Many films strive to be original, but it is getting increasingly more difficult to come up with a storyline that doesn’t already have a similar counterpart or one that would be actually intriguing for viewers.

However, the new TV series on Peacock, Mr. Mayor, didn’t seem to try too hard to be original. The show, whose first episode aired on January 7, 2021, contained elements from both workplace and office scenarios as well as family drama scenes.

I’m usually the type to criticize content for unoriginality; I always enjoy finding variety in my entertainment, but lately, everything feels more or less the same. Mr. Mayor, unfortunately, did not escape this category.

Despite not having the exact characteristics I was seeking, Mr. Mayor did not fail to give me the simple pleasure I longed for.

Among the multiple storylines in the series, I most enjoyed the office building encounters. The completely underqualified Mayor of Los Angeles, Neil Bremer (Ted Danson), has many encounters that flooded my emotions with humor, wholesomeness, and painful awkwardness.

Within this storyline lies my favorite characters: Mikaela Shaw (Vella Lovell), who is Bremer’s Chief of Staff, and Tommy Tomás (Mike Cabellon), who is the Chief Strategist.

Both Shaw and Tomás feel nearly The Office-esque, which personally made them absolutely amazing. On the whole, the show strays from the general attitude of The Office, but I can definitely feel a little bit of the show’s influence through some of the Mayor’s staff members.

Even though Shaw and Tomás bear faint resemblances in personality to characters from other popular series, they both shine as individuals as well. Shaw is funny and realistic, and relatable, so she definitely wins the spot as my favorite character. Tomás, on the other hand, is sarcastic and cynical, as well as being amusing to watch, making the first place spot a tie.

Thankfully, there is one character that shines through with creativity. While she may not be the most lovable character, Arpi Meskimen (Holly Hunter), the Deputy Mayor who can never seem to side with Bremer, is unlike any other. Hunter perfectly displays Meskimen’s radical views; however, she still makes the viewers leave room for a soft spot for the Mayor’s rival. 

On the other hand, the at-home life of Mr. Mayor was without originality or humor. I believe I could find a similar plot in other television shows, where one parent dies, and the other is completely incompetent at raising the lone child.

Orly Bremer (Kyle Kenedy), Bremer’s daughter, is a sophomore in high school and predictably spends her days talking to her friends, scrolling through TikTok, and fighting with her father. Orly has the usual “moody teenage girl” personality with not much room for individuality, so I can’t appreciate her character as much as I can  Shaw’s and Tomás’s. Overall, though, she is still likable and relatable.

Although the show was entertaining and hilarious, there was one glaring issue in my eyes. There were frequent references to real-life things, such as phrases teenagers use nowadays, Orly’s entire personality, common social media apps, and how perplexed all of the older characters are with technology. Once in a while, these mentions can be comical, but after a while, it felt as though the show was cramming them in an attempt to make the episodes more relatable, while really just getting on my nerves.

Regardless of the issues with a few of the lines, the physical humor that the actors portrayed was on point. The way Bremer texts and swipes on his phone—in the stiff and awkward way that many older people do—was so realistic it put a smile on my face. When I looked away from the screen for a few moments, it seemed like I was missing the best part of the episode.

For the most part, I was satisfied with my Mr. Mayor experience. I definitely believe that there were certain aspects that have room for improvement, but I think the show is worth a watch and deserving of a higher rating than the 45% Rotten Tomatoes gave.