South Side (TV series)


South Side is an American comedy television series created by Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle. Filmed and set in the Englewood area of Chicago, it follows two friends who recently graduated from community college and are seeking business success while working at a rent-to-own shop. The show premiered on Comedy Central on July 24, 2019. In August 2019, the series was renewed for a 10-episode second season.

Premise

South Side centers on

a pair of newly minted community college graduates and small-time hustlers who are always cooking up some petty scheme — from black market Viagra to street corner popcorn — with an eye toward upward mobility.

Cast

Production

Development

On October 17, 2017, it was announced that Comedy Central had ordered the pilot for South Side from creators Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle, writing alums from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The two also serve as executive producers and co-stars. On May 16, 2019, it was announced that the series would premiere on July 24, 2019.
Showrunners Salahuddin and Riddle stated that South Side was created to portray the South Side of Chicago where Bashir Salahuddin grew up and to show that "here is joy on the South Side and the many Chicagoans who made this show, both in front of and behind the camera, are eager to share that joy." The show is set in Englewood and features local actors and production members from Chicago.

Casting

Sultan Salahuddin, cast in the lead role of Simon, is the brother of show creator Bashir Salahuddin. Bashir plays Officer Goodnight opposite his wife, Chandra Russell, who portrays Sergeant Turner. Sultan's co-lead, Kareme Young, is the real-life twin brother of cast member Quincy Young, who also plays his brother on the show. Other cast members and guest stars include Chicago natives Lil Rel Howery, Nathaniel “Earthquake” Stroman, LisaRaye McCoy, and Kel Mitchell.

Release

South Side premiered on July 24, 2019. On August 28, 2019, Comedy Central renewed the series for a 10-episode second season.

Reception

South Side received positive critical reception. The first season of the show has a score of 79/100 on review aggregator Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable reviews." Writing for Vanity Fair, Laura Bradley stated: "The writers worked to imbue the series with a diverse cast of characters whose values, socioeconomic status, and ambitions varied widely...the thing all of the show’s main characters have in common is their drive." Tambay Obenson wrote in a review for IndieWire, "The creators and cast know this world intimately, and instead of turning their camera on the usual crime and poverty, they find the humor that exists within the mayhem."

Other media

On September 4, 2019, Comedy Central and WBEZ Chicago launched South Side Stories, a podcast collaboration that celebrates the real-life people and places that inspired the scripted comedy series.