The sitcom “B Positive” has been cancelled, and I why do I think it’s a good thing? I don’t normally review current shows. But the Pandemic had me watching more TV than usual. So, here we go. This time we review “B Positive,” which will not return this Fall.
Thapson
Interesting Premise
We have a young father of a teenage daughter, Drew Dunbar (Thomas Middleditch), who needs a kidney transplant. Complicating matters is the fact that he’s going through a divorce. He needs to find a matching donor to ensure the transplant is successful. And he’s lucky to find one in Gina Dabrowski (Annaleigh Ashford), and she’s happy to oblige. Gina is a “wild child” with a heart of gold, but her lifestyle gives Drew sleepless nights. She needs to remain clean and sober, to ensure use of her donor kidney. Despite the lifestyle, Gina’s quite responsible as she works as a shuttle driver for retirement home residents. This will be important as the show progresses. The interplay between the overly cautious Drew, and the fun-loving Gina underscores the show’s fun. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last.
Where it Lost the Plot
Despite the interesting theme, the producers seem to lose the plot soon enough. Thrown in with the two leads, we have an interesting array of other characters who add to the humor. With Gina and Drew being such charming opposites, we soon wonder when they might end up getting together. Their interplay heading towards the coming procedure, is an interesting journey in itself. It could have been carried further. But then the producers throw in a new love interest for Gina, and the show takes a turn into an unexpected direction. While he’s interesting, it’s clear the producers have chewed off more than they can handle. I don’t know what possessed them to complicate things this way, but I feel it never recovered from it.
The Operation and New Direction
Despite close calls, Gina stays “clean enough” for the proposed transplant day. The operation goes well, but both she and Drew have already drifted apart. He’s clearly developed feelings for her, but her free-spirited nature fails to recognize this. Her romantic fling is strangely written off using some weird story twist. But the damage has already been done. It’s clear things may never be the same again between them.
Things get really weird as Gina inherits a large sum of money from a deceased patient. She decides to buy the retirement home and run it herself. By now the show has completely morphed into another theme by Season 2. A jilted Drew buys a van, and goes off on a road trip – something he’s not good at. He drops by occasionally at the retirement home, where we have a new, albeit amazing cast.
Limp Into Oblivion
Despite a stellar new cast, the show is teetering and directionless. There are some interesting storylines with Gina struggling to run the retirement home, as the producers attempt to resuscitate show. They have no clue what to do with Drew. The poor guy who was a lead at one time, is reduced to occasional appearances. Stretching the pre—operation phase a longer would have offered more stories. Maybe more of Drew’s daughter and ex-wife would have been fun. The interplay with the two leads had some interesting scenarios was fun and alone would have kept the show more watchable. The ”will they,” “won’t they” was an icing on the cake. But I’m no expert, and someone definitely messed up. The result is the loss of viewership, and eventual well-deserved cancellation. Pity, as I really was rooting for it.
Notable Cast
Season 1
Annaleigh Ashford as Gina Dabrowski
She literally is the life of this sitcom. It’s a pity her performance was lost to this show.
Thomas Middleditch as Drew Dunbar
Managed to play the of a neurotic kidney recipient pretty well. I hated what the producers did to him after the operation.
Linda Lavin as Norma
A pleasant surprise on the show, Linda Lavin is a legend for playing on some great sitcoms from the 70s and 80s.
Terrence Terrell as Eli Russell
I only know Terrence most from his role as the “motaur” in the insurance commercials, although his repertoire is much more than just that. He played “spoiler,” as he literally derails a surefire romantic potential between the leads. His charisma, and larger than life personality is likely to blame here.
David Anthony Higgins as Jerry
I have always loved his style of comedy from the days of “Higgins Boys and Gruber,” “Ellen,” etc. Loved seeing him on this show.
Season 2
I don’t even need to write about these members of cast that joined in Season 2. Their career speaks for itself. Unfortunately, they signed up on a show that was already on its throes, and they can’t be blamed for its debacle.
Hector Elizondo as Harry
Jane Seymour as Bette
Ben Vereen as Peter
Pros
“B Positive” likely created an awareness of the important issue of organ donation. It also portrays the complications faced by both the donor and the recipient. The popular “opposites attract” scenario is well portrayed with some hilarious situations. Both lead characters do a good job, as do many of the cast members. It was fun to see David Anthony Higgins, as he is one of my favorites from the days of “Higgins Boys and Gruber” on the Ha! Channel.
The cast a surprise when the show shifts to the retirement home theme. Hector Elizondo, Ben Vereen, Jane Seymour, among others are a treat. But what can they do when the show’s lost its direction altogether? A pity really.
Cons
Do not try to chew off more than you can swallow. Keep it simple! The producers added too much spice to the broth, which made it a bit too indigestible for the audience. It started with Gina’s love interest in Terrence Terrell, who was among Drew’s “kidney group.” He was way too perfect to be written off easily – which is what happened. He overshadowed the character of Drew messing up what looked a simple, albeit hilarious plot line.
Realizing they messed up, the producer’s resort to changes that alter the show so much, it is jarring to say the least. They bring in an impressive cast, hoping we might forget what it was about in the first place. No such luck. Drew is literally written off, and likely only making contractual appearances by now.
Conclusion
There have been other sitcoms in history that evolved over the seasons. But B Positive turns on its head.
The only thing I dislike about the Season 1 are the intro credits – a little too queasy for me. The wonderful cast, on the other hand, is the only shining light on Season 2. The only thing that remains consistent through the seasons is Annaleigh Ashford. She is brilliant and a joy to watch. Portraying the lives of the residents of the retirement home, along with their particular issues, was a good thought, but I feel it belonged in a different show.
Goodbye B Positive, it was fun while it lasted. Hope the producers learn something from this sad debacle.
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