Relatively early in the show's run, Keith David joined the cast as President Curtis during season 2, and he has since reprised the role several times over the last 11 years. But now, it seems as though the first official TV spin-off of the series is focused on none other than this minor recurring character.
With that, President Curtis season 1 kicks off immediately following the events of Rick and Morty season 9's finale. The series centers on the President of the United States, Andre Curtis, along with his chief of staff, Banks, voiced by Stephanie Beatriz, and his trusted security detail, Special Agent O'Doyle, voiced by Jim Rash.
President Curtis Is Rick and Morty But Competent
Rick and Morty manages to subvert expectations and bring something exciting and new to the table when it comes to the world of TV, and the fact that it manages all of that while being an animated series only adds to how impressive it is. However, when the same basic formula is taken and transferred over to a new team of characters, it kind of feels like it lacks originality.
It just feels like a slightly more competent and elevated version of the original show.
That's an odd thing to say considering this is part of the same creative team, and they are essentially applying their original and creative ideas to a brand-new series, but the way this feels like Rick and Morty 2.0 is overwhelming and stifles some of the potential for the series. That being said, there are distinctions worth highlighting even now. For example, instead of the dysfunctional Smith family, this series stars the slightly less dysfunctional President and two of his staff.
Each character brings something different to the table, and they are clearly more capable than most of the Smith family, with incredible skills and even some unexpected abilities. That being said, it just feels like a slightly more competent and elevated version of the original show, which kind of erases some of the charm and quirkiness of the adventure. Thankfully, this is made up in other ways that make President Curtis an enjoyable series to dive into.
President Curtis Leans Into The Chaos
From the very first episode, the core characters, Curtis, Banks, and O'Doyle establish the strengths that they bring to the table. Curtis is unpredictable, and despite his high status, he is willing to get his hands dirty and interact with people on a face-to-face basis. Banks is part robot, and has incredible tech and organizational skills, and, of course, O'Doyle, who is a tough guy with half-leprachaun blood that grants him other abilities.
The voice acting of David, Beatriz, and Rash certainly creates an engaging and entertaining dynamic, as each of these incredible comedy actors delivers a strong performance and imbues their characters with a full personality. Jim Rash, in particular, is unrecognizable in his performance, encapsulating a persona that seems very different from previous characters he has tackled.
As a result, the series feels chaotic, messy, and experimental, but that all adds to the charm and tone that makes it a part of the world of Rick and Morty. It's less grotesque and erotic, more contained and confident, and ultimately a new approach that does a decent job of establishing a new baseline despite the incredible gravity and weight of the original series.
President Curtis Still Needs To Find The Thing That Sets It Apart
Rick and Morty is a phenomenon. The show has exploded in popularity, and the fanbase is extremely dedicated. Just look at how it inspired a limited release of the McDonald's Szechuan sauce, and you can see that this is a fandom that goes all out for the show they love. So, it's a real challenge for any spin-off to succeed on its own feet, which is going to continue to be a challenge as the show goes on.
However, there is room for these characters to develop their stories and become just as charming and engaging as Rick, Morty, and the other members of the Smith family. Already in season 1 of President Curtis, there is an attempt made to open up their backstories and make them more familiar, but the show needs to continue to establish its unique identity outside of Rick and Morty.
President Curtis does not live up to the high bar of Rick and Morty, but it shouldn't try to.
Assuming they can find a way to take things in a different direction and create a clearer line than the idea that these adventures are the ones Rick Sanchez can't be bothered to deal with, then President Curtis could find its niche and have some staying power. But if the show just keeps on being a Rick and Morty clone with characters that people are less familiar with or concerned about, then it may not have much of a future.
Ultimately, President Curtis does not live up to the high bar of Rick and Morty, but it shouldn't try to. Instead of playing with similar quirky missions and super technologies, this show has room to be more experimental and confrontational in a way that suits Dan Harmon's humor. Assuming it can find the avenues to capitalize on that, there is potential for this to be a great show. But after season 1, I need to see something more to win me over.
President Curtis begins airing on Adult Swim from July 26, with streaming available the next day.
English (US) ·