Mr. Mayor Series Premiere Review: Pilot/Mayor’s Day Out (Season 1 Episodes 1 and 2)

Mr. Mayor has the potential to be the next big hit comedy, but there are many signs that indicate it may fall short of realizing that potential.

With a two-part series premiere, Mr. Mayor Season 1 Episodes 1 and 2, “Pilot” and “Mayor’s Day Out,” the weaknesses stand out while making the strong points disappointing. It has a lot going for it, but also things that are working against it—your enjoyment of the show will depend on which side outweighs the other.

Throughout Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot,” I find myself teeter-tottering between the good and the bad, and unable to make an assessment of whether I like the show or not. Watching Season 1 Episode 2, “Mayor’s Day Out,” immediately following the pilot has me leaning toward not.

Let’s start with the good stuff.

The cast is exceptional. Ted Danson in the titular role seems like a natural fit to lead this type of sitcom. He’s been doing comedy for a long time and is brilliant at it.

Holly Hunter is an esteemed actor who has racked up an impressive array of acting nominations and wins, including an Academy Award. This casting is a little far-fetched considering her level of prestige, but with her skill she brings a lot to this character and to the series.

It’s hard to watch any show misuse talent like theirs, but with Mr. Mayor that might just be the case.

Speaking of talent, Mr. Mayor is brought to us from powerhouses of the comedy world. Tina Fey and Robert Carlock have worked together on quite a few successful shows, including Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock where Fey was head writer and creator, respectively.

Mr. Mayor marks the second series that the duo have co-created, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt being their first collaboration of that kind.

The writing is smart. More jokes and lines garner laughs than not, especially with a great cast to deliver them.

SNL alums, Bobby Moynihan and Rachel Dratch, speak Fey and Carlock’s words with ease and capture their distinct brand of humor with their performances. I am also happy to see Kyla Kenedy from Speechless shine in another sharp-witted role as the mayor’s daughter, Orly. 

New York City served as a prominent backdrop to both 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. On Mr. Mayor, the writers get to have their fun with Los Angeles.

Having had lived in LA for ten years, these jokes work really well on me. This aspect is easily one of my favorites of this series aside from the cast. Mr. Mayor‘s title sequence features many LA landmarks, so I am hoping that the city itself remains a major part of the show.

Now for the bad.

I watched both 30 Rock and Parks and Recreation after they were off the air. I watched Parks and Recreation first and then 30 Rock. I had a hard time not comparing the two. 

And now I’m doing it with Mr. Mayor.

To me it’s like a show that wants to be a combination of 30 Rock and Parks, but lacks the charm of the latter. I have a love-hate relationship with 30 Rock and a love-love one with Parks and Recreation, so there is much to be desired in this area for me personally.

There are some fun comparisons, though.

The small town quirkiness of Pawnee, Indiana is replaced with the unique weirdness of LA. Moynihan’s Jayden is like a cross between Parks and Recreation‘s Andy and Jerry. Danson’s Neil Bremer and Hunter’s Arpi Meskimen are as different as Leslie Knope and Ron Swanson but must work together. 

The satire is heavy, which was something that often bothered me about 30 Rock. 

Just the fact that it’s centered around politics is dicey. Also, the relevancy and references to 2020 and all the crazy events of the year aren’t working. It’s definitely too soon, especially since the pandemic is still very present in our lives.

The plotlines on Mr. Mayor Season 1 Episode 2, “Mayor’s Day Out,” are too silly. If some of the absurdity would’ve been toned down, this episode might have been a lot better. 

Mr. Mayor leans more toward 30 Rock than Parks, and two episodes in I already seem to be having a love-hate relationship with it. I’m hoping it changes to love-love, but I’m not optimistic.

Fingers crossed it doesn’t turn to hate-hate.

Stray Observations:

• Angelyne mention!
• “I’m one of the oldest Jaydens you’ll ever meet.”
• “Stop controlling my narrative!”
• “No beef. I’m a vegan.” It is pretty cool to see Holly Hunter play with this role.
• The height difference between Neil and Arpi though.
• The PPPorn binder is very Leslie Knope. 

What did you think of the first two episodes of Mr. Mayor? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Mr. Mayor airs Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC.

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