Hulu’sMid-Century Modernis the latest fabulously funny creation of legendary sitcom developers Max Mutchnick and David Kohan. It centers on a trio of middle-aged gay man, played by Nathan Lane, Nathan Lee Graham and Matt Bomer, who move to the resort city of Palm Springs, California. However, there’s the added complication that they’re moving in with the mother of Lane’s character, who’s played by the late, great Linda Lavin. As the show is only one season in and currently consists of just 10 episodes, those who enjoy it may already be looking for their next sitcom fix.
It’s at this point that the likes of Mutchnick, Kohan, Lane, and the other TV shows that inspiredMid-Century Modernbecome especially important. The show has deservedly received rave reviews for its incisive wit and good-natured, farcical approach to comedy.Mid-Century Moderncurrently has a Rotten Tomatoes scorethat would be the envy of most contemporary sitcoms. But its comedy didn’t spring from nowhere, and cleverly builds on established trends in TV comedy, some of which the creators andcast ofMid-Century Modernhave had a hand in.
Classic 1980s sitcomThe Golden Girlsis surelyMid-Century Modern’s primary inspiration. Just like Mutchnick and Kohan’s new series, its premise involves three middle-aged people moving in with one of their mothers. Of course, in the case ofMid-Century Modern, these three people are men, whereas inThe Golden Girlsall four protagonists are women.
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Mid-Century Modernsubverts the premise of its forerunner in many of its jokes, and watchingThe Golden Girlsmay feel a bit like seeing the mirror imageof Bunny, Arthur, Jerry, and Sybil at times. Just asMid-Century Modernhas the likes of Lane, Bomer and Lavin, as well as some familiar faces in its supporting cast,The Golden Girlsboasts star quality in the form of Betty White, Rue McClanahan, Estelle Getty, and Bea Arthur.
IfThe Golden Girlsis the inspiration forMid-Century Modern’s basic premise, thenWill & Gracesupplies the comic template. Max Mutchnick and David Kohan’s most successful show is about two roommates, a gay man and a straight woman, who are polar opposites in many respects.
In the revival seasons of Will & Grace, Will’s love interest McCoy Whitman is played byMid-Century Modernstar Matt Bomer.
The rhythms of the humor inMid-Century Modernwill feel very familiar to fans ofWill & Grace, and vice versa. On the other hand, the urban setting ofWill & Grace, asitcom that takes place in New York, is very different from Mutchnick and Kohan’s new show, and its main characters are significantly younger than those inMid-Century Modern.
Gilmore Girlsis a little further removed from the setup ofMid-Century Modernthan eitherWill & GraceorThe Golden Girls, but it has fundamental similarities nonetheless. Themother-daughter relationship between the two Lorelai Gilmoresis at the heart of the show, just as Bunny’s relationship with his mother is arguably the focal point ofMid-Century Modern’s first season.
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Meanwhile, the bawdy humor of the elder Lorelai’s best friend Sookie St. James, played by Melissa McCarthy, is reminiscent of the friendship that Bunny shares with Jerry and Arthur.Gilmore Girlsis the perfect show forMid-Century Modernfans who aren’t necessarily looking for the same storyin another show, but for a series that carries the same spirit and warmth with it.
AlthoughModern Familyis a very different sitcom fromMid-Century Modern,the dynamic between gay couple Cameron and Mitchell is arguably the most similar thingto Max Mutchnick and David Kohan’s new show of anything in this list. Cameron and Mitchell’s relationship is based on profound love and care but the two characters are hilariously sensitive around each other. The hijinks they both pull as a result mean thatCam and Mitch produce some ofModern Family’s best comedy.
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Cameron, in particular, shares plenty in common with the three male protagonists ofMid-Century Modern. In fact, if you took Bunny, Arthur and Jerry’s respective diva sides and rolled them into one, Cameron Tucker is probably what you’d end up with. It’s no surprise, then, whenNathan Lane shows up inModern Familyas Cameron and Mitchell’s best friend, Pepper, who’s arguably the only character in the show more flamboyant than Sofia Vergara’s Gloria.
While it survived just one season,Netflix’s canceled 2022 sitcomUncoupled, which stars Neil Patrick Harris, has a lot to like about it. The series is about a middle-aged, single gay man in New York. Harris’ character, Michael Lawson, is a little more life-savvy than the friends inMid-Century Modern, but his loss of contact with the dating scene over 17 years means that he’s hilariously out of his depth when it comes to being single.
If fans ofMid-Century Modernare after more romance in their next sitcom, thenUncoupledis the way to go.
The sitcom’s single-camera format, offbeat style, and often cringeworthy humor is a little different from the tone ofMid-Century Modern, but its entire setup has major similarities with Bunny, Arthur and Jerry’s attempts at getting lucky. If fans of Hulu’s new show are after more romance in their next sitcom, thenUncoupledis the way to go.
