It’s simple.
Steve Buscemi is God. He wants to blow up earth.
Daniel Radcliffe is an angel. He wants to save it.
With the help of other angels, Radcliffe has to make two humans fall in love in order to save the earth. Simple, right? Then, it should be just as simple to watch TBS’s limited series, “Miracle Workers.”
Miracle Workers is a Heaven-set workplace comedy series based on Simon Rich’s humorous fiction novel, “What In God’s Name,” which was published by Back Bay Books in 2013. TBS takes the job of adapting this fresh and funny novel into a new limited series that has been promoted everywhere on social media and television since the end of last year. With an already 70% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and with critics claiming the series to be “more charming than clever,” Miracle Workers becomes a wonderful adaptation of an already funny and powerful story.
Seeing Daniel Radcliffe (but not his glasses) back on the screen alongside Steve Buscemi, Geraldine Viswanathan and Karan Soni is a good enough reason to give this show a chance. However, don’t let appearances mislead you. Although the once wizard’s name might be the first thing you see written in the show’s opening sequence, it is really his talented co-worker, Geraldine Viswanathan, who sits behind the wheel of this story.
Geraldine Viswanathan takes the lead female role of Eliza, an angel who is excited to finally start answering humanity’s prayers, but she quickly gets frustrated when she realizes that only a tiny percentage of prayers get answered.
Daniel Radcliffe has the role of Craig, a low-level angel who is in charge of answering all of humanity’s prayers. After Eliza makes a bet with God in order to save the earth, Craig and Eliza start working together in order to complete a seemingly impossible prayer to save it. This prayer is helping the two most socially awkward humans in the world fall in love.
Though Miracle Workers has an iconic cast and interesting story to explore, it is my fear that, as new episodes are released in the next couple of weeks, the series will rely on the use of bad jokes and uncomfortable moments that current sitcoms like The Big Bang Theory have depended on for their survival. Miracle Workers has no room for cheap jokes and funny gags. Different from other sitcoms, Miracle Workers tells a story about a group of people who are looking to fix an already screwed up system from the very top.
There is a tangible story line with all characters taking the same road to achieve a common goal. Yet, Miracle Workers has room for perfect character development, valuable life lessons and endless lines of crazy, yet meaningful, dialogue.
Can Miracle Workers become something more than a story about a group of angels going against the wishes of a maniacal, manipulative and sociopathic God? There is no doubt that everything that happens after the 24 minute episode offers time for discussion.
With a recalcitrant God, a low-level angel answering all of humanity’s prayers, a far-too dedicated angel and a heavenly yes- man, Miracle Workers has enough potential to explore what could hopefully be a more charming and enjoyable second season. I seriously hope that a simple prayer like this gets answered.
Catch a new episode of Miracle Workers every Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. on TBS.
