"Will & Grace" creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan have reteamed for Hulu's new original comedy, "Mid-Century Modern." The series is a charming comedy that combines the wit of their groundbreaking comedy with the charm of "The Golden Girls." Set in Palm Springs, the series follows three gay best friends of a certain age who are forced to live together after an unexpected death. While living together, the trio grapples with aging, grief, love, long-held secrets, and everything in between. While the series plays off various stereotypes of the LGBTQ+ community, it's all done with good humor and a touch of style. It's also an interesting rarity in the streaming age: a multi-camera comedy directed by James Burrows ("Friends," "Will & Grace") and filmed in front of a live audience.
"Mid-Century Modern" opens at a funeral. Bunny Schneiderman (Nathan Lane), a successful lingerie magnate, and former fashion journalist Arthur Broussard (Nathan Lee Graham) stand beside their friend George's coffin. As Bunny attempts to grieve dramatically, Arthur expresses his horror at the suit George was buried in. Shortly after, his other best friend (in his forties), Jerry Frank (Matt Bomer), a burned-out flight attendant, bursts through the funeral home doors, still in uniform and dragging his suitcase.
Creators: David Kohan, Max Mutchnick
Stars: Matt Bomer, Linda Lavin, Nathan Lee Graham
Later, at the spacious home Bunny shares with his mother Sybil (the late Linda Lavin), the friends reminisce about their three-decade bond and how to move forward after George's death. Facing their own mortality and living in different cities across the country, they decide to embrace the future together. After some arguments and confusion, including Bunny nearly expelling his friends to play sponsor for a new prospect, the men (and Sybil) decide to move in together.
"Mid-Century Modern" isn't exactly a groundbreaking film, but it does have many hilarious moments. Bunny, Arthur, Jerry, and Sybil all have unique backgrounds and an air of familiarity. Bunny, the Dorothy of the group, constantly searches for the transformative romance she's never experienced, and doesn't believe she's entirely deserving of it. Arthur is an eclectic mix of Blanche and the legendary André Leon Talley, who has still not gotten over the shock of being cast out of the New York fashion world and often lets his controlling nature get out of hand. Jerry, the Rose of the group, is a cheerful and engaging ex-Mormon with more brawn than brains. Finally, Sybil deftly takes on Sophia's role as the domineering housewife, critical but well-intentioned to a fault.
With fewer restrictions on Hulu, Mutchnick and Kohan enthusiastically lean into the cruder humor and profanity in this series. Still, as with most multi-camera comedies, especially these days, several episodes in this 10-episode first season are much stronger than others. Episode 2, "Working Girls," focuses on Arthur's new role as a salesman at a luxury boutique and Jerry's lifelong obsession with Donny Osmond, giving fans a deeper look into their stories. In Episode 5, "Hello, Fisty's," the trio returns to Fire Island for a nostalgic vacation. During the trip, Bunny is forced to address his self-loathing when a past acquaintance offers him an alternative perspective on his love life. Other episodes provide laughs but lack the same power and impact as those mentioned above.
In addition to the jokes centered on current social issues such as sexuality, gender, race, and class, the Ryan Murphy-produced series thrives on its cast. A key aspect of this is Lavin's performance as Sybil. Unfortunately, after her passing in late 2024, "Mid-Century Modern" had to conclude its final two episodes without her. Her sharp one-liners and witty quips gave the comedy a special edge. In her absence, the series feels even less distinctive. Pamela Adlon is great as Mindy, Bunny's recently divorced sister, but she's no substitute for Lavin.
"Mid-Century Modern" is something we've seen before. While the one-liners are sharp and the cast is energetic, the series won't change the sitcom landscape—but it's not trying to, either. Instead, it offers more than just a few laugh-out-loud moments, a fresh take on golden-age friendships, and some truly charming guest stars. With everything going on globally, this optimistic, low-stakes series could be just what audiences are looking for.
All 10 episodes of "Mid-Century Modern" premiere March 28 on Hulu.
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