Home Economics Review: Keg of Light Beer, $180 (Season 2 Episode 16)

Home Economics gets lit with college ragers, reality TV, and Annie auditions on Season 2 Episode 16, “Keg of Light Beer, $180.”

Three plotlines comprise this episode, but they each could (keg) stand on their own as full stories. In fact, it feels as some things are getting set up for further development, such as JoJo joining the reality game show, Influencer Lagoon, and Sarah writing and directing an original play, “Unsung She-roes: Groundbreaking Women from Sacagawea to Sotomayor.”

But First Lemme Take a Selfie

As much effort as the show puts into the production value of the fictional reality show, I would expect to see more of it. It’s perfectly ridiculous and entirely plausible—Influencer Lagoon could be put on the air today and no one would bat an eye. 

If I were to compare it to Netflix’s The Circle, Influencer Lagoon would be a superficial version with a Survivor format. I say “superficial” beacuse I have a soft spot for The Circle and wrote about its merits as a social media game show which you can read here.

Home Economics parodizes that fare and does it well. 

Connor: Are they all sleeping in one giant bed?
JoJo: Yeah, it’s called the “charging mat,” and it gets smaller every week.

I mean, that’s pretty brilliant, if you ask me.

I love the opportunity for JoJo, but I hate that they feel the need to label it as a break-up. Connor and JoJo are a pretty strong couple (and they’re also just a pretty couple), they could handle a few months apart with zero contact …right?

I would like to think so because I ship these two crazy kids, and Tetona Jackson’s addition as Denise’s sister has been a blessing. In that vein, I hope Influencer Lagoon doesn’t keep her from us for too long. 

Back to School

The Tom and Marina plot is the most fun of the three because we get to see Tom cut loose, which is endlessly entertaining, and we’re introduced to Marina Tequila. Each new thing I learn about Marina Hayworth makes me love her a little bit more. 

These two deserve to have some fun, and if pretending to be college students and crashing a party in the dorms is their way of escaping their boring, exhausting reality, then so be it. 

The montage of this married couple in their late 30s getting totally turnt with the college crowd is a freakin’ riot. They’re making out like horny teenagers, playing beer pong, and doing keg stands and Tik Tok dances.

Not only that, it looks like it may lead to a guest lecturer job which would be a cool development for the uncool Tom and is rife with comedic potential. 

The Show Must Go On

I will never tire of Sarah ranting about capitalism. This has the chance to happen more now with her working at the expensive private school where Connor’s daughter Gretchen attends. The Season 2 Christmas episode, “Secret Santa Gift, $25 Limit,” gave us a taste when Sarah is gifted a high-end purse from a Windmount parent. 

So, of course, she is disturbed by the power the almighty dollar has at her school—the parents that contribute the most financially get the lead roles for their kids. However, that’s not going to stop Sarah from sticking it to the man in her own way and in a way that is likely to be beneficial to the students as well as the school. 

I absolutely love how she makes anti-capitalist, feminist lemonade out of this wealthy institution’s fancy lemons. 

What did you think of this episode of Home Economics? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Home Economics airs Wednesdays at 9:30/8:30c on ABC.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

15 TV Shows That Will Take You Right Back to School