In the age of “content,” if you are nostalgic about the golden days of sitcoms – the awkward yet classic jokes, the easy laughter of a live audience, and the entertaining lives of endearing characters – you need to watch ‘Mid-Century Modern.’ The show features the perfect blend of good ol’ times with contemporary queer themes.
There are three middle-aged friends – Bunny Schneiderman (Nathan Lane), Jerry (Matt Bomer), and Arthur (Nathan Lee Graham) – who realise each other’s value as they age and decide to live together in Palm Springs. They are “queens” in their own ways, but they love each other. In Bunny’s words, “This friendship is my love story. Yes, it’s sexless and annoying. But what long-lasting love story isn’t?” Such is the heartwarming feel of the show. It might not be groundbreaking, but it’s like a familiar ground where you reach for memories and make new ones.
‘Mid-Century Modern’: A Comfort Show With Queer Humor
‘Mid-Century Modern’ is unapologetically queer: it embraces the gay stereotypes without the tacky stench of homophobia. They aren’t just punchlines, but they certainly land with a punch. If you need an idea, just think of the joke that kickstarts the series: “You don’t look sad. You just look like a reluctant bottom.”
It’s ‘The Golden Girls’ type of sitcom for today’s age, just with aging gay men, whom Bunny describes as “women of a certain age.” One thing of note, though, is the writing of the series has no filter, thanks to the unconstrained streaming era. Yet, the vintage vibe works. You know the story will be straightforward. Problems will arise and be resolved quickly, in hilarious ways.
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The very first episode addresses the issue of dying suddenly and not having anyone to delete their online search history. So, the drama-loving Bunny, sassy and fashionable Arthur, and beautifully dumb Jerry start living under the same roof. They have long emotional talks, judge each other and laugh, break out in dance, and go through life together.
The Sitcom Is Linda Lavin’s Iconic Swan Song
For a while, they share that house with Bunny’s mother, Sybil. ‘Mid-Century Modern’ keeps playing at her age with her boy saying, “The woman could probably make it another 20 years just on cottage cheese and spite.” Sybil intones that it’s good Bunny will have his friends when she is gone but declares, “Which won’t be for a long while!”
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Sybil is the no-holds-barred matriarch whose quips can burn and leave the wound stinging for days. Yet, she is loveable and highly entertaining while balancing the tone of the sitcom. She constantly drives those around her to do better. Perhaps her daughter, Mindy, played by Pamela Adlon, puts the weird animosity towards her mother in the best way: “She may be critical, but at least she’s unpleasant.” Thankfully, they get a chance to reconcile, even if in a small way.
Unfortunately, actress Linda Lavin passed away mid-production, and the show honored her by changing the script. There’s a great “Here’s to You, Mrs. Schneiderman” plot line. The screen and stage legend should’ve liked it. And as fans, we are happy to see her swan song in a feisty role that would’ve been censored in her TV heydays.
‘Mid-Century Modern’ Is A Celebration Of Friendship At Its Core
The trio of ‘Mid-Century Modern’ might seem to have a lot going for them, but they have deep-seated insecurities. Bunny has a hard time accepting himself and dating, Arthur puts himself on a pedestal too high and feels inadequate when he is alone, and our “mercilessly upbeat Ken doll” Jerry reminisces about his lost family whose religious beliefs kept his daughter, Becca, away from him for more than two decades.
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Through all of it, Bunny, Arthur, and Jerry support each other. Their bond is bigger than any romance. In a poignant moment, Bunny muses, “What’s love anyway? Aren’t we all looking for someone who can stand us and likes the same TV shows?”
This retrofitted sitcom might have many cliches, but it’s highly watchable, provided you are in the mood for easy comedy. Sometimes, we need exactly that, right?
