In 2022, she appeared in two distinct series. One of them was Inside Amy Schumer, which had been on hiatus for six years as Schumer devoted her time to family and other professional ventures. The other series was Life & Beth, where Schumer portrayed a discontented woman who returned to her childhood residence in Long Island following her mother’s passing, aiming for a fresh start in a life that hadn’t unfolded as she had envisioned.
The revival of Inside Amy Schumer went by relatively unnoticed, and the entire series was recently removed from Paramount+. While it had its moments, like many reboots, it struggled to find its place in a vastly changed landscape. On the contrary, Life & Beth resonated enough to warrant a return for another 10-episode season, which has been deemed even superior to the first.
Schumer is the mastermind behind the series, contributing to the writing and direction of numerous episodes. Although the show draws inspiration from her own experiences, notably her relationship with the quirky farmer John (), resembling Schumer’s real-life marriage to chef Chris Fischer, it represents a significant departure from her previous work. While comedy remains a central element—ranging from subtle to overtly bold akin to an Inside Amy Schumer sketch—the show also delves into Beth’s unhappiness and the shadows of her upbringing with a profound seriousness, challenging Schumer both as an actress and a creative force. Unsurprisingly, striking the right balance took time. Initially, the series’ tone was overwhelmingly somber, with instances where humor and pathos seemed to uncomfortably coexist.
Throughout the season, the equilibrium was established, particularly as Schumer and Cera shared more screen time. John’s character exudes confidence and sincerity, coupled with eccentricity and inscrutability—a departure from Cera’s typical portrayal of nervous, beta male roles. Despite this shift, Cera embodied the character convincingly, and the chemistry between him and Schumer created a captivating dynamic, encapsulating the seriocomic essence that Life & Beth aimed to achieve.
Moving forward in their committed relationship, Beth finds herself mostly content, yet she confides in her exasperated doctor () about a lingering sense of unease. John’s demeanor oscillates between attentive and oblivious, leading to moments of both chaos and bliss, such as a tumultuous dinner date in the premiere episode. As the couple contemplates marriage and children, Schumer’s art begins to imitate life even further, prompting Beth to ponder whether John, , may be on the autism spectrum.
Simultaneously, Schumer and her team delve deeper into the ensemble(*), fleshing out characters like Beth’s amiable yet self-destructive ex, Matt (Kevin Kane), her sister Annie (Susannah Flood), her pharmacist friend LaVar (LaVar Walker), and her childhood companions Maya (Yamaneika Saunders), Jen (Arielle Siegel), and Jess (Sas Goldberg), among others. While some characters receive more screen time to explore their dynamics with Beth—Saunders shines in these moments—others provide comic relief or poignant subplots unrelated to the protagonist. For instance, a lighthearted subplot follows LaVar and a customer (Tim Daly in a delightful cameo) on a quest to rectify a medication error, while a melancholic arc delves into Annie’s mental health crisis unnoticed by her self-absorbed sister. Even peripheral characters are granted more depth, like the running joke about Maya’s boyfriend, Shlomo (Gary Gulman), attempting to bolster the dwindling population of practicing Jews in America.
The narrative also revisits the teenage version of Beth (Violet Young), unfolding the humiliations and traumas she endured amidst the dysfunction of her parents (Laura Benanti and once again) and the challenges of adolescence. This exploration not only enriches the present-day storyline by providing insight into Beth and Annie’s upbringing but also serves as a release valve for the more outlandish moments, featuring brief appearances by , , , and others, ensuring a cohesive blend of styles.
While Schumer may consider revisiting a sketch series in the future to replicate the success of the original Inside Amy Schumer, her current endeavor showcases a distinct approach that continues to resonate strongly.
All 10 episodes of Life & Beth Season Two will premiere on Hulu on Feb. 16. I’ve had the opportunity to preview the entire season.