Where Does B Positive‘s Big Revamp Leave Thomas Middleditch’s Drew? Grade the CBS Comedy’s Soft Reboot
B Positive is going in a whole new direction, complete with a revamped opening title sequence that puts Annaleigh Ashford’s Gina Dabrowski front and center.
Season 2’s third episode — the official start to what executive producer Chuck Lorre refers to as “Chapter 2” of the CBS comedy — revolves around Gina’s first day as the new owner of the Valley Hills retirement home. She also moves out of Drew’s house — a home she has shared with the recipient of her kidney for the better part of a year — then calls on him to meet with Harry (Last Man Standing‘s Hector Elizondo), a short-tempered retiree whose wife, Meredith (A Chorus Line‘s Priscilla Lopez), is dying.
But what exactly is Drew’s role beyond occasionally checking in with one of the retirees? If not Gina’s roommate — or, dare we say, her eventual love interest — what will become of Thomas Middleditch‘s eccentric alter ego?
“[Drew and Gina] have a deep bond that keeps him very much a part of the series,” Lorre assures TVLine. “He continues on this journey of self discovery… and he’s going to make some horrible mistakes down the road — the mistakes you make when you’re trying to figure things out. You don’t necessarily figure things out right away.
“The same will apply to Gina,” Lorre teases. “Trying to do good is a wonderful impulse. Not knowing how to do it is hopefully where the comedy is. That was very much a part of what Mom was about: these women growing from selfish to selfless, but not necessarily knowing how to make that transition.”
Lorre also reveals that the next several episodes will focus on fleshing out the rest of the newbies — which, in addition to Harry and Meredith, include Peter (How I Met Your Mother‘s Ben Vereen), a former professor struggling with a failing memory; Spencer (The Ranch‘s Jim Beaver), a retired NYPD transit cop who was a 9/11 first responder; and Bette (The Kominsky Method‘s Jane Seymour), an aging beauty who is incapable of coming to terms with her senior status. After that, the series will establish where returning characters like Drew’s ex-wife Julia (Sara Rue), and dialysis patients Jerry (David Anthony Higgins) and Eli (Terrence Terrell), fit into the new world order.
“We’re really turning this ship around — or, as I like to say, fixing a helicopter while it’s flying,” Lorre says of the series’ soft reboot. “It’s going to require more than three episodes to really dig into all of these relationships and characters. With the invention of an entire new ensemble surrounding Annaleigh’s character in the assisted living facility, that had to be the focus of Episode 3 and the next several episodes, to give the audience a chance to meet and hopefully care for these people. I’m a big believer that if you don’t care for characters in a comedy, it’s not funny.”
Grade the “new” B Positive via the following poll, then drop a comment with your full review.
No wonder the original showrunner left the show. Which was based on his personal experience. The show is extremely different now.
I wondered what they’d do now that the kidney transplant has happened. This sounds interesting .
The character of Drew could go away – or at least resolve his feelings about Gina. It feels forced.
I would like Gina & Eli to still be together and for him to find a way to be a more permanent fixture in the show.
Jerry can go away and I’d like to see more staff pulled in.
This revamp could work well, but we’ll see.
Actually, there have been instances in which organ recipients fall in love with their organ donors and that was what the creator of the show experienced and wrote into the show, so it is organic. Drew started having these feelings at the end of last season. It’s just an icky storyline because the actor himself is a bit icky.
First time watching – watched the episode where she inherited 48 million- very funny
then paid $2.99 to watch the pilot- also funny- thankyou
You should get paramount plus for a month and watch it. It’s only $4.99 with ads and you get a free trial. That way you don’t have to pay for each episode
Love the new opening… I like the new set up as well… truly enjoy this sitcom… it’s funny and has a lot of heart
Didn’t TJ Miller say that MIddleditch used to hate that TJ would get like a big laugh? Middleditch wanted to be the star of SIlicon Valley. Now, TJ is a controversial figure, for sure. I do wonder though if Middleditch is going to be okay with the show’s shifting focus.
Middleditch is still technically the co-lead of the show. Drew won’t be the center of the show anymore, but he will still by far have the most presence out of any male character on the show, so I don’t think it will be a huge issue.
Yeah this would’ve been much better with TJ Miller as Drew and Middleditch and Martin Starr as dialysis patients.
Middleditch has faced sexual harassment claims. Be best to leave both of them in the past
I don’t know the specifics, but your comment says “claims”. He should have some sort of defense before his livelihood is stripped away.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/deadline.com/2021/03/alice-wetterlund-responds-sexual-misconduct-allegations-thomas-middleditch-news-1234719765/amp/
Not at all hard to find if you cared to look Joel. Also Chelsea is just using appropriate nomenclature. Stop being an uniformed apologist
I don’t think you understand how quotes work. He’s not saying there aren’t claims, but saying if it’s just claims as she says then he deserves his day in court. If being an apologist now means believing in innocent until proven guilty then I hope we still have a lot of apologists.
He means that claims aren’t equal to proof. Please stop the with hunting. In America people are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Except when it comes to sexual harassment. Notice how Aziz Ansari and Chris Hardwick disappeared from tv, even when they were cleared? Yes. You are innocent until proven guilty. Notice how neither of the above is in prison or jail?
I’ve always LOVED AnnaLeigh Ashford’s Gina and she has truly become the star of the show. Honestly- I’m ok if they write out Thomas Middleditch with this new reboot- he’s always been the weakest link.
I LOVE all of the Broadway veterans! Ben Vereen, Priscilla Lopez, Jane Seymour!! I’m so excited!! And how is Hector Elizando 84???
And the new opener gave me Legally Blonde vibes- which AnnaLeigh was in on Broadway!
Drew can leave the show. I did not like his character. Waaaay to whiney.
I like this new direction– Thomas Middleditch just doesn’t cut it. Annaleigh Ashford is the real breakout star. I had stopped watching it but may now start again.
breakout stars are usually new actors yes?She’s had big roles before,lol.
Well, she has had roles, yes. But big roles? Not sure about that
Check the awards she’s received already. I didn’t think so either cuz I’ve never seen her in anything.
Nope. Breakout star means an actor getting big STARRING roles. George Clooney wasn’t really a breakout star until he made ER. ( The dramatic series. He was in a comedy series that got canceled called ER.)
No laughs, just depressing as hell.
I’m totally ok with Drew being written off the show. Honestly, that character is so freaking annoying. I’m glad they’ve revamped this show to focus more on Gina. Annaleigh Ashford is hysterical and can’t wait to see whats next for Gina and the gang.
Totally agree!
I stopped watching after the first episode. Drew is by far the worst character. I loved all the others. And the opening credits were so bad I couldn’t even look at it. But with this new direction, I’ll give it a second try. Love Hector Elizondo!
Like the “new show,” except for the Spencer character and the very loud laugh track. What the heck is up with that? I went back to an earlier episode on demand just to check to see if it was my imagination. It was not. The laugh track is much louder now.
Get rid of Drew and whole storyline of him. Get new writers who are actually funny and focus on the retirement home and its occupants
So, is this now going to turn into “The Cool Kids”, the Vicki Lawrence show from a couple of seasons ago on Fox? Just a string of jokes using old people as the punchlines.
That’s what I’m thinking too
I hope so. Loved that show.
I really liked the scene between Annaleigh and Priscilla Lopez but the rest of the episode was just dismal. It’s hard to see so many good actors wasted like that. I hope they’re put to better use in future episodes as Lorre seems to be implying.
They should’ve just canceled it and given Ashford her own show
I enjoy the show. I like the new direction but I also like both the leads and hope they keep Thomas Middleditch, as I like the scenes with him and AnnaLeigh Ashford. Glad Linda Lavin is on as well. Sorry to see Bernie Kopell leave
I totally agree with you,they need to keep Thomas and let him get more involved with Gina, I do love the direction of the show and do hope it stays on.
I would be perfectly fine with Thomas Middleditch being removed from the cast – I don’t think his character is funny, more pathetic really – especially Episode 2 of Season 2. Annaleigh Ashford is fabulous and I would love to see more of her!
New opening is great.
Did they really say “How I Met Your Mother’s” Ben Vereen. His long, storied career has been summarized that way? Seriously?
Thank you!!! I was coming here to write the same thing!!
Whoever wrote this article needs to visit imdb, wikipedia or use freaking google!! SMH.
And if you are going to reference a random series on which Ben Vereen guest starred, then mention the Fresh Prince. The episode when he apprears as Will’s dad is one of the series best.
HARD AGREE!
Maybe, just maybeeeeeee, we were referencing a recurring role on another CBS sitcom because of possible audience overlap ;)
Like The Kominsky Method?
I thought the same thought. Why didn’t the writer refer to Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman? Maybe, too young to remember it?
Also, “Supernatural” is a much more iconic credit for Jim Beaver than “The Ranch”.
They should have just merged it with ‘The Cool Kids’.
To quote Lorre “I’m a big believer that if you don’t care for characters in a comedy, it’s not funny.” Don’t care enough for Thomas Middleditch’s character. Do love Annaleigh’s character! Love also, Terrence Terrell, Darryl Stephens, Sara Rue, Linda Lavin, David Anthony Higgin’s characters. With the addition of Ben Vereen, Jane Seymour & Hector Elizondo, it should be a hit show for a very long time! I enjoyed the cast of characters on ‘Cool Kids’, the writing not so much. So write this show and give us the wit, intelligence and fun our seniors show us in everyday life. :)
Agree. Problem with “The Cool Kids” is the headwriter was too young (not enough experience with the aging process) to try and write for senior, seasoned actors. His jokes were mostly stereotypical and ageist (rimshot). Not terribly funny and an insult to the cast. Let’s hope Lorre has a better handle on this.
Wow! Tried watching this show and stopped after two episodes because of how incredibly annoying the Gina character is. There were really no redeeming qualities other than the kidney donation and it seemed to me she was using that to cover for her personal scams Surprising move making her the central character.
Try again then. Gina’s personality shifted over the course of season 1 and definitely isn’t a scammer.
The show got better in Season 1 as they started focusing on her stories.
I am still wondering if David Anthony’s Jerry going to move into the facility as his transplant didn’t take.
Not sure about Jane Seymour as a biker chic/stripper cougar.
I really don’t see Drew as part of season 3. If there is a season 3, unless he becomes the center therapist. I suppose his behind the scenes behavior may dictate his involvement moving forward. He’d be smart not to leave even if his role is reduced until he repairs his rep. Probably best to keep working and keep a low profile.
I love B Positive but that’s the original show. I haven’t seen enough of the new season yet to say weather I like it or not. The original cast was also very likable but I have no idea if I will still like the show with too many changes.
I am just afraid that they wont find a way to keep Sara Rhue on.
Chuck Lorre… please create a show for her! I love her!