skynsemi

When Apple announced they were going to have their own streaming service, the world let our a collective, “um…ok?” We were all confused; after all, Apple is a maker of sleek, simple hardware and not a content producer.

After an initial launch with the return of Jennifer Aniston to television, Apple TV+ slipped away from my mind. There wasn’t really much there to watch. It also was free for a year with the purchase of any Apple hardware and my annual iPhone swap nabbed me that free year.

After watching the first two episode, I’m completely addicted to it. Josh Gad opening the show as a fourth wall breaking busker is just pure awesome.

The first big song in the show, “Own It” in which all the characters break off their current actions and single in a Musical Theatre style where no one notices they are actually singing, posit about their need to “own” their destiny and it is a perfect opening for an ambitious project like this.

The best part of this song comes from Helen, the villain Bitsy’s assistant, played by Daveed Diggs. It’s hilarious to hear the voice of the man who originated the roles of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson singing about “a man who looks like Magic Mike”.

I’m gonna own this
‘Cause whenever
Yeah, whenever Bitsy dies I’ll own this
I don’t miss you
Little shih tzu
Now that you are gone
I’ll be next in the heirloom line
And all the furniture you see here is mine mine mine
I’m gonna own it
And I’m gonna-
Yeah I’m gonna be the one to own it
Gonna bathe in-
Gonna bathe in hundred dollar bills with a man who looks like Magic Mike
While I nibble on the kibble that I know you like

Next up is Tituss Burgess and Leslie Odom, Jr. rapping about picking canine excrement.

Stanley Tucci, the villain of the show playing Bitsy Brandenham, lays out the plot that will follow the show.

In the next episode, Kristen Bell begins belting out in a similar style she used in Frozen; it’s a comfortable feeling. It’s a song that is quirky, fun, and inspirational. With lyrics written by Sara Bareilles, it is a good example of some of the amazing lyricists they have working on this show.

Episode 2 closes out with a… do we call it choreographed if it is animation? Coreographed, let’s go with it. A 70s style roller skating anthem as Owen, the park manager, skates with “Glorious Gary”. It gave me reminders of my childhood, but keep in mind I grew up in Ohio which is always 10 years behind… everything. I’d kill myself if I wore roller skates, but I can dance to it and get the moves on. I won’t subject anyone to that.

Like an amazing mashup of Hamilton, Frozen, Bob’s Burgers, and a little bit of High School Musical, it’s a quirky fun romp with ear worm music. Will it set new standards in television? Probably not. Is it worth $5 a month to watch it if you don’t own an Apple device? I certainly think so, though if you paying wait for all the episodes to get posted and then binge it.