San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
‘GIRLS5EVA’ IS FUN, FROTHY AND JAMPACKED WITH JOKES
My pick: “Girls5eva,” a new comedy streaming on Peacock.
Why it’s great: On the surface, “Girls5eva” is a frothy, easy-to-binge comedy about a one-hit-wonder girl group from the 1990s that reunites in hopes of actually making it big the second time around. But because the show was created by Meredith Scardino (“The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”) and produced by Tina Fey (“30 Rock,” “Mean Girls”), there’s so much more going on.
First and foremost, “Girls5eva” is a joke factory. It has very basic, easy laughs like saying “girls five eva” instead of “girls forever,” mixed with biting humor about misogyny in the music industry and, just for fun, a dash of surreal humor that includes a sometimes invisible piano and visions of Dolly Parton.
Then there’s the cast. Renée Elise Goldsberry, (Angelica Schuyler from “Hamilton”) is Girls5eva diva Wickie, and she has plenty of opportunities to showcase her powerhouse voice. Sara Bareilles(from the musical “Waitress”) is Dawn, the band’s soulful songwriter. Comedians Paula Pell and Busy Philipps are there for levity, but they surprisingly bring some of the most heartfelt moments of the series. Finally, the songs are actually good. Even though they’re meant to be parodies of vapidly sexy pop hits, they’re incredibly catchy. There’s already an Internet breakout, “New York Lonely Boy,” performed by the Milk Carton Kids, that takes a look at the eccentricities of only children being raised in Manhattan. Even if you don’t watch the show, make sure to look up this song. Watch it: All eight episodes of “Girls5eva” are streaming on Peacock.