PILOT REVIEW: The Mayor

THE MAYOR

Starring: Brandon Michael Hall, Lea Michele, Marcel Spears, Bernard David Jones, and Yvette Nicole Brown

Created by Jeremy Bronson
Written by Jeremy Bronson, Directed by James Griffiths

THE PREMISE
In a story that feels quite relevant for our world today, Courtney Rose (Brandon Michael Hall) is a talented but struggling rapper who decides to run for mayor in his hometown of Fort Gray, CA for a publicity stunt. Of course things go awry when he actually wins and has to become mayor. He is teamed with a Type A political manager, Val Barella (Lea Michele), who clashes with his buddies that he also adds to his staff, Jermaine and TK (Bernard David Jones and Marcel Spears). Rounding out the main cast is Courtney's mother, Dina (Yvette Nicole Brown).

THE REVIEW
This really felt like a fresh show in a way that no other fall series has so far. Aside from paralleling to the real life situation of having someone run for office in what seems like a publicity stunt only to have it become a reality, it isn't something that we've seen on TV and especially not with a rapper as the main character. I think the show made a wise choice in not wasting anytime getting past the election and not only because I didn't need to see a lot of David Spade. This is a show that's about Courtney Rose being mayor, not about an election, so I'm glad we got to see what this show is going to be like on a weekly basis from episode one.

Brandon Michael Hall is very strong in the lead role. He is charismatic, engaging, and funny. He is definitely a character to root for. I have never been a huge Lea Michele fan, but this is a good role for her and she's a good balance to Hall. Yvette Nicole Brown is also strong as Hall's on screen mother. I could see the two friends getting annoying but hopefully they develop their characters a little more in future episodes.

One question I have about this show is what will it look like a year from now? They can't make the premise each week that Courtney doesn't really understand what's going on and finds his big dreams running into small city government bureaucracy. That will work for awhile but it's not going to work for a multi-season run. So I'm curious/interested to see how Courtney evolves as a character. But I trust a show that seems sure enough of itself in the pilot and smart enough to turn into a smart sitcom with a strong point of view.

WILL I WATCH IT AGAIN?
Yes. I could see this being added to my regular lineup of shows.