If you’re looking for a fun new show to binge this weekend, the first season of Mid-Century Modern is now streaming on Hulu. The show brings together three older gay friends as they enter their later years as roommates, and will bring you bits of nostalgia for other shows of similar formats we’ve loved in the past.
Set in Palm Springs, Mid-Century Modern plays homage to the well known architecture and the culture of the area, adds in some well known formats we may recognize from Golden Girls and from Will and Grace as well. But while it may pull a bit from these hit shows of the past, the show stands on its own and brings it’s own voice to the zeitgeist.
Mid-Century Modern Follows Bunny (Nathan Lane), Jack (Matt Bomer) and Arthur (Nathan Lee Graham), three gay best friends who decide that after the death of their mutual friend to move in with each other. Their set of friends now smaller, they decide to spend their golden years together in Palm Springs in Bunny’s gorgeous home and where there’s a constant supply of love interests. But also living in the home – is Sybil (Linda Lavin), Bunny’s mother who’s loud, opinionated but loves all of the men as her own children.
Easily, you can see the parallels to The Golden Girls with how the show is shot. From the opening of scenes showing the front of the house, the entry way, the kitchen and table side talks between the main characters and even the personality profiles of the characters. You can quickly assign which character is similar to the Rose, Dorothy, and Blanche of the three main characters with Sybil obviously taking place of Sophia. Even in the context of the episodes focusing on current events, politics and topics that may not always be thought to be topics to put into a short comedy show.
Mid-Century Modern was created from the same writers as Will and Grace. And while you can feel elements of the same influence, Mid-Century Modern takes some of the things its predecessor wasn’t able to. It isn’t a show about a gay man played by a straight actor and his circle of friends. Instead, Mid-Century Modern focuses on gay friendships and the actors bringing the characters to life are well known gay actors. It’s not just a a gay man living his life in the world, the show in unapologetically authentic in who the men are, and the life they live. With references to other cities are areas that are important to the gay experience like P Town and Fire Island, the show brings with it references and cultural touch points.
The show has ten short episodes, but all of them are filled with heart and laughter. While not every episode has deep messaging, the show is one that is looking to bring another story and perspective to the screen. It’s a quick binge watch and easy to watch every episode of Mid-Century Modern, and probably a great show to watch again with your friends.
Mid-Century Modern’s first ten episodes are now streaming on Hulu.
Overall Rating:
About Mid-Century Modern
“Mid-Century Modern” follows three best friends – gay gentlemen of a certain age – who, after an unexpected death, decide to spend their golden years living together in Palm Springs where the wealthiest one lives with his mother. As a chosen family, they prove that no matter how hard things get, there’s always someone around to remind you it would be better if you got your neck done.