Clean Slate Goes All in on Feel-Good

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As a devoted movie buff, I’ve always been captivated by Norman Lear’s sitcoms that have graced our screens for decades in America. The essence of these shows, like “The Jeffersons” or “All in the Family,” was not just humor, but rather, they thrived on friction. They mirrored the crucial dialogues unfolding across America by presenting various viewpoints and allowing characters with diverse perspectives to engage in thought-provoking discussions. This is how Archie Bunker transformed into a symbol for an entire American conservative movement, and shows like “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” and “Maude” became trailblazing narratives, sparking intense debates about the intersection of morality, prejudice, media, and political conflict as experienced by ordinary American television viewers.

The fundamental concept of Prime’s fresh sitcom titled “Clean Slate,” produced by Norman Lear posthumously, presents a classic Lear theme that remains recognizable despite being created after Lear’s death in December 2023. Desiree, portrayed by Laverne Cox, returns to Mobile, Alabama following a failed relationship, seeking reconciliation with her long-lost father, Harry (George Wallace). All the essential components of a typical Lear-style narrative are present: generational gaps, evolving societal norms, apprehension towards change, and fear of rejection. A modern family structure also emerges. However, what stands out most in “Clean Slate” is how unlike those elements it truly is. Frequently, there are instances where Desiree could confront challenges to assert herself or face prejudice from her relatives or neighbors. Yet, surprisingly, “Clean Slate” often opts for swift and even casual acceptance instead.

The first time Desiree appears at Harry’s residence, he fails to recognize her (“Hey there, fancy woman!” is his greeting). She later reveals she’s trans and goes by a new name. At first, Harry is taken aback but never displays discomfort or coldness. In an instant, he invites Desiree to stay with him despite having another accommodation offer. The scene that might typically evoke shock in a sitcom – the one that Harry finds challenging – is when Desiree reveals she’s vegetarian. Before they even discuss it, the series Clean Slate eliminates the possibility of this storyline becoming about a parent who rejects their child. As the opening credits roll, filled with scenes from future episodes depicting them exchanging loving smiles and Desiree affectionately patting Harry’s knee, it becomes clear that this series is not about a parent struggling to accept their trans child.

Throughout the show’s progression, Desiree finds herself warmly embraced by the kind-hearted church choir members. A charming dynamic unfolds between Desiree and Mack (played by Jay Wilkinson), a man who works at Harry’s car wash and is a single father to Opal, the show’s lively child prodigy character, played by Norah Murphy. Desiree’s friend Louis (D.K. Uzoukwu) is gay but has yet to come out publicly, despite his mother openly accepting him and eagerly awaiting his readiness.

Desiree experiences prejudice from a prominent figure in her community, the local pastor, who denies her and refuses to amend her baptismal certificate to her new name. However, this narrow-minded individual faces immediate and strong opposition from everyone else within the series, all of whom are eager to stand by Desiree and offer support in any way she may require.

In a contrast to the frequent heart-to-hearts about empathy and prejudice characteristic of many sitcoms featuring Lear, Clean Slate leans more towards a style akin to a Bill Lawrence series, offering a single-camera comedy where everyone gets along and conflicts are minor and resolvable, such as Harry’s struggle with healthy eating or Opal learning social skills with her peers. An episode is set in an endlessly long queue at a polling station on Election Day. Instead of delving into voter suppression directly, the episode focuses on the significance and privilege of voting, albeit with minimal exploration of why or what’s at stake for characters like Desiree. It’s all quite pleasant, but occasionally the series strays so far from conflict that its characters seem shallow and underdeveloped.

In a departure from its previous tone, Clean Slate has fully embraced a positive vibe, which makes the series brighter but also less grounded. However, this change has significant implications for Desiree’s character. She resides in an America that bears little resemblance to the 2025 United States, where transgender individuals have been subjected to anti-trans rhetoric and legislation, leading to their erasure from governmental research, records, and even healthcare. Consequently, Desiree’s life lacks discussions about hormone access. Her bond with her father, Harry, is incredibly strong, yet the final scene where he expresses his love for her feels underwhelming because the series has consistently portrayed Harry as overjoyed to have Desiree back in his life. Essentially, Desiree inhabits a reality that doesn’t align with our current world.

Honestly, good for her.

In the good old days of television, when there were merely three channels to choose from and shows ran numerous episodes per season, it’s quite possible that a series like “Clean Slate” would have emulated the older Lear format. I, as a fan, might have found Harry to be gruff and rude, delivering sharp-edged jokes that reinforced outdated gender stereotypes and inquisitively delving into sensitive anatomical matters. Desiree, on the other hand, could have been put in a defensive position, constantly pleading for understanding and vigorously advocating for her right to exist. In this earlier television era, “Clean Slate” could have served as an eye-opener for many viewers. For some, Harry’s apparent prejudice would have come off as cruel, self-centered, and foolish, while Desiree’s frequent monologues about the long-standing presence of transgender individuals might have shifted a few perspectives. Such a show, in this TV landscape with seasons lasting enough to incorporate numerous lighter episodes and a diverse range of tones and topics, could have thrived.

2025 sees “Clean Slate” as a streaming series on Amazon Prime, an online platform more recognized for its action-packed shows rather than sitcoms, and which has been relatively quiet about promoting this particular show. Despite Amazon Prime’s earlier pioneering efforts in transgender representation through “Transparent”, it has since evolved to cater to a broader audience with shows like “The Boys”, “The Terminal List”, and “Jack Ryan”. Today, we no longer count the number of channels; instead, there are numerous streaming platforms. If a viewer who stumbles upon “Clean Slate” is put off by the show’s concept, they can quickly rate it a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes and move on to the next season of “Reacher”. With viewers no longer tied to specific platforms, there’s no captive audience to convince.

As a movie critic, I believe given more time, the film “Clean Slate” could evolve into a more robust and self-assured comedy. However, it might not have the luxury of additional development; shows on Prime’s Freevee like “Primo” and “High School” didn’t, and now Freevee is no more. So, why not utilize the limited time “Clean Slate” has to become an unlikely romance fest? Why not steer towards uplifting portrayals of a tight-knit community, with tales about a woman discovering her father’s love for her? Why not transform Harry’s Car Wash into a sanctuary for personal transformation, and let Desiree share kisses with attractive individuals? The series could even be set in a town where things generally go well. It’s nice to have some feel-good moments, and “Clean Slate” could at least provide that.

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2025-02-06 18:54