'Bupkis' asks what the deal is with Pete Davidson, with more than a few unexpected cameos
What is it about Pete Davidson?
Why do people care about him so much — who he’s dating, what he’s up to, what kind of trouble he’s gotten himself into?
It’s a good question, and it lies at the heart of “Bupkis,” a new half-hour comedy streaming on Peacock starting Thursday, May 4.
The series, starring Davidson as a version of himself, as well as Edie Falco as his mother and Joe Pesci as his grandfather (just two of the galaxy of stars he’s surrounded himself with) doesn’t come up with definitive answers.
But it does ask the question. And despite what some ex-girlfriends have suggested, the most likely reason people care about Davidson is that he just seems like a good dude.
It’s not so much good as it is fascinating.
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Mind you, I have never met Davidson nor spoken to him. But it’s hard not to feel like you know him at least a little, given how much he’s out there. I’ve watched eight half-hour episodes of “Bupkis,” as well as “The King of Staten Island,” a feature-length Judd Apatow film about Davidson’s earlier life.
He’s 29.
“Bupkis” starts with a disclaimer that says while the show is based on Davidson’s life, some of it is heightened. “It’s bupkis.”
The first scene sets a certain tone. Which is to say it is so outlandish and crude and gross and shocking — and kind of funny, though not especially so — that when Davidson in a later episode inadvertently confesses it to a priest who assures him he’s “heard everything,” it’s too much even for him.
In its way, though, it’s like reverse psychology or something. Everything after the initial scene pales in outrageousness, though not for lack of trying. And as the show goes along, it doesn’t soften in tone so much as open itself up to more emotional revelations and explorations.
For one thing, Davidson’s grandfather (Pesci) is dying of cancer. He doesn’t seem too worried about it, but Davidson is determined to spend as much meaningful time with him as possible, which sets the stage for more antics.
Of course, the no-account crew that hangs around him — hangers-on is a better way to describe them — can get in the way of even his best intentions. And often Davidson is kind of a dope himself.
Pete’s mom (Falco), meanwhile is devoted to her son and his life and, it must be said, his fame. As in real life, Davidson’s father, a firefighter, died during 9/11. Now his mother lives with him (not the other way around, he corrects someone). And while tabloids can’t get enough of his Kardashian dating (though none of his former romantic partners are mentioned by name) and his hard-partying reputation, Davidson insists he just wants to lead a normal life.
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Not the most original setup. But there is a goofy charm to Davidson, and he is surrounded by famous people who bob in and out of his story, including but not limited to Jon Stewart, Ray Romano, Machine Gun Kelly, Paul Walter Hauser, Bobby Cannavale, John Mulaney, Charlie Day, Brad Garrett and Kenan Thompson.
Oh. And Al Gore.
Despite the star power, the most meaningful art-imitates-life-sort-of casting is Chase Sui Wonders, rumored to be Davidson’s real-life girlfriend. Whether that’s true doesn’t really matter, but her status in “Bupkis” as an ex gives her a power over him no one else is willing to exercise: She doesn’t put up with his crap.
As the season progresses, Davidson is forced to confront some of his darker impulses, and to take responsibility for them. Or at least try to. Those are the best episodes, the most seemingly honest. A conversation between Davidson and his real-life friend Mulaney about addiction and rehab is both hilarious and kind of heartbreaking — certainly harrowing.
By the time the season ends (all but demanding a second season), you still may wonder what it is about Pete Davidson. But you almost certainly will find yourself rooting for him.
Why not? Everyone else is.
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Where is 'Bupkis' streaming?
Streaming on Peacock beginning Thursday, March 4.
Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 'Bupkis' review: Pete Davidson's celeb-packed comedy is a wild ride
