Damon Wayans has been a staple of American entertainment for more than four decades, starting with his notable appearance in the original Beverly Hills Cop. This role opened the door to a brief period on SNL and a much more impactful presence on In Living Color alongside his family. His son, also named Damon Wayans, has been making audiences laugh for nearly 15 years, beginning with the debut of Happy Endings in 2011. Now, the two are set to showcase their comedic talents together as father and son in an exciting new CBS sitcom Poppa’s House Episode 1 (Pilot).
Plot
Poppa (Damon Wayans, Sr.) enters his kitchen, only to be taken aback by a sudden knock on the window from his son Damon (Damon Wayans, Jr.), who happens to live right next door.
Junior is eager to ask his father for a favor, but Poppa insists on savoring his tea first, prolonging the moment. Junior needs Poppa to look after his kids while he goes out to pitch for directing music videos.
His passion lies in directing full-time, but to support his family, he works for his father-in-law, Tetona Jackson, who also assisted them in purchasing their home by selling foam back rollers. Poppa points out that Junior is taking time away from his boss, all while enjoying the sensation of rolling on one of Junior’s samples.
Poppa is facing challenges at work as the host of the immensely popular morning-drive radio show, Poppa’s House, in New York. Known for sharing his sometimes outdated wisdom and playing great music, he finds himself in a tough spot when the station manager decides to bring in podcaster Dr. Ivy Reed (Essence Atkins) to question his views.
After stirring up some controversy, the station manager presents Ivy to Poppa, claiming that corporate insists on adding a female voice to his program. Poppa believes he has a say in the matter, but soon realizes he does not. The following day, upon discovering Ivy seated beside him and cameras ready for a live broadcast, he makes the bold decision to quit.
Junior’s lengthy directorial pitch caused him to miss an important sales meeting, leading to his father-in-law’s decision to let him go. In a heartfelt conversation, Poppa shares his own struggles from when he first entered the radio industry, back when Junior was just a baby. He recounts a time when he left a job, believing he had another opportunity lined up, only to face disappointment.
Poppa emphasizes that sometimes, you must endure what you dislike in order to pursue what you truly love. To support Junior, he extends an invitation to Nina’s father, Geoffrey Owens, for dinner, aiming to mend fences despite their long-standing rivalry from high school.
Similar To The Neighborhood
Poppa’s House seamlessly complements The Neighborhood, making a perfect addition to CBS’s Monday night sitcom lineup.
Performance
The creative force behind Poppa’s House, Dean Lorey, has a wealth of experience from his time collaborating with Damon Wayans, Sr. on the beloved sitcom My Wife And Kids. This background gives him a keen understanding of how to maximize Wayans’ comedic talents.
By allowing Wayans the freedom to improvise with quirky voices and memorable lines, Lorey taps into the actor’s unique ability to elevate humor. For instance, when Wayans exclaims “Meeeeat!” in a high-pitched tone, it not only brings laughter but also enhances the overall comedic quality of the series.
The humor reaches new heights with Damon Wayans, Jr. in the mix. His talent for improvisational comedy, evident from his time on Happy Endings and New Girl, shines through brilliantly. When he and his father engage in playful antics—be it dancing, sharing impressions, or toasting with wine glasses to a catchy rhyme—the show truly delivers its most hilarious moments.
Drawbacks
The remaining elements require some refinement, as Junior and Nina appear to fall into the typical sitcom married couple routine, while Ivy mainly serves to poke fun at Poppy and navigate his sharp comments.
It’s essential to provide Poppy with a contrasting character, especially since he’s in his sixties, still sporting backward baseball caps, and has developed a tough exterior regarding relationships after his divorce from Junior’s mother.
We are truly excited to cast Essence Atkins as Ivy, as she fully embraces the character’s intensity with remarkable enthusiasm. However, it’s essential for her to embody more than just a critic and a rival to Poppy.
The sets for Junior’s and Poppa’s houses are so similar that it was difficult to distinguish between the two. However, in the second episode, the sets were altered to create a clearer contrast.
Additionally, there was a curious detail where Poppa hosted a radio show with his headphones draped around his neck instead of over his ears. This raised the question of how he could hear the callers. Thankfully, this issue was addressed in the second episode as well.
Conclusion
Poppa’s House Episode 1 (Pilot) succeeds because Wayans Sr. and Jr. fully embrace their unique comedic styles, creating a fantastic dynamic. As the series progresses, the more traditional sitcom elements are bound to improve, making it even more enjoyable to watch.
The exciting premiere of Poppa’s House Episode 1 (Pilot) on CBS, launched on October 21 ! Tune in every Monday for fresh episodes that you won’t want to miss.