Jamie Foxx makes a welcome return to the television format known as situational comedy in Netflix's Dad Stop Embarrassing Me! Brian Dixon (Jamie Foxx), a successful business owner and bachelor, just became a full-time father to his teenage daughter Sasha (Kyla-Drew). Pops (David Alan Grier) and Brian's sister Chelsea (Porscha Coleman) are also there to help Brian become the best father he can. Meanwhile, Sasha needs all the help she can get learning how to deal with her new, lovingly chaotic. Full of heart and humor, Dad Stop Embarrassing Me takes inspiration from Foxx's real-life relationship with daughter Corinne Foxx, who also serves as executive producer.
Jamie Foxx's comedic talent came to my attention back in 1991, when he was a featured player on FOX's In Living Color. Whether he was playing Wanda or Carl the Tooth Williams, Foxx could always make me crack a smile with his comedic hijinks. His success with In Living Color parlayed into his own successful self-titled WB show that led to a successful movie career. Given that Jamie Foxx's daughter has started her entertainment career, I was curious to see how the show would play out.
Episode 1 bears the title #BlackPeopleDontGoToTherapy. In this episode, Sasha moves in with Brian and instantly the two bump heads when Brian forgets to pick her up from the airport. This incident leads the father and daughter to a mortifying misunderstanding with a therapist (Lunell) who thinks they are a couple. However, the experience forces them to confront their issues with each other. From the vibe of the first episode, I had an idea where the show would go throughout its eight-episode run. Dad Stop Embarrassing Me appears to be a passion project for Foxx and his daughter. Watching Jamie Foxx and Kyla-Drew's interaction throughout the series recalls the banter that the actor and his real-life daughter shared on Beat Shazam.
The show allows Jamie just to cut loose and tap into his silly side. Throughout the series, Foxx does his standard impersonations and plays multiple characters, including a preacher, an uncle, and a bartender. It was good to see Foxx tap back into that comedic side that's has been dormant. Therein lies some of the problem as no one else in the cast gets a moment to shine. Over the course of eight episodes, it becomes somewhat of a vanity project. Unfourantely some of the jokes don't land, which may bother some viewers. There was also an unresolved plot point involving Brian's co-worker and possible love interest Stacy (Heather Hemmens) that needed a resolution.
Thankfully, when the remaining cast members do get a chance to shine, they bring their A-game. David Alan Grier has many good moments, while Jonathan Kite, who portrays Brian's best friend, has some great moments when he does impersonations. While Dad Stop Embarrassing Me isn't a full-on laugh riot, the show does have heart. Kyla-Drew makes a name for herself away from the Nickelodeon days. Her chemistry with Foxx kept my interest through the series run.
Dad Stop Embarrassing Me may not provide a full-on comedy knockout. However, I will recommend the show to fans of Foxx and for family viewing.
Final Grade: C+
Dad Stop Embarrassing Me is streaming on Netflix now