You don’t need a players’ guide to figure out who’s who and what’s what in “Mid-Century Modern,” a new Hulu comedy.
It’s “The Golden Girls” as seen through the eyes of “Will & Grace.”
“Modern,” in fact, is produced by the folks behind “Will & Grace.” Here, though, they have three gay men living together in a lavish home in Palm Springs.
Bunny (Nathan Lane) has opened his Palm Springs doors to two friends, Jerry, a flight attendant (Matt Bomer), and Arthur, a former fashion expert (Nathan Lee Graham). His mother, Sybil (Linda Lavin), is there, too, which makes this the Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia set for another generation.
The cast of "Mid-Century Modern," from left, Matt Bomer, Nathan Lane, Nathan Lee Graham and Linda Lavin.
“Mid-Century Modern,” however, has a dated look at the arrangement, suggesting nothing much has changed since the “Golden Girls” went off the air. Political issues regarding LGBTQ+ individuals are barely mentioned. When a neighbor turns out to be a member of Congress (who’s not in step with their way of thinking), the three decide to set her straight about the world she opposes. It’s not very specific but it does give writers a chance to Boebert a script before the 10 episodes have passed.
Interestingly, “Mid-Century Modern” bears more than a slight resemblance to "The Odd Couple,” a Neil Simon show that was revived on Broadway with Lane in one of the leading roles. There’s a similar rhythm to the lines and, if you binge enough of the episodes, you’ll be able to devise the comeback before they do.
Lane, Bomer and Graham have a nice rhythm but little in common. How these three bonded is the biggest unanswered question of the series. Still, they get to play their stereotypes while Lavin gets to come in and top them all. That she got to do this before she died is one of the blessings of life. Without her, some of the scenes lack the button they need.
How do three roommates handle a tragedy? That's the premise behind an episode of "Mid-Century Modern" starring, from left, Matt Bomer, Nathan Lane and Nathan Lee Graham.
While producers deal with her death in the final episodes, they haven’t suggested who’s going to be the fourth. That voice (which could be supplied by Pamela Adlon, who plays Lane’s sister) needs to be heard.
When “Mid-Century Modern” leans into its location, it finds the fun that may be missing from other, more generic situations. In one episode, Bomer wants to get tickets to a Donny Osmond concert at the casino. Growing up Mormon, he had an attachment that still hasn’t ended. Lane agrees to go with him to get tickets and becomes hooked on a table game. It’s a good way to learn more about both characters (ever heard of an “Orgosmond”?) and give them reason to be in scenes together.
When Graham looks for a job a local high-end fashion retailer, he’s pretty much left to his own devices until Lavin comes in. She manages witty comebacks, a great sight gag and enough fuel to drive the midnight train to Georgia. She’s the star – and the glue among the men.
The first episode without her shows how difficult it is to rise without the yeast.
From left, Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer and Nathan Lee Graham star in "Mid-Century Modern" on Hulu.
Lane uses the same tools he honed on Broadway; Graham is a haughtier version of a “Modern Family” character and Bomer is the eye candy. To his credit, Bomer plays the naïve one (the Betty White character) and sells the innocence. When he gets a chance to share his “story” with a man he meets at a getaway, plenty comes into view. Lane and Graham don’t get the same trajectory in the first 10 episodes but, in time, they should be able to mine the mother lode.
While “Mid-Century Modern” has plenty of laughs (and takes you away from contemporary troubles), there’s something a bit off with a series this specific. Finding that relevance (as “Will & Grace” did) may take time, even if that clock is barely ticking.
"Mid-Century Modern" begins March 28 on Hulu.
