A New Comedy Series Makes Its Way to the UK
UK television fans have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new comedy series that has already made waves in the US. Titled American Classic, this seven-part show is being hailed as one of the best comedies in recent years, featuring an impressive A-list cast and an outstanding 94% Rotten Tomatoes score.
The series was created by Michael Hoffman and Bob Martin and originally aired on the MGM+ channel in March this year. It follows the story of Richard Bean, a Broadway star and self-proclaimed narcissist who returns home after a public meltdown. Upon his return, he discovers that his family’s theater is in severe decline. As he tries to restore its former glory, he uncovers the healing power of art and the complexities it brings.
The show stars Kevin Kline in the lead role of Richard Bean, alongside Jon Tenney as Jon Bean and Laura Linney as Kristen Forrest Bean. They are joined by a stellar supporting cast, including Jane Alexander, Jessica Hecht, Len Cariou, Nell Verlaque, and Aaron Tveit.
Availability in the UK
Starting from Saturday, April 11, American Classic will be available to watch on Prime Video. The first two episodes will be released initially, followed by weekly instalments thereafter. This has generated a lot of excitement among UK viewers who have been waiting for the opportunity to enjoy this critically acclaimed series.
The show has received rave reviews from both critics and audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an impressive 94% score, while IMDb gives it 6.3 stars out of 10. Viewers have praised the acting, writing, and storytelling, with many highlighting the emotional depth and humor of the series.
One viewer shared: “Love this show.” Another commented: “This is a standout show! The acting, writing and story are all so wonderfully done, capturing the spirit of the theater.”
A particular moment that stood out was when Kevin Kline’s character, Richard Bean, and his brother Jon Bean (played by John Tenney) sang a duet, joined by Miranda Bean (Nell Verlaque). This scene was described as “a special moment” that captures the magic of theater.
Another fan said: “I found American Classic wonderfully entertaining and heartfelt.” On social media, someone added: “Thoroughly enjoying the new series on MGM+, American Classic. Great cast and writing.”
A Thriller That Keeps Viewers Hooked
In addition to the comedy series, another recent release has captured the attention of viewers. A crime thriller titled Searching, which has a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score, has been praised for its surprising ending twist.
Originally released in 2018, Searching stars John Cho and Debra Messing in leading roles. The film follows David Kim, played by Cho, as he searches for his missing 16-year-old daughter, Margot, with the help of a police detective portrayed by Messing.
The plot centers around David’s desperate attempt to find his daughter by examining her laptop, hoping to uncover clues about her disappearance. The film was initially conceived as an eight-minute short but eventually expanded into a feature-length project.
Viewers have praised the film for its innovative cinematography and compelling storytelling. One viewer wrote: “I was just utterly entertained and delighted by this film. Because it was just SO well done. Its innovative cinematography was not presented at the sacrifice of a well-crafted and compelling story.”
Another fan remarked: “It’s like riding a rollercoaster whose incline never ceased. Your pulse is pounding and it’s well worth the ending, which no one in my group figured out.”
However, not all reviews were positive. The Guardian’s Simran Hans criticized the film for not knowing what mode it wanted to operate in, whether as a serious thriller or a contrived satire.
Despite this, Searching has performed well across both critic and audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, earning an impressive 92% score. Directed by Aneesh Chaganty, the film was followed by two spiritual sequels: Run (2020) and Missing (2023).
