ABC’s Not Dead Yet (Feb. 2023-present): Jane Villanueva is back and, this time, she writes obits!
I’ll basically watch anything with Gina Rodriguez in it. After starring in the criminally underrated Jane the Virgin (2014-2019), she’s won my loyalty for her turn as the eponymous heroine played with intelligence and verve. In ABC’s sitcom Not Dead Yet (Feb. 2023-present), Rodriguez plays Nell Serrano, a woman who returns to work at her Pasadena-based publication from London, having eschewed her burgeoning journalism career five years ago for a love named Philip. The specter of Philip and whatever the hell happened in London looms over the season, much like the ghosts popping up in each episode. Because, yes, now that she’s writing obituaries, she can see the ghosts of each subject, ones who disappear the moment she hits send.
How did Nell manage to get a job back at her old publication? Her best friend Sam, played by Hannah Simone (as a somewhat more anodyne version of CeCe from New Girl), twisted her boss Lexy’s arms to welcome Nell back. It turns out, in Nell’s absence, Sam has also become quite close with Lexy, someone both Sam and Nell used to despise together. Much of the comedy stems from Nell and Lexy’s active dislike for one another compounded by their deep love and loyalty for the same person, Sam.
Lauren Ash as Lexy, the nepo baby boss, often steals the show. I’ve never seen her in anything before, but her Second City bonafides shine through. She incarnates the wealthy, out of touch, but somewhat good-natured woman of privilege with sharp comedic timing. Her best line so far? “I just Googled what a ‘Karen’ is. It’s a compliment!” Another gem, as she trembles with rage at a rival trivia team, trying to control her temper: “Have you ever tried Gouda? It’s the most fun of the cheeses.” It’s all in the delivery. Her manner of speaking drips with what can only be called equal parts fabulous and haughty. What saves the character—her “save the cat,” if you will—is her devotion to Sam.
I initially thought each episode would revolve more around the ghost of the week, but the initial gag of Jane—whoops, I mean Nell!—speaking to herself in public gives way to the ghosts essentially functioning as Nell’s superego, taking on the all-knowing role to give her advice and guide her. Or, put in another way: the ghosts are Virgil to Nell’s Dante, guiding her through the nine circles of hell that make up one’s thirties.
When it comes down to it: I’m in. This show works as it is. If you need a cozy autumn treat as you drink your herbal tea with a spot of milk, this is it. For fans of Jane the Virgin and Gilmore Girls, it is the perfect confection of a show to consume when you want to relax and watch charming, pleasant people interact with one another with the occasional sprinkle of witty banter.