Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: an unlikely candidate runs for office as a publicity stunt. And he wins.
The difference between reality and ABC’s new television series is that Courtney Rose (Brandon Michael Hall), the young rapper who becomes the titular public official in THE MAYOR, actually takes the job seriously after he wins.
While Courtney had originally put his name on the ballot to help sell some albums and get his name out there, he, his mother and his two best friends (who are also doubling as his campaign staffers) are all shocked when he actually wins. But the residents of Fort Grey, California seem to want change and they see something they like in the 27 year old rapper. While Courtney originally wants to resign his new job immediately after winning, his mother convinces him he needs to see this responsibility through.
Enter Valentina (Lea Michele), one of Courtney’s former high school classmates who appoints herself his staffer after his win. She wants him to embrace the serious side of his new job, but he and his friends are determined to accomplish things their way, even if it’s a little unorthodox.
THE MAYOR is a little gem of a comedy series. It’s a welcome escape from the reality of another similar unlikely win and Brandon Michael Hall is fun and charismatic as the lead. The laughs that come from his two best friends-turned-staffers will draw you in and while this fish-out-of-water scenario isn’t new, it’s delightful and charming.
THE MAYOR premieres tonight (October 3) at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.