If you’ve been yearning for the sharp, dry humor of “Succession,” you might find satisfaction in Jesse Armstrong’s fresh satire on HBO titled “Mountainhead.
Speaking about his latest adult animated series, “#1 Happy Family USA,” lead actor Ramy Youssef, who stars in the “Succession” creator’s first movie, described it as having a similar humor to that of “Succession.
Youssef shared with EbMaster during the “#1 Happy Family USA” premiere in New York on Wednesday night: “Succession is one of the greatest comedies ever produced, and this movie shares its humor in a similar fashion.” He went on to say, “Jesse’s writing stands out. It’s rare to find something as exceptional as that, so getting the opportunity to work with it was an absolute pleasure.
The story unfolds at ‘Mountainhead’, where a gathering of wealthy acquaintances takes place amidst a global emergency. Among the snowbound billionaires are Steve Carell’s character Randall, Jason Schwartzman as Souper/Hugo Van Yalk, and Cory Michael Smith portraying Venis. The cast also includes Hadley Robinson, Andy Daly, Ali Kinkade, Daniel Oreskes, David Thompson, Amie MacKenzie, and Ava Kostia.
As a devoted cinephile, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the premiere of “Mountainhead,” and just recently, HBO unveiled some chilling first-look photos that give us a glimpse into its ominous, snow-covered setting. Mark your calendars for May 31 at 8 p.m., as this thriller will air on HBO, and for those with HBO Max subscriptions, it’ll be available to stream as well!
Youssef, the actor playing the role of Jeff, remained secretive when asked about the real-life billionaires who might have influenced his character portrayal, saying only that he observed them all closely, noting they all share similar traits.
Armstrong assumes the roles of both writer and director, with co-executive production handled by his fellow “Succession” team members Frank Rich, Lucy Prebble, Jon Brown, Tony Roche, Will Tracy, and Mark Mylod, in addition to “Severance” producer Jill Footlick.
Title “#1 Happy Family USA” is based in 2001 and delves into the systemic challenges faced by a Muslim family following the September 11 attacks in America. As per the show’s executive producer and illustrator, Mona Chalabi, it draws inspiration from various shows of that time such as “The Boondocks”, “Doug”, “Daria” and “King of the Hill”.
Simultaneously, this adult animated show addresses current societal concerns head-on. Youssef, who faced criticism for stating “Free Palestine” in his latest “Saturday Night Live” speech, has remained unapologetic about it, terming it “not contentious.” However, when discussing “#1 Happy Family USA,” he emphasizes that it’s primarily intended as a comedic production.
The adult animated series directly tackles contemporary societal issues. Youssef, who faced backlash for saying “Free Palestine” during his recent “Saturday Night Live” monologue, has defended the statement, calling it “non-controversial.” But when discussing “#1 Happy Family USA,” he makes it clear that it’s primarily meant to be funny.
Youssef commented that since it’s a cartoon, it shouldn’t be taken literally. Although it tackles some serious topics, he admits it’s also incredibly silly – his preferred type of silliness.
Randa Jarrar, the only Palestinian actor in the group, praised Youssef’s determination and expressed her hope that the show might help dismantle some of the lingering cultural divides that persist in New York.
Jarrar stated that in New York, merely wearing a Gahfiya can lead to strange looks, which recalls the trauma of 9/11 for him. He expressed his concern that as a society, we seem to rarely learn from our past mistakes. The deaths of approximately 1.5 million Iraqis were a result of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney’s falsehoods. Through artistic expression and productions like this one, we now have the chance to actively combat such hatred.
All eight episodes of “#1 Happy Family USA” are streaming now on Prime Video.
See more photos from the “#1 Happy Family USA” premiere below.
Read More
- How to use a Modifier in Wuthering Waves
- Unleash Your Heroes’ True Potential: Best Stadium Builds for Every Overwatch 2 Hero
- 50 Goal Sound ID Codes for Blue Lock Rivals
- Lucky Offense Tier List & Reroll Guide
- Watch Louis Theroux’s The Settlers for Free: Secret Hack Revealed!
- Unlock All Avinoleum Treasure Spots in Wuthering Waves!
- Elder Scrolls Oblivion: Best Spellsword Build
- Mistfall Hunter Class Tier List
- Best Crosshair Codes for Fragpunk
- 50 Ankle Break & Score Sound ID Codes for Basketball Zero
2025-04-17 19:17