UB Spotlight: ‘Clean Slate’ Doesn’t Disappoint
All Eight Episodes Will Debut On Prime Thursday.
“Clean Slate,” from legendary producer Norman Lear and starring Laverne Cox and George Wallace, premieres this Thursday February 6th on Prime Video.
All eight episodes of “Clean Slate” will debut at launch.
The show follows Harry Slate (George Wallace), an old-school and outspoken Alabama car wash owner, who has a lot of soul searching to do when the estranged child he thought was a son returns home to Mobile as a proud, trans woman, Desiree (Laverne Cox).
Desiree works to repair the fraught relationship with her father, navigating their relationship while contending with vastly different points of view as roommates. They find themselves facing all of the hilarious coming-of-age milestones they missed out on the first time around.
Along the way, Harry’s employee and right-hand man at the car wash, Mack (Jay Wilkison), takes a shine to Desiree. Their flirtation evolves with episode. Desiree’s return as her authentic self turns the church on its head, and puts a strain on her relationship with her closeted best friend and choir director, Louis (D.K. Uzoukwu). Meanwhile, Louis’s mother, Ella (Telma Hopkins) and Harry enjoy a deepening flirtation.
Despite some hesitation, Desiree ultimately emboldens Louis to live his truth. Harry and his arch-nemesis neighbor, Miguel (Philip Garcia), battle playfully, while making a few surprising connections in the process. Desiree forms a strong bond with Mack’s enterprising young daughter, Opal (Norah Murphy), who dreams of one day venturing out of Alabama the way Desiree did.
Desiree thought her homecoming would be temporary, but her return results in her planting fresh roots, and realizing that there may be space for her in Mobile after all.
“Clean Slate” will continue the legacy of Norman Lear television. A new series that the entire family can watch together and just cackle.
Anything with George Wallace is going to be funny, as he is a comedy genius! He portrays Harry, a proud car wash owner.
Then you add legendary comedic actress Telma Hopkins, instantly known from Gimme a Break! and Family Matters, who plays Ella.
Laverne Cox shines in the series!
In “Clean Slate” a trans woman Desiree, decides to return to her father’s home in Alabama, after spending 23 years in New York.
“You know girls like us spend a lot of time, fighting for space. Lord knows plenty of people won’t give it to us willingly. But sometimes, especially when you’re feeling lost. The best thing you can do, is just go where you’re wanted and get what you want.”
When she returns she wants to be seen as a person, not a trans woman. Over the episodes we see her father, get reacquainted with his daughter and in that, they bump heads, have heart-to-hearts and heal past trauma.
Some of the other characters along for the ride include; Harry‘s helpful next door neighbor Miguel, Desiree’s best friend Louis, Mack – who’s Harry’s car wash assistant and his daughter Opal, a dreamer, who knows how to research.
Two things viewers should already know going into this series, being it’s a Norman Lear program. There are no topics off limits and it’s full of comedic one-liners.
From, “Dollar store Steve Harvey,” “Don’t you dare listen to that digital white lady,” and “Please send that man a proof of life pic.” The comedy throughout “Clean Slate” will keep viewers chuckling.
Regardless of the comedy, the core of the series is about Desiree and her journey through this thing called life.
Desiree throughout the episodes shares her story, including educating the audience about LGBTQ+ people having to create their own families, so they won’t be alone.
With Harry being from Alabama, we see the Black church and old traditions and discriminations showcased.
That may all sound a little deep for TV, but again this is a Norman Lear series, created by Laverne Cox and George Wallace, so it’s done in a fun way.
Another highlight is seeing the old-school hilariously party with the LGBTQ+ at a club, while Harry shows out!
On “Clean Slate” you have LGBTQ+, Blacks, Latinos, Whites, and anyone else under the sun, all together bringing comedy.
We’re reminded that you’re never too old to learn from your parents, like learning to drive.
Not to mention the series has some of the most amazing child actors, who own every scene they’re in.
With all episodes dropping at once…we can say, in the finale the viewers learn something hilarious, that you won’t see coming!
Norman Lear would be extremely proud, finally seeing this series launch!
Created by Dan Ewen, Laverne Cox, and George Wallace, the series explores universal themes of everyday life, all through Norman Lear’s signature boundary-pushing brand of comedy.
