Michelle Buteau is long overdue for her moment.
Although fans may recognize her from BET's First Wives Club, Always Be My Maybe, or Key and Peele, one glance at Buteau’s IMDb page, and you'll realize that she’s been in everything. Buteau's frank humor and undeniable charm have mostly relegated her to “sassy and strong” sidekick roles, but that's about to change.
The stand-up comedian, actress, and author can now add executive producer, showrunner, and screenwriter to her list of growing credits. Her best-selling book of essays Survival of the Thickest is now a new and promising Netflix series.
And it's out to turn the concept of the romantic comedy on its head.
Why you oughta know Michelle Buteau...
Credit: NetflixIn 2020, while most of us adapted to working at home in pajamas over Zoom, Buteau built a prosperous relationship with Netflix. In January, she debuted as the host of The Circle, a social media reality show hybrid of Big Brother and Catfish. Then, in September, Buteau released her Netflix comedy special Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia, in which she delivers her signature blend of observational humor and personal anecdotes, chronicling parenthood, marriage, career, and literally "falling on her boobs." No less than three months later, Buteau’s book Survival of the Thickest dropped.
In 2021, executive producer Danielle Sanchez-Witzel (New Girl, The Carmichael Show) struck an overall production deal with Netflix, and one of her first projects was adapting Buteau’s book into a series with A24’s Ravi Nandan and Alli Reich. (Buteau also co-starred in Marry Me alongside Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson in February of 2022 — and is in talks for several other projects.)
Survival of the Thickest, the series, is less of an adaptation of the essays in the book specifically, and more inspired by Buteau's body of work. The show introduces us to Mavis Beaumont (played by Buteau), a New York City fashion assistant turned stylist, striving to make her mark in the fashion world for plus-sized women and non-binary individuals. With no concrete plan or funding in sight, she relies on her best friends Marley (Tasha Smith) and Khalil (Drink Masters' Tone Bell) to be her sounding boards and reality check while navigating the unfamiliar territory of being a newly single entrepreneur at 38.
Survival of the Thickest is not a Sex and the City knock-off; it’s way more fun — and inclusive.
Credit: NetflixMavis is going through a lot right now. After walking in on her long-time boyfriend in bed with another woman, she bravely walks away from the relationship (after punching him in the crotch) and their posh Manhattan apartment. Thus begins Mavis' journey to embrace her dreams and follow her heart to become an international stylist.
Fifteen minutes into the first episode, Mavis has moved to Brooklyn with a new crunchy, spiritualist roommate, Jade (Liza Treyger), who she met online, and Jade's white cat Cocaine. Together, they reside in a fourth-floor, two-bedroom walk-up in Crown Heights.
Following a trip to her favorite drag cabaret, CC Blooms, Mavis secures her first celebrity client through a tip from the lounge's proprietor, Peppermint (yes, that Peppermint). The client is the mono-monikered Natasha (Garcelle Beauvais), a '90s model, fighting the inevitable signs of aging with moisturizer, denial, and rage. The work proves to be both demanding and pivotal for Mavis. She must navigate the challenges of satisfying a celebrity's whims while striving to build her career.
Interwoven with the main story arc are Mavis' attempts to find love again, with varying degrees of success. Her ex-boyfriend Jacque (Taylor Selé), whose photography career relied on Mavis' styling, begs for her forgiveness throughout the series. Also in the mix are Camden (Hugh Moore), a rebound fling from the old neighborhood, and Luca (Marouane Zotti), a handsome Italian man who offers the potential for long-distance romance as he returns to Rome. Mavis navigates these relationships with panic, awkwardness, and honesty, with her friends stumbling through their relationships tangentially. In the end, there's really nothing that a shot of honesty, a good vape pen, and a party can't fix.
However, despite the series' body positivity, hilarious physical comedy, and heartwarming moments, it falls slightly short of achieving its full potential.
Bitch, what?
Credit: NetflixEvery episode of Survival of the Thickest incorporates the word "bitch," in their titles, like "Keep Your Plants Watered, Bitch!" This mirrors the format of Buteau's book, creating a loosely connected running commentary in the vein of Buteau's stand-up. However, the method of storytelling in stand-up doesn't always work in narrative comedy. There are instances where long pauses before reactions and elaborate setups throw off the pacing, particularly in the middle of the season.
For example, in one episode, a heated argument between Khalil and his girlfriend escalates, prompting Mavis to intervene. However, her attempt to defuse the situation by providing everyone (including herself) with an excessive amount of weed leads to a scenario where she becomes stuck in a hanging egg chair. While these moments add humor, they also take away from other plot points that could benefit from a little more screen time — like when Mavis suddenly decides she wants to be married.
Nevertheless, the talented ensemble cast helps smooth these rough edges, and the series shines when it leans on its supporting roles. Bell delivers an emotional performance as a playboy trying to change his ways to date a co-parenting single mom. Smith brings the laughs as the bi-curious best friend (whose corporate job is surprisingly absent for most of the season) as she explores a new dating life after a divorce. And a cameo appearance by Nicole Byer compensates for the absence of a teased Lizzo appearance.
The series positions itself as a quirky romantic comedy "for the fatties and the baddies," yet it falls victim to certain inconsistencies. Mavis, a celebrity stylist, is frequently much better dressed than her clients. And despite her advocacy for plus-sized bodies, she spends considerable time battling her insecurities and fear of public rejection.
She also spends a major portion of the season recovering from her relationship with Jacque. While there are hints of Jacque attempting to change for a potential reunion, the evidence remains superficial, and the series falls short of providing a convincing redemption arc that would warrant a reconciliation between the characters.
Survival of the Fittest proves sitcoms are back.
Credit: NetflixSurvival of the Fittest ambitiously tackles various issues throughout its eight-episode run, including anti-Black racism, transgender prejudice, police brutality, and body dysmorphia. Buteau should be applauded for organically incorporating diversity into her portrayal of New York City. While these serious topics are touched upon, we don’t stay there for long before the show swiftly returns to Mavis's comedic antics, like a puppy wedding and a gum-related fellatio incident.
Survival of the Fittest may not be groundbreaking, and its pacing needs work. Still, it’s refreshing to witness a plus-sized Black woman experiencing the outrageous escapades typically reserved for her thinner white counterparts.
With an average episode runtime of 27 minutes, the series is highly bingeable. When the plot seems predictable, Buteau throws curveballs that will leave viewers eagerly anticipating how Mavis will cleverly navigate her way out of each situation. Survival of the Thickest remains an enjoyable watch, thanks to the talented and diverse ensemble cast that brings the characters to life. Hopefully, the show will get a second season to find its footing. Buteau deserves that much.
