Bronx champions Desus Nice (Daniel Baker) and The Kid Mero (Joel Martinez) debuted their Showtime series last night (February 21, 2019) with an episode featuring Congresswomen Alexandria Cortez-Ocasio as well as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib.
While much of the show’s formatting under Showtime management is similar to when the show was hosted by Vice, the new format sits behind a pay wall, which has no doubt helped to pay for the addition of scripted skits, including a hilarious one in which Desus and Mero visit a Bronx classroom that ends with the class mascot, a hamster, tossed on the floor.
Taped in front of a live audience, set changes include a bigger set and wider table. As well the rainbow at show end has been replaced by a neon sign. Fans will also note the series’ beloved stuffed bear didn’t make the move to Showtime.
The comic duo launched Desus & Mero show with Vice in 2016 and split ties with the network in June 2018 when they announced plans to go forward with Showtime. The weekly program marks Showtime’s first late-night show. It’s slated to air each week on Thursday at 11:00 PM EST.
The two comics first appeared together on Complex’s Desus vs. Mero podcast and web series, which ran from February-December, 2014.
Time will tell if the Bodega Hive is loyal enough to support Desus and Mero now that their show is no longer free. That said, Showtime is making the an offer that is very hard to resist: $4.99/month for six months after a 30-day free trial (promo code: HIVE). Visit sho.com for details.
Showtime has made the first episode available to view for free. Check it out below.
