From the mind of Bill Lawrence, known for hits like “Scrubs,” comes “Rooster,” a new comedy airing on HBO. The show follows Greg Russo, played by Steve Carell, a successful author of beach reads. Despite his career success, Greg is struggling after his marriage ended in infidelity. To shake things up, he takes a job as Writer in Residence at Ludlow College. This puts him closer to his adult daughter, Katie, who’s also facing her own marital troubles as she navigates life as an art history professor.
The series aims to delve into the father-daughter relationship, but it often falls flat. The humor feels dated, and the storytelling lacks depth. You might notice parallels to past films like “Father of the Bride” and “Fatherhood,” which explore similar themes of family dynamics.
In the first season, comprising 10 episodes, Greg tries to reconnect with Katie while embarking on experiences he missed out on in his youth. He builds a friendship with Professor Dylan and even explores new romantic interests. However, the journey is riddled with predictable storylines. The conflict between Katie and her ex-husband, Archie, becomes repetitive, and the college setting fails to provide engaging story arcs about academic life.
Some comedic moments come off as forced and rely on outdated tropes. For example, a gag involving Greg using a student to break his fall during class feels tiresome and inappropriate. Comedies can tackle sensitive topics like misogyny with skill, but “Rooster” seems tone-deaf, making light of issues that should be treated with more care.
While there are flashes of insight into the father-daughter dynamic, the narrative is often bogged down by irrelevant subplots and characters. Greg is portrayed as the more sensitive parent, contrasting with his ex-wife Elizabeth’s more traditional, less emotional approach. However, the show misses opportunities to fully explore this complexity.
Despite the talent involved—Lawrence’s previous successes and Carell’s dedicated performances—”Rooster” struggles to find its voice. Viewers might find it hard to care about the characters, and the dialogue often feels recycled from Carell’s earlier projects.
In essence, “Rooster” raises the question of what a father-daughter relationship can be, but it rarely dives deep. Given the rich potential of its theme, it’s a missed chance to resonate more with the audience.
If you’re looking for deeper explorations of parent-child relationships in modern comedy, you might want to seek other shows that tackle the subject with more creativity and nuance, like “Ted Lasso” or “This Is Us.”
“Rooster” premiered on March 8, with new episodes released weekly. You can check out more information about the show on HBO’s official site.
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Charly Clive,Danielle Deadwyler,HBO,Rooster,Steve Carell
