Performer of the Week: Brian Jordan Alvarez
THE PERFORMER | Brian Jordan Alvarez
THE SHOW | English Teacher
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THE EPISODE | “Pilot” (Sept. 2, 2024)
THE PERFORMANCE | The fall TV season always brings with it an exciting new crop of shows and performers — and we already have an early favorite. With his hilariously provocative new FX comedy English Teacher, Alvarez has announced himself as a promising new actor to watch, and it only took a single episode for him to establish high school teacher Evan as a sharply realized, fabulously flawed character.
In this week’s series premiere, Evan started a new school year as the English teacher at an Austin high school, and Alvarez took no prisoners as Evan ruthlessly sized up his students’ shifting priorities, noting that they “aren’t into being woke anymore.” He also let us see Evan’s genuine love for his profession when he complained to his ex Malcolm that he can’t just ditch teaching for a more lucrative career: “I need a job that means something to me… which I hate.” (Alvarez’s style of comedy is very dry and deadpan, but still delivers huge laughs.) Later, as the pressure mounted on Evan due to a school investigation, Alvarez upped his game even further, with Evan protesting when he’s recruited to explain the concept of being non-binary to students just because he’s gay (“I’m binary!”) and then lashing out when a student whined that they felt attacked, crying out: “I feel attacked!”
The investigation was called off, though, and Alvarez showed a hint of vulnerability as Evan thanked gym teacher Markie for helping end the inquiry… even if Markie’s methods were wildly inappropriate. We also saw a flash of romance when Evan met the school’s cute new physics teacher Harry. Alvarez — who also created the series, we should note, no big deal — has fashioned Evan into a compelling character in record time, and we can’t wait to see where he takes him from here. Mark us down for perfect attendance for the rest of the season.
Scroll down to see who scored Honorable Mention shout-outs this week…
HONORABLE MENTION: Kevin Hart
Kevin Hart in recent years has made his bones as a funny man, but as Gordon “Chicken Man” Williams in Peacock’s Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist limited series, he saw a chance to revisit his dramatic chops — and in the first episode alone, he seized that moment. Hart’s Chicken Man is a highly entertaining, engaging character — alternately a suave-ish club boss/wannabe Romeo (in scenes with mistress/co-conspsirator Vivian, played by Taraji P. Henson), a do-right family man (opposite Artrece Johnson’s warm, innocent Faye), and a perhaps-too-ambitious hustler, when trying to measure up against the more established criminal element. Hart and the script imbue Chicken Man with just enough pluck that we want him to succeed, but also a degree of unearned braggadocio that makes us wary of his master plan meeting success. Amid a very stacked cast, Hart more than holds his own. — Matt Webb Mitovich
HONORABLE MENTION: Sagar Radia
In Industry‘s latest, Rishi felt heat from all sides. As the Lumi fiasco threatened Pierpoint’s good standing, the character’s heedless spending and gambling addiction threw him into a tailspin, giving Sagar Radia a spotlight to flex his alpha male energy. As Rishi’s life exploded around him, the actor’s energy bordered on hyperactive, and we felt his stress seep through the screen every time his bookie came calling. Radia sold Rishi’s “appetite for risk” with speedy dialogue, lewd physicality and — when things were going his way — manic joy. But when his bad habits led to his assault and crumbling marriage, Radia responded to the chaos with seediness, desperation, fear and ultimately, a pathetic, enraged meltdown on the floor. All of the actor’s dramatics served as one impressive juggling act and a mighty fine complement to the show’s excellent ensemble. — Nick Caruso
Which performance(s) knocked your socks off this week? Tell us in the comments!
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