We were big fans of The Good Place here at Fangirlish, and Ted Danson as Michael was one of our favorite parts of the show. So we had hope for Mr. Mayor when it was first announced. We also understand that shows can take a little time to find their footing. For that reason, so we try to be forgiving of Pilots. This is particularly true of comedies, which seem to struggle the most. Perhaps because comedies must hit the right tone, chemistry, heart, and humor in less time than dramas.
That being the case, Mr. Mayor should have had a lot going for it. Ted Danson is just coming off a successful comedy, and Holly Hunter has serious acting chops. Show creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock have earned their fair amount of comedic street cred. So if we were somewhat optimistic about the show, it wasn’t without cause.
Which makes it a shame, really, that the show really doesn’t work. There were a couple of moments that were almost funny or nearly heartfelt. It almost hit the right tone – or, at least, gave the impression it knew where the right tone could be located and was on its way to get there. Sadly, it continually missed by just enough to result in something that wasn’t terribly funny, wasn’t entirely heartfelt, and was almost completely forgettable. Every attempt at a joke felt like it was trying entirely too hard, like a comedian that hopes fart jokes will carry the day when the material itself is falling short. Even a talented cast couldn’t save the weak material, though they did their best.
We would like to say that, with the caliber of talent behind it, maybe all it needs is time to get where it needs to go. However, with the rather dismal ratings, we doubt it’ll get that chance.
It’s a shame, but hopefully Danson and Hunter will have better luck with their next projects. They have the ability; they just need more to work with than they get in this series.
Mr. Mayor airs Thursdays at 8 on NBC.
