Survival Of The Thickest: A Hilarious and Heartwarming Comedy Series

Survival Of The Thickest is an uproarious comedy series that made its debut on Netflix on July 13, 2023. Starring Michelle Buteau as Mavis Beaumont, a plus-size fashion stylist who embarks on a fresh start after a devastating breakup, the show takes viewers on a delightful journey through the ups and downs of life, love, and career in the vibrant setting of New York City. Inspired by Buteau’s memoir of the same name, this series presents a personal and professional odyssey of a black woman in the entertainment industry.

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Survival Of The Thickest: Trailer

A Teaser was released on May 24,2023 giving a glimpse into what fun we will be having in the series.

The official trailer for Survival Of The Thickest hit the screens on June 13, 2023, a month ahead of the show’s premiere. Introducing us to Mavis, a passionate stylist working for a renowned fashion magazine, the trailer sets the stage for a hilarious and heartwarming story. Mavis appears to have it all—a loving boyfriend, a supportive best friend, and a dream job. However, her world comes crashing down when she discovers her boyfriend cheating on her with her boss. Determined to rebuild her life, Mavis embarks on a journey filled with new friends, potential love interests, and challenges that test her resilience and self-confidence.

The trailer brilliantly captures the show’s humor, charm, and diversity, while showcasing Buteau’s charismatic portrayal of the lead character. It also offers glimpses of the guest stars, including Garcelle Beauvais, Peppermint, and Jordan Carlos, who add their unique flavor to the series. Let’s catch the trailer here:

Survival Of The Thickest: Release Date

Survival Of The Thickest comprises eight episodes and became available for streaming on Netflix on July 13, 2023. Each episode boasts a runtime of approximately 30 minutes, making it a perfect binge-watching choice. It is important to note that the show carries a TV-MA rating, intended for mature audiences.

Storyline

Survival Of The Thickest revolves around the captivating journey of Mavis Beaumont, a newly single plus-size black woman who finds herself rebuilding her life from scratch after investing everything in a failed relationship. Mavis works as an assistant fashion stylist for Glamourous magazine, a prestigious publication in the industry. For five years, she has been dating Jacque, a handsome photographer employed by the same magazine. Believing he is the one, Mavis envisions a future with him.

However, her world is shattered when she catches Jacque in bed with her boss, Shira. Heartbroken and betrayed, Mavis breaks up with Jacque and leaves her job behind. Realizing she has neglected her own dreams for far too long, she decides to embrace her messy single life on her own terms. Regardless of the obstacles posed by her ex, her professional blunders, and the roller coaster of dating, Mavis remains determined to rise as a confident and successful woman.

Supported by her chosen family, Mavis embarks on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Her chosen family includes Marley, her best friend and a successful lawyer who is also a single mother; Khalil, her gay neighbor aspiring to be an actor and comedian; India, her younger sister aspiring to be a singer; Bazemore, her flamboyant former coworker with a passion for fashion; and Loretta, her retired nurse mother.

Along her path, Mavis encounters new people who challenge and inspire her in various ways. Notable characters include Natasha, a renowned fashion designer who becomes Mavis’ mentor; Peppermint, a drag queen who becomes Mavis’ friend; Jordan, a charismatic journalist who becomes Mavis’ love interest; Cathy, a quirky therapist who helps Mavis cope with her issues; Sabine, an edgy model who becomes Mavis’ rival; Davis, an arrogant editor who becomes Mavis’ boss; and Dr. Britta, a fertility specialist who assists Mavis with her reproductive health.

Survival Of The Thickest humorously delves into themes such as body positivity, self-love, friendship, family, career, romance, and identity. Moreover, it fearlessly addresses the challenges and stereotypes faced by black women in both society and the media. Drawing inspiration from Buteau’s own experiences as a plus-size woman of color in the entertainment industry, the show presents an authentic and uplifting narrative.

Survival Of The Thickest: Cast and Crew

Survival Of The Thickest boasts a talented and diverse cast and crew who breathe life into the series. Let’s take a peek at some of the key individuals involved:

Michelle Buteau as Mavis Beaumont: Buteau, a renowned comedian, actress, writer, and producer, takes on the lead role. Known for her stand-up specials, such as Welcome to Buteaupia and The Circle: The Afterparty, she has also appeared in various movies and TV shows, including Always Be My Maybe, Someone Great, First Wives Club, and The Upshaws. Buteau serves as the creator, star, and executive producer of Survival Of The Thickest.
Tone Bell as Khalil: Bell, a talented comedian and actor, portrays Khalil, Mavis’ neighbor and aspiring actor/comedian. His previous works include roles in TV shows like Disjointed, Fam, Truth Be Told, and United States of Al.
Tasha Smith as Marley: Smith, an accomplished actress, director, and producer, brings Marley to life. Marley is Mavis’ best friend since college, a successful lawyer, and a single mother. Smith’s notable works include movies and TV shows such as Why Did I Get Married?, Empire, Star, and Power Book II: Ghost.
Anissa Felix as India: Felix, a talented actress and singer, portrays India, Mavis’ younger sister with aspirations of becoming a singer. Felix has previously appeared in TV shows such as The Bold Type, Katy Keene, and Dash & Lily.
Donovan Louis as Bazemore Cooper: Louis, an actor and model, takes on the role of Bazemore, Mavis’ flamboyant former coworker with a flair for fashion¹. His previous works include appearances in Dynasty, The Resident, and P-Valley.
Anna George as Shira: George, an actress with notable appearances in movies and TV shows like Royal Pains, The Good Wife, and New Amsterdam, portrays Shira, Mavis’ former boss and the editor-in-chief of Glamourous magazine
Monnae Michaell as Loretta: Michaell, an actress with roles in NCIS: Los Angeles, How to Get Away with Murder, and Black-ish, brings Loretta to life. Loretta is Mavis’ retired nurse mother.
Ambre Anderson as Dr. Britta: Anderson, an actress known for her performances in The Good Doctor, Lucifer, and Insecure, plays Dr. Britta, a fertility specialist assisting Mavis with her reproductive health.
Princess Adenike as Melanie: Adenike, an actress who has appeared in shows like Black Lightning, Queen Sugar, and Tyler Perry’s Sistas, portrays Melanie, Jacque’s new girlfriend who also works for Glamourous magazine.
Erik McKay as EMT: McKay, an actor with appearances in Grey’s Anatomy, Shameless, and Lucifer, portrays an emergency medical technician who assists Mavis when she faints.
Garcelle Beauvais as Natasha: Beauvais, an actress, model, and author, joins the show as Natasha, a famous fashion designer who becomes Mavis’ mentor. Her previous works include movies and TV shows such as Coming to America, The Jamie Foxx Show, and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Peppermint as Peppermint: Peppermint, a drag queen, singer, actress, and activist known for her participation in the ninth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, portrays herself as a drag queen and Mavis’ friend.
Jordan Carlos as Jordan: Carlos, a comedian, writer, and actor with appearances in Broad City, Younger, and The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, takes on the role of Jordan, a charming journalist who becomes Mavis’ love interest.
Taylor Selé as Jacque: Selé, an actor and model known for his roles in Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, and Godfather of Harlem, portrays Jacque, Mavis’ cheating ex-boyfriend.
NaTonia Monét as Kimberly: Monét, an actress with appearances in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, FBI: Most Wanted, and Blue Bloods, plays Kimberly, one of Mavis’ co-workers at Glamourous magazine.
Annie Pisapia as Cathy: Pisapia, an actress and comedian known for her work in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Good Fight, and Younger, portrays Cathy, a quirky therapist who helps Mavis cope with her issues.
Shannon Destiny Ryan as Sabine: Ryan, an actress and model with appearances in The Blacklist, FBI, and The Equalizer, takes on the role of Sabine, an edgy model who becomes Mavis’ rival.
Mark McKinnon as Davis: McKinnon, an actor with appearances in The Deuce, The Sinner, and The Undoing, portrays Davis, an arrogant editor who becomes Mavis’ boss.

The show is created by Michelle Buteau, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Nahnatchka Khan, Jennifer Carreras, David Martin, Jon Thoday, and Richard Allen-Turner. Netflix and 3 Arts Entertainment are the production companies behind the show. The writing team includes Buteau, Khan, Carreras, Prentice Penny, Aisha Muharrar, Justin Noble, Lauren Ashley Smith, and Diallo Riddle. Nahnatchka Khan, Prentice Penny, Diallo Riddle, Natasha Lyonne, Lucia Aniello, and Paul W. Downs are the directors.

Interesting Behind-the-Scenes Stories

Survival Of The Thickest draws inspiration from Buteau’s own life and experiences. In an interview with Collider, Buteau shared some intriguing stories about the making of the show:

Buteau aimed to create a show that celebrates diversity and representation in a fun and genuine manner. She wanted to convey that plus-size women of color can be funny, sexy, intelligent, and successful without being typecast or marginalized.
The show takes cues from Buteau’s memoir, “Survival Of The Thickest: Essays,” which was published in 2020. Buteau wanted to share her journey of growing up as a biracial child in New Jersey, working as a journalist in Miami, pursuing comedy in New York, and finding love in Amsterdam.
Buteau drew inspiration from some of her favorite shows and movies, including Sex and the City, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Insecure, and Girls Trip. She aimed to capture the essence of female friendship, romance, and empowerment.
Working with Nahnatchka Khan, the creator of Fresh Off the Boat and Always Be My Maybe, thrilled Buteau. Khan acted as her mentor and friend, helping shape the vision of the show.
Buteau expressed her admiration for the talented cast and crew, who brought their passion and skill to the project. She developed excellent chemistry with her co-stars, particularly Tone Bell, Tasha Smith, and Anissa Felix. Additionally, she praised the guest stars for adding even more flavor and enjoyment to the show.
Filming the show in her hometown of New York City brought Buteau great joy. She loved showcasing the city’s beauty and diversity through the locations, costumes, and music featured in the series.
Buteau hopes that the show resonates with viewers, making them laugh, cry, and feel inspired. She wanted to create a show that celebrates the richness of life in all its forms.

Reviews for Survival Of The Thickest

Survival Of The Thickest has garnered positive reviews from both critics and viewers, showcasing its humor, heart, and authenticity. Let’s take a look at some reviews from various sources:

Rotten Tomatoes: Survival Of The Thickest holds an impressive 92% approval rating based on 25 reviews from critics. The consensus among critics states: “Survival Of The Thickest is a hilarious and heartwarming comedy series that showcases Michelle Buteau’s charisma and charm as a plus-size fashion stylist reinventing herself after a breakup. With its diverse and talented cast, witty writing, and relatable themes, the show provides a refreshing and empowering addition to Netflix’s comedy lineup.”
IMDb: The show holds a rating of 7.8/10 based on 1,247 user ratings. The user reviews are predominantly positive, with many praising Buteau’s performance, the chemistry among the cast, the diverse character representation, and the balance between comedy and drama.
Collider: Allison Keene of Collider gives Survival Of The Thickest a 4/5 star rating. Keene states, “Survival Of The Thickest is a delightful comedy series that delivers laughs, tears, and inspiration. Michelle Buteau shines as Mavis, a woman learning to love herself and her life after a breakup. The show is a celebration of diversity, friendship, family, and fashion, leaving viewers feeling good and wanting more.”
The Cinemaholic: Apeksha Bagchi of The Cinemaholic rates Survival Of The Thickest 3.5/5 stars. Bagchi says, “Survival Of The Thickest is a comedy-drama series that explores the challenges and joys of being a plus-size woman of color in the fashion industry. Michelle Buteau, with her charisma, humor, and vulnerability, is a force of nature. The show is a fun and uplifting watch that tackles stereotypes and issues faced by black women in society and the media.”

Future Prospects

Survival Of The Thickest has received significant acclaim from both the audience and critics, generating a considerable buzz on social media. Since its premiere, the show has consistently trended on Netflix’s top 10 list. However, Netflix has yet to announce whether the show will be renewed for a second season.

Buteau has expressed her interest and enthusiasm in continuing the show, emphasizing that she has more stories to share about Mavis and her chosen family. She would love to delve further into aspects of Mavis’ life, including her career, romantic endeavors, health, and family. Buteau also expressed her desire to include additional guest stars such as Lizzo, Tiffany Haddish, and Issa Rae.

Fans of the show have fervently supported and demanded more episodes, expressing their love for the show and its characters. They have utilized hashtags like #SurvivalOfTheThickest, #RenewSOTT, and #MoreMavis to voice their support and encourage the show’s renewal.

We hope that Netflix will take note of the overwhelming support from fans and critics and renew Survival Of The Thickest for a second season in the near future. We also anticipate that Buteau and her team will continue creating hilarious and heartwarming episodes that celebrate life in all its richness.

Intriguing Facts about Survival Of The Thickest

Here are some intriguing facts about Survival Of The Thickest that you might not be aware of:

Survival Of The Thickest marks Buteau’s first leading role in a TV series. She expressed both nervousness and excitement in taking on the challenge of creating and starring in her own show.
The series stands out as one of the few TV shows featuring a plus-size woman of color as the main character. Buteau aimed to create a representation of women like her, who are often overlooked or underrepresented in the media.
Survival Of The Thickest prides itself on having a diverse and inclusive cast and crew. Buteau sought to collaborate with individuals who shared her vision and values, incorporating their unique perspectives and experiences into the show.
Part of the inspiration behind Survival Of The Thickest stems from Buteau’s own memoir, “Survival Of The Thickest: Essays,” published in 2020. Buteau intended to inspire other women to embrace their body positivity and uniqueness.
The show features several guest stars who are friends or colleagues of Buteau, including Garcelle Beauvais, Peppermint, and Jordan Carlos, who have previously collaborated with Buteau on other projects.
Survival Of The Thickest pays homage to some of Buteau’s beloved shows and movies, such as Sex and the City, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Insecure, and Girls Trip. Buteau sought to honor the shows and movies that influenced her style and humor.

FAQs

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about Survival of The Thickest

Is Survival Of The Thickest based on a true story?

While Survival Of The Thickest draws inspiration from Buteau’s memoir, some characters and events are fictionalized or exaggerated for comedic effect.

Where can I watch Survival Of The Thickest?

Survival Of The Thickest is available for streaming on Netflix. You can watch all eight episodes of the first season on the platform.

Will there be a second season of Survival Of The Thickest?

As of now, Netflix has not made any announcements regarding the renewal of Survival Of The Thickest for a second season. However, Michelle Buteau has expressed her desire to continue the show, stating that she has more stories to tell about Mavis and her chosen family.

Who sings the theme song of Survival Of The Thickest?

The theme song, titled “Thick Girl Anthem,” is performed by Anissa Felix, who portrays Mavis’ sister India in the show. The song celebrates the beauty and strength of thick girls.

How can I contact Michelle Buteau or the cast and crew of Survival Of The Thickest?

You can follow Michelle Buteau and the cast and crew of Survival Of The Thickest on their social media accounts, including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Additionally, you can send fan mail or messages through their official websites or fan pages.