The full seven episode season of There’s… Johnny! premieres November 16th on Hulu.
The first episode of There’s… Johnny! is more of a proof of concept than anything else. The characters are extremely one-dimensional. The jokes are practically non-existent. It’s a dreadful pilot. As the show goes on, the quality does improve a little, but not enough to stick with the season.
There’s… Johnny! takes place in the early 1970s and follows Andy Kelvin, a small-town kid from Nebraska who lands a job at The Tonight Show working for Johnny Carson. TV shows about the Hollywood industry are typically great, and this one has a lot going for it as it incorporates real people into the story. Unfortunately, the only interesting aspect of Johnny! is the fabulous recreation of the old Tonight Show set.
Andy makes a very bland protagonist. He is boring with no special qualities. In fact, most of the characters are average to a fault. Andy’s love interest Joy is one of the worst supporting characters I’ve ever seen. Since the comedy almost always falls flat, There’s… Johnny! could have used a more compelling story to redeem itself.
Ultimately, the show does capture the awe many feel towards celebrities and entertainment. The episodes feel like a love letter to the NBC’s glory days, and that’s admirable. There’s… Johnny! gets points for sentiment, but not much else.
I give There’s… Johnny! a C.
TV and City 