Adam Reynoso ’15 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer Karen Gillan and John Cho in the series premiere of Selfie. Photo Credit: Eric McCandless/ABC.
Familiar to anyone who’s seen Doctor Who and her portrayal of a blue alien assassin in this summer’s Guardians of the Galaxy, actress Karen Gillan is making her debut alongside John Cho on one of her first American comedies with Selfie. The comedy works and is one show to definitely check out.
The premise is pretty straightforward and the title, while not the best, essentially sums up what the show’s all about. Gillan plays Eliza Dooley (using an amazingly superficial and awesome American accent), who is very active on all social media sites, with hundreds of followers on Instagram and Twitter. She wasn’t the most attractive girl back in middle school, but now she’s transformed herself into a successful, beautiful sales rep for a pharmaceutical company. But after an embarrassing moment goes viral, she realizes that maybe it’s time she made real friends. She convinces John Cho’s character, Henry, to help change her image and possibly become a better person. Tim Peper, John Cho and Karen Gillan in the series premiere of Selfie. Photo Credit: Eric McCandless/ABC.
While it seems like the show could easily get lost in its constant use of texting jargon or social media references, there’s actually more heart to Selfie at a closer glance. Seeing Eliza realize she doesn’t really have many friends makes for a moving, sad scene. There’s also the chemistry she has with Henry that’s a big draw.
There’s a great relationship between the two characters; she’s not afraid to call him out on how much of a loner he is, while at the same time, he’s trying to get her to see that she needs to treat people a little better and be present instead of online. The only concern is that their relationship will turn into another “will they/won’t they” that’s been overdone to death on most modern sitcoms. Karen Gillan, Allyn Rachel and Colleen Smith in the series premiere of Selfie. Photo Credit: Eric McCandless/ABC.
The actors themselves also really work here. Cho and Gillan seemed to have slipped into these roles easily. Cho isn’t a stranger to comedies and he brings everything he’s learned from his career. He knows this type of character who almost slightly resembles his Harold and Kumar character. And Gillan just brings her character to life. Her American accent is meant to sound like the usually, party girl and it makes sense that she would use it instead of her normal Scottish accent. But the way she plays the character is both charming and funny. Specifically when she tries to make small talk with a receptionist.
After a solid start and an excellent cast, Selfie has the tools to be one of the better comedies to come from ABC over the last couple of years. Here’s to hoping that it can last longer than last year’s pilots. Selfie airs on Tuesdays at 8/7c on ABC. Overall Episode Grade: B+
