Sami

This sweet and funny series is a love letter to theater and musical comedy, as well as the sitcoms of the Golden Era of television. The songs are funny and wistful, the characters endearing, and - there's even a pie fight! Amazing performances all around, from the amazing star, Sami Staitman, through to a very touching final screen performance by comic legend Cindy Williams. If you are a New York theater aficionado, you'll be kept busy with all the indsider-y cameos. With wonderful performances, music, and laughs, what's not to love? The ten episodes clock in at just over 2 hours. Don't miss it!

If you've ever gone to a callback for someone's misbegotten idea for an off- (x5) Broadway show, done your absolute best, and still been treated like dog-doo by the arrogant creators, this show is for you.

Essentially a love letter to the kids still out there trying to make a go in the modern world of musical theatre, this sweetly old-fashioned short-form show follows the titular Sami as she tries to book something more than an uncouth YouTube spot.

Delightful B'way cameos, winning supporting cast, no big message, some gorgeous songs that should be snapped up for future auditions and open mics, and one last reunion of Bruce Kimmel and the late Cindy Williams. I'm here for it, as the kids say.

The charismatic Sami Staitman stars in this series as Sami Sherman, a would-be actress doing her best to make it in New York. (If she can make it there ... oops, wrong song, wrong show.) Her life unfolds in a way that feels like an updated version of That Girl. It's sweet, but not saccharine. Nor is it too innocent, as Sami's hilarious YouTube commercial attests. But finding success isn't going to happen overnight, not when some of the roles she auditions for are of hilarious dubious quality (think of it: a musical version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). Offering support along the way are her best friend, Sammy (Karim Hazime), her mother (Kerry O'Malley) and her grandmother (the great Cindy Williams in her final role).

In each episode, we're treated to just how gifted Staitman/Sherman can be, usually in the form of a song written by series creator and writer Bruce Kimmel. Along the way, she gets to perform with and for some stage greats like Karen Ziemba and Brad Oscar. My favorite song from the 10 winning episodes was Staitman by herself giving her all to a beautiful ballad called "Simply." Irresistible. Your choice could vary as strong arguments could be made for "Annie," O'Malley's over-the-top "I'm-on-a-Diet Blues" and Williams' hilarious "I Married a Schnook."

Their combined efforts and Kimmel's witty scripts make Sami a sure-fire winner. I'm looking forward to season 2.

"Sami" is a new short-format series from Bruce Kimmel that's a throwback to the "single woman on her own" type shows like "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" or "That Girl." Unlike those shows, "Sami" is a musical show with at least one song in every episode. Every song is a winner, every episode is a winner, and Sami Staitman as Sami Sherman is a winner, as well. The scripts by Mr. Kimmel are sweet and very well written. And most of the guest stars are real Broadway talent! The other regular actors are Karim Hazime as Sami's BFF, Kerry O'Malley as Sami's mother, and in her last project, the late great Cindy Williams as Sami's grandmother. I thoroughly enjoyed this entire season, and can't wait for season two!

How gratifying it is to finally be able to watch this series after hearing so many promising things about it. It's worth every moment, and its ten episodes made a great binge watch this morning.

Everyone in the show, from the leads to every last cameo, are a revelation - as is the pacing and music and all that good stuff, thanks to writer/director Bruce Kimmel and music director Richard Allen.

Special mention must be made of the incredible privilege it is to watch the great Cindy Williams in what, sadly, became her last appearance. Her comic genius is perfection, which beautifully evokes her early brilliant work with Kimmel in his films "The First Nudie Musical" and "The Creature Wasn't Nice", and in their TV appearances. RIP, dear lady.

If you love classic TV situational comedy and/or just love musicals of all stripes, SAMI is for you. I will personally be back for more, and I can't recommend the series enough. Now, bring on Season Two!