When I first learned about a new show called Dave, I was not at all enthused. I had heard that it was some kind of comedy about a white rapper – I had never heard the name Dave Burd or Lil Dicky at that time – and the promotional art, featuring the titular Dave waving with a big, goofy smile while half of his body is enshrouded in men’s underwear – didn’t really help.
I’m so glad that some of my best friends who are super savvy about comedy kept urging me to check it out on FXX/Hulu, because it’s flat out one of the best comedies on television. And, in fact, it currently ranks #37 on Pop Thruster’s updated 100 Best TV Shows Ever list. Here’s what I wrote about Dave:
A comedy show about the antics of a wannabe rapper (who happens to be white) and his crew in LA sounds a bit like an Entourage derivative on its surface. Don’t be fooled: show co-creator, real life rapper (spoiler: he’s exceptionally talented, which really helps), and star Dave Burd aka Lil Dickey has crafted a truly funny and sublimely satirical take on the entertainment industry. More than anything, the core cast is incredible and it’s super fun to hang with the crew and even follow them – and particularly the artist and actor known as GaTa – on side adventures.
I also noted that each of Dave’s three seasons have leveled up in quality from the one before it.
Therefore, it’s truly a bummer that the real life Dave Burd/Lil Dicky has decided to put Dave the show on “hiatus,” or an “extended break” as FX said in a statement. Even more ominous is the phrase “no current plans for a fourth season,” implying that this baby is on ice for the time being.
And let’s hope too that the proverbial “other projects” that Burd is now free to pursue involve some kind of return to the small screen and/or films. While he’s a magnificently talented rapper in his own right (one of many reasons why Dave works so well, as I note above), he’s superb in leading all aspects of a television show, and showed real maturity and growth during Dave’s fantastic (for now) three season run.
Here’s part of the scene from the Dave pilot episode that made me lean forward in my seat and understand that we were all in for a real treat and an exciting new TV show.