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

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With a blend of sadness and appreciation, I welcome “Mid-Century Modern,” an endearing new multicamera sitcom debuting this Friday on Hulu, a platform not typically associated with producing such shows. As the final project of Linda Lavin, who tragically passed away during the production of its first season, I’m pleased to say that it offers her a fitting stage; she appears vibrant and full of life, demonstrating her comedic talents exceptionally well in a series that, while not consistently hilarious, is as funny as one might anticipate. The fact that she shines so brightly makes the loss we feel all the more poignant. Perhaps I’m just sentimental by nature.

Hailing from the minds of Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, creators of “Will & Grace”, and directed by James Burrows, who has previously worked on shows like “Taxi” and “Cheers” (and also “Will & Grace”), this series shares a loose resemblance to “The Golden Girls”. The story revolves around three friends – Nathan Lane as Bunny, Matt Bomer as Jerry, and Nathan Lee Graham as Arthur – who move in together following the demise of their fourth friend. They share a house with Bunny’s mother, Sybil (played by Lavin). The title “Younger” seems to refer only to the house, a distinctive style reminiscent of Palm Springs, where the series is set, and whose gay-friendly nature is humorously emphasized in various jokes, such as “This place is so gay, even the trees are named Joshua.” While there are some similarities between the characters in the two sitcoms, it’s worth merely acknowledging this connection.

The main inspiration drawn from “The Golden Girls” is that the main characters are not youthful like in “Friends”, rather they’re mature. In this story, Bomer, who takes on a key role, is 47 years old but appears much younger due to his character being an uneducated innocent with a positive outlook and an excitement for Donny Osmond concapes (as his character was raised Mormon). Graham is 56, Lane is 69, Lavin was 87. Pamela Adlon, introduced later in the series as Bunny’s challenging sister, is 58. There are conversations about times past and some mentions of aches and pains, but age isn’t a significant problem – everyone remains quite active. They engage in relationships or try to. They also dance together.

One unique aspect of “Mid-Century Modern” (though I’m not certain about its historical precursors) is that it deviates from the norm by being a traditional sitcom not only featuring gay characters but predominantly focusing on a social circle of gay men. The theme of friendship among these men serves a dual purpose: it centers this milieu, yet also makes it secondary. It’s encouraging to witness such representation in today’s climate where LGBTQ+ rights and personal identity are under threat, as hinted at in an episode where Jerry invites a conservative congresswoman, their neighbor, over for dinner to discuss these very topics.

As a dedicated cinephile, I am fortunate enough to own a chain of lingerie stores, the Bunny Hutch, a legacy left by my late father. This allows me, a rather reserved individual with expressive brows that often betray my concerns, to accommodate my friends who I’ve graciously invited to share my home. I provide for their needs and more.

Among them, Jerry, the flight attendant, effortlessly glides through life on a tide of innocence and charm. Bomer, an unexpected addition to this comedic ensemble, brings a delightful dose of silliness to the table, although he occasionally assumes the role of the wise one. (These traits don’t always align, but each shines individually.) Lastly, there’s Arthur, a former Vogue magazine elite, who carries himself with an air of snobbery, albeit not entirely justified. (He takes offense at our late friend being laid to rest in a three-button blazer — all buttons fastened.)

lane has had no shortage of acting roles throughout his acclaimed stage and film career, but he hasn’t yet landed a leading part in a hit situation comedy. He attempted it with the 2002 show “Charlie Lawrence,” where he played a gay actor who was elected to Congress; this series, broadcast by CBS, only lasted two episodes before being pulled from air. Prior to that, there was “Encore! Encore!” in 1998, where Lane portrayed an opera singer hindered by a throat injury; unfortunately, this show was canceled during its first season, with just two episodes remaining to be aired.

The show “Mid-Century Modern,” though its long-term success remains to be seen, has a promising start due to its Hulu origin, ensuring the completion of its first 10 episodes and potentially leading to a second season. The initial episode serves as a launchpad, with a mix of humor (including genital and cute-guy jokes) and heartfelt family sentiments that a live, multi-camera comedy uniquely conveys. The show is funny and kind, features notable guest stars like Vanessa Bayer, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Richard Kind, and Cheri Oteri, and gives Judd Hirsch and Lavin a poignant final scene together, complete with Lavin singing a beautiful song. However, the encounter is bittersweet as it’s their final scene.

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2025-03-27 19:31

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