Dances With Films Pilot Spotlight: ‘Running Erins’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Still from ‘Running Erins’ Courtesy of Dances With Films.

There was a time where television comedies, barely reflected the real world. Simply because the constant belief was that comedies and sitcoms should be a true escape for the audience. Wherein they can just laugh and forget about their troubles, and for decades on end, that edict was held to tightly. In fact, if any real-world issues were to be injected into the mix, they would come forth by way of a ‘very special’ episode. So as to not ruin the mystique of the comedic elements these shows worked so hard to create. But somewhere along the line, that all changed, and someone asked… what would these shows look like with a touch of reality in their bones?
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As it turns out, asking that question created incredible benefits for comedies. For now, they were more accessible with reality flowing through the story, and it allowed for the audience to have a sense of catharsis over concerning issues because they were being explored through a comedic lens, helping viewers to process such matters and now… reality is everywhere in comedy. Since there are shows out there grounded in real journeys and they tackle real topics, and it does leave all of us to wonder if by chance this, is the format’s final form or if new elements await, and we might have an answer. For recently, at Dances With Films, a pilot screened that truly offers up a bold new structure for television comedies in Running Erins.

Which the show’s pilot, entitled, ‘Run, Erin, Run’ showcases by offering up a unique story we’ve not seen before in the comedy world. One that introduces us to Erin, a now single mother that is in the midst of transition in this life. After all, she recently went through a divorce, and she lost her small business, and she is simply trying to reclaim agency. Which she has been able to do in part, by being the Alpha Mom at her son’s school. Since everyone turns to her for plans, advice, and anything their children need. But despite being at the early stages of a new chapter in life that should be drama free, a counter Alpha Mom arrives at the school and challenges Erin’s rule. Which forces her to learn that new chapters don’t just get handed to us, we have to fight for them.

Which is at first glance, a plot that appears to be grounded in heavy drama. For those are all elements would you see in a prime-time drama, and they would be played for tears, and jeers for Cameron’s Mom, the other Alpha in question. But instead, it’s all about the laughs here. So that we are reminded of how ridiculous life can be when it just throws punch after punch our way, and so we can see that madness through the comical lens… we all use to cope. Which makes for a supremely realistic comedy, one that is super relatable through Erin’s plight. Because Erin is all of us, and she stumbles and falls often, but keeps on plugging and truly, this comedy feels so vastly different than anything else that’s been done on television before.

Because of its sense of realism. For this show really does blur the line between comedy and reality often, making it a quirky slice of life story, and that’s amazing to say the least. Because it speaks to this type of show’s potential, and how easily it can grab hold of an audience. Because you’re outright captivated here by moments that actually happen, and that prompts the viewer to root for Erin and it leaves them eager to see if she can do it. If she can rise above the tough moments and claim agency and build her new chapter, and well, this all comes courtesy of a refreshing script from writer Erin Fogel, and her performance as well, since she plays Erin, and hopefully… this one gets picked up soon. So that we can see this journey head toward completion and to enjoy the beginning of the next generation of comedies, where life is featured often and where we can laugh about it far more often than we normally do.

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