Review of Tyler Perry’s New Sitcom

Tyler Perry’s approach to comedy doesn’t really focus on sharp satire. Instead, he weaves together various comedic elements, which sometimes seem unnecessary or forced. His latest Netflix sitcom showcases this tendency, as it sits under a broad comedic premise that, while having potential, ultimately falls flat.

Opening Scene

The show kicks off with a local news interview featuring Antoinette Dunkleson (played by Terry J. Vaughan), a city councilor from Jackson, Mississippi, who is campaigning for lieutenant governor.

Key Interactions

During the interview, Antoinette faces tough questions about her family’s choices, like her mother Cleo (Joe Marie Payton) distributing flyers at a funeral and Antoinette being a single parent. Cleo is visibly upset by the scrutiny, which is highlighted when Antoinette exits the studio, almost brushing past the camera.

Meanwhile, inside the station, Antoinette’s cousin and campaign manager, Shamika (Jade Nova), along with her boyfriend, Basil (Dion Brooks), brainstorm unorthodox campaign strategies like handing out flyers at strip clubs. Cleo supports the idea, while Antoinette finds it absurd. Shamika discusses the nuances of ‘code switching’ for appealing to different voter bases, but Cleo humorously misinterprets it as “Morse Code.”

Family Dynamics

Antoinette’s ex-husband, Cyrus (Philippe Fauna), arrives to take care of their teenagers, Titus (Tre Boyd) and Laura (Drew Olivia Tillman). Titus embodies a goody-two-shoes persona, while rebellious Laura sneaks around with boys. Moments later, we see Antoinette trying to project a fun image for her campaign, yet she ends up in a confrontation, punching Laura’s boyfriend and later fearing it might cost her the election, although she is surprised by the outcome.

Comparative Shows

One might compare this sitcom to Perry’s earlier work, like Too Close to Home, blended with the political satire found in Veep, creating She’s People.

Overall Impression

Created by Niya Palmer alongside Perry, She’s People presents a chaotic family dynamic, often trying to navigate the absurdities of life and politics in Mississippi. While there are comic moments, there’s an overwhelming sense of Perry’s heavy-handed joke writing overshadowing potential genuine humor.

The first two episodes reveal significant use of scripted humor. Antoinette’s family is loud and disorganized, which often leads to laughs. However, some repetitions in dialogue, like Cleo’s ‘Morse Code’ reference, come off as clichés rather than clever character traits.

A notable moment in the second episode features the governor (Robert Craighead) from an opposing political party endorsing Antoinette, creating interesting tension as she struggles to carve her path. Still, this could have been a great commentary, but it gets muddled by the characterizations and stereotypical accents that overpower the narrative.

Content Notes

There’s nothing particularly risqué in the initial episodes.

Final Observations

In a surprising turn, Antoinette gives a victory speech after an unexpected win. The standout performances include Jade Nova as the intriguing Shamika and Joe Marie Payton as the familiar Cleo, who many remember from her time on Family Matters.

However, one particularly eyebrow-raising moment occurs when Cleo casually asks her teens at a party if they have herpes, to which they simply shrug.

Recommendation

In conclusion, I would suggest skipping She’s People. Despite some intriguing aspects and a strong performance from Vaughan, the over-the-top elements of Tyler Perry’s storytelling overshadow what could have been a compelling exploration of family dynamics and racial politics.