By and large, TV spinoffs in the modern age tend to follow one of two routes: copying a flagship’s formula to reach the same audience, or doing something vastly different to appeal to a different crowd. Rick and Morty’s new offshoot President Curtis, however, stands apart from its source series in more than enough ways that make it worthy of its own fanbase, despite such distinctions maybe not being so obvious at first glance.
Co-created by Dan Harmon and Rick and Morty writer James Siciliano, President Curtis sees the inimitable Keith David reprising the cameo-friendly titular character alongside Community vet Jim Rash, Brooklyn Nine-Nine great Stephanie Beatriz, and a variety of other A+ comedic talents from Chris Diamantopoulos to David Cross. And yeah, there’s even a cameo from Mr. Sanchez and his grandson in the premiere that ties everything together.
Though the new series fits squarely into the same "fantastical R-rated animated comedy" subgenre that Rick and Morty calls home, President Curtis won me over more for all the ways it animated the new animated comedy won me over more for all of the lower-key differences that keep it distinct from its predecessor.
- The Main Character Ensemble: rather than stick with Rick and Morty's suburban family as its anchor, the spinoff centers on the brash and fearless-ish Curtis, his cybernetically enhanced chief of staff Banks, and the inked-up Secret Service agent O'Doyle (who also happens to be half-leprechaun). Add to that the various weirdo staffers from the White House and other government agencies.
- The Core Setting: The Smith household and Rick's garage lab are obviously where Rick and Morty's characters feel at home between adventures, but President Curtis' exploits are focused around the workplace, with the White House obviously offering specific differences from, say, the Smith's dining room.
- The Narrative Focus: President Curtis pulls back the reins on Rick Sanchez's interstellar exploits (mostly) and keeps things domestic and Earthbound, focusing on conspiracy theories, cryptids, urban legends, and other historical mysteries. There's some overlap in terms of "characters facing gnarly monsters," but this is more X-Files than Men In Black, to bring other comparisons into the mix.
- The Comedic Tone: Though there's swearing and arguing and insults bandied about, President Curtis feels far less abrasive and acerbic with its humor than Rick and Morty, which always has a steady stream of self-hatred oozing from its heart. P.C. skews far sillier and surreal because of it, which will always win me over. It's like it came from the part of Dan Harmon that created Community's Troy and Abed, as opposed to Jeff and Pierce.
Those may not all seem like differences noteworthy enough to separate the two shows, but trust me. They're enough that I believe audiences who stopped watching (or never watched) Rick and Morty should give the new show a chance. Although if I'm being overtly honest, you're probably going to want to give it two chances, as Episode 2 and beyond are far superior to the pilot ep.
For all the changes worth noting, President Curtis also features mostly non-sequitur post-credits scenes, but it's the credits themselves that are 100% appointment television, with Keith David singing to the theme song's tune while in the shower, and it's never the same lyrics. White House Executive Chef's kiss.
President Curtis debuts on Adult Swim on July 26 at 11:30 p.m. ET, and streams the next day via HBO Max subscription.
