Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Prime-time politics: Rapper runs for office and wins in ABC’s ‘The Mayor’
Political comedy has always had its place in prime time, but one new ABC sitcom is putting an optimistic spin on the genre by looking at what happens when an unlikely but hopeful candidate ends up in a position of power.
Desperate to promote his music, 20-something aspiring rapper Courtney Rose (Brandon Micheal Hall, “Search Party”) decides to run for office in the small California town of Fort Grey in “The Mayor,” premiering Tuesday, Oct. 3, on ABC. No one is more surprised than he is when he actually wins the election, making for one of the biggest political upsets in the area’s history.
What began as a publicity stunt results in a massive opportunity, and he recognizes that he now has the potential to make a big difference in the lives of his fellow citizens. Suddenly, he understands that he has the power to do something about the very things he’s been rapping about. Under the guidance of his supportive mama, Dina Rose (Yvette Nicole Brown, “Community”), he accepts the position and gets to work.
In a promo for the series, Hall explained his character’s motivation: “He has a passion for music, but he also has an understanding that something needs to be changed within his community,” he said.
Luckily, he has some help as he struggles to make the real changes necessary to improve the lives of Fort Grey’s citizens. Along with his mother, who keeps a close watch on him and his administration, he’s coached by Valentina Barella (Lea Michele, “Glee”), former campaign manager for his rival, Ed Gunt (David Spade, “Saturday Night Live”). She offers to serve as Rose’s chief of staff when she realizes he truly wants to have a positive impact, but she’ll accept nothing less than his very best.
Rose also enlists the help of his bumbling but lovable best friends, Jermaine Leforge (Bernard David Jones, “Meet the Browns”) and T.K. Carter (newcomer Marcel Spears). Leforge is a smooth operator and Carter is a sensitive sweetheart, but both of Rose’s buddies have his back as he sets out to make the town the best it can be.
As he transitions from making music in his junk-filled bedroom closet to making major changes in the mayor’s office, he discovers he’s actually really good at his new job. It turns out that the same outspoken optimism and charisma that got him elected in the first place help him break through red tape and change the world, or at least the town, even though he’s never actually had a fulltime job before.
While it may seem like a goofy premise to staunch political satirists, “The Mayor” shows promise as a series that could inspire others to do good in their neighborhoods as the rookie mayor pushes for positive change despite his lack of experience in politics. Created by Emmy nominee Jeremy Bronson (“The Mindy Project”), the series has had industry pundits buzzing since it was announced in January.
According to Bronson, the show was inspired by Chance the Rapper and Broadway actor Daveed Diggs, who won both a Grammy and Tony for his role as Marquis de Lafayette/ Thomas Jefferson in the hit musical “Hamilton.” Diggs serves as an executive producer for “The Mayor” and also writes original music for the show, including some of the raps, which are performed by Hall. No plans have been announced for Diggs to appear on screen in the series.
Shortly after news of the pilot deal broke, Hall was cast in the lead role. While he’ll be a fresh face to many TV viewers, he has an impressive resume. Since graduating from The Juilliard School, he’s appeared in such series as “Unforgettable,” “Broad City” and “Search Party,” and will be seen on the big screen in the upcoming thriller “Monster Party.”
Within a month of Hall’s casting, “Glee” fans cheered for Michele, who’d been cast as his co-star, playing the same kind of ambitious female that endeared her to millions during her time in Fox’s musical series “Glee.” Her character in “The Mayor” helps Rose make his unconventional ideas a reality, thanks to her straitlaced style and extensive knowledge of the municipal political system.
When Yvette Nicole Brown joined the cast as Rose’s mother, the news sent her fans into a frenzy, as she was still a cast member in CBS’s “The Odd Couple” revival, which has since been cancelled. It’s interesting to note that Brown had been cast in “The Odd Couple” while still tied to NBC’s quirky cult comedy hit “Community.” The popular actress has made a big impression on “The Mayor’s” producers — Diggs has praised her as the “heart of the show.”
“SNL” alum David Spade will continue his role as Gunt in a recurring capacity throughout the season.
The talented cast, experienced writing staff and even a Broadway star give serious weight to the lighthearted political comedy in the vein of such classic series as “Spin City” and “Benson,” and HBO’s current hit “Veep.” Watch as rapper Rose struggles to overcome his inexperience and rise to the occasion to help his community in the premiere of “The Mayor,” airing Tuesday, Oct. 3, on ABC.