Watercooler Pick
The Other Two
- Series
- Where to Find It: HBO/Max
- Rating: TV-14
- Release Date: January 24, 2019
- Seasons: 3
- Episodes : 16
- Length: 30 minutes
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As two 20-something siblings struggle to get a foothold with their careers in New York City, a video of their 13-year-old brother, Chase, goes viral, launching him into overnight singing stardom. Suddenly part of their kid brother’s entourage, they wrestle with their own complex feelings…just as their mom begins to find her own success. As the third season begins, Chase is all grown up, mom has become a powerhouse, and the siblings are ready to seize their own versions of the limelight.
Created by former SNL writers Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider, the series stars SNL alum Molly Shannon as mom Pat Dubek. Ken Marino (Party Down) plays Chase’s manager, Streeter. Heléne Yorke, who was in Masters of Sex and The Good Fight, stars as Brooke. And Drew Tarver, who was in Bajillion Dollar Propertie$, stars as Cary.
A clever, addictive send up of modern day fame, The Other Two is also a series about self-doubt and the never ending career struggles of millennials. And while it can feel like a familiar network sitcom at first blush, it will surprise as it subverts your expectations, which is what fuels much of the humor.
The sudden internet fame of a kid brother would wreak havoc on any family. Imagine being Justin Bieber’s older siblings, pounding pavement for years with no break, only to see the kid chance into it from his bedroom in Ohio. It’s a recipe for family malfunction.
Yet The Other Two is a comedy about a family that actually comes together and supports each other through this wild ride.
At the center of it all is the matriarch, Pat, who wholeheartedly supports her teenager, all the while making sure she is there cheerleading for the other two. There’s a deeper undercurrent to Pat. She hasn’t come to terms with her husband’s death or with his alcoholism, and Molly Shannon brings a certain manic, relatable mom energy to the role. She’s not a typical stage mom who wanted to be an actress and now rides Chase’s coattails. She sincerely supports the boy, and her infectious enthusiasm is what ultimately leads to her own unlikely career launch.
As for the siblings left in the wings, they have a natural chemistry, and the fun is in watching their banter. They manage to rise up to support Chase, but of course they harbor some inevitable resentment that the kid brother is the one who’s achieved stardom — and not by countless humiliating auditions.
Watching them both try to “make it” is where most of the best satire lands, as it skewers everything from commercial acting and Hollywood’s treatment of women to TikTok/YouTube influencer fame and life as a member of an entourage.
Despite their own bumpy lives in the shadows, Brooke and Cary sincerely care about their little brother. And he genuinely cares about their successes, no matter how small they might be. Even after he’s swarmed with attention, Chase is not a jerk. He remains a naive, sweet kid who just wants to sing. It’s what makes the series so endearing.
To refresh your memory about the first two seasons — or get caught up so you can jump into Season 3 — here’s a Watercooler Catch Up guide to Seasons 1 & 2.
A surprisingly sweet satire about fame in all its modern forms, The Other Two proves that not even superstars have it easy. But with the help of family — biological or created — making it as an actor/writer/manager/singer/fashion designer/talk show host/influencer is a little more feasible, and much more fun.
With frank talk about sex and relationships, The Other Two isn’t ideal for kids. But as it’s focused on sibling love overcoming jealousy, you could watch it with your siblings – or your besties who feel like siblings. Chase, Brooke, and Cary’s love for each other will make you appreciate your own family or found family, or want to create one. Depending on how open your mom is, you may want to watch it with her too – she’ll probably adore Pat.
The stand-out star is Josh Segarra, who plays Brooke’s hapless yet sweet ex-boyfriend, Lance. From dabbing randomly to his never ending support for Brooke, he is one of the series’ most underrated characters.
Where to find it: HBO/Max
- Moods: de-stress me, find me mature fun, make me laugh
- Interests: modern families, satire
Sarah Mina Osman
