Copyright Variety
A spinoff of CBS’ long-running series, “The Neighborhood,” Paramount’s “Crutch” is a hilarious sitcom about family, community and the ups and downs of life. Created by Owen Smith, the show follows Francois “Crutch” Crutchfield (Tracy Morgan), the Harlem-dwelling cousin of Calvin, (Cedric the Entertainer), the central character on “The Neighborhood.” Crutch is a widower and business owner who is just starting to enjoy his empty nest when his adult children and grandchildren move back into his brownstone. Stuffed full of laugh-out-loud moments, a robust and talented cast and some iconic guest stars, the show is fun, refreshing and well thought-out. “Crutch” begins in Harlem with a celebration. Jake (Jermaine Fowler), Crutch’s son, has just graduated from Columbia Law School, and his father couldn’t be more thrilled. In celebration, Jake’s older sister, Jamilah (Adrianna Mitchell), and her kids, Lisa (Braxton Paul) and Mase (Finn Maloney), travel to New York for the festivities. Additionally, Calvin and Tina (Tichina Arnold) fly in to indulge in the party. Thrilled to have his family in town for a visit, nothing can dampen Crutch’s spirit, not even his sister-in-law, Toni (Kecia Lewis), with whom he has an antagonistic but loving relationship. However, things take a turn after Crutch learns that Jamilah isn’t in town solely for the soiree. She reluctantly reveals she has separated from her gambling-addict husband and needs a place for her and the children to stay for the summer. Things get even stickier when Jake reveals he’s resigned from his role at a prestigious law firm to work in legal aid, which means he will no longer be able to afford his wildly expensive Manhattan apartment. Across the eight-episode first season, the Crutchfields navigate living under one roof while trying to maintain their own autonomy. Crutch tries to be a support system for his kids despite simultaneously tiptoeing on their boundaries. His antics, which include hysterical subway-riding tutorials and his earnest but confounding interventions, come from a good place. Meanwhile, Jake and Jamilah try to orient themselves in this new and unexpected phase back in their childhood home. Minnesota-raised Mase and Lisa are eager to indulge in the fast-paced New York City and be spoiled by their grandfather. Finally, Toni, the voice of reason, continually uses her spare key and good sense to keep everyone sane. A multi-camera comedy filmed before a studio audience, “Crutch” has all the makings of a classic sitcom. The situations are absurd, but the series takes it a step further, using explicit, colorful language because on CBS’ streamer, network rules and regulations do not restrict the dialogue. Episode 3, “Emotional Crutch,” is both amusing and sincere. Feeling increasingly disconnected from Jake, Crutch invites his son to host a game night at his flooring store. However, Crutch does not anticipate millennial men being so emotionally expressive. After seeing Calvin easily connect with the younger men via FaceTime, Crutch realizes that, for him and Jake to form and maintain a stronger father-son bond, he must learn to communicate differently. In addition to the episodic narrative, the show works well thanks to its standout cast. Ms. Pearl (a thrilling Luenell) is Crutch’s brash and nosy neighbor, always perched on her fire escape, eavesdropping and adding her two cents to the Crutchfields’ lives. Moreover, Flaco (Adrian Martinez), Crutch’s best friend and employee, appears in more of the comedy’s slapstick sequences while riffing on Morgan’s signature style. Guest spots from Arsenio Hall, Deon Cole and Vanessa A. Williams also add depth and specificity to this sitcom. Overall, “Crutch” is engaging and easy to watch. Morgan easily steps into the role of a stubborn but well-meaning patriarch who wants the best for his family. Weaving in real-world insights, generational divides, money woes and an ever-changing community, the series is charming, well-developed, and could undoubtedly have a long life both on streaming and on the network. (Which would require some light censoring, of course.) All eight episodes of “Crutch” are now streaming on Paramount+.
