VH1, the network that inundated the world with its popular I Love the… anthology series strikes again with an original sitcom, I Hate My 30s, premiering Thursday, July 26 at 10:30pm. The show is often hilarious, but its target demographic is so precise that most people will probably ignore it out of hand. A satire on sitcoms and pop culture, I Hate My 30s is self-aware, smart and almost too hip and trendy. Some will dismiss it as trite, others will think it's trying too hard, and most will just never give it a chance.
Here's a quick test to see if this show is right for you. Do you worship at the altar of writers like Chuck Klosterman or David Eggers? Will you stop everything to watch Michael Ian Black expound on the merits of The Smurfs? Would you instantly recognize one of the show's cast members, Liam Sullivan, as that guy from the smash hit YouTube phenomenon “Shoes”?
If the answer to any or all of those questions is “yes,” then this is most definitely the show for you. If you're left scratching your head, wondering who any of those people are, you should probably stop reading this right now and go catch an According to Jim rerun.
Your Take
pride said:
I love Mark Kelly as Travis!!! Funny man, and hot too!!!
newcartoon said:
Sounds awesome. It sounds a show a friend of mine... who shall remain nameless...Kuby... would write. Also,...
ahains said:
When did Michael Ian Black expound on the merits of The Smurfs??? Give me a link, I've got to read the tran...
Each episode begins and ends with Dr. Rod (Ric Barbera), coffee shop owner and series narrator, providing some depressingly sardonic insights into life after 30. His speeches come off like a cocky hipster, self-satisfied with his maudlin view on the world. It's hilarious if you appreciate ironic irony, not so much if you're turned off by smugness.
The actual show centers around a generic office with its horde of 30-something co-workers desperately trying to feel relevant in spite of the fact that none of their dreams have come true. The show's wit shines as the cast is obviously in on the joke, perfectly insulating themselves from criticism. If you think the show sucks, the cast would likely respond: “We know, that's what we're going for, and because we know it sucks, that makes it awesome.”
Carol (Megahn Perry) and Chad (David Fickas) are the hopeless romantics, in love but unable to date because they work together. This is obviously a lame reason to keep them apart, but that's the point. It works both as comedy, and as satire on all those “will they or won't they” sitcom pairs like Friends' Ross and Rachel or Cheers' Sam and Diane.
The strong supporting cast includes Vicki (Rachael Lawrence), the wannabe rock star receptionist, Mandy (Jill Ritchie), the sex kitten who desperately tries to hide her age, and the buff Bruce (James Mathis III), in constant fear of resorting to his once obese frame. The biggest star on the show, if there is one, is probably Liam Sullivan as feckless mail room worker Kyle. His YouTube mega-hit “Shoes,” about a stuck up girl (played by Sullivan in drag) who wants to buy some shoes, has over 19 million hits and turned him into one of the Internet's biggest celebrities. In the first three episodes, it's difficult not to flash on that video during the many times any character refers to shoes.
Inspired by many '80s cartoons, each episode ends with the characters getting a visit from their animated co-worker, C.L. Fox, an advice-dispensing vulpine whose initials stand for “Crazy Like a.” In these “Safety Place” segments, C.L provides valuable living tips, like don't welsh on a bet and don't drunk dial an ex-girlfriend. Like the rest of the show, these vignettes either work or don't depending on your love of '80s pop culture.
The first three episodes, sent out by VH1 for early review, include plenty of sitcom staples ripe for satirizing, including a wedding, a birthday party and a battle of the bands. The hallmark could be absurdly good musical numbers coming as the highlight for each episode. Particularly awesome is a parody of Grease's “Summer Loving,” with the melody altered just enough to avoid copyright infringement. Carol and Chad sing about their potential but forbidden love, complete with impressive choreography and lyrics about Yogi and Boo Boo.
I Hate My 30s is definitely worth giving a chance, if only just for the witty, hip pop culture references. One character goes to a costume party dressed as Kevin Spacey. Another attended a sorority called Kappa Zeta Jones. And in my single favorite joke from the first three episodes, at the coffee shop a third character orders a Ralph Macchiato with a Cobra Chai twist. Fans of those jokes will find more of the same on I Hate My 30s.
-John Kubicek, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image courtesy of VH1)