PILOT REVIEW: Sunnyside

SUNNYSIDE

Starring: Kal Penn, Kiran Deol, Moses Storm, Diana Maria Riva, Samba Schutte, Poppy Liu, Joel Kim Booster

Created by Matt Murray and Kal Penn
Written by Michael Murray & Kal Penn, Directed by Oz Rodriguez

Sunnyside is a new sitcom that comes from the Michael Schur world. He didn't create it, but is a pretty involved executive producer. Yes, this is the same Michael Schur who is well known for The Office, Parks and Recreation and The Good Place. But I guess everyone is allowed a miss sometimes and this is certainly a miss for Schur. Though, again, he didn't write it himself so maybe that's the problem.

It's too bad because I think Sunnyside has a great premise, centered on a disgraced ex-congressman (Kal Penn) who is trying some get rich quick schemes, but ends up finding a worthy cause by helping a group of immigrants become citizens. It's a very timely premise for the world we live in and it's something that hasn't really been done on TV before, especially as a sitcom. Unfortunately, the execution is far, far weaker than the premise and the biggest sin committed by this show is, it just isn't funny. There hasn't been a comedy pilot this fall that has knocked it out of the park (The Unicorn came closest) but there were at least things to smile or laugh at in each one. Not here.

I think it starts with Kal Penn. Maybe he should stick to politics because I have learned through a couple different shows that I just don't find him to be that good an actor, and I certainly don't find him funny. He came across too earnest and self-righteous in Designated Survivor and he wasn't believable as a drunk or the self-centered person he's supposed to be at the beginning of this show. The group of immigrants could be a delightful ensemble, but nothing really works with them here. From a lame Hamilton joke (which already feels just a bit dated) to the very obnoxious brother and sister characters played by Joel Kim Booster and Poppy Liu, none of the characters made much of an impression and certainly didn't seem like they were capable of gelling together as an ensemble.

By not being able to watch this until after the ratings came out, I know Sunnyside flopped and isn't likely to be long for this world. But if it had turned into a multi-year run, what would that look like? Obviously they can't drag out the immigration process for years. I don't usually think comedies have to deal with running out of plot but this one might have, unless the plan was/is for it to just eventually be a comedy about a group of friends. Oh well, I guess that's a moot point now.

WILL I WATCH IT AGAIN?
I almost always watch at least two episodes of a new comedy. But this one really has me questioning that.