Hulu has a new content strategy, and it's not what we would have expected -- according to the Wrap, they're going after "under-the-radar content from the UK." Their latest foray into British comedies launched on Wednesday with the comedy "Whites," which follows the workings of a high-end steak restaurant.
With Steve Carell leaving "The Office," and a couple more months before "Modern Family" starts up again, we've been looking for that next 30 minute show to preoccupy us. "Whites" has the potential to be that show: a concrete concept, a stellar cast with great chemistry and a great production team.
The show opens in the kitchen of the "White House" (not be confused with the actual White House) where frantic sous chef Bib, played by Darren Boyd, tries to handle the enormous task of serving on his own. We see plates clash, hear yelling and food flying, until all of the sudden the camera pans to the office where executive chef Roland White, played perfectly by Alan Davies, sits, feet up, dictating his memoir in absolute silence, oblivious to the chaos outside his door. For the rest of the show we are introduced to the rest of the cast -- a dim-witted server named Kiki who doesn't understand the joke when someone asks for an "eggless omelet," the restaurant manager and hostess Caroline who shares a love-hate relationship with chef White, an accident-prone assistant chef named Axel, the self-absorbed owner of the restaurant, Celia, who has absolutely no knowledge of cooking, and Snoose, the rebellious addition to this dysfunctional family.
"Whites" delivers laughs in that dry British style we love (who doesn't?), but it's lacking an "Office"-like relatability. When we watched "The Office" we were not only let into the secret day-to-day workings of a mindless paper office, but into the dysfunctional lives and personalities of each character. We're still a little wary of "Whites," but it has the right ingredients for greatness -- we're just waiting for that magic touch.
What do you think of "Whites"?