Poppa’s House: Season 1 Episode 1 “Pilot” – Recap and Review
The Wayans family returns to network television, and as they adapt to the humor of the times, it remains clear the Wayans aren’t just a family name but an undeniable and consistent brand.
| Originally Aired | October 21, 2024 |
| Network | CBS |
| Director(s) | Andy Ackerman |
| Writer(s) | Damon Wayans and Kevin Hench |
| Character | ACTOR’S NAME |
| Poppa Damon | Damon Wayans |
| Damon Jr. | Damon Wayans Jr. |
| Nina | Tetona Jackson |
| Allen | Bryan Safi |
| Ivy | Essence Atkins |
| JJ | Geoffrey Owens |
Storyline Recap
A Boy With A Dream – Poppa Damon, Damon Jr, Nina
Damon Jr. and Poppa Damon live next to each other, and while Damon Jr. has a job in sales, thanks to his wife, Nina, having a dad who gave him a job, a loan for their house, and his daughter, it isn’t enough. Damon Jr. wants to direct short films and is ready to risk it all to do so. He does, and never mind losing his job, considering they are already in couples’ therapy; this could be one of the straws that could break his marriage.
A Change Gonna Come – Allen, Poppa Damon, Damon Jr. Ivy
Poppa Damon’s job for decades has been as a solo radio host, but with ratings slipping, especially among women, after Poppa Damon’s divorce, Dr. Ivy Reed is brought in, and Poppa Damon is ready to tell his producer, Allen, where to stick her, and it isn’t in his studio. However, Poppa Damon can’t give Damon Jr. speeches about being a man and providing for his family while quitting just because he doesn’t like change. So, while he may not like having a co-host or cameras in the studio, he accepts Ivy’s presence, and her being a fan of pre-divorce Poppa Damon doesn’t hurt.
Live In Reality Till Your Dreams Come True – Poppa Damon, Damon Jr, Nina, JJ
Due to Poppa Damon and Nina’s father knowing each other since the 1970s, seemingly in middle or high school, there is a love/hate relationship there. But while JJ was upset that Damon Jr. sought his career over JJ’s business, with Damon Jr. willing to fully commit to a management track and coming up with slogans JJ could appreciate, he was rehired.
This allows Nina and Damon Jr. to seemingly use some techniques they learned in therapy to heal their relationship and end the episode in a good place.
Other Noteworthy Information
- Created By Damon Wayans and Kevin Hench
New Character Descriptions
Poppa Damon
Damon Sr., known on the radio as Big Poppa Fulton, is a 7-time Marconi Radio Award winner, divorcee, and father to one.
Damon Jr.
Damon Jr. dreams of directing shorts for a living, but with a wife and kids, he works for his father-in-law, JJ, selling foam rollers.
Nina
Nina is Damon Jr.’s wife.
Allen
Allen is Poppa Damon’s producer, who often acts as his middleman between him and the corporate side of the radio station.
Ivy
Dr. Ivy Reed is a best-selling author and podcast host who is brought onto Poppa’s program due to his ratings dipping, mainly among women. She is a big fan of Poppa and has been listening to him since she was in college, but she has noticed how his divorce has turned him sour on air.
JJ
JJ is Nina’s father, the Foam Roller King, who has known Poppa Damon since at least 1978.
Question(s) Left Unanswered
- Who is going to play Damon Jr’s mother?
Review
Highlights
Nina and Damon Jr.’s Relationship
One of the top things I love about Nina and Damon Jr. is that, even with the mention that they are seeing a counselor, you can tell there is still love in the relationship. Maybe more disappointment than either want, but nothing to the point of seeming they are days away from divorce.
Also, I appreciate the flip on the whole “Happy wife, happy life” idea and the fact that it is clear that they both need to be happy and fulfilled for the marriage to work.
Poppa Damon and Ivy’s Dynamic
Essence Atkins is damn near an honorable Wayans at this point, if not the Regina Hall of the Wayans TV side. With that said, her back and forth with Damon, especially as they rapped back and forth, was comical, and I appreciate it being established that Ivy is a fan who wants Damon to evolve. It’s recognized that his marriage and divorce hurt him, and he uses humor to get through it, but the humor has tainted a joyful man who really got people through tough times. It hints that this isn’t just going to be a zany comedy with funny voices and comical dialog but has some depth to it.
What To Check Out Next & How To Check This Out
Absolutely awful !