The collaboration between Ted Danson and Michael Schur has historically led to significant comedic success, most notably in “The Good Place.” Given their impressive backgrounds—Danson with “Cheers” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and Schur’s hits including “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Parks and Recreation”—expectations were high for their new Netflix series, “A Man on the Inside.” Unfortunately, this latest effort has not met those lofty standards.
Set in a San Francisco retirement home, “A Man on the Inside” presents a mixed bag of themes and narratives that fail to deliver a cohesive story. Danson stars as Charles, a retired professor navigating life after losing his wife to dementia. When he answers a classified ad seeking an elderly individual to assist a private detective, the plot sets off on a trajectory filled with potential. However, the execution feels more like a rough draft rather than a polished project, resulting in a disjointed viewing experience.
In the series, Charles finds himself enchanted by the retirement home and its residents, attempting to juggle the job while reconnecting with his estranged daughter, Emily. Unfortunately, despite the series’ ambition, the narrative struggles with pacing and cohesion. The various storylines—ranging from crime-solving to soap opera-esque drama—often clash rather than come together, leaving viewers with a sense of incompleteness.
Despite its flaws, “Inside” does provide glimpses of beauty amid the chaos. A particularly poignant episode highlights the joys of life, featuring Charles and his friend Calbert exploring San Francisco, embodying the essence of living fully. This moment is reminiscent of Schur’s knack for exploring meaningful themes, yet the series fails to delve deeply enough into the characters or their development.
While “A Man on the Inside” does not fully capitalize on its strengths, it highlights the growing recognition in Hollywood of stories related to aging that go beyond stereotypes. Series like “Grace and Frankie” and “Hacks” have begun to tell rich tales of life in the senior years.
In conclusion, though “A Man on the Inside” may not shine as brightly as previous collaborations by Danson and Schur, it underscores the potential for deeper storytelling about the aging experience. With hope for their next project together, fans look forward to a new opportunity that may better capture the richness of life and relationships in later years.