Eat Wheaties!

Hale is a master of socially awkward characters, and he shines in this otherwise dull comedy. Of Hale's characters, Sid Straw is unique: He's more optimistic and upbeat than Buster Bluth, Veep-whisperer Gary Walsh, or even Forky. Sid is a guy who tries too hard, unaware that he's making everyone around him visibly uncomfortable due to his desperation to fit in. Sid is so fully developed that when he's dropped into a new situation, the psychology of what will inevitably happen is predictable. New to social media and with no one providing guidance, Sid misunderstands that when he "posts" on someone's page, it's not a private message. Consequences ensue, including how the social media world reacts to Sid's mistake, and it costs him everything.

But when Sid is made aware of his mistake, he doesn't alter his actions in a believable fashion. The example of the effects of "cancel culture" on a nonpublic figure is rather gentle, and that's a missed opportunity. Sid doesn't seem to feel the utter humiliation that many people would experience from going viral for something embarrassing. Including that socioemotional observation would add value for teen viewers who might be tempted to make negative comments on others' posts. On the other hand, it also stands as an example that today's headline is quickly yesterday's news. And in today's cyberbullying world, "it gets better" is a message of strength that's more powerful than a bowl of nutrient-laced breakfast flakes.