South Side (TV series)

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South Side
Lead characters Simone and Kareme stand in front of a brick wall that has wheat paste images of the other characters on the show. They are wearing turquoise polo shirts with the RTO logo.
Official promotional poster
GenreSitcom
Created byDiallo Riddle
Bashir Salahuddin
Sultan Salahuddin
StarringSultan Salahuddin
Kareme Young
Quincy Young
Chandra Russell
Bashir Salahuddin
Diallo Riddle
Lil Rel Howery
Zuri Salahuddin
Theme music composerSasha Go Hard
ComposerDaniel D. Crawford
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes28
Production
Executive producersMichael Blieden
Will A. Miles
Diallo Riddle
Bashir Salahuddin
Running time22 minutes
Production companiesEmerald Street
The Riddle Entertainment Group
Jax Media
Comedy Partners
MTV Entertainment Studios
Original release
Network
ReleaseJuly 24, 2019 (2019-07-24) –
December 29, 2022 (2022-12-29)

South Side is an American sitcom created by Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle. Filmed and set in the Englewood area of Chicago, it follows two friends (portrayed by Sultan Salahuddin and Kareme Young) who recently graduated from community college and are seeking business success while working at a rent-to-own shop. The show premiered on Comedy Central on July 24, 2019.[1][2] In August 2019, the series was renewed for a 10-episode second season.[3] The series moved to HBO Max for its second season on November 11, 2021, making the series a "Max Original".[4] The second season premiered on November 11, 2021.[5] In February 2022, the series was renewed for a third season, which premiered on December 8, 2022.[6] In February 2023, the series was cancelled after three seasons.[7]

Premise

South Side centers on "a pair of newly minted community college graduates and small-time hustlers who are always cooking up some petty scheme from black market Viagra to street corner popcorn — with an eye toward upward mobility".[8]

Cast

Main

  • Sultan Salahuddin as Simon James[8]
  • Kareme Young as Kareme Odom[8]
  • Chandra Russell as Sergeant Turner[8]
  • Bashir Salahuddin as Officer Goodnight[8]

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast releasedNetwork
110July 24, 2019 (2019-07-24)September 18, 2019 (2019-09-18)Comedy Central
210November 11, 2021 (2021-11-11)November 25, 2021 (2021-11-25)HBO Max
38December 8, 2022 (2022-12-08)December 29, 2022 (2022-12-29)

Season 1 (2019)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
11"Xbox"Michael BliedenBashir Salahuddin, Diallo Riddle & Sultan SalahuddinJuly 24, 2019 (2019-07-24)0.256[18]
22"Sell Yourself"Michael BliedenBashir Salahuddin & Diallo RiddleJuly 31, 2019 (2019-07-31)0.279[19]
33"Turner Buys a Building"Michael BliedenBashir Salahuddin & Diallo RiddleAugust 7, 2019 (2019-08-07)0.316[20]
44"The Day the Jordans Drop"Michael BliedenLangston KermanAugust 14, 2019 (2019-08-14)0.277[21]
55"Cold Cases"Michael BliedenChauncey B. Raglin-Washington & Bennett WalshAugust 21, 2019 (2019-08-21)0.241[22]
66"Mongolian Curly"Michael BliedenChandra RussellAugust 28, 2019 (2019-08-28)0.262[23]
77"Chi-town"Michael BliedenSultan SalahuddinSeptember 4, 2019 (2019-09-04)0.311[24]
88"Weird White Murderer"Michael BliedenAlisha CowanSeptember 11, 2019 (2019-09-11)0.246[25]
99"Mild Sauce Meatballs"Michael BliedenWill MilesSeptember 18, 2019 (2019-09-18)0.210[26]
1010"Litcoin"Michael BliedenMichael BliedenSeptember 18, 2019 (2019-09-18)0.199[26]

Season 2 (2021)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
111"Treat Yourself"Michael BliedenAlisha CowanNovember 11, 2021 (2021-11-11)
122"Ambulance"Michael BliedenBashir Salahuddin & Diallo RiddleNovember 11, 2021 (2021-11-11)
133"The Election"Ismail SalahuddinLangston KermanNovember 11, 2021 (2021-11-11)
144"Turner's and Brenda's Day Off"Michael BliedenChandra Russell & Alisha CowanNovember 18, 2021 (2021-11-18)
155"Life of an Ottoman"Michael BliedenBennett WalshNovember 18, 2021 (2021-11-18)
166"Chicago's #1 Party Promoter"Michael BliedenWill MilesNovember 18, 2021 (2021-11-18)
177"Face Your Fears"Michael BliedenSultan SalahuddinNovember 25, 2021 (2021-11-25)
188"Tornado"Bashir Salahuddin & Diallo RiddleMichael BliedenNovember 25, 2021 (2021-11-25)
199"10 Less Minutes"Michael BliedenBashir Salahuddin, Diallo Riddle & Zuri SalahuddinNovember 25, 2021 (2021-11-25)
2010"Sarcophacouch"Michael BliedenChandra RussellNovember 25, 2021 (2021-11-25)

Season 3 (2022)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [27]
211"Heartless"Michael BliedenBashir Salahuddin, Diallo Riddle & Rashida OlayiwolaDecember 8, 2022 (2022-12-08)
222"College"Michael BliedenMichael BliedenDecember 8, 2022 (2022-12-08)
233"The Laughter"Bashir Salahuddin & Diallo RiddleBennett WalshDecember 15, 2022 (2022-12-15)
244"South Suburbs"Michael BliedenChandra RussellDecember 15, 2022 (2022-12-15)
255"The Spirt of Kwanzaa"Michael BliedenZuri Salahuddin & Lauren WalkerDecember 22, 2022 (2022-12-22)
266"DJ Alderman"Britt BoardmanWill MilesDecember 22, 2022 (2022-12-22)
277"Super Speed"Ismail SalahuddinAlisha CowanDecember 29, 2022 (2022-12-29)
288"Littlepalooza"Michael BliedenSultan SalahuddinDecember 29, 2022 (2022-12-29)

Production

Development

Title screen of season 1

On October 17, 2017, it was announced that Comedy Central had ordered the pilot for South Side from creators Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle, writing alums from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.[28][29] The two also serve as executive producers and co-stars. On May 16, 2019, it was announced that the series would premiere on July 24, 2019.[29]

Showrunners Salahuddin and Riddle stated that South Side was created to portray the South Side of Chicago where Bashir Salahuddin grew up and to show that "[t]here is joy on the South Side and the many Chicagoans who made this show, both in front of and behind the camera, are eager to share that joy."[30] The show is set in Englewood and features local actors and production members from Chicago.[13]

Casting

Sultan Salahuddin, cast in the lead role of Simon, is the brother of show creator Bashir Salahuddin. Bashir plays Officer Goodnight opposite his real-life wife, Chandra Russell, who portrays Sergeant Turner. Sultan's co-lead, Kareme Young, is the real-life twin brother of cast member Quincy Young, who also plays his brother on the show.[31] Other cast members and guest stars include Chicago natives Lil Rel Howery, Nathaniel "Earthquake" Stroman, LisaRaye McCoy, Chance the Rapper, and Kel Mitchell.[30]

Release

South Side premiered on July 24, 2019. On August 28, 2019, Comedy Central renewed the series for a 10-episode second season.[3] On August 13, 2020, it was reported that the series' first season was set to be streaming on HBO Max in 2021 and the series moved to HBO Max in November 2021, making the series a "Max Original".[4] The second season was released on November 11, 2021.[5] On February 8, 2022, HBO Max renewed the series for a third season.[6] On February 21, 2023, HBO Max cancelled the series after three seasons.[7]

Reception

South Side received positive critical reception.[32] The first season of the show has a score of 79/100 on review aggregator Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[33] Writing for Vanity Fair, Laura Bradley stated: "The writers worked to imbue the series with a diverse cast of characters whose values, socioeconomic status, and ambitions varied widely...the thing all of the show's main characters have in common is their drive."[31] Tambay Obenson wrote in a review for IndieWire, "The creators and cast know this world intimately, and instead of turning their camera on the usual crime and poverty, they find the humor that exists within the mayhem."[34]

Season 2 holds a 100% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes based on six critics' reviews.[35]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2022 Black Reel Awards Outstanding Guest Actor, Comedy Series Lil Rel Howery Nominated [36]
Outstanding Comedy Series Bashir Salahuddin, Diallo Riddle Nominated
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series Bashir Salahuddin, Diallo Riddle (for "Tornado") Won [37]

Other media

On September 4, 2019, Comedy Central and WBEZ Chicago launched South Side Stories, a podcast collaboration that centers the real-life people and places that inspired the series.[38]

References

  1. ^ Jevens, Darel (February 11, 2019). "VIDEO: Trailer shows slice-of-life humor of 'South Side,' an upcoming TV series". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  2. ^ Ihejirika, Maudlyne (January 20, 2019). "Star of Comedy Central's 'South Side' to create film jobs for youth through nonprofit". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Petski, Denise (August 28, 2019). "'South Side' Renewed For Season 2 By Comedy Central". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Schwartz, Ryan (August 13, 2020). "The Other Two and South Side Exit Comedy Central for HBO Max". TVLine. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Mitovich, Matt Webb (November 3, 2021). "South Side Season 2: Watch Trailer for MIA Comedy's Return via HBO Max". TVLine. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Del Rosario, Alexandra (February 8, 2022). "'South Side' Renewed For Season 3 By HBO Max". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  7. ^ a b Nemetz, Dave (February 21, 2023). "South Side Cancelled at HBO Max". TVLine. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "'South Side': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  9. ^ Greene, Steve (2021-11-11). "'South Side' Review: Chicago-Set Comedy Returns for a Season 2 with Dreams Even Bigger than the City". IndieWire. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
  10. ^ a b "Cooler by the Lake South Side". Comedy Central. 10 August 2019.
  11. ^ a b c d e "South Side". TV Maze.
  12. ^ "South Side: Chi-town". TV Maze.
  13. ^ a b c d e f D'Alessandro, Anthony (2019-02-12). "Comedy Central's 'South Side': Meet The Neighborhood – Trailer". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  14. ^ a b c Toby, Mekeisha Madden (2021-11-19). "South Side's Diallo Riddle Talks Up Season 2's Gems, Explains Why His Curb Your Enthusiasm Turn Fell Flat". TVLine. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
  15. ^ Greene, Janaya (2021-11-11). "Expanding the universe of South Side". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
  16. ^ "Sommore | Pressroom". pressroom.warnermedia.com. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
  17. ^ "HBO Max Shares Trailer for Long-Awaited 'South Side' Season 2". Complex. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
  18. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.24.2019". Showbuzz Daily. 2019-07-25. Archived from the original on 2019-07-25. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
  19. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.31.2019". Showbuzz Daily. 2019-08-01. Archived from the original on 2019-08-01. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
  20. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.7.2019". Showbuzz Daily. 2019-08-08. Archived from the original on 2019-08-08. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
  21. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.14.2019". Showbuzz Daily. 2019-08-15. Archived from the original on 2019-08-15. Retrieved 2019-08-19.
  22. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.21.2019". Showbuzz Daily. 2019-08-22. Archived from the original on 2019-08-22. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
  23. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.28.2019". Showbuzz Daily. 2019-08-29. Archived from the original on 2019-08-29. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
  24. ^ "UPDATED with Broadcast: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.4.2019". Showbuzz Daily. 2019-09-05. Archived from the original on 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2019-09-22.
  25. ^ "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.11.2019". Showbuzz Daily. 2019-09-12. Archived from the original on 2019-09-14. Retrieved 2019-09-22.
  26. ^ a b "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 9.18.2019". Showbuzz Daily. 2019-09-19. Archived from the original on 2019-09-20. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  27. ^ "Shows A-Z – South Side on HBO Max". The Futon Critic. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  28. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2017-10-17). "Comedy Central Orders 2 New Series From 'Saturday Night Live', 'Late Night' Alums". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  29. ^ a b Megh Wright (2019-05-16). "Trailer: Comedy Central's Upcoming Show 'South Side'". Vulture.com. Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  30. ^ a b Stidhum, Tonja Renée (16 May 2019). "Watch: Comedy Central's South Side Highlights the 'Hope and Love' of Chicago in Debut Trailer". The Grapevine. Retrieved 2019-07-23.
  31. ^ a b "Comedy Central's South Side Is a Raucous Summer Must-Watch". Vanity Fair. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  32. ^ Roeper, Richard (2019-07-23). "'South Side' sitcom so funny, so smart, that 10 episodes aren't enough". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  33. ^ South Side, retrieved 2020-04-12
  34. ^ Obenson, Tambay (2019-07-23). "'South Side' Review: Comedy Central's New Series Humanizes an Oft-Derided Community". IndieWire. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  35. ^ "South Side: Season 2 (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  36. ^ "6th Bolts TV Nominees". Black Reel Awards. Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  37. ^ "Winners + Nominees". NAACP Image Awards. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  38. ^ Rockett, Darcel. "WBEZ's 'South Side Stories' podcast brings attention to the lives and stories of South Siders". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-06-13.

External links