Review: Pamela Adlon’s “Better Things” Shows Signs of Greatness

BETTER THINGS "Sam/Pilot" Episode 1 (Airs Thursday, September 8, 10:00 pm/ep) -- Pictured: (center) Pamela Adlon as Pam. CR: Colleen Hayes/FX

review

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One of the most interesting things about Better Things Pilot aka Sam, is how closely associated it is to the now concluded series Louie. Pamela Adlon was the only truly recurring character on Louie, and she provided a bright shining light of “no BS allowed” with Louie, and was the carry-over from the ill-fated Lucky Louie (playing his wife on that show). She also co-wrote and produced throughout Louie’s run, making her the only true partner C.K. ever had to work with throughout the series. So with the arrival of Better Things, with the promo material touting it as “from Pamela Adlon and Louie C.K.”, it needs to be said. The reason why Better Things works comes down to one person…Adlon.

C.K. clearly plays a role in bringing the show to TV with Adlon (he also encouraged her to create it), but from start to finish, the sense that there is a singular voice behind the show bringing it to life, rather than producing by committee, gives it that something special. Audiences that like Adlon’s unique sense of warm yet sarcastic humor will be as happy to spend time with her as Sammy as they were spending time with her in a multitude of other characters we’ve seen her do; Louie, Californication, even Bobby Hill in King of the Hill. If you aren’t a fan of Adlon’s, you can stop reading and find another show to watch. One of the nice things that the rise of comedy on cable shows is that not everyone needs to like everything in order for it to be a success, and changing something to appease the masses will only dilute the original product.

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Adlon clearly has confidence in her voice, and it is a unique and powerful one under the childlike rasp that has become her signature. In a time when shock and cringe comedy is common (especially in other female driven comedies such as Difficult People, Broad City, and Girls), she shows a subtler side to herself than most. As Sammy, the mother of three daughters, she shows her maternal side (tucking her daughter in for bed and falling asleep next to her), the frustrated side (particularly with her older daughters, Frankie and Max), and the ridiculous side (forgetting homework, shopping for school supplies) of being a single, working mother without become too “sitcomy.” Nothing in Sammy’s life can be called unique to her experience, so even her Hollywood job is just a job. But Adlon so instantly makes Sammy into an interesting protagonist, it’s not hard to find her worth investing in because she’s effortlessly lovable throughout her messy life.

As for the Hollywood side of the show, like Louie, the series shows Adlon’s life intersecting with her career. But Sammy isn’t EXACTLY Adlon, unlike other personalities basing shows on their lives like Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Garry Shandling, Jim Gaffigan or Louis C.K; Adlon has based the show on her own life, but created an exaggerated character with a shorter fuse. But the character still parallels her in multiple ways. Like Adlon the actress, Sammy’s moneymaker is voice over work in cartoons. Sammy’s also an onscreen actress, which provides the most interesting blending of Adlon’s real vs fictional life. Adlon is playing Sammy, but Bradley Whitford and Julie Bowen play themselves. So does Constance Zimmer, an actress who like Adlon, is seeing the most successful period of her long career in supporting roles, in full bloom right now…and happens to be the actress Adlon is frequently confused for. As Adlon sits down with her “of course, you’re here” comment, we see seeds of what could be a pretty fun female friendship on screen we haven’t seen before.

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But the pilot doesn’t do much in terms of “plot.” Scenes are pieced together to create a loose depiction of everyday life, without a clear logic of how they directly connect to one another or build. Could the scene of her meltdown at an office supply store or looking online for age appropriate porn have fit as easily as the teaser before the credits as the scene of her ignoring her youngest daughter’s mall tantrum? Probably, they are all funny moments in the show that she breathes realism and relatability into. But I expect the show’s follow up episodes will utilize more of a traditional plot. Even with shows about nothing shows like Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm, episode by episode still use a plot to give the episodes forward momentum. And based on the naming conventions of upcoming episodes, it looks like the show will use the two stories per episode structure Louie used. And also like Louie,  it looks like Better Things is more than willing to flirt with the very serious side of life; a sad texting conversation with a person she’s labeled “Nobody” over Both Sides Now is a serious moment for any “comedy” but especially potent for a first episode.

So back to Better Thing’s connection to Louie. Cynically, the show will probably be given the label of being a “female Louie.” It’s understandable, but also doesn’t get to the reason the show works. On Louie, which succeeded because of the strength of C.K.’s voice, the character of “Pamela” on Louie, that character worked and proved to be durable because she was played by an actress like Adlon. And while the pilot might only work for audiences who like Adlon, the pilot still works remarkably well on that level. Giving her a show where she doesn’t simply add to the show as a supporting character, but allows that distinct voice she has as a performer and creator to be the main driving force is the only logical next step to capitalize on what is unique and a winner about Pamela Adlon.

The biggest question is why it took so long to figure it out.

Better Things premiered on Thursday September 8th on FX and will air on Thursdays at 10pm.

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