THE RESIDENCE-A Who Dunnit Series with a Sleuth Who Slays-Stars Uzo Aduba/Randall Park

For those who liked the "Knives Out" movies (count me out) I have no doubt you will love THE RESIDENCE, an 8 part series on Netflix starring Uzo Aruba ("Orange is the New Black") as a sleuth, Cordelia Cupp, whose style is indefatigable. Cupp's fashion style is a modern take on Sherlock and contemporary birder chic. Cupp is an avid birdie whose meticulous methods of investigation are well suited for her unflappable pursuit of factual information and people observation. Although quite amazing and unique in her detective persona, Cuppa is a hybrid amalgamation of Holmes, Poirot and Colombo. THE RESIDENCE will occupy your TV viewing, watching the highfalutin shenanigans of an upstairs/downstairs cast of characters. There are the elite catered to or staff who do the catering to the President, his staff and White House guests. The guest stars in this clever and highly entertaining series that takes comedy and social parody seriously. Jason Lee plays the president's deadbeat kleptomaniac brother, Jane Curtain plays the alcoholic mother of the president's partner, Bronson Pinchot is the eccentric French pastry chef, Edwina Findley is a bumptious butler with endless banter, and Al Franken is back in politics playing Senator Filkins leading the congressional investigation into the murder of A.B. White Head Usher of the White House and the Head Usher is played to perfection by Giancarlo Esposito ("Breaking Bad"). Cupp is the lead detective but she has strong support from FBI agent Edwin Park (Randall Park) who slowly wins her confidence and Officer Larry Dokes (Isiah Whitlock Jr.) whom she admittedly admires. There is so much to recommend in this show produced by Shondaland (Shonda Rhimes) and created by Paul William Davies ("Scandal"). The scenic tour of the White House is pleasurable and the backup story to Cupp's becoming a detective is endearing. All the staff are suspect and susceptible to thinking them culpable of the crime and its coverup. My only critical quip is the windup was too long winded and convoluted. Here the show should take a clue on being more succinct from Colombo. Even so, THE RESIDENCE is one of the most likable detective shows with good reasons. I hope a second season of Detective Uzo Aduba with FBI guy Randall Park will be revealed.