“Rooster” might just be HBO Max’s latest surprise hit, but it’s not without reason. For a series that dropped on the streaming service without much fanfare, it has won over audiences for simply being a feel-good show—the kind you’ll want to put on your television screen after a long, tiring day just to decompress and have a good chuckle. Ask friends if they’ve ever heard of “Rooster,” and they’ll immediately gush over it with stars in their eyes. At least, that’s what I do.
Steve Carrell as Greg Russo and Charly Clive as his daughter Katie. (Rooster / HBO Max)
“Rooster,” which is currently on its seventh episode, revolves around the relationship between an author and his daughter, and their individual problems that they attempt to navigate together, while working in the same college campus. Steve Carrell stars as the awkward Greg Russo, a stand-in for typical middle-aged dads everywhere who can’t seem to grasp the culture of the Gen Z generation. Greg, an accomplished writer known for his trashy romance novels, tries to find new purpose in his life by taking up a teaching position at Ludlow College. Although he doesn’t want to admit it, he also accepts the offer to reconnect with his daughter Katie, played by Charly Clive, who had just been dumped by her husband for a younger post-graduate student, and offer her the comfort she convinces herself she doesn’t need.
Compared to his previous roles in other well-known comedy series, Carrell’s portrayal of Greg is definitely more subdued and less ostentatious, and the hilarity actually comes in just how frequently he finds himself in uncomfortable situations just by being who he is, even when his intentions are purely good. One moment, he’s getting duped by a minor into buying him beer. On another day, he’s getting told off for fatphobia for calling a student his “white whale.” You can’t help but be endeared by his “loser old man” status, even if you have to get through all the secondhand cringe.
Clive, meanwhile, is just as lovable in her portrayal of a 30-something with a lot of pent-up feminine rage. Her onscreen chemistry with Carrell is truly so joyous to watch, especially the push and pull of their banter as a father-daughter duo. On her own, she’s magnificent, a relatable character for other 30-something women just trying to get a grip on their life again while still making choices they’ll regret later.
The 10-episode show, then, becomes a look into their day-to-day life searching for happiness where they can find it. It’s heartwarming and genuinely an easy watch, one that can be enjoyed alone, with your partner, and with family. If you’re seeking to take a break from all the drama, action, and multi-season hour-long shows that just require far too much time and energy, I highly recommend that you give “Rooster” a try.
“Rooster” Season 1 is currently streaming on HBO Max.
(ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Cast and Creators of “IT: Welcome to Derry” on Telling a Fresh, Haunting Horror Story)
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message on WhenInManila.com Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com Community at WIM Squad! We also share our stories on Viber, join us!
