'Vice Principals' Season 1 Review
HBO's 'Vice Principals' starring Danny McBride concluded its first season, and I absolutely loved every episode. Danny McBride was hysterical, dark, and charming in this series. The supporting cast, including: Walton Goggins, Kimberly Hebert Gregory, and a slew of others, really rounded out a terrific cast that made for some crazy, fun and laugh out loud moments.
The season follows McBride and Goggins as vice principals looking to ascend to the top spot, after the principal (Bill Murray) steps down. Initially pitted against each other, the two are blindsided with the news that another person (Dr. Belinda Brown) has been hired externally. The new hire enrages the men, bringing them together to try and rid themselves of their new boss.
Other plot lines featured Neil Gamby (McBride) and his relationships with his daughter, ex-wife and her new husband, and love interest/teacher Amanda Snodgrass. Goggins also had great moments at home with his wife and mother-in-law. His interactions with the elderly Asian woman are ridiculously funny and had me cracking up whenever the two were together on-screen.
Though comedic, the season also showed a different side of McBride. As he is very similar to his 'Eastbound and Down' character, Kenny Powers, we also see him playing a parental role in a very heart-warming way. His love for his daughter drives him to want to advance to the principalship at the high school in which he works.
I really loved Dr. Belinda Brown (Kimberly Hebert Gregory). She was such a diverse character, going through so many things at the hands of Gamby & Russell, including the burning down of her home. The tough-as-nails Philadelphian had great moments with her foul-mouthed sons and her gin-fueled drunken relapse, prompting her resignation after Russell films her being disorderly out in public.
The cliffhanger at the very end of the season was shocking and unexpected (I won't spoil it for you), and should make for a great pickup point for season 2. I can't recommend this series enough for fans of McBride and his comedy style, or fans of comedy TV in general. The 10-episode season with 30-minute episodes is a very easy watch and could be binged in a single afternoon. I eagerly await season 2, though it was reported that the series will end after, which sucks. But don't forget that 'Eastbound & Down' wound up airing 4 seasons after a similar initial claim.
My rating: 10 out of 10
