The 'Burbs

The show finds a unique voice fast, revealing a sense of humor that is gentler than that of its influences and unusually nuanced in its take on suburban secrets.

With its cold case leanings and mystery antics, “The ‘Burbs” feels like an alternate universe live-action “Scooby Doo,” and just like your weird suburban neighbors, that’s oddly satisfying to watch.

“The ’Burbs” serves some vinegar to go with its honey, but it rarely strays far from fun.

In the end, “The ’Burbs” proves that some neighborhoods are worth revisiting, especially when you know exactly what to dig up.

The main reason to give this version of "The 'Burbs'" a chance, of course, is the interplay between Palmer, Pell, Proksch and Julia Duffy ("Newhart") as the neighbors with a lot of time on their hands. They keep the energy high and the laughs coming.

Because of the performances of Keke Palmer and the fantastic supporting cast, we’re all in on The ‘Burbs, despite some concerns about aspects of the plot that won’t get the attention they deserve.

If its ambitions are admirable, the execution is unwieldy. A lumpy, though not unpleasant, mélange of uneven tones, thin characters and less-than-airtight reveals, The ’Burbs may not send anyone running for the hills — but it’s unlikely to inspire anyone to put down stakes there, either.

I suppose most of it adds up even if doesn’t always feel that way while watching it. It hops from tone to tone, and goes on a little long, in the modern manner, which dilutes the suspense. The characters are half-, let’s say three-quarters-formed, which is formed enough; everyone plays their part.

It falls into a familiar streaming pattern – dragging out, wearing thin, fading from one’s memory fast – giving us yet another not unpleasant but entirely inessential binge-watch.

All told, not bad as serialized mysteries go, but not the kind of thing that does much to enhance Peacock’s property value either.

The plot could’ve crackled if it was told in half the time. Frustratingly, the mystery isn’t even fully solved by the end of the season—though the answer seems pretty obvious. If The ’Burbs does return, here’s hoping it can pull itself out of the cul-de-sac.

“The ‘Burbs” is so intent on preserving an air of mystery, it never develops any of its other attributes.

It’s not terrible. At times it is enjoyable, if silly and overly mannered. But if it is hoped it will become a “binge watch” for the second series, for which it is clearly set up, the dialogue needs to be much sharper. And, if you ask me, darker. Scenes end and wither without a punchline.

All of this is investigated in the low-stakes style of Only Murders in the Building. Unfortunately, The ’Burbs, produced by Family Guy’s Seth MacFarlane, isn’t half as funny or camp as that show. Nor does it have the thrills and chills of Netflix’s The Watcher, which trod similar ground. What it does have is Whitehall, in quite the worst piece of transatlantic casting since they put Keanu Reeves in Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

It misses the mark in appealing to original fans, as there's so little here that feels remotely reminiscent of the 1989 original; the dark humor and quirky characters meet only the most basic requirements.