"Clean Slate" delivers joy on Prime Video

The Real Perspectives

Published February 6, 2025

Prime Video

 The laughter I've enjoyed most is the laughter that has brought numbers of us together.

- Norman Lear

Clean Slate is the hilarious new comedy exclusively from Prime Video, premiering on February 6 with 8 episodes. The series stars comedian George Wallace (Mr. Deeds, The Wash) as Harry Slate, the "old-school and outspoken" owner of a car wash in Alabama, excited to reunite with his estranged son whom he hasn't seen in over 23 years but when his son returns as Desiree (Laverne Cox; Orange Is The New Black), fresh from New York City as a proud trans woman, the homecoming leads to laugh out loud comedy and a few tears along the way in this feel good comedy.

Executive produced by the legendary Norman Lear who passed away in 2023 and is known for many of our classic hits, including All in the Family, Good Times, and The Jeffersons, the series is also executive produced by Wallace and Cox along with Dan Ewen. Production companies are Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television.

The series stars:

• Laverne Cox as Desiree

• George Wallace as Harry Slate

• Jay Wilkison as Mack

• Norah Murphy as Opal

• D.K. Uzoukwu as Louis

• Telma Hopkins as Ella

• Phillip Garcia as Miguel

Prime Video

At the heart of Clean Slate is acceptance. What turned out to be a quick stop for Desiree results in a permanent stay as the series blends humor with genuine moments of authenticity. Harry must come to terms with the fact that Desiree is an apologetically confident woman (without mispronouncing pronouns). For Harry, that means navigating through his traditional values and reshaping everything he thought he knew about Desiree to reach a mutual understanding as they mend their estranged relationship.

The series has a lot of feel-good moments that will genuinely make you smile. Cox has chemistry with everyone and it's a shame that this has been her first starring role since the superb, four-time Emmy-nominated Orange Is The New Black ended. Her chemistry with Wallace is fantastic as the duo shines in comedic banter. The chemistry between her and Wilkison is equally impressive, as the two can't help but make you smile. The ensemble cast adds to the tension and laughs (it's always great to see Telma Hopkins), and the interpersonal relationships and subplots work.

While Clean Slate deals with sensitive subject matters in acceptance and homophobia, another series would have tackled the topic in a more dramatic fashion. Here, Cox and Wallace opt for a light approach that is easy on the eyes as the culture and generational divide circle back to a place of healing and moving forward. For better or worse, the series debuted at the right time, reminding us through our political divide that loving each other and embracing our differences is what makes us special.

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All eight episodes of Clean Slate are currently streaming on Prime Video.

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