WORDS Eva Short
Fox’s latest series Brooklyn Nine-Nine does not, as a premise, add anything new to the genre of TV comedy. Audiences are very familiar with the single-camera workplace sitcom (Hello, The Office, Parks and Rec, etc) and the juxtaposition of slapstick comedy with crime/detective work isn’t new either (Psych, anyone?). This series wouldn’t stand out amidst a sea of new shows on the 13/14 fall schedule were it not for the name Andy Samberg, renowned comedian of The Lonely Island and former SNL cast mate. The question is whether this show is worthy of our attention – and after the second episode of the fledging series, it’s a tough call.
This series wouldn’t stand out amidst a sea of new shows on the 13/14 fall schedule were it not for the name Andy Samberg
For the uninitiated, Brooklyn Nine-Nine centres around Jake Peralta (Samberg), a successful yet blatantly unprofessional cop. His work environment is completely shaken when a new no-nonsense police captain, Ray Holt (Andre Braugher), comes into the fold gunning for change so that the 99th precinct may excel – in particular, demanding that Peralta shape up. Samberg plays the role of intelligent yet unambitious man-child well, but therein lies the problem. It would not be difficult to deem the show Andy Samberg’s own vanity project – he stars, and produces, and is the show’s main (and perhaps only) draw. Samberg has a magnetism and comedic timing that cannot be denied, though it’s simply not enough to keep us entertained for twenty minutes. There’s a great dynamic between Peralta and Captain Holt, but again, it’s not sufficient. While there are a host of other characters, none thus far have proved remotely entertaining. Instead, they and their brief side plots hang off Samberg like useless extra appendages, only there to occupy the time between Samberg/Braugher conversations and fill out the show’s promotional photo.
It would not be difficult to deem the show Andy Samberg’s own vanity project – he stars, and produces, and is the show’s main (and perhaps only) draw.
Episode one is characterized by middling writing, lacking the delightful silliness we usually associate with the Lonely Island star. However, just as it seems as if the show has slipped into failure, we have the second episode. It starts off well, and throughout episode two there are moments of bright humour and a handful of quote-worthy lines – notably a rather fantastic comparison between Peralta’s filthy locker and a dumpster in the Philippines. A likely possibility might be that Brooklyn Nine-Nine is not so much a bad show as much as it is slow to find its footing. In considering this as a possibility, episode two is definitely responsible for the sole glimmer of hope thus far.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine is not so much a bad show as much as it is slow to find its footing.
As it stands at present, Brooklyn Nine-Nine would make a good placeholder for a lull in the TV schedule or might work equally nicely as a fluff-show for vegetative consumption after a tough day (alongside the likes of decade-old sitcom reruns for instance). Beyond that, it hasn’t shown that it has much to offer just yet. The show is certainly not without potential, however only time can tell if this potential will be met. What we can say for certain is that Brooklyn Nine-Nine is at least worth investigating, albeit with caution. At the end of the day, we prefer to remain optimistic, however it is these next few episodes which will have to dictate whether Samberg’s latest endeavour decides to break the mould or conform and slip away into the fold. We’ll be watching to find out.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine airs every Tuesday on FOX at 8.30/9.30 Central.
