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I’ve really enjoyed following Steve Carell’s career over the years. Whether it’s his iconic role as Michael Scott on The Office or his much more serious performance as Alan Strauss in Hulu’s The Patient, I’ve been consistently impressed by what he does.
In HBO Max’s Rooster, Carell plays Greg Russo. He’s the author of a series of books following a main character called, you guessed it, Rooster. Russo had gained a fandom through that character even though he’s not as successful himself, with painful emotions coming to the surface as he returns to the same arts college, Ludlow, where his wife left him 25 years ago.
Outside of the comedy, though, the series does do serious moments well. Katie is terrible at emotional vulnerability, using sarcasm as a shield, and Greg doesn’t quite know how to navigate that. He just isn’t as cool and collected as Rooster, despite his efforts to emulate him.
Greg ends up having a tequila-induced heart-to-heart with Dylan Shepard, a bubbly faculty member played by Danielle Deadwyle, where we learn more about his failed marriage, so the series is character-driven from the get-go. They clearly have chemistry too, making me keen to see how it unfolds over the next nine episodes.
Rooster has all the ingredients for a fun weekend watch. With quick episodes that are easy to watch, the Sunday time slot is ideal for this show. Episodes are released weekly, and you can easily slot this into your streaming schedule if you want something light that still gives you plenty to think about.
I did find the way Rooster was filmed a little jarring, but honestly, it didn’t take away from the great performances and the important themes explored. It’s a fun addition to HBO Max’s library, showcasing Carell at his best, where he effortlessly blends humor and seriousness.
Watch On
Rooster is available on HBO Max in the US and Australia, and Sky Comedy in the UK.
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The post I watched HBO Max’s Rooster — and Steve Carell’s character rules the roost in another great comedy series first appeared on TechToday.
This post originally appeared on TechToday.