Entertainment NOW

Entertainment Now | June 19 - 25, 2021 By Kyla Brewer TV Media W hile there are still plenty of traditional sitcoms and dramas in prime time, TV is ever evolving. An innovative new series turns convention up- side down as it blends elements of comedy and drama in a cri- tique of typical television gen- der roles. Annie Murphy ("Schitt's Creek") stars as Allison, a TV sit- com wife who — like so many other sitcom wives before her — begrudgingly puts up with the antics of her goofball hus- band, Kevin (Eric Peterson, "Kirstie"), and his pals in the brashly titled "Kevin Can F**K Himself," premiering Sunday, June 20, on AMC. However, when Allison suddenly experi - ences a moment of clarity, she realizes she doesn't have to play second fiddle to her husband anymore. Things take a dark turn when she decides she wants to kill Kevin to be rid of him once and for all. The surrealist show was cre- ated by Valerie Armstrong ("Lodge 49"), who admitted that she came up with the idea in the wake of controversy sur- rounding the now-defunct CBS sitcom "Kevin Can Wait." When "Kevin Can Wait's" leading lady, Erinn Hayes ("Chil- drens Hospital"), was uncere- moniously fired from her role as Donna, the wife of lead charac- ter Kevin (Kevin James, "The King of Queens"), the show was highly criticized for how it han- dled her character's departure. The incident sparked conversa- tions about how women in sit- coms are often just there to set up the jokes or nag their on- screen husbands. In February, Armstrong ex- plained to EW.com that "Kevin Can F**K Himself" follows such a sitcom wife out of the reality where she is resigned to being the butt of the joke. Viewers see Allison through a different lens as the show switches from her sitcom standard to the gritty "reality" in which she is allowed to think and feel for herself. Armstrong is quick to point out, however, that "Kevin Can F**K Himself" is not a show within a show, and that Allison is not an actor in either scenario. "It's a metaphor for the bene- fit of the doubt we've given men like Kevin forever," Armstrong notes. "Men who get to walk through life with a sitcom audi- ence cheering them on all the time." Tackling such a heady issue requires a truly talented cast and experienced crew, and pro- ducers have assembled a team that is second to none. In addi- tion to Armstrong, the show's executive producers include Rashida Jones ("Parks and Rec- reation"), Will McCormack ("If Anything Happens I Love You," 2020) and Craig DiGregorio ("Chuck"). Fans of Murphy's were likely delighted to hear the news that she'd be back on television this summer following her Emmy win for her work as Alexis Rose in the multi-award-winning Ca- nadian comedy series "Schitt's Creek." But be forewarned — Allison's demeanor is a far cry from Alexis's bubbly personality. As Allison begins to see life through a different lens, so does the audience, and the series switches from the sitcom world to one in which she is the lead in her own story. It's clear from the trailer that Allison is desperate to escape when she explains how she feels about Kevin: "Dreaming is useless with him around. You can't close your eyes and picture a future where everything is OK." Mary Hollis Inboden also co- stars as Allison's neighbor Patty. As the only other character who flits between both realities as Allison does, Patty is tough and cynical. The two women have known each other for years, but it is only when Allison has her epiphany that the two women begin to bond. "Allison, maybe you're in- sane, but you're not alone," Pat- ty says in the trailer, to which Al- lison replies, "Calling me crazy is the nicest you've ever been to me." Inboden was a regular in the sitcom "The Real O'Neals" and has appeared on television in "The Chicago Code" and "Amer- ican Princess." Kevin's greatest ally is his best friend, Neil O'Connor (Alex Bonifer), a stereotypical beer- drinking, football-loving side- kick. Bonifer is no stranger to the sitcom shtick, having ap- peared in the recently wrapped- up NBC comedy "Superstore." TV veteran Brian Howe ("The Pursuit of Happyness," 2006) plays Kevin's chauvinistic father, Pete McRoberts, a man with a "regressive" sense of humor. Howe has guest starred in sev- eral television series over the years, including "Crossing Jor- dan," "Boston Legal" and "Charmed," to name a few. In contrast to the "sitcom world" men, Raymond Lee ("Here and Now") appears as Sam, a handsome man who's re - cently returned to town to open an upscale diner, and it appears that Sam may have a history with Allison. Lee is best known for his work in the streaming se- ries "Mozart in the Jungle" and for his role on the HBO drama "Here and Now." As Allison interacts with these and other characters, she sheds her wholesome "sitcom wife" persona to take the lead in her own life. In the series pre- miere, she goes on a bender af- ter Patty reveals some important information regarding her bank accounts. Don't miss the debut of "Kev- in Can F**K Himself," airing Sunday, June 20, on AMC. Eric Peterson, Alex Bonifer and Annie Murphy in "Kevin Can F**K Himself" Breaking the mold: Annie Murphy stars as murderous sitcom wife on AMC 2 | Cover story A/Grindstone Charlie's B/Norris Insurance 1 x 4" Moore's Home Health 5 x 2" 3833 S Lafountain 455-2700 www.NorrisInsurance.com Great insurance. Local Service.

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