by Tim Gordon
Dad Stop Embarrassing Me is a comedy streaming television series that focuses on bachelor Brian Dixon who unexpectedly becomes a full-time father to his teenage daughter, Sasha. The comedy is created by Bentley Kyle Evans, who reunites his star Jamie Foxx 25 years after the Jamie Foxx Show. The show stars Foxx, Kyla-Drew, David Alan Grier, Porscha Coleman, and Jonathan Kite.
Long before Jamie Foxx became an Oscar-winning, A-list actor, he cut his teeth on the landmark sketch comedy show, In Living Color before launching his own show, The Jamie Foxx Show. Fast forward two decades later and Foxx is going back to the future by returning to his sitcom roots in the Netflix comedy, Dad Stop Embarrassing Me.
Based on experiences raising his daughter, Corrine, Foxx has fashioned a typical 1990s style family comedy that allows him to return to his comedic roots, exploring several characters throughout the show. Playing an over-protected father to a teenage daughter, Sasha (Kyla-Drew), each episode plays off the awkward dynamic between a middle-aged dad trying to understand the dynamic of his constantly evolving daughter.
Foxx plays Brian Dixon who has taken over his family’s cosmetic business and his daughter, Sasha has recently relocated to the “A,” better known as Atlanta to live with him. The show’s cast is rounded out by Pops Dixon (former In Living Color castmate, David Alan Grier), his sister Chelsea (Porcha Coleman). In addition, Brian’s assistant/lover, Stacey (Heather Hemmens) is also there to provide sisterly/motherly advice.
Grier is hilarious as the sage distributor of crooked, homespun wisdom. He and Foxx complement each other effortlessly and the two strongest reasons to watch this show. Kyla-Drew, whose Sasha provides much of the conflict in the show shines as a teenager trying to spread her wings under the strict, loving thumb of her out-of-touch-uncool-dad. This dynamic plays itself in episodes such as her reluctance to embrace spirituality in #Godastamaste,” her struggle to date in “#NipplesOrNuts,” or crimping her entrepreneurial drive in #MotherPucker.”
A throwback to the sitcoms of the ’90s, Dad Stop Embarrassing Me is an adult Nickelodeon-esque comedy that is sure not to offend while offering parenting/life lessons for current audiences. Foxx and Grier hope that we’ll have as much fun watching them as they did creating the show.
Grade: C+