Mohammed Amer has made his rep as a comic, but he explores his complex background in this semi-autobiographical series. His character is Palestinian and lives in Texas with his mother and brother, waiting for their official asylum status. The show puts him thru several sketchy jobs and other misadventures, as he tried to navigate the misguided stereotypes and cultural insults. Although it’s billed as a comedy, this series is really more of a drama with comic elements. Amer’s asides and some of the characters provide moments of levity and satire, but there are also several scenes of heartbreak that add resonance and empathy. This show may not be as successful as Ramy, the series by Ramy Youssef who plays a Muslim trying to reconcile his faith with his American upbringing (my review), but it still provides another unique perspective with interesting insights and a few laughs. (Eight 30-minute eps with a cliffhanger ending that sure needs a second season.) 
(3.5 / 5)
