Advance Review: ‘Weird City’ Is Odd and Fun, But Not Weird Enough
Weird City, the new YouTube Premium series co-created by Jordan Peele and Charlie Sanders, is a strange show to pin down. The six-episode show is at times extremely smart and well-conceived, and it has immense star power to back it up.
But the series does not quite go for it as far as it could with its material, leaving it to feel a little lacking but still quite enjoyable. But for those looking for something odd, there’s something here.
Its first episode is a clever take on dating profiles and matchmaking through analytics. It’s a concept which takes a spin into refreshing territory, done in an unconventional tone and with some quirkiness thrown into the typical dating clichés we all have seen a hundred times before.
The sixth episode is a bit more interesting, as it delves into breaking the fourth wall and getting meta with its concept. It does well with the idea, commenting on bottle episodes, under-budgeted television, and prestige dramas while giving its leads some fun moments.
It breaks the format wall and does it wisely. The show also makes great use of its smaller scale by using the incredible talent it manages to cultivate.
The leads of each episode are quite good. On the first episode, “The One,” there’s Dylan O’Brien and Ed O’Neill, while the sixth episode stars Awkwafina and Yvette Nicole Brown, with appearances by LeVar Burton to complement each.
The other episodes, which I didn’t have the opportunity to screen, boast similar large and exciting cast members.
The show does struggle with its material by making its point, but not quite having much beyond it. It’s a little barebones in doing so. But at the same time, depending on what you’re looking for, this isn’t such a bad thing.
Weird City never loses its sense of fun, which does help keep it entertaining. It’s a show about free will and choice being out of its character’s hands, at least in these two episodes, about a system in place to rob them of their individuality.
In that, along with the great cast, the show is still a success.
It’s a witty affair of commenting on society, class, and what is in our hands and what isn’t. In these areas, Weird City is a sci-fi success. But if you’re looking for a little more, the series may become a little hollow for you. It’s a goofy series which doesn’t take itself seriously in the slightest.
For that, Weird City lends itself success simply by being the most of itself as it possibly can be. When it gets weird, it does so to prove something, and prove it with conviction. Thankfully, all of these fun actors are here to help.
Check out the trailer for Weird City:
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Weird City will be available for streaming Wednesday, February 13th on YouTube Premium.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.