Reboot Recap: An Awkward Family Reunion of Sorts — Plus, Grade the Hulu Comedy’s First 3 Episodes
Hulu’s Reboot, which released its first three episodes on Tuesday, goes full meta as it pokes fun at the television’s industry’s resolve to reboot beloved shows of yesteryear.
In Episode 1, edgy writer Hannah (played by Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s Rachel Bloom) gets the greenlight from Hulu to revive the fictional early-aughts sitcom Step Right Up, about a blended family caught in wacky scenarios each week.
The series, we’re told, originally ended after star Sterling Reed (Schmigadoon‘s Keegan-Michael Key) quit to pursue a serious acting career, and the cast hasn’t seen each other since. Leading lady Bree Marie Jensen (Kidding‘s Judy Greer) left the country to marry a duke, fellow costar Clay Barber (Jackass‘ Johnny Knoxville) had a several run-ins with the law, and child actor Zack Jackson (American Vandal’s Calum Worthy) starred in a few direct-to-video teen movies.
But when Hannah finds out via Hulu executive Elaine (Last Man Standing‘s Krista Marie Yu) that the network has brought in series creator Gordon (Mad About You‘s Paul Reiser) to oversee the reboot, she quits. Sterling also threatens to walk on behalf of his castmates — and they’re not happy. They really need this show to work. Bree is broke and getting a divorce after her husband cheated on her, Clay’s life remains a mess, Zack was fired from his last teen movie for being too old, and Sterling’s last paying gig was over a year ago… voicing a hemorrhoid.
The cast rallies to get Hannah back on board, and that’s when we learn why she doesn’t want to work with Gordon. She’s his daughter, and Step Right Up was about Gordon’s new stepfamily, which was especially messed up since he basically ignored Hannah’s existence. The reboot’s big twist — that Sterling’s character Reed has a secret child — is essentially Hannah telling her own version of the story.
In Episode 2, Gordon and Hannah clash over Gordon’s decision to bring in reality show star Timberly Fox (The Sex Lives of College Girls‘ Alyah Chanelle Scott), who is terrible at acting, to play Reed’s daughter Whitney. Timberly starts to improve when Sterling begins coaching her, but Bree attempts to sabotage her with a string of awful acting tips. Bree only comes clean to Timberly after Sterling points out that she’s doing exactly the same horrible things to her younger costar that had been done to her earlier in her career.
Episode 3, meanwhile, centers on Hannah and her young, diverse writers butting heads with Gordon, who wants to stick with his “old-timey jokes” rather than listen to the new voices in the room. Gordon also brings in older, more experienced writers in a debate over old vs new. Eventually, they all learn to work together.
Meanwhile, Clay begins hooking up with Zack’s mother Susan (Reno 911’s Kerri Kenney-Silver), while Sterling insists he that he doesn’t have feelings for Bree despite becoming aroused while rehearsing a love scene. He argues that he was so committed to the moment that he felt what his character was feeling. In the humiliating aftermath, the network recommends Sterling wear a giant panty called a vajoga or a small, flesh-colored sack known as a modesty sock.
What did you think of Reboot‘s premiere? Grade the first three episodes below, then let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Saw the first episode so far and I really like it. Has the Modern Family vibe without the family elements substituted with world of tv production, adding in the raunchiness you couldn’t get away on network tv but not too raunchy as something on hbo/showtime where the raunchy stuff seems like they are doing it just because they can. I’m hoping the rest of the season is just as good and does well enough for hulu to give it a few seasons.
You could tell Steve Levitan took a while to really make sure this is good enough to be a worthy next show after the Modern Family success.
I watched the first episode and was bored. I don’t know why I keep trying to watch comedies, I so rarely enjoy them. Apparently this wasn’t for me.
What TV shows do you find Funny/Not Boring?
The first episode was decent but it got much better and funnier in the next two. Really like it so far!
I went in with modest expectations. Love Rachel Bloom and Keegan Michael Key. But it was way funnier than I was expecting, my husband even started watching with me and enjoyed it.
but I’m a big fan on meta humor. even liked the subtle one where they are going to make jokes about Judy Greer being old for the Step Right Up, but in Reboot they mention having to covering up stray gray hairs.
I agree with Brian R.’s post….the first episode was okay but it felt like it got into the groove of things much better with episodes two & three. I’ll definitely keep watching.
I saw all 3 episodes last night. I was not sure what to expect as I do not typically like Johnny Knoxville. Thankfully, he was okay in this as he was very toned down from the Jackass persona. I will keep watching.
Same. I’m not a fan of his at all but he was funny and really seemed to understand his character.
I love this show. One of the few laugh out loud comedies and it also has real heart. Very well cast. It’s a joy to see Paul Reiser with such a great role.