The last time Danny McBride and Jody Hill teamed up with HBO, they created the legendary Kenny Powers, star of Eastbound and Down. Now, along with Ben Best, they return to tell another story of a man, or in this case men, convinced of their own greatness. A tale of entitlement abuse of power, looking at the machinations of two small town vice-principals looking to elevate themselves to the top job at the expense of a more worthy candidate.
When the long serving principal of North Jackson High School steps down his two warring vice-principals Neal Gamby (Danny McBride) and Lee Russell (Walton Goggins) presume they’re doing head to head to take over his position. Instead, the district brings in Dr. Belinda Brown (Kimberly Hébert Gregory) a highly regarded educator to run the show. The pair set aside their rivalry to team up and take down Brown so one of them can take the position they regard as rightly theirs.
This mission to undermine Brown is the propulsive force behind the show. Gamby and Russell suppressing distrust and dislike of each other, for the most part, to take her down. From tactically maneuvering her into making mistakes, creating friction between her and other teachers or to more overt acts such as vandalizing her home. It’s an onslaught on multiple fronts that escalates as the season progresses, sometimes taking time for plans to come to fruition. It’s a question of how far they’ll go as well, as whether their uneasy alliance will hold together.
Their efforts are the result of conflict and compromise, their two natures, making them enemies initially, blending in dark ways, and eventually a bond forming fueled by their shared hatred. Gamby is a man of principles and discipline, delicate to the smallest slight, Russell is more of a manipulator, a smarmy boot-licker. Gamby is functional and hesitant, Russell revels in the chaos he creates, a character difference reflected in their contrasting fashion styles, sweater vests vs sartorial delight. To counter the bitterness, there is plenty of nuance offered, adding layers and crafting sympathy for the pair. For Gamby, it is through his relationship with his daughter, for Russell, his subject of bullying by a neighbor and fractious relationship with his wife and mother-in-law. Insight to the characters as the show continues ensures the shtick never wears thin. McBride and Goggins craft characters with wit, humanity and a disturbingly recognizable dark streak. Their chemistry and comedic timing alone are enough reason to watch.
The show deserves credit for ensuring Kimberly Hébert Gregory’s Dr. Brown is as well developed as the other two leads. Cold to those she deems dead weight, but shows her dedication and innovation when it comes to education. She’s clearly a better teacher than either Gamby or Russell, but her personality can be equally as abrasive. She’s the third pillar of the series and often responsible for turning the two ale leads against each other, whether they all realize it or not.
The show isn’t political, but it’s timing is impressive, fitting into the shift in dynamics we’ve experienced over the past few months. When you boil Vice Principals down to it’s most simple premise, it’s about two white men, southerners no less, trying to destroy a black woman. It’s dicey stuff, even without the current political climate.
It’s disturbing in many respects, on it’s surface racist and misogynistic, but there’s a deeper layer of white privilege and general entitlement at play. An issue permeating much of our society, manifesting in terrible terrible ways. Insecure white man who react strongly to any challenge to their authority. These men aren’t deserving of the position on their own merits, so through destructive, rather than constructive acts, take down others to elevate themselves. Sound familiar? With this in mind, it’s hardly escapist TV, and the dark sensibilities of the piece are unlikely to appeal to everyone. A glimpse into darker psyches providing a fascinating character study that will entertain as well as mortify.
THE PACKAGE
The release offers solid visual quality as is usually the case with HBO, sharp detail, good color and contrast. All 9 episodes of the first season are spread across two discs along with a number of extras.
The most significant extra, and one sure to please fans of the talent involved, is an audio commentary for each episode. These feature writer/executive producer/actor Danny McBride, writer/executive producer/director Jody Hill as mainstays, each commentary sees them joined other writers/actors, most frequently Walton Goggins. They discuss the show’s conception, development and behind the scenes details. Its entertaining and informative, funny banter tempered with insight. Also included is a short blooper reel and a number of deleted scenes from the entire season that runs in total around 20 minutes. A digital download code is also included. Overall, a healthy set of extras.
THE BOTTOM LINE
First and foremost, Vice Principals is a fascinating character study of two entitled individuals and the lengths they’ll go to get what they think they deserve. The result is often crass with a mean and painfully uncomfortable comedic streak. Complex, dark, and brutally brilliant.
HBO’s Vice Principals Season 1 is available on Blu-ray and DVD from February 7th