In the past two seasons, New Girl has evolved from adorkable comedy starring a woman-child with issues saying the word “penis,” to a smart, hilarious ensemble comedy, with fully developed, interesting characters. It’s gotten so good that, for last week’s Thanksgiving episode, Rob Reiner and Jamie Lee Curtis were the guest stars. ROB REINER AND JAMIE LEE CURTIS.
Season One’s breakout star was Max Greenfield as the absurdist, loafer-wearing, “chut-a-ney”- loving Schmidt. Season Two seems to be the season of crotchety, angry Nick Miller. And Zooey Deschanel’s star continues to burn as brightly as her shiny, shiny hair. But what of Lamorne Morris as Winston Bishop?
Google Jake Johnson or Max Greenfield, and there are pages and pages of Tumblelogs and interviews and prospective future roles. The most we can tell about Lamorne Morris is that he once hosted a television show on Cartoon Network called Brain Rush. He has yet to be badgered by Chelsea Handler, gently ribbed by Jimmies Fallon and Kimmel.
Morris got kind of a raw deal by coming on the show “late” (as in one episode after everyone else). The story about him replacing Damon Wayans (be still, our beating hearts) still, a whole season and a half in, seems to eclipse any press about Morris himself.
Morris’s Winston doesn’t quite have the caché of Nick’s many relationship issues, or Schmidt’s insecure metrosexuality. But Winston is hilarious. I love Schmidt and Nick, but Winston gets thrown just as many fantastic one-liners as they do, especially if you include the musical numbers. I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard or so long at anything on New Girl as I did at Winston’s “Theodore K. Mullins” speech. Winston’s calling to the “great Negro spiritual” made me weep and possibly urinate with laughter.
Winston’s journey from insecure, failed basketball player to a man who could maintain his first real romantic relationship while nailing Kristen Chenoweth’s delivery on “Popular” has been a pleasure to watch. Morris is clearly just as talented a performer as Greenfield or Johnson, and should get more press and credit (unless he’s one of those Dave Chappelle-types that just wants to be left alone).
I just want to watch him get drunk and sing “Groove is in the Heart” forever. He will always be my Prank Sinatra.
[image via]








Leave a Reply
Commenting for the first time? Your comment may not appear immediately, so please be patient. See our policy on comments.