Flatbush Misdemeanors

I like this show. The interesting characters and authenticity. Many won't "get it" and others won't give it enough of a chance, which is apparent from many of the 1 star reviews. But this show is cool.

I didn't know what to make of Flatbush in the first episode - but the almost horizontally laidback vibe punctuated by high tension and moments of wild surrealism as well as the occasional inclusion abstract meta-subtitles won me over. Not to mention its sardonic and deft observations about the aimlessness of contemporary adulthood and the dark indifference of metropolitan American living. Oh also that the core of it a dissection of a toxic friendship. Kevin Iso's listless artist and Dan Perlman's perpetually anxious teacher are a great deadpan combo - and their wild spiralling involvement with the hypnotically erratic Drew (played brilliantly by Hassan Johnson of "The Wire" fame) and his bolshy niece Zayna is a great central arc.

Amazingly it got a second season which I wasn't expecting, and it strips out a lot of the more abstract elements which is to its benefit. Zoe Winters shines as the manically misguided arts benefactor in ways that hit harder and sharper than a lot of Flatbush's more dramatic contemporaries. There are still moments of clunky plot contrivance but it ends well and I find myself wondering if it'll have more of a legacy than we currently realise - the mash of the deadpan and the strange and the affecting was really intoxicating.

With all the political nonsense coming out in the last couple of years that's only redeeming quality is that it talks "real" about race, this show is super refreshing in that it comes as close as a comedy can to the real situation on the ground.

I found both of the main characters totally relatable, and I don't think you need to have experience with Flatbush to feel the same. I grew up relatively poor in a totally different area but these guys reminded me a lot of my multiracial mix of friends growing up. Different races, but similar problems, similar outlook on life. We didn't care about your skin color and openly joked about it with each other, things that are apparently super taboo these days.

Probably should have said this first, but this show is also hilarious. Specifically want to call out Hassan Johnson. How is he not in way more stuff? He cracked me up at least a few times. Also the jackass stepfather dude had some great dialogue.

I cannot believe I never heard of this show, the only reason I saw it as because it was a Staff Pick on Crave (Canada). This deserves way higher than its current criminally low rating. Showtime, get your house in order and promote this, because I know it would be wildly popular with those of us who grew up watching things like Fresh Prince or Family Matters.

Flatbush Misdemeanors is up there with Curb Your Enthusiasm in its wry wit and hilarious plot punchlines. If you've ever lamented the life of an underdog, you will resonate with this gritty sitcom. Not recommended for those that don't speak the language of veiled cynicism, ambivalence and irony. Take any poor reviews with a grain of salt, and give this show a chance.

The show is good and has some great characters, Kareem being one of the stand outs! But Dan just really grates on me, he can't act and it seems like he's trying to be funny but it never lands. He should stay behind the camera from series 2>