Entertainment Extra

2 ENTERTAINMENT EXTRA By Kyla Brewer TV Media W hile there are still plenty of traditional sitcoms and dra- mas in prime time, TV is ever evolving. An innovative new series turns convention upside down as it blends elements of comedy and drama in a critique of typical television gender 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 husband, Kevin (Eric Peterson, "Kirstie"), and his pals in the brashly titled "Kevin Can F**K Himself," pre- miering Sunday, June 20, on AMC. However, when Allison suddenly experiences 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 creat- ed by Valerie Armstrong ("Lodge 49"), who admitted that she came up with the idea in the wake of controversy surrounding the now-defunct CBS sitcom "Kevin Can Wait." When "Kevin Can Wait's" leading lady, Erinn Hayes ("Childrens Hospital"), was unceremoniously fired from her role as Donna, the wife of lead character Kevin (Kevin James, "The King of Queens"), the show was highly criticized for how it handled her character's depar- ture. The incident sparked conver- sations about how women in sit- coms are often just there to set up the jokes or nag their on- screen husbands. In February, Armstrong explained 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 producers have assembled a team that is second to none. In addition to Armstrong, the show's executive producers include Rashida Jones ("Parks and Recreation"), 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 Canadian 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 desper- ate 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 insane, but you're not alone," Patty says in the trailer, to which Allison 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 "American Princess." Kevin's greatest ally is his best friend, Neil O'Connor (Alex Bonifer), a stereotypical beer- drinking, football-loving sidekick. Bonifer is no stranger to the sit- com shtick, having appeared 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 sever- al television series over the years, including "Crossing Jordan," "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 recently 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 series "Mozart in the Jungle" and for his role on the HBO drama "Here and Now." YMCA 2 x 2" Pear Tree Gallery 3 x 2" On the Cover Eric Peterson, Alex Bonifer and Annie Murphy in "Kevin Can F**K Himself" Annie Murphy stars as murderous sitcom wife on AMC Chase Center 3 x 2" American Legion Post 60 2 x 3" Thrifty Muffler 2 x 2.5"

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