‘Loot’ (Season 1)

A lightweight dramedy with a social conscience, Loot is streaming series of 10 x 30 minute episodes (and set up, by episode 10, for a second season).

When Molly Novak (Maya Rudolph) discovers, on her birthday, a philandering husband (Adam Scott), the high profile divorce nets Molly half John’s fortune – $87 billion. But she also discovers a foundation established in her name, dealing with homelessness and social housing in LA. Headed up by the tough-talking Sofia (Michaela Jaé Rodriguez), there’s no love lost as Molly decides to find herself through the charity.

Wealth clashes with poverty – but all in a gentle, humourous way. Loot starts well enough and the relationship between Molly and her young, hip life-style advisor Nicholas (Joel Kim Booster) is sparky and engaging. But the series meanders into unconvincing (not helped by a miscast Rodriguez). It has its occasional moments but by episode 10 and the Silver Moon Summit in Corsica with its ‘clean water for all’ message, Loot has evolved into lazy storytelling with little in terms of character development for all concerned. Sadly by then, Loot just ain’t a hoot.

Rating: 35%