HOLEY HUMOUR
Deliciously real laughs in season 2 of ‘Superior Donuts’
Chicago’s tastiest little fictitious doughnut shop is back with the sophomore season of “Superior Donuts” premiering Monday.
Long before the trends of grandes, macchiatos and pumpkin spice lattes, neighbourhoods were graced with unique little treasures: independent doughnut shops. Variety wasn’t necessarily found in a coffee cup — typically your two choices were caff or decaf — but it did abound in the delicious rotating selections of doughnuts, be they glazed, iced, filled or something in between. The magic of these locally owned establishments is wonderfully captured in “Superior Donuts,” a comedy series based on a play by the same name, returning Monday, Oct. 30, on CBS and Global.
Nestled in the busy streets of Chicago, 75-year-old Arthur Przybyszewski (Judd Hirsch, “Taxi”) struggles to keep his beloved doughnut shop af loat. The shop, open since 1969, means everything to Arthur, but his initial resistance to change and evolving to compete with larger franchises puts the business in jeopardy. Thankfully, Franco Wicks (Jermaine Fowler, “Friends of the People”) notices that Arthur’s looking for a new employee, and brings to the business a youthful energy that sees the shop’s popularity start to return. While Franco can, at times, seem a bit too optimistic and carefree, his passion to see Superior Donuts succeed reignites Arthur’s own entrepreneurial fire. Their growing relationship is at once humorous and endearing, blossoming alongside the shop as it continues to draw new faces in, while never losing sight of its regulars.
The quick wit and bold approach to discussing modern issues make it unsurprising that the series is back for a second season. “Superior Donuts” never shies away from confronting topics such as gentrification, the corporation creep into small neighbourhoods and the death of the small business owner. Rather than succumbing to what seems an inevitability, Arthur and Franco work together to inspire social change, all while figuring out how to incorporate modern tastes into classic, mom-andpop-style dining. Additionally, much emphasis is placed on the welcoming environment created by small businesses, where acceptance of all is readily encouraged, rather than impressing conformity or exclusivity upon guests.
While season 1 placed much of its focus on the corporate infiltration of traditional neighbourhoods and main streets, season 2 looks to pit small business against small business, providing Arthur with a brand-new challenge. The new season introduces viewers to Sofia (Diane Guerrero, “Orange Is the New Black”), a young food truck owner who takes up shop directly outside of Arthur’s Superior Donuts. Her plan: to provide customers with healthier breakfast alternatives, keeping in mind social and ethical principles. The discussions surrounding millennials aren’t new for “Superior Donuts,” but the addition of Sofia provides yet another outlet for Arthur’s reluctance to change, as her healthy alternatives food truck threatens to take away some of the fresh clientele Franco and Arthur worked so hard to acquire.
The show’s success is largely due to the dynamic between Arthur and Franco, whose relationship parallels the experience actors Hirsch and Fowler bring to their respective roles. Hirsch is no stranger to television viewers, particularly those who were around in the late ‘70s to mid-’80s to enjoy “Taxi.” Since then, Hirsch continues to be a beacon of comedy, though “Superior Donuts” marks his long-awaited return to the world of sitcoms. For Hirsch, the series is an excellent example of how comedy operates in the everyday, as “humour is based on the worst of things and the best of things,” as he told CBS Chicago.
In contrast to Hirsch’s lengthy and legendary career, Fowler is a relatively fresh face in the comedic world. With less than a decade of professional experience, the actor remains bold and relevant in his humour. As Fowler told the hosts of Good Day Sacramento, the series “[talks] about a lot of the topical things going on in the world right now,” which allows for an elevated kind of humour, challenging social norms while simultaneously knocking down worn-out stereotypes. This pairing of experience and youthful passion provides the series with the ideal means to inspire change and to challenge perspectives, all with a side order of laughs. Viewers may think twice before reaching for that blended frappuccino, inspired to take a chance on the sweet, little independent shop instead.