Mr. Iglesias is a fine, almost safe for work adaptation of Fluffy’s material that isn’t just a showcase for the comedian, but a celebration of a broader cast.
Gabriel Iglesias is a well-traveled stand-up comedian who has been making audiences laugh for decades. His material is often topical – issues of race, politics, and diet are all available. The man they call Fluffy is also famous for his impressions (and corresponding ability to deliver top notch phony phone calls.)
Mr. Iglesias – The Star
Mr. Iglesias, the new sitcom arriving on Netflix in June 2019, should be a showcase of Fluffy’s talent. At first, it’s just that. The series opens by introducing the audience to Gabriel. His character of the same name teaches high school history and he leverages jokes and impressions to connect with the kids. The first episode showcases some of his work, providing a way for those not familiar with him to catch up.
Fluffy is really at home playing this version of himself with a big heart and big calves. His years of stand up provide him with the confidence to appear on camera and to steer some of his co-stars with ease. Many of these co-stars are recognizable. Others are pleasant surprises.
Mr. Iglesias – The Cast
Fluffy is surrounded by some character actors audiences recognize but can’t name. These include Richard Gant (Norbit) and Christopher McDonald (Thelma & Louise). Other talented actors include The Office’s Oscar Nunez, Gotham’s Maggie Ghea, and 30 Rock’s Sherri Shepherd.
Mr. Iglesias’ students also bring plenty of comedic chops to their roles. They range from super geek to student athlete, from socially awkward to entrepreneur. These young actors provide plenty of laughs and ample opportunity to showcase the ensemble cast, not just the show’s titular star. Cree Cicchino is the big breakout among the youngsters, playing the most mature and strongest of the classmates.
Mr. Iglesias – The Show
Mr. Iglesias is a show that could have fallen prey to the mistakes of many past sitcoms. Too often, studios will find a well respected talent and shape a show around that person’s act. Episode one almost feels like the show will fall into that trap by giving Fluffy too much of the camera time. As the show continues to tell the stories of all of the characters, each is given time to shine and to grow. It evolves from a solo showcase to an ensemble story in all the right ways.
Watching this show, I was reminded of the under-appreciated show, The Crazy Ones. It was marketed as the return to TV for Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar. The trap was set. The show could have simply revolved around Williams doing impressions and being outrageous. Instead, the writers allowed Williams to be silly, but added in a troupe of actors with brilliant comedic timing and story lines with ties to family, loss, depression, and desperation. Mr. Iglesias gets at the heart of this same style of comedy as therapy that entertains and informs viewers.
Conclusion
Mr. Iglesias is an easily digestible comedy that is packed with laughs. It often straddles the line between family-friendly and just a little dirty. It’s family-themed, but it also doesn’t pull punches if doing so will impact a joke. Gabriel Iglesias is comfortable in his role as he learns how to navigate his own relationships and those with his students. The cast is talented. The writing is quick. The topics are diverse, but they’re handled with care in this first season debut. Give it a watch and enjoy.
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