For five seasons, Jamie Foxx helped the WB become one of the most recognizable channels of the late 90s-early 00s as the star of The Jamie Foxx Show. Foxx would play Jamie King, a Texas native who moves to Hollywood to work at his relatives’ hotel while pursuing his acting and music career. The sitcom would be heavily influenced by Foxx’s real-life journey to Hollywood from his hometown of Terrell, TX. Shortly after the show’s ending, his wildest dreams came true becoming one of the biggest film and music stars on the planet. 25 years later, Foxx returns to the small screen this time in the digital streaming capacity. Dad Stop Embarrassing Me sees him playing Brian Dixon, a single, but successful business owner from Atlanta, GA. Brian’s life does a complete 180 when his daughter Sasha comes to live with him after her mother’s death.
Executive produced by Foxx’s real-life daughter Corrine, this is new territory for Jamie becoming a sitcom father after years of being an award-winning action star. Two decades after leaving the TV on a high note, the 53-year-old has some immense pressure on his hands. Some fans will be watching this show comparing it to The Jamie Foxx show every step of the way, while others will see this only from a watchable family show point of view.
Whether this is another great Netflix sitcom or another one-and-done streaming series, it’s great to see Jamie Foxx making us laugh again.
The Laughs:
It’s clear that Jamie Foxx’s star power is the cause for grabbing people’s attention at first glance, but it’s the entertaining supporting cast that will have fans clicking continue watching. David Alan Grier plays Foxx’s ex-con Father “Pops” and for good reason, because he gives us a show-stealing performance every time he’s on-screen, very reminiscent of his previous dad role on The Carmichael Show. Porscha Coleman greatly portrays the funny, flirty, and most importantly always relevant auntie Chelsea. Her character always seems to deliver with spot-on timing when the show needs a good laugh or harmless sexuality that is also acceptable for children. Both Heather Hemmens and Jonathan Kite mesh well with Foxx’s Brian character as business colleague Stacy Collins and best friend Johnny Williams. Throughout season 1, it’s Stacy’s guidance that holds the family together, all while Johnny shows the lovable loyalty and wacky humor that everyone enjoys in a TV best friend. One of the best treats that the show has to offer is Foxx’s ability to humor us all through multiple characters. In one episode you’ll enjoy a sermon with laughs from Rev. Sweet Tea, followed by a humorous BBQ competition featuring great uncle Cadillac Calvin, and last but not least, a flirtatious night of drinking with a cowboy bartender Rusty.
The Bombs:
There’s a reason why the show is named Dad Stop Embarrassing Me because its attempts to still be relevant with the social media generation is non-stop embarrassing. The role sees Jamie Foxx play an over 50-year-old father, but you rarely see him ever acting close to his age or dating close to his age for that fact. Brain and Sasha’s ability to break the 4th wall and talk to viewers was clever the first few times done during the show’s first episode but quickly became stale by episode 6. One of the marketing tools used during the lead-up to its release was the real-life connection the show had with Foxx’s actual daughter Corinne Foxx, being the executive producer on the project. That family gift quickly became a curse as I caught myself at times feeling that Corinne’s (Disney+ Safety) mature acting ability would be better suited for this show. The short eight-episode season span really dampens the quality of the show as many of the storylines feel rushed and surprisingly unfinished by the end of the season. This could be due in large part to the 2020 global pandemic that greatly affected entertainment production.
We Own The Laughs’ Final Review Scores:
Best Episode: Episode 2
Worst Episode: Episode 8
WOTL Rating (Opener/Feature/Headliner): Opener
Are we happy to see Jamie Foxx return to sitcom television after 20+ years?….absolutely, but with such a lengthy absence, comes the undeniable pressures of being able to live up to the greatness that was The Jamie Foxx Show. This show does have a few scenes and possibly one character (Pops) that can come close to being as legendary as the late 90s show that made Jamie famous, but that’s about it. Don’t be surprised if this father-daughter bond is short-lived.
Dad Stop Embarrassing Me Fun Fact:
David Alan Grier plays Jamie Foxx’s father, but there’s only an 11 year age difference between the two actors.
What did you think of the first season of Dad Stop Embarrassing Me?
Leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
