As a long-time fan of the Wayans family and their comedic genius, I’ve eagerly anticipated the premiere of “Poppa’s House.” Growing up with their movies and shows has been like a fun, laughter-filled journey through my life. However, this new sitcom seems to be a rollercoaster ride itself – starting a bit rocky but promising a smoother, more enjoyable course as it progresses.
Veteran comedian Damon Wayans Sr. and his son, Damon Wayans Jr., collaborate on CBS’s new family sitcom titled “Poppa’s House.” This series presents a unique blend of themes such as professional transitions, parenthood, and marital challenges, all narrated from the viewpoint of father and son. The show boasts an impressive cast (alongside charming guest stars), and its creative team includes senior Wayans himself, Kim Wayans, Shawn Wayans, and Michael Wayans, ensuring plenty of side-splitting scenes. However, “Poppa’s House” doesn’t quite hit it out of the park immediately. It takes several episodes for the show to find its rhythm, and certain comedic elements are repetitive, veering towards slapstick humor, which may drive some viewers away.
Poppa’s House” is centered around Poppa (the senior Wayans), a renowned but hot-tempered radio personality at one of New York City’s favorite R&B/Soul stations. Despite living alone in his expansive residence, his adult son, Junior (Wayans Jr.), his daughter-in-law, Nina (Tetona Jackson), and their two kids reside next door. Due to this proximity, they frequently treat Poppa’s house as an additional space for their family.
As Poppa struggles to adapt to Junior and Nina’s modern parenting methods while simultaneously dealing with significant transformations at the radio station, he encounters a new challenge: the station brings in psychologist Dr. Ivy Reed (Essence Atkins) to add an emotional touch to his talk show. Frustrated by Poppa’s grumpy attitude and pessimistic demeanor, the station believes that Dr. Reed can help. Initially, Poppa rebuffs Dr. Reed’s presence, but her persistence gradually alters his outlook on both his professional and personal life.
At the start, the audience sees Poppa peacefully spending his morning in his kitchen. However, this tranquility is interrupted by Junior tapping on the window. Despite a long and prosperous career, Poppa’s son, Junior, hasn’t had the same luck. Stuck in middle management at his father-in-law JJ’s (Geoffrey Owens) foam-roller business, he’s been compelled to pause his aspirations of becoming a film director. Although Poppa advises him to keep going until he can progress with his passion, he finds it challenging to follow his own advice, especially when Ivy becomes part of the storyline.
Although “Poppa’s House” starts off somewhat rugged, the cast shares an undeniable camaraderie. The genuine affection and bond between the real-life father-son pair is palpable on screen, and their physical resemblance provides an extra dose of amusement for viewers. Furthermore, Atkins and Jackson demonstrate sharp wit, particularly when they move beyond the overused jokes about Jackson’s small stature and Ivy’s fixation on emotions.
Initially titled “Poppa’s House,” the series begins with a familiar tone, but by the third episode, it transforms into something unexpected, leaving viewers struggling to find their footing in the storyline. The acting chemistry is commendable, but the early episodes are weighed down by excessive bro-humor and character traits that border on sexism and bitterness from Poppa, as well as an overabundance of imitations from Junior. However, by the end of Episode 3, titled “Podcast,” when Poppa and Ivy embark on their podcast journey, it’s clear that the writers are attempting to correct the show’s missteps. Fortunately, as the series unfolds, the humor becomes more effective.
By the fourth episode titled “School Days,” the show “Poppa’s House” starts to find more stability. In this installment, Junior and Nina’s son gets accepted into an exclusive private school, which leaves the other grandparents, JJ and Catherine (portrayed admirably by Wendy Raquel Robinson), eager to embrace the new situation. However, Poppa remains skeptical about the academy. The episode is filled with clever dialogue exchanged between JJ and Catherine, as well as sharp quips between the former spouses, marking the point where “Poppa’s House” really finds its stride. (Although, Junior’s continuous imitation of the headmaster’s accent may be a bit overdone.)
Although “Poppa’s House” had a rocky beginning, there are some delightful aspects to it. The charm of the Wayans family is captivating, and every actor, including the children, delivers stellar performances. By the end, it seems like the Wayanses are enjoying themselves immensely, but sometimes that joy isn’t fully conveyed to the audience.
“Poppa’s House” premieres Oct. 21 on CBS, with new episodes dropping weekly on Mondays.
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2024-10-21 17:16