Remember when many popular stand-up comedians got their own sitcoms? Those were interesting times, and often, the best series reflected the comedians’ personas. Leanne Morgan, who seems to have burst onto the scene overnight, has actually been in comedy for quite some time. In 2024, she even wrote a book about her life, which caught the attention of Chuck Lorre, leading to both co-starring and starring roles in comedic projects.
Lean: Would you like to stream it or skip it?
Opening shot: Two women are conversing in a kitchen; one looks perplexed.
Key Points: Leanne (Leanne Morgan) finds out that her 33-year-old husband, Bill (Ryan Stiles), is leaving her for another woman. This news is shocking, and she confides in her sister Carol (Kristen Johnston), saying, “I’m so confused. You’re getting married. You have kids, and those kids have kids.”
Though the terrible news weighs heavily on her, Carol is a bit relieved to be there for her sister in this tough moment.
Leanne’s son, Tyler (Graham Rogers), seems to sense the situation, while his younger sister, Josie (Hannah Pilquez), appears to take after their parents—though she isn’t aware of the turmoil yet. Their parents, Margaret (Celia Weston) and John (Blake Clarke), are also in the background of this family drama.
Despite her distress, Leanne and Carol are seen at the dessert table after a church service. Josie’s wardrobe choice raises eyebrows, and Leanne’s nosey neighbor, Mary (Jayma Mays), brings up her own concerns about relationships, making an offhand comment about Bill’s travel habits.
Later, Leanne talks to Josie, who expresses her feelings about being a “divorce child.” That evening, Carol encourages Leanne to push through her reluctance to re-engage with the world.
When Bill returns to collect some items, Leanne feels an urge to confront him about his departure. He mentions wanting the “important things,” which deeply upsets her. She tearfully responds, “I thought it was important.”
What shows does it remind you of? Created by Leanne Morgan, Chuck Lorre, and Susan McMartin, Lean offers a vibe reminiscent of other sitcoms, though it maintains its unique touch.
Our Take: Chuck Lorre’s sitcoms often start off predictably. They begin broad and gradually delve into character development. Just look at shows like Mike and Molly or Bob Hart Abishola, which took a season to really find their stride. Big Bang Theory didn’t solidify its identity until later in its run. In contrast, Lean quickly establishes character-driven humor by the second episode.
Even though Lean is a Netflix project, it feels very much like a traditional multi-camera sitcom. With 16 episodes, each around 19 minutes long, it maintains a familiar pacing. Despite the TV-14 rating, the dialogue doesn’t stray into anything too edgy for a network audience. It doesn’t aim to revolutionize the genre, which I think might have been Morgan’s intention.
Morgan’s marriage struggles play a significant role in her engaging stand-up special, so it’s fascinating to see her grapple with singlehood in her late 50s after the collapse of her marriage. She skillfully tones down her comedic timing when situations get serious, blending humor with genuine emotion.
Having Johnston as a co-star enhances the dynamic. Their chemistry is apparent from the outset, evoking a more mature version of iconic duos like Laverne and Shirley, or even Lucy and Ethel. This dynamic, similar to the chemistry between Anna Faris and Allison Janney in mom, helps create the right mix for Lorre’s brand of comedy.
Although Lean has a rocky beginning, considering its subject matter and the cast gathered around Morgan, it seems poised to balance humor and seriousness as the first season progresses.
Sex and Skin: None.
Farewell shot: Leanne asks Carol to stay with her after Bill comes by to collect his things. There’s a humorous moment when she asks Carol to try on Bill’s CPAP mask, reassuring her with a funny gag about breathing.
Sleeper Star: Celia Watson and Blake Clark have appeared in numerous shows, consistently delivering solid performances. They’re amusing as Carol and Leanne’s parents here.
Most pilot line: Leanne tells Tyler that she doesn’t want to hear Bill’s name anymore and decides to change her son’s name from Bill Jr. to Rex, humorously adding, “Oh, he doesn’t know the difference… just look at him!”
Our Call: Stream it. Like most of Chuck Lorre’s comedies, Lean requires some time to find its rhythm, and the initial episodes carry a clichéd sitcom feel. However, the chemistry between the cast, especially Morgan and Johnston, quickly enhances the humor in the episodes.
