'Broke' Episode 1 Review: Jaime Camill's Javier rescues new CBS sitcom which is clearly a genre cliche
Spoilers for 'Broke' Episode 1 'Pilot'
CBS's latest sitcom 'Broke' is Pauly Perrette's big comeback to the TV screens but it fails to be as striking as it's supposed to be. There's an in-general lack of laughs which it tries to make up with staged studio laughter. However, for all the ways it loses out on being original and not sticking to genre cliches, it makes up for it with Jaime Camill's Javier. Javier is Perrette's character Jackie's brother-in-law, who accompanies her sister to come live at Jackie's after they go broke, and ends up being the only delight of the pilot.
Jackie is your regular dysfunctional single mom with a sweetheart for a kid who isn't exactly a genius, but creative in his own unique ways. Probably why he hits it off right away with Javier — a broke man who can't give up his resplendence even though he has no money anymore. But along with his 'hoity-toity' traits comes a genuinely good heart that fails to see anything but the best version of people, including himself of course.
He is a kind, loving, and devoted husband to Jackie's sister Elizabeth (Natasha Leggero) to the point where he is oblivious to her fake accent and unnecessary splurges. He is also a loyal friend to his chauffeur Louis whose loyalty to Javier runs even deeper — and that two-way balanced healthy friendship is truly a touching dynamic to see between two grown men on TV.
Javier also goes out of his way and imposes without knowing he's doing so but only because he means well. What might come off as overbearing is actually just Javier trying to be helpful in whatever way he can, made only better by him and Luis speaking in rapid Spanish sporadically throughout the pilot. Javier is constantly supportive of those around him, including Jackie whom he hasn't really bonded with in the past.
But Javier makes it a point to tell Jackie what an incredible mother she is, even when her sister fails at stressing on it enough. And this giant, easy on the eyes, wholesome dumpling of a character and his special bonds with the other two men on the show might just prove to be what the show needs to find a voice beyond cliches somewhere along its run.
Plot-wise, there's not much else the show promises. Jackie's troubles are those of a signature single TV more, she is loud and dominating, even though incredibly great at being a mother to her son. Jackie's sister is a giant sobbing mess who says things like 'Oh my Gucci' and carries a white chihuahua in her purse. Luis is the fancy butler packing on the tone of sensitivity on the show, and the moments where you feel like the writing is too hard to be funny, things get worse with studio laughter.
Not the most striking beginning, but we shall give it a second chance purely for Javier.
'Broke' premiered on Friday, April 3, at 10 PM only on CBS.