Flatbush Misdemeanors Explained
Flatbush Misdemeanors is an American comedy television series created by Kevin Iso and Dan Perlman. It is based on Iso and Perlman's 2017 digital series of the same name. In October 2020, it was given a straight-to-series order by Showtime. The series premiered on May 23, 2021. In August 2021, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on June 19, 2022. In September 2022, the series was canceled after two seasons.
Premise
A raw and grounded comedy of city life, follows Dan and Kevin, who play characters struggling to thrive in their new surroundings in the brash environment of Flatbush, Brooklyn. The show explores two longtime friends seeking to climb out of their heads and connect with others.[1]
Cast and characters
Main
- Kevin Iso as Kevin, a broke painter from the South, struggling to figure out how to make a living. However, he keeps bumping his head. In the first season, he lives on Dan's couch and delivers food for a local roti shop.
- Dan Perlman as Dan Joseph, a fish-out-of-water public school teacher with a fondness for Xanax. Dan handles chronic depression and an unlikely new stepdad with the help of partner-in-crime, Kevin. In the first season, he also works as the equipment manager and one-time coach for his high school basketball team, the Beauford Delaney Pigeons.
- Kristin Dodson as Zayna Bien-Aime, Drew’s niece. She’s strong and independent and one of Dan’s outspoken high school students.
- Kareem Green as Kareem, an uncompromising, confident alpha male. Kareem owns and operates Kareem's Larry's Bike Shop in Flatbush. He serves as Dan’s self-appointed guide to the neighborhood, excitedly claiming his role as Dan’s new stepdad.
- Hassan Johnson as Drew Hill, a bold and direct man who is extremely protective of his loved ones. Drew's demands come into conflict with the livelihoods of both Kevin and Dan.
Recurring
- Maria Bamford as Maria, Dan's mom. Weird, upbeat, with mental health issues, Maria was emotionally dependent on Dan when Dan was a kid. When the series begins, Maria is now happier than she's ever been now that she's with new husband, Kareem. Maria's newfound joy with Kareem is confusing to Dan.
- Kerry Coddett as Jasmine
- Sharlene Cruz as Jess
- Napoleon Emill as Blue, Drew's friend and business associate. Blue is always playing video games and hopes to be a professional Untitled Goose Game player.
- Jackie Fabulous as Miss Venestine
- Sticky Fingaz as Anthony, Zayna's father.
- Sam Jay as Georgia, Kevin's older sister. Georgia is a successful music producer, who is the clear favorite to Kevin and Georgia's parents.
- Alyssa Limperis as Sydney
- Zuri Reed as Dami, a high school student and Zayna's best friend in the first season. Dami is the daughter of a Nigerian nurse and a Haitian minister. Dami does not appear in the second season, as it's revealed that her parents sent her to live in Africa for the year.
- Yamaneika Saunders as Dr. Flowers, Dan's therapist. Dr. Flowers has no patience for Dan. She knits during sessions and shouts at Dan when he doesn't follow her advice.
- Lenny Venito as Franklin, Dan's sponsor in Narcotics Anonymous.
- Zoe Winters as Nancy, the administrator of the No Negro Left Behind Art Fellowship. Nancy is in charge of Kevin's art fellowship in the second season. She lacks self-awareness and views herself as an ally to the black community.
- Roy Wood Jr. as Principal Douglass, the Principal at Beauford Delaney High School. Principal Douglass is by-the-book and no-nonsense, but not interested in playing a hands-on role running the school until necessary. He fills his drawers with children's snacks and quarter-waters. Douglass has little energy for Dan's missteps, but has few other staffing options, so he begrudgingly tolerates Dan.
Guest
Episodes
Season 2 (2022)
Production
Development
On October 12, 2020, Showtime ordered Flatbush Misdemeanors to series, with a ten episode, straight-to-series order.On August 24, 2021, Showtime renewed the series for a second season.[2] On September 14, 2022, Showtime canceled the series after two seasons.[3]
Casting
On March 12, 2021, Kristin Dodson was cast as a series regular in the series.[4] On March 25, 2021, Hassan Johnson joined the series.[5]
Release
Broadcast
Flatbush Misdemeanors premiered on May 23, 2021, on Showtime. The first episode was made available online for free on YouTube, as well.[6] The first episode of the second season premieres exclusively on Showtime on June 17, while the season debuts on television on June 19.[7] [8]
International
The series premiered in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2021, on Sky UK.[9]
Reception
The show has received mostly positive reviews, with Robert Daniels of RogerEbert.com describing it as "a hilarious, unforced two-hander that feels totally fresh."[10] The New York Times called Flatbush Misdemeanors "really funny."[11] Flatbush has also been praised for its authentic portrayal of the neighborhood. Variety commended the "richly drawn world",[12] while TV Guide described the show as "Old Brooklyn through and through, but still speaks for this generation" and "already one of the best shows of 2021".[13] [14] Upon the show's premiere in the UK, The Guardian commended the show as "fresh and thrilling."[15]
References
- Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. October 12, 2020. Showtime Orders Kevin Iso & Dan Perlman's 'Flatbush Misdemeanors' Comedy Based On Duo's Digital Series. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210228035236/https://deadline.com/2020/10/flatbush-misdemeanors-showtime-comedy-series-kevin-iso-dan-perlman-star-based-on-digital-series-1234595863/. February 28, 2021. July 19, 2021. Deadline Hollywood. en-US.
- Web site: 'Flatbush Misdemeanors' Renewed For Season 2 By Showtime. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. August 24, 2021. August 24, 2021.
- Web site: Flatbush Misdemeanors Canceled By Showtime After 2 Seasons. Deadline Hollywood. Andreeva. Nellie. September 14, 2022. September 14, 2022.
- Web site: Zorrilla. Mónica Marie. March 12, 2021. Kristin Dodson Cast in Showtime Comedy 'Flatbush Misdemeanors' (EXCLUSIVE). live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210319134446/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/kristin-dodson-kevin-iso-dan-perlman-flatbush-misdemeanors-showtime-1234929340/. March 19, 2021. July 19, 2021. Variety. en-US.
- Web site: Goldberg. Leslie. Porter. Rick. Goldberg. Lesley. March 25, 2021. Hassan Johnson Joins Showtime's 'Flatbush Misdemeanors' (Exclusive). July 19, 2021. The Hollywood Reporter. en-US.
- Web site: Pedersen. Erik. May 21, 2021. Showtime Offers First Episodes Of 'The Chi', 'Black Monday' & 'Flatbush Misdemeanors' Seasons For Free Online. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210522164313/https://deadline.com/2021/05/black-monday-the-chi-flatbush-misdemeanors-free-online-showtime-1234761836/. May 22, 2021. July 19, 2021. Deadline Hollywood. en-US.
- Web site: Flatbush Misdemeanors (Official Series Site) Watch on Showtime . June 14, 2022 . . en-US.
- Web site: Bastos . Margarida . May 17, 2022 . 'Flatbush Misdemeanors' Season 2 Trailer Reveals More of Dan and Kevin's Shenanigans in Brooklyn . June 14, 2022 . Collider . en-US.
- Web site: TV tonight: bumbling duo push their luck in Flatbush Misdemeanours. The Guardian. 12 August 2021. August 12, 2021.
- Web site: Daniels. Robert. Showtime's Hilarious Flatbush Misdemeanors Feels Totally Fresh TV/Streaming Roger Ebert. 2021-08-03. en.
- News: The Creators of 'Flatbush Misdemeanors' on Conflict as Comedy. New York Times. 21 May 2021. May 21, 2021. Miller. Stuart.
- Web site: Flatbush Misdemeanors Review: Showtime's Promising Brooklyn Comedy. Variety. 21 May 2021. May 21, 2021.
- Web site: Best New TV Shows of 2021. TV Guide. June 7, 2021.
- Web site: Flatbush Misdemeanors TV Guide. TV Guide. June 8, 2021.
- Web site: Flatbush Misdemeanours review – Broad City-esque comedy is fresh and thrilling. The Guardian. 12 August 2021. August 12, 2021.
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