Movies about the entertainment industry are plentiful, including The Player, Swimming with Sharks, and Adaptation. However, in the past less love has been shown to television, unless you count sitcom hybrids like The Gary Shandling Show. That is all about to change with Underdeveloped, a bold new series from writer director Brian A. Metcalf.
This freewheeling fly on the wall series featuring Tom Arnold (Fubar), David Koechner (The Goldbergs) and Mark Pellegrino (Supernatural) takes some big swings at its chosen target. Actively embracing this caustic comedy set up, which ruthlessly reveals ineptitude throughout the ranks of entertainment executives.
Ralph (Tom Arnold) is the head honcho at Bottom Dwellers, a production company populated by lacklustre executives who seem content to backstab, manipulate and wangle their way into positions of perceived power. Taking inspiration from The Office, Underdeveloped benefits from a sharp script, some awkwardly off-kilter performances and an understated low-key production design.
Developed under the auspices of Amazon, this situation comedy also carries a degree of DNA from Clerks, as the relationship between Joe (Thomas Ian Nicholas) and Stan (Brian A. Metcalf) is reminiscent of Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith) – but with less talk of snoochie boochies and more focus on professional rivalry.
Elsewhere, audiences are quickly introduced to conceited production executive Karl (Samm Levine) and arthouse impresario Georgina (Shelley Regner), while their meek and mild secretary Livy (Kelly Arjen) rounds out this eccentric ensemble. Who all struggle to maintain their legitimacy within an industry which thrives on rumour, makes facts from fiction, and creates careers from thin air based on gossip.
On a day-to-day basis, Bottom Dwellers always looks on the verge of going under, as Nader (Mark Pellegrino) their shady investor holds Ralph to ransom. Whether Joe and Stan are forced to babysit a spoiled teenager, or negotiate with a self-serving talent agent, Underdeveloped rarely feels forced and is consistently funny.
Writer Brian A. Metcalf intentionally burdens these characters with self-interest and an inflated sense of worth – which makes them almost tragic in this context. David Koechner (Brent Arnold) makes the most of his screen time, while Tom Arnold instils Ralph with a tangible desperation which is pure comedy gold.
Coming in at a little over 20 minutes an episode, Underdeveloped hits the ground running and manages to squeeze in pathos as well as some pithy one-liners. Meaning that trying to settle on a standout performance is almost impossible, as this really feels like an ensemble effort on every level.
For audiences seeking a bite sized slice of comedy drama with backbone, Underdeveloped might be the one stop shop they never knew they needed.
Underdeveloped will premiere on Tubi from 8 September.
