Andrew Rannells Keeps Things Surprising From Dark Comedies To Sweet Baking Shows

Andrew Rannells is one of those performers who always keeps me guessing. He has built a career jumping from serious Broadway shows to sharp TV comedies and now, he is taking on even more varied roles. He brings his own unique charm to every project. This time, we are seeing him in two very different new ventures. One is a wild, dark comedy called I Don't Understand You. The other is a delightful turn as a co-host on The Great American Baking Show. It is quite a mix and it shows just how much he can do.

I recently watched I Don't Understand You and I have to say it left me quite perplexed. It was billed as a horror-comedy about a couple on vacation in Italy. The premise suggested a series of funny mistakes but it took some surprisingly dark turns. Dom played by Nick Kroll and Cole played by Andrew Rannells are a couple trying to adopt a baby. The movie starts sweetly with them making a video for an adoption agency. You immediately find yourself rooting for them. Amanda Seyfried even makes a brief appearance as a pregnant woman who wants them to be the fathers of her child. Everything seems to be going well for them.

To celebrate their ten-year anniversary Dom and Cole travel to Rome. They are met by an old family friend of Dom's. This friend has, much to their quiet annoyance, made dinner reservations for them with an old woman named Zia Luciana. Her "restaurant" is in a rural area and it closed down a long time ago. This means they are going to a stranger's house for dinner. On their way to Zia's their car gets stuck in a ditch and it starts pouring rain. In a real horror movie this would be the part where they stumble upon a mad scientist's house and become part of something terrible. But for all the moments the movie seems to set up a horror or comedy, it just spins its wheels and stops.

Andrew Rannells And Nick Kroll Navigate A Horrifyingly Unfunny Vacation

When A Romantic Getaway Turns Into A Confusing And Uncomfortable Series Of Events

The couple eventually makes it to Zia's place after a strange encounter with an angry local who drives them there. From that point on a string of misunderstandings bad translations and plain old silliness leads to Zia being killed. This is not an original idea. It has been used for great comedic effect in other movies. By the halfway point I found myself thinking about how well Weekend at Bernie's used a similar idea. But there is something about I Don't Understand You that just does not work. It is deep in the movie's core. For a horror-comedy it is not funny and it is not scary. It feels like a strange mix of small parts of these genres heavily diluted within what is mostly a romantic drama. So every time it tries to be funny or scary it feels out of place and uncomfortable.

If you are looking for a fun heartfelt gay comedy like The Birdcage you will not find it here. Humor is largely missing. It does have its moments and it caught me off guard several times. I thought it was about to finally get to its real point. The movie's structure and tone constantly make you feel that what you have seen so far is just a setup. Surely the horror or the comedy is about to begin. You see small glimpses of it but they never seem to get the movie moving with any real speed. We are meant to believe that this takes place in the real world. These are two decent successful guys who love each other and want to become parents. This is why some scenes where they suddenly become bloodthirsty psychopaths are such an odd choice. It never feels right. It is not that kind of comedy and it is not that kind of horror.

It is surprising how truly dark this movie gets at times. It is not a fun dark humor way either. It makes you sit up and think "Wait isn't this supposed to be a funny movie?!" The difference in tone is very big. When the credits rolled I thought maybe it was about cultural differences. The movie was made in Italy with a mostly Italian crew. Humor can differ between countries. Italian humor is known to be darker absurd and ironic. Maybe this was just an Italian film for English speakers that did not translate well. But no. It was written and directed by two Americans. The best explanation I can think of is that the movie means to say Americans cannot be trusted on foreign soil. They will just mess everything up by not fitting into other cultures properly. This movie truly feels dark and mean-spirited. It makes you dislike the characters by the end.

Andrew Rannells Finds A More Comfortable Home Co-Hosting A Beloved Baking Show

A Delightful Shift From Dark Comedy To Sweet Treats For His Latest On-Screen Appearance

Moving from that rather unsettling film, Andrew Rannells has taken on a much more comforting role. He is now a co-host of The Great American Baking Show. Roku is expanding this franchise significantly. They are adding two new spin-offs including Juniors and renewing four existing series. Rannells joins Casey Wilson and the well-loved judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith. This is a very different kind of job for him. It feels like a natural fit for his warm and witty personality.

The main series has been renewed for a fourth season. Three of its existing spin-offs are also returning. These include The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Holiday Special and The Great American Baking Show Big Game and The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Summer. Roku will also start showing The Great British Baking Show: Juniors as a Roku original. They are also launching The Great American Baking Show Celebrity Halloween Special. It seems the "Baking Show" universe is growing very fast.

Andrew Rannells is replacing Zach Cherry from Severance as co-host. He will start his hosting duties in upcoming seasons. He also appeared in the previously filmed Great American Baking Show: Celebrity Summer Special. Rannells expressed his excitement saying "After being a guest in the tent last year, I am so thrilled that Paul, Prue, and Casey have asked me to join them permanently." He jokingly added that it was made clear he should "stay away from baking and stick solely to my hosting duties." He says he is fine with that and does not take it personally.

Why Andrew Rannells Is A Perfect Fit For The Great American Baking Show Tent

His Charm And Quick Wit Bring A Welcome Energy To The Comforting Competition

Casey Wilson, one of the co-hosts, thinks Roku has done a great job by staying true to the original show. They film it in the same tent in the UK. This helps keep the feel of the original series. She also thinks Paul and Prue are wonderful together. They have great chemistry. The American show also has many celebrity specials. These often feature athletes and comedians. These celebrities tend to be pretty terrible bakers. This creates a funny dynamic where Paul and Prue often wonder what is happening. The celebrities like to talk their way out of their bad bakes. This dynamic adds a lot of humor to the show. Rannells' witty comments and charming personality will fit right in with this kind of lighthearted fun.

It is nice to see Rannells in a role where he can simply be himself and react to the antics around him. His stage background means he can handle live audiences and unpredictable situations. This makes him a great choice for a show that relies on quick thinking and genuine reactions. The contrast between his serious Broadway roles and even the dark comedy film makes his presence on a sweet baking show even more interesting. It highlights his range as a performer. He can bring something real and likable to whatever he does.

The success of the Great American Baking Show comes from its comforting nature. It is a show you can relax and watch. It does not demand too much. Rannells joining will only add to that warmth. He has a way of making people feel at ease. This is important for a host. He can connect with both the bakers and the audience. This new chapter in his career seems like a really smart move. It allows him to reach a wider audience and show a different side of his talents.

Andrew Rannells' Versatile Career Path Continues To Impress And Entertain

From Broadway Star To Film Lead And Now A Beloved Television Host

Andrew Rannells has always been known for his versatility. From his breakout role in The Book of Mormon on Broadway to his memorable parts in TV shows like Girls and Black Monday, he has consistently chosen projects that show his range. His new film, I Don't Understand You, even if it is a bit confusing, proves he is not afraid to take risks and try new genres. It takes him to unexpected places as an actor. Then, his co-hosting role on The Great American Baking Show puts him in a completely different light. It highlights his charisma and natural hosting abilities.

This mix of serious and lighthearted work is what makes Rannells such an interesting figure in entertainment. He is not tied to one kind of role. He seems to follow what excites him. This makes his career path a fun one to watch for fans. He continues to surprise us with his choices. Whether he is making us laugh, think, or even cringe a little, he does it with his unique style. I am excited to see what else Andrew Rannells will do next. He is clearly someone who enjoys shaking things up and keeping his audience on their toes.