Entertainment NOW

TV Media Weekly | October 28 - November 3, 2017 By Kat Mulligan TV Media L ong before the trends of grandes, macchiatos and pumpkin spice lattes, neigh- borhoods were graced with unique little treasures: indepen- dent doughnut shops. Variety wasn't necessarily found in a cof- fee cup — typically your two choices were caff or decaf — but it did abound in the delicious ro- tating selections of doughnuts, be they glazed, iced, filled or some- thing in between. The magic of these locally owned establish- ments is wonderfully captured in "Superior Donuts," a comedy se- ries based on a play by the same name, returning Monday, Oct. 30, on CBS. Nestled in the busy streets of Chicago, 75-year-old Arthur Przy- byszewski (Judd Hirsch, "Taxi") struggles to keep his beloved doughnut shop afloat. The shop, open since 1969, means every- thing to Arthur, but his initial re- sistance to change and evolving to compete with larger franchises puts the business in jeopardy. Thankfully, Franco Wicks (Jer- maine Fowler, "Friends of the People") notices that Arthur's looking for a new employee, and brings to the business a youthful energy that sees the shop's popu- larity start to return. While Franco can, at times, seem a bit too opti- mistic and carefree, his passion to see Superior Donuts succeed re- ignites Arthur's own entrepre- neurial fire. Their growing rela- tionship is at once humorous and endearing, blossoming alongside the shop as it continues to draw new faces in, while never losing sight of its regulars. The quick wit and bold ap- proach to discussing modern is- sues make it unsurprising that the series is back for a second season. "Superior Donuts" never shies away from confronting topics such as gentrification, the corpo- ration creep into small neighbor- hoods and the death of the small business owner. Rather than suc- cumbing to what seems an inevi- tability, Arthur and Franco work together to inspire social change, all while figuring out how to incor- porate modern tastes into classic, mom-and-pop-style dining. Addi- tionally, much emphasis is placed on the welcoming environment created by small businesses, where acceptance of all is readily encouraged, rather than impress- ing conformity or exclusivity upon guests. While season 1 placed much of its focus on the corporate infiltra- tion of traditional neighborhoods and main streets, season 2 looks to pit small business against small business, providing Arthur with a brand-new challenge. The new season introduces viewers to Sofia (Diane Guerrero, "Orange Is the New Black"), a young food truck owner who takes up shop directly outside of Arthur's Superior Do- nuts. Her plan: to provide custom- ers with healthier breakfast alter- natives, keeping in mind social and ethical principles. The discus- sions surrounding millennials aren't new for "Superior Donuts," but the addition of Sofia provides yet another outlet for Arthur's re- luctance to change, as her healthy alternatives food truck threatens to take away some of the fresh cli- entele Franco and Arthur worked so hard to acquire. The show's success is largely due to the dynamic between Ar- thur and Franco, whose relation- ship parallels the experience ac- tors Hirsch and Fowler bring to their respective roles. Hirsch is no stranger to television viewers, par- ticularly those who were around in the late '70s to mid-'80s to en- joy "Taxi." Since then, Hirsch con- tinues to be a beacon of comedy, though "Superior Donuts" marks his long-awaited return to the world of sitcoms. For Hirsch, the series is an excellent example of how comedy operates in the ev- eryday, as "humor is based on the worst of things and the best of things," as he told CBS Chicago. In contrast to Hirsch's lengthy and legendary career, Fowler is a relatively fresh face in the comedic world. With less than a decade of professional experience, the actor remains bold and relevant in his humor. As Fowler told the hosts of Good Day Sacramento, the series "[talks] about a lot of the topical things going on in the world right now," which allows for an elevat- ed kind of humor, challenging so- cial norms while simultaneously knocking down worn-out stereo- types. This pairing of experience and youthful passion provides the series with the ideal means to in- spire change and to challenge per- spectives, all with a side order of laughs. Viewers may think twice before reaching for that blended frappuccino, inspired to take a chance on the sweet, little inde- pendent shop instead. In preparation for the premiere of season 2, four of "Superior Do- nuts's" most hilarious standup comedians hit the road for a five- city, seven-day comedy tour. Fowler, David Koechner ("Anchor- man 2: The Legend Continues," 2013), Maz Jobrani ("The Inter- preter," 2005) and Rell Battle ("Key and Peele") are stopping in New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Chicago and Los Angeles to bring the laughs and hype for the new season of the series. Fittingly, the Chicago stop of the tour takes place the same evening of the premiere: Oct. 30. The comedic power with- in the core cast brings a height- ened level of wit to the show, which no doubt echoes through- out the tour's performances. The dough will rise, cinnamon- sprinkled, deliciously glazed and just in time for a fresh batch of ep- isodes in a new season of "Superi- or Donuts." Check out your own local mom-and-pop doughnut shop and settle in with a baker's dozen to catch the season 2 pre- miere of the comedy when it airs Monday, Oct. 30, on CBS. Judd Hirsch as seen in "Superior Donuts" Tasty yet topical: Deliciously real laughs in season 2 of 'Superior Donuts' 2 | Cover story A/Grindstone Charley's B/Norris Insurance 1 x 4" GVC Mortgage 5 x 2"

• Cover