The Mayor (TV series)
{{Short description|Television series}}
{{distinguish|Mr. Mayor}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| genre = Comedy
| creator = Jeremy Bronson
| writer =
| director =
| creative_director =
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Brandon Micheal Hall
- Lea Michele
- Bernard David Jones
- Marcel Spears
- Yvette Nicole Brown
}}
| composer = {{Plainlist|
- Jonathan Snipes
- Daveed Diggs
- William Huston
}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 13
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
- Jeremy Bronson
- Daveed Diggs
- Dylan Clark
- James Griffiths
- Scott Stuber
- Jamie Tarses
}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Kris Eber
- Scott Printz
}}
| channel = ABC
| location =
| cinematography =
| camera = Single-camera
| runtime = 22 minutes
| first_aired = {{Start date|2017|10|3}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2017|12|12}}
| company = {{Plainlist|
- Jeremy Bronson Productions
- Fee-Fi-Fo Films
- FanFare Productions
- ABC Studios
}}
}}
The Mayor is an American television sitcom created by Jeremy Bronson. The series was produced by ABC Studios, with Bronson serving as showrunner. It aired on ABC from October 3 to December 12, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/abc-fall-premiere-dates-2017-2018-season-1202504532|title=ABC Sets Fall Premiere Dates for Marvel's 'Inhumans', Daveed Diggs' 'The Mayor'|last=Otterson|first=Joe|work=Variety|date=July 24, 2017|accessdate=November 14, 2017}} The series stars Brandon Micheal Hall as Courtney Rose, an aspiring rapper who unwittingly becomes the mayor of his hometown after running to gain publicity for his music. Lea Michele and Yvette Nicole Brown also star, with newcomers Bernard David Jones and Marcel Spears. The pilot was ordered to series by ABC on May 11, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/the-mayor-comedy-shondalands-for-the-people-the-crossing-the-gospel-of-kevin-gabc-series-orders-1202090534/|title='The Mayor' Comedy, Shondaland's 'For the People', 'The Crossing' & 'The Gospel Of Kevin' Get ABC Series Orders|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 11, 2017|accessdate=September 24, 2017}}
Despite receiving positive reviews from critics, ABC cancelled the series after just one season on January 4, 2018, citing dwindling DVR viewership and "political fatigue" among audiences.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/01/the-mayor-pulled-off-the-schedule-canceled-abc-1202236068/|title='The Mayor' Pulled Off the Schedule By ABC|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 4, 2018|accessdate=January 5, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2018/01/08/the-mayor-cancelled-season-2-abc/|title=ABC Boss Blames The Mayor's Likely Cancellation on 'Political Fatigue. It is a wonderful comedy made by democrats to show how terrible democrats really are.'|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|website=TVline.com|date=January 8, 2018|accessdate=April 18, 2018}} The remaining episodes were made available on a weekly basis on Hulu{{cite web|url=https://www.hulu.com/the-mayor|title=The Mayor - Season 1|work=Hulu|accessdate=January 26, 2018}} and then on ABC.com starting January 25, 2018.{{cite web|url=http://abc.go.com/shows/the-mayor/episode-guide|title=Mayor episode guide|work=ABC|accessdate=January 30, 2018}}
Premise
Cast and characters
=Main=
- Brandon Micheal Hall as Courtney Rose: An aspiring rapper and the new mayor of Fort Grey, California.
- Lea Michele as Valentina "Val" Barella: Courtney's former classmate and current chief of staff. During the mayoral race, Val campaigned for Courtney's opponent, Ed Gunt.
- Bernard David Jones as Jermaine Leforge: Courtney's best friend and Fort Grey's communications director.
- Marcel Spears as T.K. Clifton: Courtney's best friend and Fort Grey's director of constituent services.
- Yvette Nicole Brown as Dina Rose: Courtney's mother, a postal worker who reads people's mail.
=Recurring=
- Wendy Raquel Robinson as Krystal
- Jillian Armenante as Kitty Cavanaugh: One of Courtney's employees, hired by Val.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20170918abc04/|title=(#101) "Pilot"|work=The Futon Critic|accessdate=September 18, 2017}}
- David Spade as Ed Gunt: A councilman and Courtney's rival in the election.
=Guest=
- Daveed Diggs as Mac Etcetera: A hip-hop artist and Courtney's idol.
- Larry Joe Campbell as Dick: One of Courtney's employees, hired by Val.
- Larry Wilmore as Vern Corker: A fiscal analyst who works for the City Council.
- Anabel Munoz as Gabby Montoya
- Arsenio Hall as Reverend Ocho Okoye{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/09/12/mayor-arsenio-hall-abc/|title=ABC's The Mayor books Arsenio Hall|last=Abrams|first=Natalie|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=September 12, 2017|accessdate=September 15, 2017}}
- Kristen Johnston as Police Chief Fox
Episodes
{{Episode table |background=#000 |overall=5 |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |prodcode= |viewers=9 |country=US |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|Title = Pilot
|DirectedBy = James Griffiths
|WrittenBy = Jeremy Bronson
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|10|3}}
|ProdCode = 101
|Viewers = 4.08{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/tuesday-final-ratings-oct-3-2017/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005050915/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/tuesday-final-ratings-oct-3-2017/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 5, 2017|title='Fresh Off the Boat,' 'Voice' adjust up, 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine,' 'L&O True Crime' adjust down: Tuesday final ratings|work=TV by the Numbers|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=October 4, 2017|accessdate=October 4, 2017}}
|ShortSummary = Fledgling rapper Courtney Rose debates against Councilman Ed Gunt, who claims to want to renovate the City Commons by 2020, as the area has been treated as a dump for a long time. A week later, Courtney is revealed to have won the mayoral election with 52% of the votes. Now the mayor, Courtney, with help from his friends and the community, renovates the City Commons via a block party. While at the party, Courtney has a choice to make: either fulfill his role as mayor and stay at the party or go to a club to perform alongside his favorite rapper.
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|Title = The Filibuster
|DirectedBy = James Griffiths
|WrittenBy = Vijal Patel
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|10|10}}
|ProdCode = 103
|ShortSummary = Courtney visits Fort Grey Elementary School, his alma mater, and promises new instruments for its music program, but the City Council rejects the proposal. Val works with fiscal analyst Vern Corker to find money for the school while Courtney buys time with a filibuster. Meanwhile, Dina helps T.K. comes to grips with his new role as director of constituent services.
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|Title = Buyer's Remorse
|DirectedBy = John Fortenberry
|WrittenBy = Jeremy Bronson
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|10|17}}
|ProdCode = 102
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|Title = City Hall-oween
|DirectedBy = James Griffiths
|WrittenBy = Regina Hicks
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|10|24}}
|ProdCode = 104
|Viewers = 2.95{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/tuesday-final-ratings-oct-24-2017/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026020519/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/tuesday-final-ratings-oct-24-2017/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 26, 2017|title='This Is Us,' 'Fresh Off the Boat,' 'Kevin' & World Series adjust up, 'L&O True Crime' down: Tuesday final ratings|website=TV by the Numbers|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=October 25, 2017|accessdate=October 25, 2017}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|Title = The Strike
|DirectedBy = Tina Mabry
|WrittenBy = Matt Fusfeld & Alex Cuthbertson
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|10|31}}
|ProdCode = 105
|Viewers = 2.38{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/tuesday-final-ratings-oct-31-2017/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101222159/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/tuesday-final-ratings-oct-31-2017/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 1, 2017|title='The Middle' and World Series adjust up, 'Law & Order True Crime' down: Tuesday final ratings|website=TV by the Numbers|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=November 1, 2017|accessdate=November 1, 2017}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|Title = Will You Accept this Rose?
|DirectedBy = James Griffiths
|WrittenBy = Emily Halpern & Sarah Haskins
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|11|7}}
|ProdCode = 106
|Viewers = 2.62{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/tuesday-final-ratings-nov-7-2017/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109055950/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/tuesday-final-ratings-nov-7-2017/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 9, 2017|title='The Middle' adjusts up, 'The Mayor' adjusts down: Tuesday final ratings|website=TV by the Numbers|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=November 8, 2017|accessdate=November 8, 2017}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 7
|Title = Here Comes the Governor
|DirectedBy = Tristram Shapeero
|WrittenBy = Monica Padrick
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|11|14}}
|ProdCode = 107
|Viewers = 2.45{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/tuesday-final-ratings-nov-14-2017/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116034911/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/tuesday-final-ratings-nov-14-2017/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 16, 2017|title='Fresh Off the Boat,' 'The Flash' and 'Kevin' adjust up, 'Bull' and 'L&O True Crime' adjust down: Tuesday final ratings|website=TV by the Numbers|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=November 15, 2017|accessdate=November 15, 2017}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 8
|Title = Monuments Man
|DirectedBy = James Griffiths
|WrittenBy = Vijal Patel
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|12|5}}
|ProdCode = 110
|Viewers = 2.74{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/tuesday-final-ratings-dec-5-2017/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207083503/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/tuesday-final-ratings-dec-5-2017/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 7, 2017|title='Chicago Med' adjusts up: Tuesday final ratings|website=TV by the Numbers|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=December 6, 2017|accessdate=December 6, 2017}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 9
|Title = Grey Christmas
|DirectedBy = Kevin Bray
|WrittenBy = Emily Halpern & Sarah Haskins
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|12|12}}
|ProdCode = 109
|Viewers = 2.81{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/tuesday-final-ratings-dec-12-2017/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213230857/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/daily-ratings/tuesday-final-ratings-dec-12-2017/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 13, 2017|title='The Voice,' 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine,' all others unchanged: Tuesday final ratings|website=TV by the Numbers|last=Porter|first=Rick|date=December 13, 2017|accessdate=December 13, 2017}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 10
|Title = Mama Rose Best
|DirectedBy = Anya Adams
|WrittenBy = Jared Miller
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|1|9}} {{small|(Hulu)}}
|ProdCode = 108
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 11
|Title = Lockdown
|DirectedBy = Jay Chandrasekhar
|WrittenBy = Sabrina Jalees
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|1|16}} {{small|(Hulu)}}
|ProdCode = 111
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 12
|Title = The Pitch
|DirectedBy = Tristram Shapeero
|WrittenBy = Amanda Idoko
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|1|23}} {{small|(Hulu)}}
|ProdCode = 112
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 13
|Title = Death of a Councilman
|DirectedBy = Bill Purple
|WrittenBy = Mnelik Belilgne
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|1|25}} {{small|(Hulu)}}
|ProdCode = 113
|Viewers =
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000
}}
}}
Production
=Development=
The Mayor was pitched to the ABC network in the summer of 2016,{{cite web|url=https://shadowandact.com/the-mayor-abc-trump-tca-chance|title=ABC's 'The Mayor' was developed pre-Trump, is not a parody or satire & is inspired by Chance the Rapper|work=Shadow and Act|date=August 6, 2017}} and it has drawn some comparisons to the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election as well as Donald Trump's presidential campaign and victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/the-mayor-inspired-by-trump/vp-AApxNVJ|title='The Mayor' Inspired By Trump?|work=MSN|date=August 6, 2017}} The series' creator, Jeremy Bronson, has stated the show is not meant to be a parody or satire, but he has admitted that the pilot episode drew some inspiration from President Trump.{{cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/is-the-mayor-based-on-a-true-story-courtney-rose-might-just-be-the-hometown-hero-2017-needs-2742453|title=Is 'The Mayor' Based On A True Story? Courtney Rose Might Just Be The Hometown Hero 2017 Needs|last=Hawkins|first=Kayla|work=Bustle|date=October 3, 2017}}
=Casting=
On January 26, 2017, Brandon Micheal Hall was cast as Courtney Rose.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/01/brandon-micheal-hall-star-daveed-diggs-abc-mayor-pilot-jeremy-bronson-1201894615/|title=ABC's Mayor Comedy Pilot From Daveed Diggs Casts Brandon Micheal Hall As Lead|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 26, 2017}} Lea Michele was cast as Valentina Barella on February 23, 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/lea-michele-joins-abcs-daveed-diggs-comedy-979295|title=Lea Michele Joins ABC's Daveed Diggs Comedy|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 23, 2017|accessdate=June 13, 2017}} On March 16, 2017, Yvette Nicole Brown was cast as Dina Rose.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/yvette-nicole-brown-cast-abc-mayor-comedy-pilot-the-odd-couple-renewal-1202045244/|title=Yvette Nicole Brown Cast In ABC Mayor Comedy Pilot With 'Odd Couple' In Limbo|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 16, 2017|accessdate=June 13, 2017}} Marcel Spears was cast as T.K. Clifton on May 16, 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tv-blog/index.ssf/2017/05/abc_goes_heavy_on_drama_with_new_series_for_kyra_sedgwick_and_jason_ritter.html|title=ABC goes heavy on drama with new series for Kyra Sedgwick and Jason Ritter|first=Mark|last=Dawidziak|work=Cleveland.com|date=May 16, 2017|accessdate=August 18, 2017}} On July 27, 2017, Bernard David Jones was cast as Jermaine Leforge.{{cite web|url=http://www.disneyabcpress.com/abc/pressrelease/the-mayor-season-01-lead-sheet/|title=The Mayor|work=Disney Media Networks|date=July 27, 2017|accessdate=August 18, 2017}}
=Music=
In addition to serving as an executive producer, Daveed Diggs wrote original music for the series.{{cite web|last1=Otterson|first1=Joe|title='The Mayor' Creator Explains How Chance the Rapper Inspired ABC Comedy Series|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/chance-the-rapper-abc-the-mayor-daveed-diggs-1202516911/|work=Variety|date=6 August 2017}}
Reception
=Ratings=
{{Television episode ratings
| width = 99
| title1 = Pilot
| date1 = October 3, 2017
| rs1 = 1.2/5
| dvr1 = 0.4
| dvrv1 = 1.23
| total1 = 1.6
| title2 = The Filibuster
| date2 = October 10, 2017
| rs2 = 1.0/4
| dvr2 =
| dvrv2 =
| total2 =
| totalv2 =
| title3 = Buyer's Remorse
| date3 = October 17, 2017
| rs3 = 0.8/3
| dvr3 =
| dvrv3 =
| total3 =
| totalv3 =
| title4 = City Hall-oween
| date4 = October 24, 2017
| rs4 = 0.8/3
| dvr4 =
| dvrv4 =
| total4 =
| totalv4 =
| title5 = The Strike
| date5 = October 31, 2017
| rs5 = 0.7/3
| dvr5 =
| dvrv5 =
| total5 =
| totalv5 =
| title6 = Will You Accept This Rose?
| date6 = November 7, 2017
| rs6 = 0.7/3
| dvr6 =
| dvrv6 =
| total6 =
| totalv6 =
| title7 = Here Comes the Governor
| date7 = November 14, 2017
| rs7 = 0.7/3
| dvr7 =
| dvrv7 =
| total7 =
| totalv7 =
| title8 = Monuments Man
| date8 = December 5, 2017
| rs8 = 0.7/3
| dvr8 =
| dvrv8 =
| total8 =
| totalv8 =
| title9 = Grey Christmas
| date9 = December 12, 2017
| rs9 = 0.8/3
| dvr9 =
| dvrv9 =
| total9 =
| totalv9 =
}}
=Critical response=
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 81% based on 31 reviews, with an average rating of 7.66/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "The Mayor gets off to a promising start in its first season, elevated by a charmingly hopeful tone and political humor that reaches amiably across the aisle."{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_mayor/s01|title=The Mayor: Season 1|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=January 6, 2019}} Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 72 out of 100 based on 19 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-mayor|title=The Mayor - Season 1 Reviews|publisher=Metacritic|accessdate=November 11, 2017}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{official website|http://abc.go.com/shows/the-mayor}}
- {{IMDb title|6466972}}
{{Portal bar|Television|United States}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mayor (TV series), The}}
Category:2010s American black sitcoms
Category:2010s American political comedy television series
Category:2010s American single-camera sitcoms
Category:2017 American television series debuts
Category:2017 American television series endings
Category:American English-language television shows
Category:Television series by ABC Studios