The Other Two
The Other Two
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Other Two is a comedy about two adult siblings who struggle to deal with their 13-year-old brother's sudden rise to fame. The family in this show is supportive and loving: They hug each other, they say supportive things, they're there for each other. In between sweet family scenes are moments that are quite frank and mature: A woman vows to "see 50 d--ks" in a summer and begins with a hookup in a hotel room. Expect same- and opposite-sex kissing, dating, and sex with movements and noises, but no private parts shown. There's frank talk about body parts: "p---y," "d--k," "butthole." Language is generally mild but one woman calls another "bitch," and another character uses the word "f--k" but it's bleeped. A young teen is inappropriately sexualized by adults. Fame brings a shower of luxury goods: clothing, cars, hotel rooms, clubs (at which a young teen is served alcohol until he passes out). A character jokes about another's "dabbing" (using a form of marijuana), and an authority figure takes molly at a club. Still, characters treat each other with love and dignity, and themes of teamwork, support, and empathy are evident.
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What's the Story?
When their 13-year-old brother, Chase (Case Walker), gets famous overnight, Cary (Drew Tarver) and Brooke (Heléne Yorke) feel that they're suddenly relegated to the status of THE OTHER TWO, passed over by their mother, Pat (Molly Shannon), as well as the rest of the world. After all, Brooke was going to be a famous dancer, and Cary a household-name actor. But well into their 30s, Brooke and Cary find their careers stalled -- and then "Marry U at Recess" becomes a monster hit, and Chase is launched into a whole new world. Can this family find a way to stick together when fame threatens to tear them apart?
Is It Any Good?
Smart, fresh dialogue, a promising premise, and the interactions of a family who genuinely love each other make this comedy an absolute pleasure to watch. A comedy about siblings left behind while their younger brother rockets to fame could have been crass, ugly, and snarky, filled with characters we'd love to hate. Instead, it's instantly clear that Chase, Brooke, and Cary deeply care about each other in The Other Two. Brooke and Cary are naturally a little jealous of their little brother, as well as interested in soaking up the spoils of fame (cue red-carpet-clubs-and-limos montage), but they're also protective of Chase and care about what happens to him.
Not that that makes Brooke and Cary feel any better about their lives, with Brooke broke, stuck in a dead-end job, and intent on a quest to "see 50 d--ks" in one summer, while Cary works as a waiter, dances half-heartedly in a street revue for NYC tourists, and just had a callback for a commercial to play the part of "man at party who smells a fart." Both wanted fame, they both chased it. And yet Chase was inexplicably, instantly, and effortlessly able to achieve what they weren't. You'd have to be a saint to handle that, and Brooke and Cary are far from it. But watching them struggle to roll with the changes sure is fun.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how media and the internet shapes our view on what's good or what's popular. Who decides what we see on TV? What about online? What makes a TV show successful? What makes something successful online? Are the two things different? Why?
Can clever writing really poke fun at serious subjects like homophobia or sexism? Has the line of what's considered acceptable vs. offensive changed, and is that line different for cable and network shows? Should it be?
Does this show push boundaries relating to sex and drinking/drugs? How much sexual content in media is appropriate for kids? Is the use of drugs or alcohol on this show acceptable? What should parents say to kids about underage drinking on TV shows?
How do the characters on The Other Two demonstrate empathy and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 24, 2019
- Cast: Molly Shannon, Drew Tarver, Case Walker, Heléne Yorke
- Network: Comedy Central
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 3, 2023
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