On Friday, Netflix premiered eight new episodes of one of my favourite shows, The Kominsky Method. On the surface, it’s about an aging but still charismatic LA acting coach (Michael Douglas) whose career never really took off, and his elderly super agent pal Norman (Alan Arkin). Really though it’s about aging, a subject these two older stars are well acquainted with.
They love to dine daily at the oldest restaurant in Hollywood, Musso & Franks Grill, where the waiters really are as old as the red leather booths. (The place turned 100 this year).
The one camera series allows brilliant writer/executive producer Chuck Lorre (The Big Bang Theory) to stretch beyond his usual mastery of the live studio audience comedy. He even takes a shot at himself in one savvy classroom scene.
The new seasons introduces a love interested for recently widowed Norman — Jane Seymour, and the well-preserved “Queen of the Miniseries” lifts every scene she’s in. Early is Season Two, there’s also a glimpse of Kominsky’s ex-wife, played by an almost unrecognizable Kathleen Turner.
There was talk last winter, when critics were allowed to tour Kominsky‘s acting school set on the Warners’ lot, that Jacqueline Bisset would be playing this role. Instead, it falls to Turner, an actress Douglas’ worked opposite to great effect on several feature films in the ’80s, including “Romancing the Stone.”
Paul Reiser, sans hairpiece, plays Kominsky’s daughter’s much older boyfriend. There is too much of him in the new season for me.
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Join me for a Ride-a-long video Review above as I share a few more thoughts on Season Two of The Kominsky Method.
