in the series. On the other hand, there’s a concerning trend with some modern sitcoms, pushing comedic elements so far that it pushes viewers away. Unfortunately, this show seems to fall into that category.

A Show in Search of Its Soul

Is it reasonable to assume that all older gay men exhibit such high-energy and self-centered behavior as they reach their 50s and beyond? Instead, could this series aim to shed light on the challenges faced by the elderly LGBTQ+ community – topics like assisted living, insurance, ageism, and fear of losing rights in the mid-2020s. While these subjects might not initially seem amusing, they have proven to be powerfully moving and laugh-out-loud memorable in shows such as Golden Girls and Will & Grace (themes like surrogacy, arranged marriage, infidelity).

Following some laughter and a hint of annoyance, what remains in the show Mid-Century Modern is anticipation for something more polished. Here’s to transforming this vibrant series into pure gold.

By the way, all 10 episodes of Mid-Century Modern will premiere on March 28 on Hulu. You can watch it through the link below.

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2025-03-27 19:03