‘Crutch,’ Tracy Morgan’s feel-good comedy series, has a strong cast that lifts familial jokes

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Tracy Morgan stars in “Crutch,” a new sitcom premiering Monday on Paramount+. It’s similar in style and created by the same company as CBS’s “The Neighborhood,” acting as a spin-off. While it has a bit more freedom with language and a longer season for streaming, “Crutch” feels like a traditional network sitcom – wholesome, family-friendly, and generally quite tame.

After watching seven seasons of “30 Rock,” I often mix up Tracy Morgan, the actor, with Tracy Jordan, the incredibly unique character he played on the show – it’s easy to believe Jordan is based on the real Morgan. In the very first episode, Jordan famously tells Tina Fey’s character, Liz Lemon, “We’re a team now, like Batman and Robin, like chicken and a chicken container.” It’s hard to picture any other actor delivering that line so well. But Morgan is much more than just Jordan; he’s a successful stand-up comedian, has appeared in numerous films, and was a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” from 1996 to 2003. He also starred in the TBS comedy “The Last O.G.” for four seasons, alongside Cedric the Entertainer, playing an ex-convict adjusting to a changed Brooklyn after serving 15 years in prison.

In this show, Morgan plays Francois “Crutch” Crutchfield, a man who owns a flooring business in Harlem and is a father and grandfather. He previously appeared on “The Neighborhood” and now plays a cousin to Cedric’s character, with Cedric making a few appearances to strengthen that connection. (Arsenio Hall and Deon Cole also make hilarious guest appearances.) Crutch is enjoying his life, his money, and his freedom, and is looking forward to focusing on himself—but his plans are disrupted when his grown children unexpectedly move back home. It’s a classic sitcom setup!

Crutch’s son, Jake, a brilliant new lawyer, shocks everyone by leaving his prestigious corporate job to work for Legal Aid. He trades his luxurious Manhattan apartment – complete with free parking! – to move back in with his father. Meanwhile, Crutch’s daughter, Jamilah, arrives from Minnesota with her two children, Lisa and Mase, after recently separating from her husband, planning to stay for an extended visit. Adding to the household dynamic is Toni, Crutch’s sister-in-law and a sharp-tongued corrections officer who’s often around and eventually gets a key to the brownstone. Crutch and Toni constantly trade playful insults, reminiscent of a classic sitcom like “The Jeffersons.” (Toni might quip something like, “You did well, considering how many lead chips you ate,” while Crutch might retort, “Stop talking and go back to your cave!”) The large brownstone house provides a convenient central location for all these characters to interact.

Adrian Martinez plays Flaco, who hilariously handles every role at Crutch’s flooring store – manager, salesperson, customer service, and even HR – and is a lovable, slightly clumsy character. Luenell appears as Miss Pearl, a neighbor who observes the action from a rooftop garden (a beautifully designed set by Katie Akana) and delivers funny, often outrageous comments, like a tipsy Muppet – for example, “This body broke up New Edition” and “Every time y’all are on that roof, it’s drama. This is better than that dragon show.”

Unlike the character in “Last O.G.”, Crutch has been consistently present, but, like many TV dads, he sometimes seems out of touch with modern times. The show uses humor about generational differences and includes nostalgic references to old-school hip-hop artists like Doug E. Fresh and the Fat Boys (with a playful update about body positivity). There are heartwarming moments, like when Crutch and Flaco teach Lisa and Mase how to navigate the subway, and relatable storylines, such as Jamilah’s attempts to get the kids involved in theater camp, and Toni and Jake’s bird-watching adventures. A memorable scene involves a visit to a former criminal who was remarkably nonchalant during his robberies. Becky Ann Baker, known for her role in “Freaks and Geeks”, plays Kathy, Jamilah’s mother-in-law – a beloved maternal figure from the Midwest.

Can a show still be funny even if the jokes aren’t particularly clever? It seems the answer is yes, if the actors are naturally entertaining, the storylines are interesting, and you don’t expect constant, uproarious laughter. This series is definitely appealing, built on positive themes and good characters. Morgan, in particular, is a standout – he manages to be both mischievous and kind, a lovable grump. The show makes it clear that even the seemingly tough character, Crutch, is a softie at heart. There’s a funny exchange where Crutch explains he used to suppress his feelings, and Jake jokingly replies that’s why men his age often didn’t live very long – a pointed comment, as Morgan, who plays Crutch, is 56.

But feelings will be shared.

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2025-11-03 22:01