So the basic premise that I had for Sunnyside was a city councilman finds a new calling or something with a group of immigrants applying for citizenship. It didn’t seem like it would have anywhere to really go, so I predicted cancellation. Now that I have watched the opening episode, cancellation was a generous prediction. I’m surprised the makers of the show are not in receivership with the studio asking for their money back.

Kal Penn is the lead as the councilman and I generally love him. And no, not from Harold and Kumar. I liked him on How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, and more importantly, Designated Survivor. So when I saw it was him, I was hopeful. But the character is TERRIBLE. Disgraced councilman who spent 15 years freeloading on the public dime, only to get booted off council following a drunk and disorderly charge and a viral video. But he hasn’t changed. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself and that continues for most of the episode. Right up until the end when he SUDDENLY decides he does care, because his sister told him to? No catalyst, just an epiphany and now he’s a supposed good guy. Meh.

The rest of the cast is completely forgettable, one trick ponies. From the replacement councilwoman who is likely to be a future romantic interest to the Asian stereotypes to the surgeon turned cab driver. Yawn. The ONLY character that is the least bit interesting is Griselda, played by Diana Maria Riva — she has tons of different jobs. In just about every scene, she’s working. It’s cute and it works.

But the show has the biggest problem of all — it ain’t funny. Which would be fine if it wasn’t a supposed sitcom. On that front, it is unforgivable. Cancellation would seem guaranteed.

And it was — it’s already been cancelled.