Today We are going to talk about a comedy series already in its second season called The Other Two.
This series has completely gone under the radar and I felt like it needed some attention. It’s on HBO Max. That is much in the same vein as Broad City.
The Other Two TV Review
The Other Two is created by Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider. It stars Heléne Yorke,
Drew Tarver, Case Walker, Ken Marino, and Molly Shannon.
An aspiring actor and his sister Brooke, a former professional dancer, try to find their place in the world while wrestling with their feelings about their 13-year-old brother Chase’s sudden rise to internet fame.
So this is going to be a very broad review covering all of the episodes of season 1 and those that have been released on HBO max of season two.
I honestly turned this show on because there was nothing else that looked interesting at the time and I saw Molly Shannon on the poster.
I had heard absolutely nothing about it and for a show is already in its second season, I thought that was very well odd.
The production history of the other two is quite interesting it comes from two of the head writers of Saturday Night live, Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider who sold the idea to comedy central in 2016.
The legendary Lauren Michaels decided to produce it via his production company
but it wasn’t until January of 2019 that the series first premiered.
Although it was renewed HBO max decided to pick it up and stream it exclusively on their
platform in 2021.
And then more than two years after its series premiere on August 26th we got the first episode of season two.
I think comedy central was very brave in picking up this series because even though it definitely mirrors many of broad city’s overall story arcs and humor.
I mean we are following two 20-something new yorkers trying to get their lives together, but whereas broad city paved the way for showing two badass women smoking weed and being just as ratchet and as beautifully and realistically complicated as all human beings can be.
This show does that but also adds fame on social media and very frank depictions of straight and gay sex into the mix.
It’s so refreshing to see but I think it was a bit too much for comedy central’s main audience, so I am so pleased to see that HBO max took it over.
The series follows the gay brother who is a struggling actor in new york whose only credit to his name is playing a character named the man who smells fart in a commercial.
And his sister who was a professional dancer but messed up her foot and was never able to dance again is now squatting in abandoned flats and trying to find her purpose.
These two are inseparable, but when their 13-year-old brother posts a music video on his youtube channel and it goes viral he becomes an overnight sensation.
Their mother played by the always incredible Molly Shannon brings their brother to new york and both of their worlds basically fall apart.
Not only does the other two satirize the entertainment industry and social media in such a brilliant way.
It also injects so much uncomfortable humor that revolves around sex in your 20s in a way that feels so fresh and unglamorized.
I have not laughed out loud during a television series so much in such a long time. This is sharp-pointed observational and dry humor that won’t be for everyone. But I think it will surprise the hell out of viewers how funny this show is.
The Other Two feels so relevant for so many reasons and as the first season came to a close it then throws you for a loop and adds some gut-punching emotional beats that will 100% ring true for many people of this generation.
I won’t talk about season 2 too much because I want you all to experience this show for yourselves. But the showrunners have found an ingenious way to continue the series in a surprising direction that throws our other two into a tailspin.
They also have brought in Molly Shannon as a lead which to me the more Molly Shannon the better.
And this is her best role in ages that is able to incorporate her quirky humor, but also her underutilized dramatic chops as well.
The Other Two also feels more focused in its sophomore season finding more impact in emotional scenes growing these characters in substantial ways, while still retaining its sharp wit.
I truly cannot understand how I have never heard of this show and why it isn’t being promoted more by HBO max.
While I understand it might have been too much for comedy central The Other Two is perfect for this platform and it deserves way more love.
Drew Tarver who plays Cary Dubek has created the most realistic lead gay character in a comedy I have ever seen.
His trials and tribulations feel authentic in every way and his performance captures the anxieties the ridiculous expectations and the humor of being gay in our society today.
And Heléne Yorke who plays his sister Brooke Dubek is absolutely jaw-droppingly hilarious in her pursuit of purpose and meaning.
As she begins to grow as a professional and as a person we cannot help but fall in love with her as she navigates this tricky balance of love family and business.
I could go on and on about this show forever, but it blew me away for so many reasons. And i really hope you just all stop what you’re doing and you give it a shot.
So I am going to give seasons one and two of The Other Two a B.
This is one of the funniest and most original comedies I have seen in a long time. It mixes resonant themes that will hit hard for this generation, belly laughs that do not stop, and a surprising amount of heart to boot.
It’s an absolute shame that The Other Two have not found their audience and I really really hope that it does.
Guys thank you so much as always for reading the review of The Other Two Series. See you next time.Â
The Other Two Trailer
Check out the trailer of the new comedy TV Series, The Other Two.
