After an introduction via the couple’s mega-yacht, Rudolph’s Molly Novak is abruptly awakened from her enviable life when she discovers her husband’s (Adam Scott) infidelity. Faster than you can say “Mackenzie Scott” (the former Mrs. Bezos and a major philanthropist), she’s on her own, with $87 billion (approximately) to console her.
After a series of booze-soaked antics, Molly hears about Sofia Salinas (“Pose” Michaela Jaé Rodriguez), who runs a charitable foundation that Molly hadn’t even realized she had inherited. Looking for something to do with her money and her time, she takes an interest in the place, turning her somewhat eclectic staff into something of an extended family.
At first, it looks like the premise of a workplace sitcom, with lots of “She’s so rich” jokes, tone-deaf comments about women’s shelters, and someone suggesting she buy one of the brothers. Hemsworth, while Molly receives constant comfort from her passionate assistant (“Fire Island’s” Joel Kim Booster).
Yet a few episodes later, the show actually reveals more involving wrinkles. For starters, Molly begins enjoying semi-normal times with the band’s shy, newly single accountant (Nat Faxon), just before meeting a dashing billionaire (“Infaithful’s” Olivier Martinez) who seems to be ripped from the pages of an ad for a perfume.
Created by Alan Yang and Matt Hubbard (who previously worked with Rudolph on the 2018 comedy “Forever”), “Loot” conjures up a fairly steady supply of funny situations, like Molly not realizing she owns a theme park at the Philippines until something goes wrong there, prompting him to take inventory of his possessions, from wacky to sublime.
The show even veers into the semi-serious, at least in terms of the system that allows a few people to amass this kind of fortune, and what level of charity suits those who do. Rudolph proves equally adept at playing both gears, but the more over-the-top flourishes that approximate his “SNL” background usually pale next to the softer elements.
“Loot” doesn’t reach much closure at the end of its 10-episode first run, which suggests the series still has plenty of life left in it. While not a blockbuster, Rudolph and the cast say it’s pretty good company, setting up a series with all the possibilities associated with a protagonist who has the time and money to burn.
“Loot” premieres June 24 on Apple TV+. Disclosure: My wife works for a unit of Apple.
