It is beneficial to be the President of the United States — or, at least, it’s advantageous to be President Andre Curtis (Keith David), the main character of Rick and Morty‘s new spin-off. Last month at San Diego Comic-Con, before the premiere of President Curtis, David announced that the series had already been renewed for a second season, which is currently in production. This is excellent news because President Curtis is the most exciting addition to the <em>Rick and Morty</em> universe in years, embracing the original show’s premise by cleverly parodying sci-fi and pop culture.
What Is ‘President Curtis’ About?
While Rick and Morty focuses on parodying sci-fi concepts with elements like its own multiverse, President Curtis parodies historical events and real-life scenarios. For example, in the series premiere, Curtis and his team uncover that the CIA is attempting to conceal the existence of a genetically engineered superhuman baby that was left on the moon in the 1960s. The baby is still alive, and the CIA aims to hide the child’s existence as multiple countries plan new missions to the moon.
The second episode, “Triangle,” reveals that monsters and creatures from folklore are being kept in a high-tech floating supermax prison conveniently located in the Bermuda Triangle. Additionally, Amelia Earhart (Kristen Schaal) plays a crucial role in President Curtis’ mission to investigate this prison. The renowned pilot was previously discovered by President Franklin Roosevelt and appointed to oversee “Bermuda Transit.” These humorous references not only enhance the show’s comedy but also give President Curtis an identity that distinguishes it from Rick and Morty.
‘President Curtis’ Moves Away From ‘Rick and Morty’s Repetitive Family Drama
President Curtis employs a similar approach as Rick and Morty, parodying sci-fi themes and various pop-cultural references. However, it steers clear of much of the family drama that has characterized the flagship show’s later seasons, instead incorporating more political and historical satire. While Rick and Morty’s family dynamics arguably add an interesting layer of realism to the show’s sometimes bizarre storylines, it can be frustrating to see characters repeat their mistakes. President Curtis represents a fresh start for the franchise, welcome for its fun take on similar concepts without emotional baggage.
Apart from President Curtis himself, most of the cast consists of new characters, such as Curtis’ chief of staff, Rho Banks (Stephanie Beatriz), who is part-human and part-cyborg, as well as Francis O’Doyle (Jim Rash), an overly serious half-leprechaun Secret Service agent. The series has already hinted at Rho’s troubling backstory involving a traumatic childhood accident that resulted in her receiving advanced cybernetic implants. It has also been suggested that she could override her systems, leading her to become chaotic and amoral. In contrast, O’Doyle takes his job guarding the president very seriously but harbors resentment towards his leprechaun heritage due to his complicated relationship with his mother.
The main characters of President Curtis, despite their flaws, are endearing and relatable. Furthermore, their relationships are expected to deepen as the season unfolds, making this series highly enjoyable overall. With confirmation that the Rick and Morty spin-off will receive at least two seasons, this hopefully marks just the beginning for President Curtis on Adult Swim.
