Will I ever get tired of shows about millennials and the weird, aimless, vaguely terrifying lives we live? I suppose it’s probable. But, right now, The Other Two stands out as something of a breath of fresh air, even if it’s part of a genre that is slowly taking over the airwaves. Because this series somehow finds the sweet spot between funny, depressing, deeply relatable, and humorously elevated, all while keeping the jokes coming at a breakneck pace.
Much of this series’ success has to do with Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider’s unique voices as writers. Both SNL alums, they keep these 30 minute episodes incredibly concise and well-paced, almost like extended but well-executed sketches. They also have a talent for quickly establishing a scene and helping viewers learn everything they need to know about a character with minimal introduction.
In The Other Two‘s first scene, we meet siblings Cary (Drew Tarver) and Brooke (Heléne Yorke), two New Yorkers in their late 20s struggling to get by. He’s an actor/waiter who mainly auditions for commercials while carrying on a bizarre quasi-relationship with his allegedly-straight roommate. She’s an out-of-work, former dancer who doesn’t have an apartment but is constantly scheming for a chance at stardom. And they both are suddenly living in the shadow of Chase, their 13-year-old brother who becomes an instant sensation when a music video he films as a joke goes viral, launching him to the A-list.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that the first two episodes of The Other Two feature what feels like a never-ending stream of jokes. This show has everything: hilarious banter, quotable one-liners, and high-concept sequences that lead to big laughs (one scene involving a sleepover will stick with you). The show also knows how to use editing as a tool to knock a joke out of the park. For example, a disappointing make-out session between Cary and his roommate leads to a jarring, R-rated cut that may feel obvious, but is so effectively executed that the laugh works. The writing is just so polished and professionally handled that even the more obvious punchlines feel fresh, and the sheer number of jokes per episode makes it worthy of your time.
But millennials will find the show particularly appealing as it truly feels uncomfortably relatable for much of its runtime. While the overall premise may feel a bit high-concept, a majority of the sequences ring true. One hilarious subplot finds Cary and Brooke desperately trying to trick themselves into enjoying a party, something that literally everyone in their 20s (and probably older) has done in their adult life. The comically inadequate romantic partners for Cary and Brooke also feel like slightly heightened versions of the guys on your average dating app. You’ll cringe, yes, but there’s something oddly freeing about realizing that you’re not the only 20something dealing with these problems.
And, perhaps most importantly, this show has heart. While Cary and Brooke may seem like unlikable people at times, the pilot’s final moment finds the two older siblings bonding with their suddenly famous younger brother, as they suddenly realize that he is being thrust into the same adult-life that they’re already a part of. It’s a deeply authentic, beautifully acted moment that fully sells the series, and promises audiences that this will be more than just a cynical look at modern millennial life, or a silly spoof of a Beiber-esque social media phenomenon. This is a show about genuinely sympathetic characters who, like it or not, we can see ourselves in. And I’m excited to see where these characters end up!
The Other Two airs Tuesday nights on Comedy Central.
Overall rating: 10 out of 10.
