So, here we are. It is 2026, and the TV landscape feels like it’s finally breathing again after a weirdly quiet couple of years. Everyone is talking about one thing: Steve Carell is back on a college campus.
But it’s not what you think.
If you’re expecting Michael Scott with a tenure track or a sequel to The Office, you’re basically looking at the wrong map. Carell’s new project, Rooster, which just landed on HBO and Max this March, is a far cry from the paper-selling antics of Scranton. Honestly, it’s a lot more complicated than the early trailers let on.
I’ve spent the last few weeks digging into the production notes and early reception of this thing. There is a specific kind of magic happening here, mostly because of the people standing behind the camera. We’re talking about Bill Lawrence—the guy who gave us Scrubs and Ted Lasso—teaming up with Matt Tarses.
It’s a "dream team" situation, but the show itself? It’s kinda dark. It’s definitely funny. But mostly, it’s just really human.
Why Rooster Isn't Your Average Sitcom
Let’s get the basics out of the way. Carell plays Greg Russo.
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Greg is a "noted novelist." Think Carl Hiaasen vibes—a bit cynical, a bit weathered, and definitely a man who has seen his best professional years in the rearview mirror. The show kicks off when Greg visits a high-end college campus for a simple book reading. He’s supposed to be there for forty-eight hours.
He ends up staying.
Why? Because his daughter, played by the brilliant Charly Clive (The Lazarus Project), is a professor there, and their relationship is, to put it mildly, a train wreck. The "Rooster" title actually comes from a character in one of Greg’s own novels, which is a meta-layer that feels very HBO.
The Bill Lawrence Touch
If you’ve watched Shrinking or Ted Lasso, you know the Bill Lawrence formula:
- Heavy emotional stakes.
- Rapid-fire dialogue.
- A cast of supporting characters who feel like a family you actually want to hang out with.
In Rooster, this formula gets a bit of an academic makeover. Instead of a locker room or a therapist's office, we have faculty lounges and drafty campus libraries. John C. McGinley—yes, Dr. Cox himself—is back working with Lawrence, playing the university president, Walter Mann. Watching McGinley and Carell trade barbs is worth the subscription price alone. It’s like watching two masters of "frustrated energy" try to outdo each other.
Breaking Down the Cast (And the Surprise Standouts)
You’ve got the heavy hitters, sure. But the real depth comes from the side characters.
Phil Dunster (the iconic Jamie Tartt from Ted Lasso) is here, but he isn't playing a cocky athlete this time. He’s playing someone much more grounded, though just as charming. Then you have Danielle Deadwyler, who brings a level of gravitas that keeps the show from drifting into pure silliness.
The chemistry between Carell and Charly Clive is the actual engine of the show. It’s awkward. It’s painful. It’s that specific kind of father-daughter tension where neither person knows how to apologize, so they just make jokes instead. Honestly, it’s some of Carell’s best work since The Patient.
A New Chapter for Carell
Let’s be real: Carell has been on a tear lately. We just saw him in The Four Seasons on Netflix with Tina Fey last year—which was great, don't get me wrong—and that Jesse Armstrong movie Mountainhead (which, okay, the critics loved but audiences found a bit too bleak).
Rooster feels like the midpoint. It has the bite of his recent dramatic work but keeps that "lovable loser" DNA that made him a superstar. He’s playing a guy who thinks he can reinvent himself in his 60s. It’s a bit pathetic, a bit inspiring, and very relatable for anyone who has ever felt like they're just "stuck" in their own reputation.
What Most People Are Getting Wrong
The biggest misconception about Rooster is that it’s a "workplace comedy."
It’s not.
While it’s set on a campus, the school is just the background noise. This is a show about legacy. It’s about a man who realized his books might live forever, but his daughter might never talk to him again. The academic setting just provides a hilarious backdrop of "intellectuals" acting like children while Greg tries to act like an adult for the first time in his life.
Also, some folks thought this was going to be a 22-episode network slog. Nope. It’s a tight, 10-episode season. Each episode is roughly 30 minutes, and there isn't a second of filler. It moves fast.
How to Watch and What to Expect
If you’re ready to jump in, here is the deal:
- Platform: It’s an HBO Original, so it’s on the linear channel and streaming on Max.
- Schedule: New episodes drop on Sundays. It’s the classic HBO prestige slot.
- Vibe Check: If you liked Wonder Boys or The Chair, this is your new obsession.
The show doesn't rely on "that's what she said" humor. It relies on the humor of a man realizing his daughter is smarter than him and his best days might not be behind him—they might just look different than he planned.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to get the most out of the Rooster experience, don't just binge the episodes. Check out the "Inside the Episode" segments on Max; Bill Lawrence usually breaks down the writing process, and it's fascinating to see how they balanced the heavy father-daughter drama with the campus satire.
Also, if you haven't seen The Patient or The Four Seasons yet, go back and watch them. They show the range Carell is bringing into this new era of his career. He isn't just a "funny guy" anymore; he’s one of the best character actors we have.
Keep an eye on the ratings for the first four episodes. HBO usually makes renewal decisions for comedies by the mid-season mark, and given the Lawrence/Carell pedigree, a Season 2 announcement feels almost inevitable. Catch up now before the spoilers start hitting your feed.