Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens

Awkwafina is pretty funny in Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens. But so is the rest of the cast, and she grounds her comedy by concentrating on her family.

Ultimately, the show is Awkwafina’s baby all the way, as she brings her own fearless twists to the slacker genre. She has the chops to anchor a series, and the wisdom to let other performers steal scenes.

While Nora From Queens definitely bears the mark of the quirky Comedy Central anti-heroines who came before her, at its core the show nails two of the most important things for a successful sitcom: a distinct point of view and genuine heart.

Despite some funny moments, the show falls into a broad category of TV comedy -- the 20-something slacker, fumbling her way through life in the big city -- that can't help but feel a little stale at this point.

Her brash, screeching shamelessness is a good fit with Comedy Central's irreverence, and she makes the most of this gig. [20 Jan - 2 Feb 2020, p.9]

The show’s presentation of itself from title on as an autobiographical look at a star about whom we’re curious elides so much of what’s pertinent about her story as to feel, episode-to-episode, somewhat monotonous. Nora’s floating approach to life has manifold real charms. It also means that the show doesn’t have any momentum, or anywhere to go. It does have Awkwafina.

This collection of wacky conundrums and underachiever gags feels like a missed opportunity — and distinctly half-realized next to her other stellar achievements of late. ... Nora needs more than meandering dialogue and a few absurd set pieces (catching her roommate’s apartment on fire, for example) to emerge from her funk as an underdeveloped character.