I gave the show a great review in season 1, and it only got stronger through season 4. The jokes were sharp, funny, and witty, and the background gags were even better than the one liners. Dina is one of the best characters on TV (later joined by Marcus), and there have been episodes that have literally been a laugh a minute.
So what happened to season 5? Characters that I used to find quirky are now grating, Jonah may be the most irritating, judgmental male character on network television, Dina has lost both her wit and her edge - she been essentially neutered, Marcus is now a one note, buffoonish stand in for the stereotypical dumb straight guy. Mateo is a PC wet dream, Amy is that angry feminist we all pretend to listen to, but secretly try to avoid, etc.
There are still some laugh out loud moments here and there, but the show is choosing a bully pulpit over comedy, and when bad things like this start happening to good shows, I lose a bit more of my faith in the entertainment industry's ability to actually entertain.
It will take some writing talent to bring this show back from the brink, but I think it's one season away from relying on guest stars to do most of the work.
So what happened to season 5? Characters that I used to find quirky are now grating, Jonah may be the most irritating, judgmental male character on network television, Dina has lost both her wit and her edge - she been essentially neutered, Marcus is now a one note, buffoonish stand in for the stereotypical dumb straight guy. Mateo is a PC wet dream, Amy is that angry feminist we all pretend to listen to, but secretly try to avoid, etc.
There are still some laugh out loud moments here and there, but the show is choosing a bully pulpit over comedy, and when bad things like this start happening to good shows, I lose a bit more of my faith in the entertainment industry's ability to actually entertain.
It will take some writing talent to bring this show back from the brink, but I think it's one season away from relying on guest stars to do most of the work.