Nearly 15 years ago, Steve Carell’s farewell episode of The Office aired on NBC and marked the end of an undeniably iconic era in comedy. Since playing Michael Scott, Carell has primarily pursued film roles while dazzling in small screen dramas. He co-created and starred in Netflix’s Space Force (canceled after its sophomore season) and recently appeared in eight episodes of Tina Fey’s The Four Seasons. But his new HBO series, Rooster, helps him find his sweet spot again. And it’s difficult to stress just how comforting it is to see him lead the charge in another comedy series specifically designed to showcase his strengths.

The half-hour workplace sitcom with a unique father-daughter dynamic at its core comes from tireless TV titan Bill Lawrence, who teamed up with longtime creative collaborator Matt Tarses while simultaneously reviving Scrubs on ABC and juggling new seasons of Apple TV’s Shrinking, Ted Lasso, and Bad Monkey. Joining forces with one of television’s most trusted comedy creators was long overdue for HBO, but the network is making up for lost time with a legendary leading man.

Taking inspiration from real-life novelist (and Bad Monkey author) Carl Hiaasen, Carell’s character Greg Russo is a best-selling writer of self-proclaimed “beach reads,” which feature a protagonist named — drumroll, please — Rooster! When we first meet Greg, he’s visiting Ludlow College as a guest lecturer, but he accepted the gig with an ulterior motive. His daughter Katie (Charly Clive) and her husband Archie (Phil Dunster) are professors there, but after learning that Archie cheated on his daughter with a grad student named Sunny (Lauren Tsai), Greg decides to check-in on Katie. She’s understandably spiraling, so when Ludlow’s president (John C. McGinley) reveals her job is at risk due to erratic behavior, Greg reluctantly agrees to extend his gig for the semester to save her career.

Returning collaborators in front of and behind the camera evoke the essence of Lawrence’s other shows, but fresh leads, an academic setting, and edgier HBO humor sets Rooster apart from the flock. If you’re a fan of either Lawrence or Carell, Rooster is undoubtedly a must-watch. But in teaming up with the prestige network, the men created a holy TV trinity that set the bar sky high. So the pressure to deliver is on…

Accepting the president’s ultimatum gives Greg a taste of the college experience he never had, inspiring him to act more like his bolder, cooler book character and embrace his inner Rooster. Becoming part of the campus community also challenges him and Katie to strengthen their relationship. Since Rooster’s success heavily hinges on the cohesion and charm of Clive and Carell’s characters, the fact that their roles feel so bespoke is the show’s most promising sign. Clive, a British comedian with a downright fascinating career trajectory, absolutely shines in her first American TV role. She plays Katie’s messiness, impulsivity, and raw emotions with ease, stealing scenes and evoking a balanced mix of empathy and laughter from viewers. The real-life experiences of Girl Dads Lawrence, Tarses, and Carell helped shape Rooster’s anchoring duo, but Clive’s effortless chemistry with Carell is what makes each interaction feel authentic, regardless of tone.

The show has its fair share of farcical aspects that invite the audience to suspend disbelief, often related to crossing social boundaries with students and a lack of accountability for adults. While it’s distracting at times, Carell’s winsome brand of humor wonderfully coalesces with his humanity in a way that will leave viewers feeling warm and craving more — like Greg after he downs hot chocolate from the college town’s year-round Christmas store. Rooster’s protagonist is endearingly awkward, predictably out of touch with Gen Z, and full of heart, but he isn’t always in high spirits…

As Greg and his daughter navigate her unexpected marital crisis, we learn he still hasn’t recovered from his own divorce or his ex-wife Elizabeth (Spin City‘s Connie Britton) cheating on him. Shrinking‘s “dead wife face” evolves to “ex-wife face,” and in the vein of the grief comedy’s therapists trying to help others while struggling to help themselves, Rooster sees Ludlow’s faculty members teaching students while struggling to learn about their own relationships, shortcomings, and lives. (At one point Greg even invites a student to live with him, which mirrors one of Shrinking’s unorthodox therapist/patient relationships.) The lovable series is less saccharine than Ted Lasso, and though it doesn’t capture The Office’s offensive cringe-comedy, it finds smart ways to tackle inappropriate humor. The soundtrack swiftly sets the mood by cleverly taking viewers back to Lawrence and Tarses’ college days. And as expected from the creator’s projects, Rooster also excels because of its strong ensemble.

Danielle Deadwyler’s Dylan, a poetry professor who quickly hits it off with Greg, is a clear standout. While Deadwyler is primarily known for dramatic excellence, we saw a lighter side of her in The Bear Season 4, and she flexes her comedic chops again in Rooster — while serving as one the show’s most sensible characters. Her sparks with Carell are instantaneous, and a shared scene in the pilot solidifies them as a compelling pair with potential for a seriously satisfying will-they-won’t-they slow burn.

As Ted Lasso fans know, Dunster’s nailed the handsome narcissistic asshole act, though it fails to be seen if Archie’s swelled ego leaves space for a Jamie Tartt-style redemption arc. As Archie selfishly handles his relationships with Katie and Sunny, Dunster explores drastically different, equally entertaining dynamics with Clive and Tsai, who pleasantly surprises as an aspiring biotechnology intern with a deliciously dry sense of humor. Rounding out the core cast is McGinley’s Walt, a hot sauna/cold plunge aficionado with frequent shirtless scenes and a big personality that clashes with more subdued characters. In another reminder of casting director Allison Jones’ sharp eye for terrific talent, guest stars like Annie Mumolo, Rory Scovel, and Robby Hoffman demand the spotlight whenever they’re on screen, and smaller players like Maximo Salas and the students — including Tarses’ daughter, Fiona — make the most of their screen time.

While the cast features masters of comedic timing, physical comedy, standup, and improv that brilliantly play off each other, it’s hard not to compare Rooster to Lawrence and Carell’s past projects. Though the series strikes the creator’s signature balance of humor and emotional depth, Rooster has yet to rival Shrinking, Ted Lasso, or The Office. That’s not to say the six of ten episodes made available for review weren’t a genuinely fun ride; rather, it’s a testament to the incredible heights we’ve seen both men reach. But some of the best sitcoms — The Office included— take time to build up to their full potential.

Even if it hasn’t exceeded the soaring expectations set right off the bat, the show feels like an instant comfort watch with a solid foundation and real promise. Rooster wastes no time spreading its wings, so here’s hoping the series soars higher and longer than its flightless namesake. 

Rooster premieres on HBO and HBO Max on Sunday, March 8.