Granted, the tumultuous politician-and-his-eccentric staffing framework generally feels like a slightly warmed-up version of ‘Veep’, minus non-stop swearing. There was also a rift of heart associated with Danson’s Neil Bremer, a retired billboard tycoon, who ran to impress his teenage daughter (Kyla Kenedy) – a sit-down subplot the show could probably end up with.
In the first episode, the concept and characters, with, among other things, a half-hour-after-hour premiere, are set up, including the hard-nosed chief of staff of Bremer (Vella Lovell of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), who wonders what she’s been up to; and a hold of the previous government (‘SNL’ alum Bobby Moynihan), basically kept throwing someone under the bus when things got bad.
Much of the conflict, meanwhile, stems from a city hall veteran, Arpi (Holly Hunter, who beats a lot under her acting weight), who is outraged about this newcomer to the office.
The real hope for ‘Mr Mayor’ comes during the second installment, when Bremer makes a number of public appearances after an unfortunate pit stop at a pot dispenser. His changed condition yields a number of hilarious moments, and it’s not just the brownies who are talking.
Like “30 Rock”, the jokes come quickly and furiously, and there is a special LA-centric atmosphere to them, which is made a little less novel by their fame. (To begin with, it can be a great challenge to distinguish between second wives and daughters.)
Luckily, Danson raises even the more banal gags and he stays good company than anything else. There’s also something reassuring about having him back on NBC on Thursdays, which has been his periodic home since ‘Cheers’ opened its doors in 1982.
Granted, many are undoubtedly less likely to laugh about the current state of politics than to cry. But even in light of that, it’s weird to see Danson back in a place where everyone knows his name.
‘Mr. Mayor’ is on January 7 at 8pm ET on NBC.