A Summer Show You Should Be Watching – Claws 

“Claws” is TV series starring Niecy Nash as Desna. A mama bear manicurist and her group of friends who all work at her nail shop. Desna has big dreams of owning her own nail salon and buying a nice house for herself and her autistic brother (played by Harold Perrineau) who she takes care of. One teeny tiny detail is that Desna is also in the money laundering business with a drug dealing family led by Uncle Daddy, (Dean Norris) a drug addicted bisexual who is kind of nutty. Desna launders money for his nephew/son, Roller who she is also sleeping with. Yep, it’s a lot but there’s still more story lines going.

Desna isn’t really comfortable laundering money but a tough past and big dreams leaves this as her last option to finding freedom. Desna is loyal to her friends and takes care of every single one of them at her strip mall shop. There’s Carrie Preston who plays Polly. Polly has just returned to the fold after serving time in prison. Jennifer (Jenn Lyon) who is Desna’s best friend and who is married to Roller’s older brother, Bryce. Ann (Judy Reyes), the lesbian who is not a woman of many words and Virginia (Karrueche Tran), a former stripper who joined the team to fill in for Polly while she was away.

I can’t say anymore without giving away a huge spoiler that sets the tone for the rest of the season. It comes across as a lot going on but that’s because…there is. But somehow it works. Niecy Nash is a worthy leading lady as she leads this cast every week with her strong acting and comedic chops. Based in Florida, we get a sense of how gaudy the characters are especially through their wardrobe.

At a time where it feels like the world is crazy, Claws provides pure campy fun intertwined with serious topics like addiction, mental illness, living with the odds against you just to name a few. Everyone plays their role really well. Karrueche is actually decent but the MVP for me is Judy Reyes. Watching her on Scrubs then Devious Maids and now this, the lady has versatility in the bag.

If you are looking for something easy, breezy to watch this summer, I’d recommend watching this. It has 2 episodes left in its first season (for a total of 10 episodes) so it is not too late to join the party. Watch out for all the twists and turns that come with it and strap on for the fun ride. The show airs Sundays at 9/8c on TNT and has been renewed for a second season.