Two popular comedy stars have launched new shows. Melissa McCarthy has a series with her hubby, while Maya Rudolph plays a divorcee with billions.

God’s Favorite Idiot Life and business partners Ben Falcone & Melissa McCarthy created this new series to show off their relationship. He plays a rather bland guy who is visited by God and becomes his messenger. She adds her typical style as his caustic, mouthy co-worker. The set-up is wide open for all sorts of comic commentary, but the focus is more about their love story than a religious satire. It’s obvious that the rest of the cast is supposed to add humorous quirky personalities, but they don’t measure up. Ultimately, there’s no real comedy other than McCarthy’s usual brusque wise cracks. (Review based on 4 of the eight 30-minute eps.) (2 / 5)
Netflix link

Loot Maya Rudolph stars as a woman who inherits $86 billion when she divorces her hubby. There are almost no elevated lifestyle situations to entertain or delight. Instead, her character pretty quickly goes into “giving back” mode, which veers into heartwarming territory. Often, a supporting cast adds kooky characters, but this one lacks ’em. As her assistant, Joel Kim Booster has a few sarcastic eye rolls, but Michaela Jaé Rodriguez simply can’t handle her character’s deadpan comic asides. The potential for comedy is inherent, but it seldom pays off. (Review based on the only 3 eps released with more due every Friday.) (2 / 5)
AppleTV+ link