It’s a tried-and-true recipe that’s made a number of US comedy series a success: a pinch of heartbreak, a spoonful of romance, and a good dose of humor. All of this in the mega-metropolis of New York City, where there seem to be endless possibilities – including when it comes to finding love. In Sex and the City columnist Carrie Bradshaw became a figure of identification, in How I met your mother it was the dreamy romantic Ted Mosby. The new Netflix series Uncoupled relies on the same recipe. Should be a success, right?
The script was written by Darren Star, who already provided the template for Sex and the City delivered. This time he doesn’t have women in tulle dresses but a gay real estate agent looking for his Mr. Big. With Neil Patrick Harris in the leading role, expectations are even higher. Even as a funny womanizer Barney Stinson he made How I met your mother legendary with absurd pick-up lines and flirt tips. Now he’s playing Michael, in his late 40s, also wearing a suit – and has been in a steady relationship with his partner Colin (Tuc Watkins) for years.
Dating apps are about age, looks and dick picks
On his birthday of all days, shortly before the guests happily shout “surprise”, Colin announces that he has moved out of the shared apartment. The unsuspecting Michael is perplexed, but soon has to realize that his efforts to save the relationship are hopeless. For eight episodes he tries to come to terms with his new life as a single in New York.
While a Barney Stinson would have quickly found his way in such a situation and retold his love adventures in an entertaining way, the now aging Michael has to get used to new dating apps like Grindr. It’s not about who comes up with the most creative pick-up lines or who you share the most interests with. It’s about age, looks, dick pics. Michael’s two best friends – also gay and looking for a partner for a long time – are there to give him advice.
However, the characters – above all Michael – often seem exaggerated and clichéd and the acting performance of Neil Patrick Harris is rather lame this time. What is most disappointing is the often boring and not very humorous implementation of the actually interesting story. The shallow jokes and predictable characters don’t make the series half as watchable as its two successful originals. So it’s better to watch the series classics in terms of New York City dating again. Even if Uncoupled the partner search shows are more modern and diverse Sex and the City and How I met your mother simply more entertaining.
Uncoupled, on Netflix.
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