HBO’s new series "The Franchise" tries to poke fun at the movie business, but it ends up being a boring letdown. Unlike hits like "Singin' in the Rain" or "The Player," this show doesn't have any real punch. It's more like watching a chaotic mess, just like the 2008 film "Tropic Thunder." The creator, Jon Brown, has worked on shows like "Veep" and "Succession," but that snarky humor doesn’t fly here.
In England, a crew is making a superhero movie called "Tecto: Eye of the Storm." A studio exec (Darren Goldstein) keeps panicking and making harsh calls. The director (Daniel Brühl) acts like it's Shakespeare! No one seems good at their jobs, just selfish and annoying. They talk about sexism but ignore racism. The jokes feel fake and old, like from 15 years ago.
Good actors (Himesh Patel, Lolly Adefope, Richard E. Grant) struggle through bad scripts. The producer (Aya Cash) is ready to quit. The star (Billy Magnussen) is insecure. They all ignore their clueless director (Daniel Brühl). It’s just not funny.
