Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mature content, heart in Davidson's semi-bio series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Bupkis
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Based on the real life of comedian Pete Davidson (who's also on the writing team for this show), BUPKIS stars Davidson as Pete Davidson, a successful comic with an unsavory public reputation and a difficult past. When we meet up with the fictional Pete, he's living in the basement of his mom Amy's (Edie Falco) house, and at a crossroads in his life. He navigates life adventures both ordinary and ridiculous in Staten Island, New York.
Is It Any Good?
Cheerfully profane and yet unexpectedly sincere, this meta comedy about Pete Davidson's supposed real life is by turns hilarious and affecting. The charm of Bupkis lies mostly in the combination of over-the-top sitcom-style hijinks, and emotional beats that read as genuine. Davidson pulls off both with aplomb. The pilot episode of Bupkis sets up the tone and format of the show: Wishing to spend a memorable night with his grandfather Joe (Joe Pesci), Pete engages the services of a sex worker. The plan devolves until Pete eventually finds himself literally providing the locomotion for his Uncle Roy (Brad Garrett) during sex…a selfless act of service that deeply touches Joe, who expresses his pride in his grandson in a genuinely moving moment.
Bupkis' quality owes much to the casting, which is excellent: Edie Falco disappears into her role as Pete's patient mom but gives every scene a crackling intensity; Pesci is quieter and more sentimental than we're used to seeing him, yet he jumps off the screen as always. Then there are the marquee guest stars that pop up: Steve Buscemi, Jane Curtin, John Mulaney, Bobby Cannavale. Some of them have funny, small bits; some have truly meaty ones: Cannavale plays Davidson's Uncle Tommy, who connects with his young nephew a few weeks after Pete's father was killed in 9/11 (a storyline taken from Pete Davidson's real life). Bupkis is a comedy with power and depth that earns its laughs.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the setting for Bupkis: Staten Island, New York. Shows set in New York City generally take place in Manhattan. Why? Is there something particularly funny about Staten Island? How does Bupkis use its setting?
Do you know any other shows that star main characters who also write and produce the show? How does Bupkis compare with these shows? Why would an actor want to write a show for themself to star in?
Families can talk about the different types of humor. Why do some comedians use strong language and/or make crude references, while others don't? Is edgy material funnier than tamer stuff? Where does Pete Davidson's comedy fall on the spectrum?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 4, 2023
- Cast : Pete Davidson , Edie Falco , Joe Pesci
- Network : Peacock
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : May 14, 2023
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