Review: Nepotism
Delocated is more brilliant than your show. The premise of a reality show about a man in the witness protection program has proved to be a poignant commentary on the state of celebrity and fame. Main character "Jon" often is distracted by the fact that someone is trying to kill him with his own obsession of making money of his fame. That premise works because reality shows are so ripe for parody. Now- in season 2, we have a new character that makes "Jon's" day-to-day problems meet his bigger problem of someone out to kill him in the form of a TV executive out to make better ratings.
Enter Mighty Joe Jon- The Black Blonde. (click and watch clip)
As stated- Delocated is possibly the most brilliant show currently on TV. They so well established their premise that anything can work within their means. Mighty Joe Jon is a TV Executive, and the character serves as a point to call out all the ridiculous things reality shows do to their 'stars'. Mighty Joe Jon exists to make his reality star money... he gives "Jon" hints on to broaden his appeal, encourages a catch phrase, coincides that catchphrase into a popular song from the 80s, and even finds a food to market one of "Jon's" strengths (SPOILER: his strength was grief and they made grief jerky (hahahahah)). But just take in Mighty Joe Jon. See him for what he is. He is not only a black guy who dyes his hair blonde... he is THE black guy who dies his hair blonde. He has cornered that niche market on reality TV and now has taken his talents to TV Executive (after he wrote a successful book on 'reaction faces'). I like to think that Joe Jon was so good at being a reality TV show star, that a black blonde person can never be on a reality TV show again because they will just live in Mighty Joe Jon's shadow (I also imagine his blonde hair shows up in his shadow). The character just reminds me of the marketing of Jersey Shore or Kate Gosselin clinging to fame. Mighty Joe Jon is bringing the disturbing truths of reality that Delocated has hinted at before. Now that they have full half-hour episodes, they really can flesh out just how awful reality TV is.
I would be remiss not to mention Jerry Minor, who has been one of my favorite people since high school. You'll remember him from Mr. Show, and forget him from his lone season on SNL. Jerry is a legend in my house, and this remarkable character (who is a full time character, as Jerry was second billing) is now part of the pantheon of his remarkable career.
Seriously, Delocated is unfairly funny. I feel a warm transcendence whenever I watch it. It's like watching Da Vinci paint or Prince fuck. Turbulently controlled. I would say it's on a Python-level, but it is not a sketch show. The things that paved the way for it are Get a Life and Strangers with Candy, though Delocated brings a more informed balance to the show. Which is weird to say, because they never show that they do. So many ridiculous sentences are said so nonchalantly, that this shouldn't even be a TV show. This should be a love letter we send to the future that says, "We had art, and beauty, and we were smart and were outraged." But that would mean the future would have to be a lovely place. *sigh*
I would be remiss not to mention Jerry Minor, who has been one of my favorite people since high school. You'll remember him from Mr. Show, and forget him from his lone season on SNL. Jerry is a legend in my house, and this remarkable character (who is a full time character, as Jerry was second billing) is now part of the pantheon of his remarkable career.
Seriously, Delocated is unfairly funny. I feel a warm transcendence whenever I watch it. It's like watching Da Vinci paint or Prince fuck. Turbulently controlled. I would say it's on a Python-level, but it is not a sketch show. The things that paved the way for it are Get a Life and Strangers with Candy, though Delocated brings a more informed balance to the show. Which is weird to say, because they never show that they do. So many ridiculous sentences are said so nonchalantly, that this shouldn't even be a TV show. This should be a love letter we send to the future that says, "We had art, and beauty, and we were smart and were outraged." But that would mean the future would have to be a lovely place. *sigh*
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