Comedy legend Damon Wayans and his son, Damon Wayans Jr., have teamed up for CBS‘ new family sitcom, “Poppa’s House.” Told through the perspective of the father and son, takes on topics like career changes, parenting and marriage woes. With a stacked cast (plus, delightful guest stars) and a Wayans-filled writers’ room including the senior Wayans, Kim Wayans, Shawn Wayans and Michael Wayans, the comedy has many hilarious moments. But “Poppa’s House” isn’t a home run. The show takes several episodes to find its stride, and bits of the comedy are overdone, leaning toward slipstick, which will undoubtedly deter some viewers from sticking around.
“Poppa’s House” follows Poppa (the elder Wayans), a legendary but ill-tempered radio host at one of New York City’s most beloved R&B/Soul stations. Though he lives alone in his massive home, his adult son, Junior (Wayans Jr.), his daughter-in-law, Nina (Tetona Jackson) and their two young children live next door. As a result, they often use Poppa’s home as an extension of their own.
As Poppa tries to adjust to Junior and Nina’s new-age parenting, he also contends with massive changes at the radio station. Fed up with his surly demeanor and negative attitude, the station hires psychologist Dr. Ivy Reed (Essence Atkins) to infuse a level of emotion into Poppa’s talk show. Poppa initially resists Ivy’s presence, but her tenacity slowly shifts his approach to his work and personal life.
As the series opens, the audience finds Poppa enjoying a quiet morning in his kitchen. Unfortunately, it’s short-lived when Junior knocks on his window. Poppa has succeeded in his decades-long career on their airwaves, but his son hasn’t been so lucky. Working in middle management at his father-in-law JJ’s (Geoffrey Owens) foam-roller company, Junior has been forced to put his film-directing dreams on the back burner. Though Poppa encourages his son to do what he has to do until he can make headway on his passion, he struggles to take his own advice when Ivy joins the show.
While “Poppa’s House” is a bit rocky initially, the cast has chemistry in spades. The real-life father-son duo’s affection and closeness radiate off the screen. Their similar appearance also adds a layer of fun for viewers. Moreover, Atkins and Jackson are incredibly witty, especially once they break away from the belabored jokes about Jackson’s petite stature and Ivy’s obsession with feelings.
“Poppa’s House” starts as one show, but it becomes something else entirely by the end of the third episode, making it challenging for viewers to settle into the series. The rapport among the actors is good, but the opening episodes are bogged down by bro-humor, Poppa’s sexist and bitter mindset and way too many imitations from Junior. Still, by the end of Episode 3, “Podcast,” when Poppa and Ivy launch their podcast venture, the audience can feel the writers trying to reign in the aspects of the series that had thrown it off-kilter. Thankfully, as the show progresses, the humor works much better.
By Episode 4, “School Days,” “Poppa’s House” begins to gain surer footing. In the episode, Junior and Nina’s son is accepted into a prestigious private school. While the other grandparents, JJ and Junior’s mother Catherine (an outstanding Wendy Raquel Robinson), are eager to embrace the change, Poppa isn’t convinced by the academy. Full of witty banter allying JJ and Catherine and sharp zingers between the ex-spouses, this is when “Poppa’s House” finds its rhythm. (Still, Junior’s mimicking of the headmaster’s English accent is excessive.)
Despite its shaky start, “Poppa’s House” has some lovely elements. The Wayanses’ charm is magnetic, and all the actors, including the kids, are top-tier. In the end, it does feel like the Wayanses are having a ton of fun, but it doesn’t always quite translate for the viewing audience.
“Poppa’s House” premieres Oct. 21 on CBS, with new episodes dropping weekly on Mondays.