First Impressions: Champions (Netflix)

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 There is a certain category of light, fluffy, feel-good sentimental films or videos that you can watch when tending to an ailing parent or waiting for a couple of hours for a late-night call. It can't be too light and insubstantial to make you feel like you've wasted your life. It can't be so heavy that it requires anguished involvement. 

'Champions' hits that Goldilocks spot. 

It is the story of two brothers who barely keep a run-down gym afloat in New York. One brother had a promising past as a footballer but life happened. His extremely good-looking but undouchebag brother was too slow to graduate high-school and has a deep, unsettling attachment with his older brother. One day, these guys find out that the older brother had a son  15-years ago with an Indian woman (Mindy Kaling) in college. The off-spring is a 15-year old gay boy who grew up in Cleveland ('mistake by lake' as the city is referred to in the series) and has aspirations to write a musical and become famous on Broadway. 

He has to move in with a very reluctant dad and a very affectionate uncle due to circumstances. And how they all settle in is what the series is about.

This is such a charming, delightful little watch. I suppose the show is similar to practically every similar show of reluctant dad-son bonding storyin broad strokes. Nothing is wholly unpredictable. But it is precisely this comfort that is delicious. And the cast and the dialogues. The writing is sharp and funny (I'm actually smiling as I type this). The gym employs a motley group of characters as trainers, not one of who is actually fit to be a trainer, except for one, . There is a large lesbian who abuses and insults her clients into working out. There's an Italian guy who was friends with the owner (these men's father) and he only sits around in the cafeteria. There's a timid accountant with an irritating dog and a jerk of a boyfriend. There's an Indian diva who wants to host dubious vodka-launch parties. There's an African wannabe actor was wants to remake 'Jesus Christ Superstar' with Prophet Muhammad in the lead. They're all wonderful. 

There's Hasan Minaj in one of the episodes and he's the one I found a little sore in the ensemble. But the rest of the cast is solid. And that 15-year old Michael Patel - I doubt if I have enjoyed an insufferable teen on screen as much.

I was surprised that I enjoyed the show as much as I did. If you're looking for something to lighten the mood, this is a good show to pick.

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