Mid Century Modern was marketed as the gay version of the Golden Girls. It certainly delivered on that in terms of wit and jokes. However, is that all for this new sitcom?
After the death of a mutual friend, three friends decided to live together in the Mid-Century Modern style home of one of the friends. This and their opinionated and critical mother formed the basic quartet of the show.
Matt Bomer is the pretty face with a pity brain, Nathan Lane is the rich and successful Bunny, and Nathan Lee Graham is the fashion critic trying to find his feet again. Each of the friends brought something different to the table, but all of them comply with the usual sitcom troupe.
I am not saying that it is not good. Just that it doesn’t feel that there is new stuff on the table. Character designs are familiar and most of the subjects they touched on are familiar too. Sometimes I felt that if they did not call it the gay version of the Golden Girls, I would be less inclined to compare and contrast. But once the exercise starts, it is hard to stop. The characters are lively and well-acted. I never knew that Matt Bomer can squeal in such a high note before this and it is a completely different character, as compared to Fellow Travellers, the last production I saw of him. Nathan Lane and Nathan Lee Graham both delivered lively and energetic performances, but I personally feel that some of the cliches and stereotypes that weaved in and out of the lines had greatly diminished the potential of this show. What I like about Fellow Travellers, despite being a completely different genre, is it did not attempt to tell a ‘gay’ story, but a story happened to be about two men in love but with one party too scared to live his true life and confess his feelings. That’s what I wanted from Mid Century Modern, especially when it is being helmed by Matt Bomer himself. While the jokes were funny, especially with the natural and unpretentious delivery of the actors themselves, they were just boxing in the sitcom too much, thus clipping their wings unnecessarily.
For me the breath of fresh air was the critical yet supportive mother played by Linda Lavin. Her time on screen broke the stiff air from the main trio and provided much relief for the show. It is a pity that the mishap in real life meant that her time on screen was cut short, despite the best efforts in the editing room.
Mid Century Modern did deliver a spectacular set that stayed true to the title. The free flow of open space from one room to the other, and the internal to the external provided a great stage for all the actions of the show. Even though most of the show stayed inside the house set, you will not feel bored with it, as it provided a great canvas for the actors to deliver their actions in an easy manner.
Storywise, the show touched on quite a number of issues, especially with Matt Bomer’s past and present behind that happy go lucky visage, in addition to Nathan Lane’s constant egg shell walking with Nathan Lee Graham trying to stay relevant in a world that seemed to have moved on from him. The characters are three dimensional and flawed at the same time, but it is just a pity that their sexuality played too heavily at times. I cannot say that I know how such a household operates or functions, maybe they are reflecting the truth, I just don’t know it yet.
Overall speaking I did enjoy the show. I binged several episodes in one go on one of the Saturday night evenings without knowing time was flying by, so I think that is a good sign.
Mid Century Modern is now streaming on Disney+
