Tommy Davidson

(On TV, February 2022) As its title suggests, there’s nothing particularly subtle about Booty Call, but it has some discipline in presenting the misadventures of two men and two women as they hook up for the night… or rather have trouble trying to. Jamie Foxx and Tommy Davidson carry most of the comedic load as two best friends wooing their dates and then having to venture out in order to purchase condoms so that the rest of the night can go forward—their simple plans are complicated by being too ambitious, running into an armed robbery, or having to walk a dog. Meanwhile, Vivica A. Fox and Tamala Jones also seem to have fun playing their dates—another pair of friends with strong personalities. (Fox is funnier, but Jones does have a splendid lingerie scene.)  Booty Call impressively manages to keep its action tied to a very short timespan, roughly beginning when the sun goes down and ending as it comes up. The third act ventures a bit farther afield both in location and in comic methods, but the script manages to fit its episodes within a solid framework with recurring gags. Production values are decent, and the script generally knows how to be naughty without being vulgar, which is something that’s not necessarily obvious in less-skilled hands. It all combines into an amusing sex comedy that is sometimes even insightful about gender roles and expectations. Catch it if you’ve missed it.