It’s been a while since ABC has had a comedy series I was truly interested in. While I’ll watch the occasional episode of Black-ish or The Middle, nothing’s really grabbed my attention and made it to the top of my viewing queue in recent memory. But, as I covered ABC’s upfronts earlier this year, the trailer for The Mayor ensured that this was one show I would be calling dibs on come fall review time (I also have my sights set on Alex Inc., but that’s midseason).
The Mayor stars Brandon Michael Hall as rapper Courtney Rose who hatches a plan to promote his mixtape by running for office in his beloved hometown of Fort Grey, California. While his two best friends (hilariously played by Bernard David Jones and Marcel Spears) are on board with his promo stunt, his mom (the great Yvette Nicole Brown of Community fame) is a little more apprehensive. Filling out the main cast is Lea Michele (Glee), who goes from being the campaign director for Rose’s adversary to becoming the chief of staff for the mayor-elect. Together, this ensemble really shines, with one of my favorite dynamics being the relationship between Courtney and his mother.
What impressed me most about the pilot for The Mayor was just how fast and funny it was. While not quite making it to Veep level (not that you could say those types of profanities on ABC), the whip-smart dialogue across the board had me literally laughing out loud during this 22-minute premiere. Of course, this being a pilot, the plot also went by at warp speed, but I’m sure that will be adjusted in future installments.
To be sure, this is far from the first time the straight-talking, no BS outsider crashes the political party to rise to prominence storyline has been done, with elements seen in Bulworth, Head of State, and the 2016 Presidential Election. Still, The Mayor feels fresh and perhaps even heightened considering that lattermost development. Speaking of which, in our divided times, The Mayor‘s pilot plays it surprisingly down the middle. In a throwaway line in an early scene, Courtney speaks of his musical aspirations saying he wants to one day perform with Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl for a Halftime Show both blue states and red states will love. The philosophy actually pops up a couple times of times as the show takes minor jabs at PC outrage culture and the media while also discussing some “problematic” matters.
Just before The Mayor‘s debut episode ends, Courtney is reminded that his elected term is four years. This may be a subtle nod to the audience that, yes, we have plenty of storylines to explore. While I’ve been known to doubt the longevity of a show premise in the past, this time around, I actually believe them. Furthermore, if the show manages to keep up the witty humor on display in the pilot, I’d definitely vote to give this Mayor a second term season.
I give The Mayor 5 (out of 5) mics.
The Mayor premieres Tuesday, October 3rd on ABC.