Family sitcoms thrive on conflict. But when that conflict arises from a foam roller commercial and escalates thanks to a brutally honest podcast, you’ve got the makings of a potentially special sitcom episode. In “Dirty Laundry,” the eleventh outing of CBS’s “Poppa’s House,” a father-son squabble takes center stage.
The trouble begins when Junior lands a commercial gig for JJ’s burgeoning foam roller empire. One might think this would be cause for celebration, a testament to Junior’s burgeoning acting career. But for Poppa, it’s prime fodder for ridicule. Poppa, never one to mince words, uses his podcast as a platform to dissect Junior’s performance, leaving no awkward grimace or forced smile unexamined.
Naturally, Junior doesn’t appreciate his dad’s public critique, especially after Poppa had previously touted the benefits of family support (or at least stayed relatively silent on the topic). This sets the stage for some classic sitcom tension, the kind fueled by passive-aggressive comments, simmering resentment, and probably some door slamming. Adding fuel to the fire is Catherine (Wendy Raquel Robinson), whose presence always seems to amplify the family drama to just the right degree.
Will Poppa and Junior find common ground? Can a foam roller commercial really fracture a father-son bond? And more importantly, will JJ’s foam rollers finally get the recognition they deserve? Probably not on that last one, but hey, a critic can dream.
“Dirty Laundry” airs Monday, February 10, 2025, at 8:30 PM ET/PT on CBS. You can also find it on Paramount+.
