An Ode To The ‘Nine-Nine’
The author declares ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ as her ‘favorite comedy show of all time’ AP PHOTO
Things have been real heavy in this column for the past few weeks, so this week we’re going to be chill and talk about my favorite comedy show of all time.
A few years ago, I would’ve told you that — wait for it — How I Met Your Mother was my favorite comedy. But then that finale happened (yes, I hate Ted because he ruins everything). So I quested anew for a lighthearted TV show that would make me laugh and only give me the feels 20 percent of the time.
Everybody has been on my case for years (literal years) to get into The Office or Parks and Recreation. But the mockumentary format where people stare significantly at the camera is just not for me. And The Big Bang Theory is an affront to television and nerds everywhere, just for the record.
So I defied everyone to pick out a show that nobody ever recommends but that everybody should be watching: Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Comedy group The Lonely Island’s Andy Samberg stars as the brilliant but careless Det. Jake Peralta in this Brooklyn police procedural that focuses on the hijinks of one precinct — from the stone-faced Capt. Raymond Holt to the neurotic do-gooder Det. Amy Santiago. There’s not really a plot. It’s just daily life in the Nine-Nine.
Consider these quotes: “He is so strong but so gentle. He’s like an enormous, muscular Ellen DeGeneres.”
“Ah, Captain. You look very … sad? I can never tell.”
“Is Kelly your wife or your dog?”
“You know, some people might say that all the black leather kind of makes you look like an evil villain. Not me. I think you look like a sexy motorcycle.”
“Oh, I see, so sort of like a vaginal Gandalf.”
Those are, of course, only the tip of a deep, Titanic-sinking iceberg of choice quotes, jokes and gags. I laugh hysterically (the first time to the point of tears) every time I see a clip of Jake “annoying a suspect into talking” by screaming while playing the guitar.
But one of the real triumphs of Brooklyn Nine-Nine is how easily it “gets” diversity. The show’s series regulars include two black men and two Hispanic women, in addition to three white cast members. (The male to female ratio is 4:3.)
Compare that to HIMYM‘s all-white main cast or even The Big Bang Theory‘s single token Asian. Not bad, right?
Capt. Holt’s character in particular is shaped by his struggle as an openly gay black cop in New York, and the women deal with sexism in a very realistic way. The show isn’t focused on these issues, but it doesn’t forget that these things exist, either. It treats them with respect amidst all the jokes. It’s socially conscious, even if its main agenda is being funny.
But somehow, I’m the only person I know who watches this magnificent gem of a show (which was just renewed for a fourth season, thank god). How can this be? That’s why I’ve written about it: so you can get started … today (all 68 episodes are on Hulu).
PTAKEYA@MIDWEEK.COM
@LORDMAYOCLOUD
