‘Chad Powers’ Season 1 Review: A Goofy But Earnest Comedy
The show’s earnest approach to Chad Powers and his absurd situation along with good dramatic work is what ends up making it all work.
Even with film and TV being seen on more of an equal footing for actors than ever before, it still feels like the biggest upcoming film stars still aren’t willing to make that jump to TV but here comes Glen Powell—not only starring in a show but one that is a full-on comedy that’s a stark departure from the roles that made him breakout. Read our review for Chad Powers below.
Chad Powers is very reminiscent of 2000s studio comedy films, it feels like a film Judd Apatow in his heyday or even one of his many proteges, would make with perhaps a bit more dramatic flair.
It’s a perfect studio comedy premise—Russ Holiday (Glen Powell), a strung-out college football star, relives his glory days by becoming Chad Powers, a goofy, lovable and downright weird college student, and auditioning for a struggling football team and turning their season around. The most fascinating part about it is that Russ Holiday is a massive asshole—there is almost nothing likable about the guy. His entire origin story is dropping the ball at the one-yard line during the national championship game, effectively losing the game, and on top of that, he punches the father of a kid with cancer which makes him fall into the kid. Then years later, he’s still a fuck-up in almost every way conceivable before he puts on the persona of Chad Powers.
Chad Powers is a sweetheart, sure, he’s ugly and weird as hell, but the fake persona Russ puts on has a charm that Glen Powell nails. It’s a big part of the double life in action, specifically because Russ hates being Russ. Even with Glen Powell’s face, it’s really hard to like Russ, but the show does a fantastic job of building him and Chad up.
It’s clear why Glen Powell wanted to make this show. It’s not a role that requires a grandiose performance, but it does need comedic chops and a whole lot of charm which are arguably Glen’s best attributes as an actor, which helps him devour this role. Russ is a departure from the generally likable characters he plays but even Chad, in some ways, is a departure.
The truth is, this is a show where it is vital to like the comedy in order to like the show. There’s no other way around it, it’s make or break—a lot of the comedy stems from the double life. Russ and Danny (Frankie Rodriguez), who helps Russ become Chad, are tasked with coming up with elaborate, absurd lies and schemes, usually on the spot in order to keep the lie going. It’s sort of a balance of awkward, simple, and at times earnest humor that’s usually well-written. There are moments outside of this set up that the humor isn’t quite as good but there’s enough of other things to keep the show working.
The side characters in particular are what make it work. They almost always play the straight man to Chad’s absurdness which works wonders to not make the whole thing too insane. Ricky Hudson (Perry Matfield), an assistant coach and semi-love interest on the show, really grounds the show and makes Chad feel more real than he probably should be.
The issue that arises with the show is that it’s just way too short. A six-episode season isn’t enough for a show like this to reach its full potential. It’s understandable that Glen Powell only has a certain amount of time for a show like this, but I wish he had committed to do more because it feels like the show is just getting started.
It’s especially frustrating because the show nails its finale in terms of the dramatic element, but it could’ve used a few more episodes to get to that destination in a more efficient manner. The finale features the best acting of the season with Glen Powell and Perry Matfield both acting their asses off. Good season finales leave you wanting more, which is exactly what Chad Powers did.
The show’s earnest approach to an absurd situation and surprisingly good dramatic work is what ends up making it all work. On paper, I completely understand writing this off but on the screen, it works better than I could’ve imagined it to be.
Chad Powers stars Glen Powell, Perry Matfield, Quentin Plair, Wynn Everett, Frankie Rodriguez, and Steve Zahn. It aired on Hulu.
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