‘Abby’s’ is the Perfect Showcase For Natalie Morales

NBC’s new multi-cam sitcom Abby’s has a lot going for it. Premiering tonight, the Peacock’s newest series is from the mind of former New Girl and Superstore producer Josh Malmuth, executive produced by comedy guru Michael Schur (The Good Place, Parks and Recreation, The Office), and has the hook of being shot completely outdoors in front of a live studio audience, which is a first for the multi-cam genre.

The cozy comedy follows an oddball cast of characters who spend their evenings at Abby’s, an unlicensed backyard bar with its own set of peculiar rules. The show’s strong ensemble is a fun mix of underrated comedy favorites like Nelson Franklin, Neil Flynn, and Jessica Chaffin, and relative newcomers like Leonard Ouzts and Kimia Behpoornia. While I love, love, love the fact that New Girl scene-stealer Nelson Franklin has a starring role on a new NBC sitcom, Abby’s earned must-see status from me because it shines a spotlight on one of the most comedically-gifted, under-utilized actors today: Natalie Morales.

Comedy fans are already well-aware of Morales’ theatrical bonafides. From Parks and Recreation to Trophy Wife to Santa Clarita Diet, Morales has a reputation for making everything she’s in just a little bit better. Never was that point more salient than on Fox’s short-lived but fervently adored series The Grinder. This one-season gem from Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel unleashed peak Morales, casting the actress as the no nonsense voice of reason opposite Rob Lowe’s unrelenting tornado of insanity. Abby’s recreates some of that Grinder magic, utilizing Morale’s nimble comedic skills by casting her as a gruff but lovable scofflaw who manages her renegade bar by her own set of rules. Morales’ character’s steely disposition and emotionally reticent nature not only provides the perfect foil for the bar’s cast of endearing eccentrics, but Abby’s personality wonderfully clashes with her cautious new landlord Bill (Franklin). The duo’s opposites attract chemistry is palpable, and Abby’s greatest strength is providing its talented cast the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience.

Few actresses can toggle between sweet and sour with the dexterity of Morales. The actress’ ability to oscillate between emotional extremes is one of the many reasons creator Josh Malmuth thought of her for the leading role.

“Natalie’s someone I’ve always been a fan of, on Parks, on The Grinder,” Malmuth told Decider’s Brett White during a recent interview. “I thought she was effortlessly funny. When we started developing the character of Abby, she was someone that came to mind because she has this incredible balance of warmth and toughness and silliness and strength.”

Abby’s multi-cam humor is a throwback to a bygone era, one that perhaps finds itself on the precipice of a mini-resurgence. With the return of ’90s staples like Will & Grace and Murphy Brown and the relative success of Fuller House and One Day at a Time, there’s plenty of space in the ever-increasing television landscape for a multi-cam boom. Despite their tonal similarities, Abby’s isn’t Cheers — which isn’t a knock; no show is Cheers — but it does exude that folksy, neighborhood bar where everybody knows your name charm.

The series isn’t quite fully formed, but there’s potential. If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll enjoy the low-stakes fun of Abby’s.

Abby’s premieres tonight at 9:30 p.m. on NBC. New episodes will be available to stream on Hulu the day after they air on NBC.

Where to stream Abby's