Government Cheese

There is a lot going on in Government Cheese and, for the most part, it works. The actors are all very appealing. The writing is quirky and engaging. The period sets, costumes and music are fantastic. Having said that, I'm not sure the whole show comes together, as there are a lot of disparate elements, rabbit holes and dead ends that make the first season a bit scattered.

Still, I appreciate that Apple TV+ continues to produce out-of-the-box, entertaining series that you typically won't find anywhere else. This includes offerings like Acapulco, Hello Tomorrow, The Big Door Prize, The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, Palm Royale, etc. All those series kept me entertained, even if some of them didn't completely work.

Without giving anything substantial away, Government Cheese leaves a lot of balls in the air at the end of season one. So, like some of the above-mentioned shows and others, I really hope that Apple TV+ greenlights a second season. As far as the first season, I'd rate it an 8.2.

I really did not expect to like this show based on the premise/aesthetic: surprised myself by watching all four episodes in one day. David Oyelowo's characters often come across as self-righteous, and it's interesting to see him in an edgier role where that attitude is not yet fully earned.

Comparisons to Wes Anderson and the Coen brothers will abound, but it most reminds me of Lodge 49. It's never really clear how much the religious/magical realist elements reflect reality vs. The characters' own sometimes questionable judgment. The whole cast is great: Simone Missick is always appealing, and Sunita Mani almost steals the whole show in what may be a one-off appearance.

Is this an alternate reality? If so, then I'll stop objecting to banks being open until 6:00pm in the 1960s. Or French Canadian gangsters, which cracks me up. And I'm not seeing any overt racism or objections to Hamilton being an x-con. Astoria is having a hard time because she's a woman with children, not because she's a Black woman. In general, I like this alternate universe, faults and all, and I'm guessing there's going to be a happy ending, because happily ever after is how dramatic narratives end in America. I want it to have a tragic ending, but it probably won't. It is a fun watch, so I'll watch until the not too bitter end.

Between Aeysha Carr's wicked sense of humour, and director Paul Hunter's zany music clip background, the two creators and writers have got this absolute hilarious series covered. It is a blend between the Coen brothers and Wes Anderson, with David Lynch in the mix, creating what could have been a basic story and embellishing it with magical creative flare. To top it all off is David Oyelowo, playing the main role of Hampton Chambers to near perfection, entertaining us with the wild antics of an ex-con attempting to make it straight in an unforgiving world. Oyelowo is backed by a brilliant cast who play it right, giving this outrageous story an extra edge with the quirky characters and surreal moments...

Government Cheese is a vibrant, emotionally rich dramedy that manages to feel both nostalgic and wildly original. Set in 1969 San Fernando Valley, it follows the Chambers family with heart, humor, and a touch of surreal magic. As someone who grew up in the Valley, I can honestly say they nailed the feeling of the place-the streets, the energy, even the sunlight. It felt close to home in the best way.

What really sets this series apart is its fearless storytelling-dreams blend with reality, and the line between absurdity and authenticity is danced upon with style and purpose. At the center is Hampton Chambers, whose return home from prison throws his already unconventional family into a beautiful storm of love, conflict, and rediscovery.

The writing is sharp, the pacing bold, and the performances deeply human. Each character is layered and compelling, and the visual direction captures both the period and the whimsy of the world being built.

More than just a comedy or a family drama, Government Cheese is a meditation on resilience and the American dream-especially for Black families navigating a world that rarely makes space for them. It's imaginative, culturally rich, and speaks to the power of dreaming beyond your circumstances.

Highly recommend watching. This one lingers with you.