‘DMV’ drives a pleasant sitcom into L.A.’s most dreaded office

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Most people have to work, and while some enjoy it, many others don’t. It’s natural, then, that work is a common topic on television.

Workplace comedies have given us some of TV’s best shows – think “Taxi,” “Barney Miller,” “NewsRadio,” “Parks and Recreation,” “30 Rock,” and of course, “The Office” and “Abbott Elementary.” But they can also disappear quickly. The idea is simple: any job can be the setting for a comedy. Choose a workplace – a sushi bar, travel agency, even a magic shop – write a proposal, find an agent, and suddenly you’re a TV writer. You can develop the characters later.

It’s not always simple, but many workplace comedies follow a similar formula. They bring together a diverse group of people and place them in a common setting – often an office, but it could be anywhere. Characters might be family, or develop romantic relationships. While they rarely accomplish much of practical value, and what they *do* do might be unrealistic, the workplace itself is what brings them together and shapes their stories. Shows like “The Paper,” “Animal Control,” “St. Denis Medical,” “Going Dutch,” and “Shifting Gears” all fit this mold, and despite slight differences in style, they share more similarities than differences.

Television

An Irish actor plays the role of a hopeful editor who’s working to save a struggling newspaper in the American Midwest, supported by his diverse and somewhat unconventional team.

The Department of Motor Vehicles is notorious for being a frustrating place to visit. While waiting there, most people probably wouldn’t consider wanting to work there. But in the world of Hollywood, it’s easy to imagine someone thinking it could be a great setting for a TV show.

The most surprising aspect of CBS’s new sitcom, “DMV,” which premieres Monday, is that it didn’t arrive sooner. Created by Dana Klein and based on Katherine Heiny’s story “Chicken-Flavored And Lemon-Scented,” the show is fairly typical of its genre—not great, but not bad either—and provides a good showcase for its actors. It’s easy to overlook because it’s so average, but it’s an enjoyable, lighthearted half-hour with some genuinely funny moments. Like many shows of this type, it has the potential to improve over time, if it gets the chance.

Harriet Dyer stars as Colette, a kind but slightly clumsy woman who seems to be the central character. She’s a driving examiner known as “E-Z Pass” because she always passes everyone. She immediately falls for Noa (Alex Tarrant), a friendly and attractive new employee from Australia. Their manager, Barbara (Molly Kearney), genuinely loves her job and all of her coworkers. Vic (Tony Cavalero) is a strangely intense and energetic presence, while Ceci (Gigi Zumbado) is the staff photographer who dreams of shooting for a high-fashion magazine like Vogue. Rounding out the team is Tim Meadows as Gregg, who consistently delivers hilarious deadpan humor – it’s always a highlight whenever he appears. As both an actor and his character, Gregg is the experienced, somewhat cynical, and content professional who shows Noa how to enjoy a break even without a cigarette.

Television

This season, shows like the drama ‘Black Rabbit,’ the documentary series ‘Mr. Scorsese,’ and the comedy ‘DMV’ exemplify television at its most accessible, offering a wide variety of content to appeal to all viewers.

The setup is familiar: consultants arrive to assess the branch and decide its fate after speaking with employees – one of whom, Vic, recounts being denied time off after his mother’s death, a situation that’s happened to him twice. This takes place in a world with four Hollywood branches, strangely enough. Meanwhile, Colette gives Noa, who needs a US driver’s license, a driving test, and it doesn’t go well. It’s a scorching day, and the employees aren’t allowed to use the air conditioning. Adding to the chaos, an old friend of Colette’s, now a famous TV star, unexpectedly visits the branch. Colette panics and tells a series of elaborate lies about pursuing her dream of becoming a vet, with Vic, wearing a wig, playing along as her husband. Predictably, a dog gets sick, and some playful pranks are bound to happen.

You know, there’s this great scene where Barbara, who’s running the show, gives this speech to the team. She basically says that what they’re doing *matters*. It’s easy to walk into the DMV and feel like just a number, and yeah, sometimes the person helping you isn’t exactly brimming with sunshine. But she points out that maybe the person before you was a total nightmare! It’s a good reminder to cut them some slack, especially when you’re renewing your license. It’s a surprisingly empathetic moment, and it really stuck with me – it makes you think about how everyone’s dealing with something.

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2025-10-13 13:33