5.2 / 10 (based on 81 reviews)
It’s all about being “business in the front, party in the back” when it comes to the Mullet brothers, two siblings who sport the same haircut, but are actually very different from one another.
Genre: Comedy
Main Cast: Michael Weaver, David Hornsby, Loni Anderson, John O’Hurley
Creators: Bill Oakley, Josh Weinstein
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1 season, 11 episodes, 30-minute runtime
Shows Most Like The Mullets (2003)
Unsupervised (2012)
7.3 / 10 (based on 2647 reviews)
The series follows two 15-year-old best friends, Gary and Joel, as they try to navigate through teenage life, while also trying to do the right thing without the help of any parental supervision.
Genre: Animation, Comedy
Main Cast: Justin Long, David Hornsby, Kristen Bell, Romany Malco
Creators: David Hornsby, Scott Marder, Rob Rosell
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1 season, 13 episodes, 22.0-minute runtime
Love, American Style (1969)
6.8 / 10 (based on 2278 reviews)
An anthology comedy series featuring a line up of different celebrity guest stars appearing in anywhere from one, two, three, and four short stories or vignettes within an hour about versions of love and romance.
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Main Cast: Stuart Margolin, Barbara Minkus, William Callaway, Mary Grover
Creators:
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5 seasons, 109 episodes, 60.0-minute runtime
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7.8 / 10 (based on 12250 reviews)
A comedic look on a couple facing various challenges in their daily lives while trying to cope with their changes from twenties to thirties.
Genre: Animation, Short, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Main Cast: J.G. Quintel, Gabrielle Walsh, Jason Mantzoukas, Kimiko Glenn
Creators: Matt Price, J.G. Quintel, Sean Szeles
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3 seasons, 24 episodes, 23.0-minute runtime
The Spoils of Babylon (2014)
6.7 / 10 (based on 4001 reviews)
Cynthia and Devon are two siblings whose intense love drives everything and everyone around them to ruin.
Genre: Comedy
Main Cast: Tobey Maguire, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, Cal Bartlett
Creators: Matt Piedmont, Andrew Steele
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1 season, 6 episodes, 138.0-minute runtime
When discussing TV shows that have left an indelible mark on pop culture, many might overlook a lesser-known gem from the early 2000s—The Mullets. This sitcom, which aired briefly in 2003, is a fascinating case study in television history, not just for its content but also for its reception and the legacy it left behind, despite its short-lived run. Let’s take a closer look at what made The Mullets both a product of its time and a show that, in many ways, was ahead of its curve.
The Premise
At its core, The Mullets was a sitcom that played on stereotypes and cultural perceptions. The show centered around two brothers, Dwayne and Denny Mullet, who sported the infamous hairstyle that gave the show its name—a hairstyle that, for many, epitomizes a certain late 20th-century working-class aesthetic. The brothers were roofers by trade, embodying the blue-collar ethos with a sense of pride and a touch of naivety.
Their adventures, or misadventures, often stemmed from their simple outlook on life and their interactions with the world around them, which was frequently at odds with their unapologetically optimistic and straightforward approach. This contrast was the source of much of the show’s humor, as it poked fun at both the characters’ lifestyles and the broader societal trends of the time.
The Cast and Characters
What made The Mullets stand out, aside from its unique premise, was its cast. The Mullet brothers were portrayed by Michael Weaver as Dwayne and David Hornsby as Denny. Their chemistry on-screen was undeniable, capturing the essence of brotherly love and rivalry with a comedic twist. Loni Anderson played their mother, Mandi Mullet-Heidecker, adding a layer of sitcom royalty to the ensemble. Her character was married to Roger Heidecker, a game show host played by John O’Hurley, whose disdain for his stepsons’ lifestyle added tension and humor to the family dynamics.
Reception and Legacy
The Mullets aired on UPN, a network known at the time for taking chances on unconventional shows. However, it struggled to find a wide audience, leading to its cancellation after just 11 episodes. Critics were divided; some appreciated the show’s willingness to embrace and satirize working-class stereotypes, while others felt it was too reliant on those very stereotypes for laughs.
Despite its brief run, The Mullets has maintained a cult following, particularly among fans who appreciate its earnest, if not always successful, attempts to bridge cultural divides through humor. It serves as a time capsule of early 2000s television, reflecting the era’s fascination with reality TV, celebrity culture, and a burgeoning awareness of America’s class divisions.
Why It Matters
So, why talk about The Mullets today? For starters, it’s a reminder of the risks and rewards of niche programming in the ever-evolving landscape of television. The show’s attempt to carve out a unique space by focusing on a specific subculture—mullets and all—demonstrates the challenges of targeting a narrow audience while trying to appeal to broader viewing habits.
Moreover, The Mullets can be seen as a precursor to the more nuanced and empathetic portrayals of working-class life that would emerge in later years. Shows like Roseanne, My Name Is Earl, and The Middle have all, in their own ways, built on the foundation laid by earlier sitcoms, offering a more complex and less caricatured view of blue-collar America.
Memorable Moments
Despite its short lifespan, The Mullets had its share of memorable moments. From Dwayne and Denny’s ill-fated attempts to break into the world of professional wrestling to their misguided efforts to win the approval of their stepfather, the show delivered laughs that, while not always subtle, were often rooted in genuine affection for its characters.
One standout episode involved the brothers accidentally winning a fortune, only to lose it all by the episode’s end. This plotline, while not groundbreaking, showcased the show’s heart—despite their constant setbacks, the Mullet brothers’ optimism and loyalty to each other never wavered.
Conclusion
The Mullets may not have been a ratings juggernaut or a critical darling, but its place in the annals of TV history is secure. It stands as a testament to a time when networks were willing to take a chance on shows that didn’t fit the mold, for better or worse. For those willing to look past its surface-level humor, the show offers a glimpse into the early 2000s cultural landscape, complete with all its contradictions and complexities.
In the end, The Mullets reminds us that television, like any form of art, is a reflection of its time. It captures the hopes, fears, and obsessions of its era, serving as a mirror to the society that produces it. And sometimes, if we’re lucky, it does so with a laugh.