Michelle Buteau’s Netflix Comedy ‘Survival of the Thickest’ Is Too Little of a Good Thing: TV Review
A Missed Opportunity for a Promising Series
It’s a great irony of the streaming age that many platforms built their audience on the backs of sitcoms with vast, bingeable catalogs — only to produce abbreviated, compressed sitcoms of their own. Classics like “Friends,” “The Office,” and “Seinfeld” have served as a bridge between a previous era of television and the current one, offering lessons in what can make a show an enduring favorite. One of those lessons is the value of a 22-episode season, which allows room to establish an ensemble while preserving the efficiency of standalone installments. But streamers generally prefer to invest in a wider variety of shows; even when they do make traditional sitcoms that could, in another world, air on NBC, full seasons are compressed into just a handful of chapters.
“Survival of the Thickest” is the latest case study in how this approach does a disservice to an otherwise promising series. The comedian Michelle Buteau is best known as the host of the reality competition “The Circle,” where her sharp wit stood out, albeit as a disembodied voice. In “Survival of the Thickest,” Buteau steps in front of the camera, playing the character of Mavis Beaumont, a fashion stylist with big dreams.
A Crowded Plot and Lack of Time
Co-created by Buteau and Danielle Sanchez-Witzel, the show fictionalizes Buteau’s 2020 memoir of the same name. It follows Mavis as she navigates her personal and professional life after a failed relationship. With just eight episodes, “Survival of the Thickest” attempts to explore various subplots and themes, including Mavis’ journey of self-discovery, a love triangle, her background as a child of Caribbean immigrants, and the personal arcs of her friends.
The main cast, including Tone Bell and Tasha Smith, has great chemistry, creating the building blocks of a hangout sitcom set in a particular slice of upwardly mobile Black New York. However, the limited runtime hampers the ability to fully develop these characters and their relationships. With only four hours of content, important developments and shifts in the narrative are rushed and abrupt.
A Mix of Comedy and Serialized Storytelling
“Survival of the Thickest” blends comedy with serialized storytelling, presenting comic moments and prop gags alongside attempts at character development and plot advancement. The inclusion of guest stars, such as Garcelle Beauvais, drag performer Peppermint, and comedian Nicole Byer, add to the show’s entertainment value.
However, the compressed season format restricts opportunities for a slower burn and deeper exploration of the characters and their relationships. In a different era of television, the show would be afforded the time to advance the plot gradually while allowing viewers to enjoy the cast’s company and the show’s wit.
A Reflection of the Streaming Landscape
While it’s hard to fault “Survival of the Thickest” for working within the limitations of the episode order it was given, it raises questions about how streaming platforms like Netflix have shifted away from the longer, more traditional sitcom format. Previous experiments like “The Ranch” resembled network comedies not only in length but also in look and feel.
Shows like “Abbott Elementary” on ABC prove that it is possible to blend classic formats with contemporary themes and storytelling. Perhaps there is room for platforms to revisit the merits of longer seasons and allow sitcoms to breathe and develop into true favorites.
Final Thoughts
“Survival of the Thickest” is an entertaining and witty series that showcases the talent of Michelle Buteau and her co-stars. However, its shortened season undermines the opportunity for deeper character development and storytelling. While it provides moments of laughter and enjoyable performances, the show ultimately falls short of its true potential. As viewers, we can only hope that streaming platforms reconsider their approach to sitcoms and allow for a balance between variety and the longer, more immersive seasons of television’s past.
Sources:
Alison Herman, TV Critic. (2023, July 13). Michelle Buteau’s Netflix Comedy ‘Survival of the Thickest’ Is Too Little of a Good Thing: TV Review. Retrieved from
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