'Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist' hits all the right notes
Courtesy of Daily Herald
NBC’s newest series “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” premiered last month and has since become a quick hit. After being stuck in an MRI machine during an earthquake, Zoey (Jane Levy) is gifted a power unlike any other: She can hear people’s innermost thoughts through song and dance numbers which only she can see. She hears strangers singing “Help!,” her boss singing “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and her best friend serenading her with “I Think I Love You.” With the help of her musically-inclined neighbor Mo (Alex Newell), Zoey tries to adjust to her new power and make the most of it.
While “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist" can be compared to other musical shows like “Glee” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” it is a far more intellectual show than one might think despite the strange origin of Zoey’s power. Each episode is full of complex characters who face relevant problems like the fear of rejection based on sexuality, an impending separation with a partner and living with a disease, just to name a few. When paired with songs, these problems create characters that are impossible not to relate to.
One prime example of this is Zoey’s father, Mitch (Peter Gallagher), who has a rare neurological disease that has left him non-communicative and non-verbal. While venting to her father about her new power, he begins to sing a heartfelt rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors." This moment, which happens in the pilot episode, is so strong and heartwarming it could make a grown man cry.
Similarly, it is hard not to feel emotional when Mo, who is gender-nonconforming, struggles with being his true self in front of the members of his church. Through a powerful performance of Freddie Mercury’s “The Great Pretender,” Mo transformed into a more dynamic character. Instead of being just the sassy, comedic relief, Mo became a representation of all those who have ever faced the same fear of rejection and ridicule.
While “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” has its intense moments, this dramedy is not without its humor. Zoey’s “bro-y” coworkers singing “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “All I Do Is Win” brings a much-needed breather in between some of the more critical scenes. It’s also amusing to see the dynamic between introverted Zoey who is clueless about music, and outgoing DJ Mo who knows everything there is to know about it.
The show’s intriguing storyline is enhanced by its star-studded cast. In addition to Levy (“Suburgatory”), Newell and Gallagher, Skylar Astin (“Pitch Perfect”), Mary Steenburgen (“Last Vegas,” “Step Brothers”), Lauren Graham (“Gilmore Girls,” “Parenthood”) and Andrew Leeds (“Barry”) round out the cast.
“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” is for anyone who has ever connected with a song so deeply that it has become a fixture in the soundtrack of their life. It connects these characters, who we only know so much about, to our own lives, through the power of song and emotion. Every episode of this show is guaranteed to make you laugh and cry. Despite only being a few episodes into its first season, the show’s lovable nature, dynamic characters and interesting storyline are sure to make “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” an undeniable hit.
