【I Am a Plaything】

The I Am a PlaythingOther Two is finally returning with its second season, over two years since its first seasonpremiered on Comedy Central. After all this time, and a move to HBO Max, has this satirical take on show business maintained its sharpness and relevance?

It absolutely has.

Season 2 of The Other Two, created by former Saturday Night Live head writers Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider,remains as funny and incisive as ever, even elevating what made Season 1 work so well. Just like its first season, it explores the effects of stardom on the central Dubek family, with hilarious (and sometimes devastating) results.

Things have changed for the Dubeks: Chase (Case Walker), formerly known ChaseDreams, has chosen to step back from his life as a pop superstar and go to college. As Chase leaves the spotlight, his mother Pat (Molly Shannon) moves into it in a big way. Now the host of a daytime talk show with bubbly catchphrases like "give yourself a Pat on the back," Pat is a beloved household name.

Despite Chase and Pat's big breaks into show business, oldest Dubek siblings Cary (Drew Tarver) and Brooke (Heléne Yorke) are still hovering on the edges of the entertainment industry. Cary has found some success as a host for entertainment news shows like the bluntly-named Age, Net Worth, Feet, but his true passion is acting. Meanwhile, Brooke is trying to discover and manage the next ChaseDreams, with little success. Turns out commenting "Move to NYC, I'll represent you" on an aspiring singer's TikTok isn't the best way to land a client.

Cary and Brooke may not have their lives figured out yet, but Kelly and Schneiderknow exactly what kind of show they want to make and deliver it in spades. The satire is still cutting, and, impressively, the pop culture-centric jokes never feel dated. The Other Two mines plenty of comedic material from Cary's various hosting gigs and Pat's talkshow segments, but there's a manic delight that comes from the hyper-specific name drops throughout the season. Seemingly everyone and everything, from Laura Dern to the 2010 movie Beginners to Bachelor Nation, get a shout-out. Even in the moments when a joke borders on too niche, it's hard not to laugh thanks to the cast's commitment.

While The Other Two skews heavily toward comedy, it still sticks the landing when it enters dramatic territory. The first season didn't shy away from the darker aspects of fame, but this season transforms the entertainment industry into a downright dystopia. From a cult-like celebrity church to managers working themselves sick (Wanda Sykes' Shuli quips that she's had pneumonia for 20 years), The Other Two situates itself in a landscape that is as insidious as it is outrageously funny.

Nowhere is this more evident than with Pat. As a celebrity whose brand revolves around being down-to-earth, every aspect of her life — from what she eats to who her date to a wedding will be — is treated like a commodity for the public to enjoy. Shannon does great work this season, balancing Pat's genuine excitement about her show with her oh-so-gradually fraying nerves. You'll find yourself wincing just as much laughing whenever she's onscreen.

The Other Two may be a satirical powerhouse,but at its core it's a story about the Dubeks, who manage to be lovable, messy, and infuriating all at once. As our entry points into this family, Tarver and Yorke nail every beat, whether dramatic or comedic. They make sure that we feel for Cary and Brooke through their highs and lows, their achievements and mistakes. After two years away, it's a treat to watch this duo back in action, just as much as it's a treat to watch this new season. Give yourself a Pat on the back, The Other Two. You've earned it.

Season 2 of The Other Two begins streaming August 26 on HBO Max, with new episodes every Thursday. Season 1 is also currently streaming on the service, for those who need to play catch up.

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