Movies

After a string of dramatic roles, Matt Bomer needed a comedy. Enter ‘Mid-Century Modern’

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Matt Bomer is funny. Quite funny, in fact.

Surprisingly, one might not immediately connect the “White Collar” and “Fellow Travelers” actor with possessing a sense of humor, despite this being the case.

He shares with me that some of his college companions were astonished upon learning he instantly began a career in drama. They exclaimed, “Wow, what’s going on?

Perhaps, people, both fans and critics, might wonder if this is indeed Bomer in the promotions for Hulu’s newest multi-camera sitcom, “Mid-Century Modern,” as they spot him everywhere around the city.

In the upcoming television series releasing this Friday, Tim Bomer is set to star alongside Nathan Lane, Nathan Lee Graham, and the late Linda Lavin. This Palm Springs-based comedy was crafted by the talented duo Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, who are known for their work on “Will & Grace”. The storyline revolves around a group of friends mourning the death of their dear friend George. In an attempt to cope with his grief, Bunny (played by Lane) invites his pals Arthur (Graham) and Jerry (Bomer) to move in with him and his mother Sybil (Lavin), residing in a luxurious home inspired by Dinah Shore.

Through the use of a laugh track, physical comedy, and quick-witted dialogue (“This place is so gay that even the trees are named Joshua!”), this project represents a surprising departure for an actor who has built his career portraying complex and emotionally raw queer characters in projects like “The Normal Heart,” “The Boys in the Band,” and “Doom Patrol.

On a bright, sunny Sunday, we find ourselves relaxing over coffee at Café Gratitude in Larchmont. Bomer opens up about the factors that initially captivated him towards “Mid-Century Modern” architecture and design.

As a passionate movie reviewer, I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to delve into such profound roles that unraveled the complexities of repression. These experiences are priceless, and I wouldn’t give them up for anything, dreaming that I’ll get to explore more of them in the future. However, after the intense drama of ‘Fellow Travelers’, I found myself yearning for a change. I needed laughter, I craved joy. So, perhaps it was born out of self-indulgence, but that’s where my comedic journey began.

The initial concept behind “Mid-Century Modern” was likening it to the popular 80’s sitcom “The Golden Girls,” where three older men, rather than women, shared a home – this time in Palm Springs instead of Miami. The idea was to form a chosen family similar to that depicted in the iconic and, for many, already gay-coded show. However, during discussions about casting the character Jerry, Ryan Murphy proposed an unexpected choice: Bomer.

Lane initially crossed paths with Bomer several years ago when Simon Hall, who later became Bomer’s spouse, started dating him. As Lane recalls, he jokingly commented back then that one could never grumble about anything again after meeting such a charismatic and endearing person like Bomer. However, the thought of introducing a younger actor into the dynamic — with Bomer being 47, while Lane is 69 and Graham is 56 — seemed like it would fundamentally change the core concept of the show.

As I found myself in a rather perplexing situation, I exclaimed, “Wait, am I becoming his grandfather?” With a witty, self-effacing tone, Lane expressed his disbelief. After all, they had collaborated with Matt on ‘Will and Grace’, cherishing their time together. A flicker of worry crossed my mind. Was this akin to us becoming the modern-day Golden Girls? Or perhaps not?

It was a fair question, one both creators wrestled with.

In conversation with Max, we pondered for a moment and mused, ‘Why not make him 63? It’s a continuous joke among our friends that he appears to be only 45,’ Kohan notes. However, we quickly abandoned this notion as it turned out to be a repetitive comedic device.

Instead, they transformed Jerry into a younger man who became part of the friend group despite his past relationship with George ending. The infectious enthusiasm and childlike curiosity that Jerry exuded attracted everyone, regardless of age or sexual orientation.

Review

‘Mid-Century Modern’ is a nod to ‘Golden Girls’ and a tribute to Linda Lavin

In this Hulu sitcom, we find Nathan Lane, Nathan Lee Graham, and Matt Bomer sharing a home as three close-knit gay friends. Additionally, the series includes Linda Lavin, marking one of her final performances.

An ex-Mormon with a consistently cheerful attitude (often sporting a well-fitted T-shirt and short shorts), Jerry serves as the unexpected anchor of the series. His sunny demeanor effectively counters Arthur’s dry wit, Bunny’s frenzied actions, and Sybil’s sharp remarks.

In creating Jerry’s character, the writers drew inspiration from figures such as Rose Nylund, Edith Bunker, and Woody Boyd. Consequently, during the pre-production phase, Bomer diligently conducted his necessary research, always mindful of his meticulous approach. “I permitted myself to watch just three episodes each of ‘The Golden Girls,’ ‘All in the Family,’ and ‘Cheers’ (the season Woody became a part of),” he explains.

Only three? “Well, I wanted to be influenced by and pay homage to, but not copy,” he adds.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: From losing my cool over pickleball games to getting all starry-eyed for Donny Osmond, not forgetting the crazy dance moves to Salt-N-Pepa tunes and the whirlwind of flirting with a charming young man, my character Jerry is an intriguing blend of flighty and down-to-earth. It’s quite apt really, given he’s a flight attendant who navigates both the skies and the complexities of life on the ground.

Bomer remarks, “That sums him up perfectly. He’s usually the one who encourages them all to explore the world and experience new things. He doesn’t want to just stay in one place, like a desert. Instead, he desires for them to live an exciting life, whether it’s going to Fire Island or attending a concert. More often than not, he’s the one who leads them into rather eccentric situations.

The 50s-inspired aesthetic might be a throwback, but the content and character development are modern and authentic.

Awards

This poignant narrative explores the intricacies of the LGBTQ+ experience, from the discriminatory 1950s to the heart-wrenching AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.

In the pilot episode, a “Gay-December” romance is established, with discussions about PrEP and promiscuity, but one joke crossed the line as being too explicit: This joke featured drag icon Coco Peru (in her role as a motel owner), a vulnerable Jerry, and a drink that was a twist on a gin fizz. This was also Bomer’s favorite part of the first episode.

Jerry appears to be a warm and optimistic individual on the surface,” they note. “However, delve deeper, and you’ll find that he can become fragile quite quickly. In this instance, Arthur is pushing him to introspect, which has triggered a breakdown. Consequently, he ends up spilling his drink all over himself in an emotional outburst.

Muthnick and Kohan felt equally disappointed that the scene had ended, as it succinctly portrayed the humorous gymnastics Bomer is known for during the initial season of the show.

According to Mutchnick, I occasionally refer to Matt as a triple Lutz performer. The difficulty level is quite intense. He not only follows the script but also adds a physical element. This actor’s talent is such that they add an extra twist on top, which earns high praise. In other words, he excels in a move that receives high marks due to its complexity and additional creative flair.

According to Graham, Bomer possesses a knack for making himself uncomfortable and showing his vulnerability in a very candid way, yet he does it so convincingly with an air of innocence.

Nevertheless, sometimes a high-scoring trick has to get the ax.

“It was a concession to the studio,” Kohan says.

However, the fact that it was produced and presented elicited a good deal of laughter from its audience, demonstrating how visionary “Mid-Century Modern” truly was. This is why, after years immersed in period pieces focused primarily on closets and traumas, Bomer finds himself feeling incredibly comfortable among this uproariously funny troupe.

Beyond what Bomer expected, his wish to explore comedy and celebrate queer happiness became even more vital. Not only did they film an episode on election night, but they also had to confront Lavin’s passing during the holiday season. This tragedy necessitated altering the final three episodes, and the season finale has been renamed “The Show Must Go On.

Television

87-year-old actress Linda Lavin, who won a Tony Award and was beloved for her role as a waitress in the TV series ‘Alice,’ has passed away.

Bomer expresses that juggling it and handling it simultaneously is something he wouldn’t want anyone else to experience. He adds that she will be deeply missed, as she carried herself with a stunning, kind, dignified demeanor. She didn’t focus solely on her own process but was always there for the team. Even now, it still feels unreal to him, and he finds comfort in knowing they had each other for support during this difficult time. It was incredibly distressing, and he’s grateful for their companionship.

To make matters even more challenging and amusing, the creation of this sitcom is happening amidst the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires in January.

Looking back at the wild journey, Bomer exhibits a mix of nostalgia and optimism that truly reflects Jerry’s character.

He shares, “This experience made me learn to always keep my heart unguarded.” He adds, “I felt like I approached this entire journey with the same eagerness as a playful puppy or a joyful golden retriever, eager to work alongside my role models. However, as filming progressed, the world seemed to become more and more reminiscent of Orwell’s dystopia. Having a character that required me to maintain an optimistic outlook, stay positive, and keep my heart open daily was incredibly healing.

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2025-03-28 13:33

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