While the comedy-centric truTV is technically still getting into the swing of things with its original scripted programming, the cable channel's breakout smash may already be upon us. Premiering this week, I'm Sorry is the creation of (and the long-awaited spotlight role for) comedic actress, writer and producer Andrea Savage, most recently known for her work on Veep. The hilariously unbridled new series sits firmly alongside TV's current masterclass of female-fronted TV, and I'm not the least bit remorseful saying that with I'm Sorry, Savage has crafted one of 2017's best comedies, new or otherwise.
I'm Sorry centers on Andrea Savage playing a comedy writer named Andrea who, from an outsider's perspective, may appear to have her entire life in working order, but she's always letting the cracks show in one way or another. (Usually with words.) She's got a great marriage with her less extroverted husband Mike, played by Tom Everett Scott in a rare comedic turn, and they're raising a young daughter, Amelia (Olive Petrucci), whose would-be precociousness is outweighed by her offbeat curiosities. If this family was living in a social vacuum, things might be okay, but Andrea's connections to the outside world are where the character's impulsive and cringe-worthy neuroses come out to play.
To play the comparisons game, I'm Sorry works as a spiritual elixir of FX's Better Things and HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm, but with regular appearances from the unflinchingly lewd Jason Mantzoukas, who singularly makes such comparisons moot. Known best for The League and Brooklyn Nine-Nine (and the podcast How Did This Get Made?), Mantzoukas plays Andrea's libidinous friend and writing partner Kyle, whose appearances on screen definitely implies a risqué part of the anatomy will become a topic of discussion. Slightly more normal is Andrea's brother, played by fellow Veep vet Nelson Franklin, and to keep the Veep party going, one of Andrea's divorced parents is portrayed by sitcom extraordinaire Martin Mull, while her somewhat naive mother is played by Picket Fences familiar Kathy Baker.
To be sure, I'm Sorry isn't rewriting the book on comedy, as the Season 1 episodes screened for critics largely centered on the kinds of real-life situations that families go through at this stage, with some more TV-familiar instances. Episodes will center on Andrea having some kind of an awkward encounter with a fellow mom at her daughter's school, or with a fellow yoga student, or with her parents, or with Mike. Much awkwardness occurs, and viewers will want to watch from behind closed fingers at times, especially for the episode "Racist Daughter." Kids say the darnedest things, don't they?
But while I'm Sorry isn't hanging every story thread on some high concept plot, it is definitely delivering some of the funniest jokes on TV right now, and Andrea Savage is pitch-perfect while delivering the lioness' share of them. Her Sweet Valley High debut may not have been the clearest sign of things to come, but Savage has been slaying audiences for years in shows like Dog Bites Man, Funny or Die Presents..., Hulu's beyond amazingHotwives spoof, and iZombie. Her two noteworthy other current gigs are as Acting President Laura Montez in Veep's recent seasons, and as head of the network Helen Basch on Episodes, which returns for its final season soon. And yes, we'll imbibe on as many more TV roles as Andrea Savage is capable of delivering.
I'm Sorry obviously delves into some mature subject matter -- one episode is called "Ass Cubes," after all, though I suppose that also makes it sound immature -- but truTV is giving audiences an excellent choice when it puts the comedy out into the world. The live airings on truTV will be censored cuts, and fans will be able to access the uncensored episodes via On Demand and TV Everywhere. It'd be interesting to see more shows go that route, because I get that not everybody wants to hear foul and suggestive language. But for those of us that do, I'm Sorry drops some truly fantastic obscenities in viewers' ears.
If you're looking for a TV series that showcases the kinds of off-the-wall conversations you and your friends probably have (possibly snarkily and about other people), this is for you. If you're finished streaming G.L.O.W. and in search of another female-fronted comedy that will make you paranoid you've peed yourself laughing, this is for you. If you like a show that features a bevy pf supporting and guest cast members like Judy Greer, Lyndon Smith, Judith Light and June Squibb, this is for you. I could keep going, but basically, if you're not immediately watching I'm Sorry when it premieres, you'll be sorr...owful.
I'm Sorry makes its Season 1 premiere on truTV on Wednesday, July 12, at 10:00 p.m. ET. Be sure to watch it, and be sure to check out our summer TV premiere schedule to see all the other new and returning shows hitting the small screen in the near future.
