The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins
NBC
There is often debate about whether critics on Rotten Tomatoes are worth listening to, but a 100% score? From more than two dozen critics? Yeah, it’s probably worth consideration, at least.
Currently, that show is The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, a brand-new, 100% Rotten Tomatoes-scored NBC/Peacock release released in January. But then, for some reason, it didn’t air its second episode until February 23, and it will be weekly from here.
This is a sports-based comedy led by none other than 30 Rock’s Tracy Morgan, now fully back in Hollywood after a harrowing car accident in 2014, and this may be his highest-profile project since then. It is going very, very well, clearly.
The show also features his fellow former SNL cast member Bobby Moynihan and Invasion’s Erika Alexander. Easily the most “oh wow, really?” cast member here is former Harry Potter Daniel Radcliffe, fresh off a hugely praised role in Merrily We Roll Along, which boasts dual 95% Rotten Tomatoes scores from both critics and audiences. Radcliffe has been very busy since his Harry Potter days ended in 2011, and his last major TV outing was 37 episodes of Miracle Workers, which ended in 2023 after four seasons.
The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins
NBC
As for The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, here is a more detailed synopsis:
“Disgraced former football star Reggie Dinkins (Tracy Morgan) is on a mission to rehabilitate his image with the help of award-winning filmmaker Arthur Tobin (Daniel Radcliffe). In order to earn back the admiration of his fans and the respect of his family, Reggie will also have to confront the ghosts of his past.”
It is notable that the co-creator of the series, Robert Morgan Carlock, was a showrunner for Morgan’s 30 Rock, which was itself co-created by Tina Fey. The two also paired up for Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, then Mr. Mayor. The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins’s other co-creator, Sam Means, won three Emmys writing for The Daily Show, wrote for 30 Rock, Parks and Rec and Kimmy Schmidt. So as you can see, this is quite the comedic A-team, and it’s not a huge shock that the show is being received this well. Is this a return to the amazing NBC comedy era of old? Perhaps. Here’s what a couple critics are saying about the series:
- Variety – “Reggie Dinkins” is a return to form, both in style and quality. That’s great news for viewers, but also for Morgan, who finally gets a character equal to Tracy Jordan in channeling his particular charisma.”
- LA Times – “Although Morgan and Radcliffe are the marquee names, it’s an ensemble piece, in which everyone gets to be funny; there are no weak links.”
So, it’s only two episodes in, but you can head to Peacock to check it out, or tune in weekly on NBC if that’s more your speed.
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