‘God’s Favorite Idiot’ a train wreck

Ben Falcone, left, and Melissa McCarthy in “God’s Favorite Idiot” 2022. IMDb photo

After slogging through the first two segments of Melissa McCarthy and husband Ben Falcone’s new Netflix series, I would add that there are additional idiots on God’s list, and that would be everyone connected to this train wreck, with the notable exception of Ms. McCarthy.

Not even God herself would diminish the gifts of this talented woman.

Consider this comic’s dramatic work in Marielle Heller’s 2018 “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”

OK, move on.

But it’s clear that, at least, her cinematic relationship with Falcone hasn’t produced a single “glow.”

Here in this expensive derailment, McCarthy plays Amily Luck, an alcoholic, coke-addicted office file clerk, dressed in oversized costumes stolen from a few similarly addicted circus clowns’ travel trunks.

There’s no point in giving ink to the rest of the cast, all unknowns to this reviewer, seemingly cast as though Falcone had stopped a Greyhound bus and asked, “How many would like to be in a Netflix show? Come on down.”

I will excuse the great Kevin Dunn (“Veep”) who should know better.

The derailment begins with a co-worker Clark, (Falcone) being hit by lightning in his back yard. Correction: June 16, 2022.

Almost the entire first segment is given to the shock of everyone watching him glow like a walking 1958 Timex watch.

In the following chapters, we see an angel (Yanic Truesdale) float out of the sky, wings and all.

In a cafe, Angel Yanic explains everything.

Clark has been chosen to save the earth from Satan, played by Leslie Bibb, with a blonde wig and superpowers.

I haven’t watched the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” bit yet, but it looks funny and may save that segment.

I know you are, as most are, probably big fans of McCarthy, and I bless you for that, but you’re better off watching re-runs of “Bridesmaids” and all of her SNL spots.

“God’s Favorite Idiot” streams on Netflix.

J.P. Devine of Waterville is a former stage and screen actor.

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