Kevin Can F**k Himself Review: Living the Dream / New Tricks (Season 1 Episodes 1 and 2)

Much like this show’s duelling premises, Kevin Can F*** Himself is a mixed bag of potential.

What glimpses we see of this polarizing world throughout Kevin Can F*** Himself Season 1 Episode 1 and 2, “Living the Dream / New Tricks.” is immensely promising. This dark comedy manages to double down on its problematic behaviour, without confining Allison’s multi-camera journey entirely to its setup.

If you were hoping this series would capture a fraction of the magic Annie Murphy brought to Schitt’s Creek as reformed socialite Alexis Rose, you’ll be pleased to see her navigating this dense premise with the same amount of suave expertise. 

The very premise of Kevin Can F**k Himself promises something few tv shows can these days — a fresh concept. It’s a thrilling idea to have Murphy, newly minted sitcom royalty, exact revenge for all the sitcom housewives that have been diminished, ridiculed, and even killed off in the name of a good laugh.

Allison is but a shell of the leading lady she is meant to be, and Murphy is the perfect choice to bring her to life. The actress unearths a powderkeg of hysteria within her character that is capable of lighting this bleak world aflame. Allison’s tired state never comes without a violent outburst to keep us on our toes.

It would be easy to dislike our protagonist as she constantly finds herself on the wrong side of the joke, both on the gritty streets of Worchester and in the blindingly bright walls of her husband’s sitcom.

No matter how outlandish Allison’s life becomes in the aftermath of the first episode, her turmoil showcases a woman whose shoes we could easily find ourselves in. Even in the most painfully mundane moments of her existence, the show’s refusal to move on from Allison is a testament to fleshing out that relatability.

Allison’s broken persona may be miles from Alexis Rose’s vibrancy and charm, but she has the potential to be just as groundbreaking in her growth. You can’t help but root for her to be more unlikeable for the sake of seeing what Murphy can do with it.

Unfortunately, the very formats that set Kevin Can F**k Himself apart, could end up becoming the show’s downfall.

This single-camera sitcom is a perfect homage to the genre, from ridiculous Boston accents to jokes just funny enough to land. This show demonstrates a strong understand of the all-American sitcom deconstructed, even going as far as to use the laugh track to mock Allison when she tries to play along.

The humour on display between Kevin and the guys is authentically mediocre. Sadly, that means for a good portion of these episodes we are sitting through a painfully mediocre sitcom.

It doesn’t help that the transitions between scenes often come off clunky, rather than jarring. The switch from single-camera to multi-camera is imperative in showcasing how drastically different Allison and Kevin’s realities are. However, the poorly lit sets are reminiscent of a setting one would expect to find on The Walking Dead.

There has to be more harmony between the two formats or these episodes run the risk of pulling us out of the story entirely. Furthermore, if these worlds can’t coexist effectively, their opposing storylines will suffer for it.

At the end of the day, these fancy lighting tricks and set transitions don’t add anything of substance to the deeper commentary. What continues to amplify this premise’s potential to do right by the sitcom wife is the relationship between Allison and Patty.

As the only two female characters present, you desperately want these women to be allies. You may even expect it in the first beats of their conversation.

However, the show’s stubborn refusal to have Patty relinquish her position as “one of the guys” might just be the most clever aspect of these first two episodes.

Unlike Kevin and Allison, this relationship drama elevates the women it’s supposed to be exploring, while still demonstrating the uglier sides of laughing at Allison’s expense. Patty’s callousness touches on the fact that many women struggle to champion each other because they’re taught to compete for the male gaze.

It’s clear the conflict is designed to push its female characters into each other’s vicinity and for that, I commend Kevin Can F**k Himself. The proposition that Allison and Patty will now have to reconcile with one another’s existence is an exciting one.

Kevin Can F**k Himself has a ways to go before it can reach its full potential.

As promising as this premise is, the first two episodes are committed to exploring Allison’s tortured existence and little else. It’s difficult to invest in what could potentially be a one-note commentary on sitcom wives until it proves itself to be more.

I have no doubt this show is capable of more. In its most delirious moments, this domestic disaster manages to hone in on what makes Allison’s knack for wreaking havoc on the unexpecting town’s people and Kevin’s blatant disregard for his wife such a thrilling combination.

It’s particularly great to watch Allison come to the realization that killing Kevin is the key to her happiness. If we can get behind any of this show’s polarizing notions, it’s that Kevin had it coming — whatever it may end up being.

What did you think of this episode of Kevin Can F**k Himself? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Kevin Can F**k Himself airs Sundays at 9/8c on AMC.

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