Times Are Changing In ‘Poppa’s House’ Episode 1

Damon Wayans is sitcom royalty, so Poppa’s House feels like it’s about more than just an aging DJ trying to deal with a changing world. In Episode 1, Poppa deals with corporate crowbarring in his popular New York radio show, while his grown son, Junior, has an existential crisis. But even though the two plots are distinct, the whole thing feels like a metatextual passing-the-torch moment. Junior is, after all, played by Damon Wayans Jr.

To be clear, there are a couple of elements of Poppa’s House that I don’t love, most particularly the recurring rap battle joke that feels too much like that Steve Buscemi meme. But there are many more elements that I definitely do like. There’s a very high one-liner hit rate, and the underpinnings of the characters seem like they might provide good drama down the line.

I also like that the cast isn’t too big. We’re basically dealing with issues on two fronts: Poppa is resistant to the change being forced upon his safe-space radio show, and Junior wants to pursue a directorial career but is tethered to a job he hates selling foam rollers for his father-in-law, J.J. (Geoffrey Owens).

The titular Poppa’s House is Poppa’s long-time gig. He’s the only host, and mostly plays old music and uses the emotions it stirs up to recount his memories of growing up in New York City. But following his divorce, Poppa has become a miserable curmudgeon behind his own back. Corporate wants to balance the show by forcing an upbeat female co-host, Dr. Ivy Reed (Essence Atkins), and streaming the show live.

Poppa is violently opposed to both of these things, especially the cameras, which make him feel insecure. It’s through Junior that he’s inspired to return to work, dressed to impress, and determined to put a stamp back on his show. But he also has his defenses lowered by Ivy, who describes him as her idol and tells him that she’s there to prevent him from becoming a curmudgeon instead of the force for positivity that he used to be.

But how will listeners feel about the hosts “bickering like an old married couple”? That’s for subsequent episodes to unpack.

Tetona Jackson in Poppa’s House | Image via CBS

Poppa’s House Episode 1 also devotes a lot of time to Junior, who wants to be a director but can’t escape the responsibilities of J.J.’s foam roller business, especially since J.J. fronted Junior the cash for him to buy a home with his wife, Nina (Tetona Jackson). Junior is stuck between a rock and a hard place, torn between his ambition and his responsibilities to his family.

When Junior is fired for missing a big meeting – the latest of several, apparently – because he was sneaking around having interviews elsewhere, Poppa, who knows (and hates) J.J. from way back, invites him over. This is probably the stand-out scene of the pilot since Poppa and J.J.’s decades-long rivalry is played for big laughs. Junior agrees to dedicate himself to the job for now but it’s clear his heart is elsewhere.

Nina recognizes this too. I like her – she’s not the whiny spouse archetype, and she wants to support Junior’s dreams, but she’s also realistic about the fact he’s a 34-year-old man with a family. This understanding depiction of marriage is atypical for a sitcom and is one of the elements of Poppa’s House that I think could help to set it apart down the line.

But that remains to be seen. In the meantime, it’s just nice to see Damon Wayans back in a sitcom, and anyone who grew up with My Wife and Kids will feel right at home here.