Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Roundtable: Zoey’s Extraordinary Mother

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist is still making us laugh and cry each week. Roz, Karen and Ange  (and occasionally Leah and Mel) will be covering the show each week to discuss the things that were Music To Our Ears and the things that were more Nails On A Chalkboard. Join us won’t you?

Zoey has to figure out a clever way to help her mother with an impossible decision. Max unexpectedly bonds with Leif. Mo hits a rough-patch with Eddie.

Music To Our Ears

Roz: BERNADETTE PETERS! I’ve loved her since I saw “Into the Woods” in the late ’80s, and to have her sing “Feeling Good” is amazing (also let us take a minute to miss her. The anniversary of her death was Tuesday.) But I also love what role her character played in helping Zoey’s mom figure out what to do with the funeral process.

Also to have that karaoke mixed in with regular “heart songs” was a great touch.

Ange: This was a heavier episode than previous, so it was such a delight to have Bernadette Peters in this episode, and even more so playing a character that lent a bit more light into more emotional storyline. More Mo is always a highlight for me too.

Karen: Okay, I gotta lead off with the guest stars this week. Paul Feig is always a treat to see on my TV box. I thought, “hey! cool that he’s the guest this week” and then BAM – Bernadette Peters? HOLY MOLY! Talk about a musical legend. Mo threw Zoey a little shade with her suggestion that she’s got unresolved issues with Max – I like that. And including Karaoke as a way to pair real-life singing with the heartsongs… brilliant. Side note: Paul Feig produces the show, as well as Nurse Jackie, The Office, and Freaks and Geeks.

(Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)

Nails On The Chalkboard

Roz: Max, Max, Max! I don’t get letting Leif come to the 6th floor, but it did bite him in the ass at the end. I don’t think Zoey’s going to take Max’ firing very well. I get that Mo is conflicted about their relationship with that guy, but that decision won’t get well.

Ange: Oof the Max and Zoey conflict was not great to watch. These two need time apart before even more hurtful words are said. I’m all for Max speaking his truth, but now it’s at the point where it’s hard to tell if he’s just being petty. Mo self sabotaging her new relationship, I get but it still made me sad.

Karen: Intrigue? Not sure that’s a huge selling point. Leif sells out Ava because he’s in love with Joan… ugh. cringy. It leads to Ava and Joan bonding a bit, which kinda ruins their frienemies relationship. I dug that. I’m a little sad with all the breakups too. Mo barely got a chance to be with her boytoy before she pushes him away. Although singing “Issues” as she walks across a dance audition? That was pretty great. Especially when we see that she’s *actually* doing it and it’s not just in Zoey’s vision.

(Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)

Music

Roz:  “Feeling Good” is one of my favorites of all time, so it was great to hear it in the show. “Issues” is also such a great song and I think

Ange: I’m with you on Bernadette Peters ‘Feeling Good’ being a highlight! Loved Mo’s ‘Issues’ number too and then the ‘All Out of Love/Bye Bye Bye’ mashup was gold and had me cracking up!

Karen: I wasn’t a fan of *all* the songs this week, but Bernadette Peters singing Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” made up for EVERYTHING. How can I not pick that one as my favorite? Runner up was the “All Out of Love”/”Bye, Bye, Bye” mashup. Leif singing in real life along with Max’s heartsong was done incredibly well. I wasn’t enamored with “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” sung by an ensemble in the funeral home. I get what they were trying to do, but the line “you’ll be dead before your time is due” sung from a (grand?)father to his daughter was super grim.

(Photo by: Sergei Bachlakov/NBC)

The cast performances from this episode are available here.*

Follow along with our coverage here.

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist airs Sunday at  9/8c on NBC.

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