The Crew

Kevin James Returns to Sitcoms with Netflix’s The Crew—But Will Fans Stick Around?

Kevin James is back in the driver’s seat—literally—with The Crew, his first Netflix sitcom and a return to the kind of blue-collar, workplace comedy that made The King of Queens a staple. The 2021 series follows James as Kevin Gibson, a veteran NASCAR crew chief navigating chaos after his boss (Freddie Stroma) takes over the team, bringing a corporate overhaul that clashes with the crew’s old-school mentality. With a cast rounded out by Jillian Mueller, Gary Anthony Williams, Dan Ahdoot, and Sarah Stiles, the show leans into James’s signature brand of physical comedy and underdog charm. latestnetflix.com's take is that but behind the scenes, early reactions suggest the road to success might be bumpier than expected.

A Long-Awaited Sitcom Comeback

James hasn’t headlined a sitcom since Kevin Can Wait wrapped in 2018, and The Crew marks his first foray into streaming as a leading man. In interviews, he’s framed the project as a return to his roots, emphasizing the camaraderie of a tight-knit team—even if that team is a dysfunctional NASCAR pit crew. “It’s about family,” James said in a promotional clip, describing the dynamic among the characters. “They’re all misfits, but they love each other” . The show’s premise—corporate interference disrupting a beloved, if flawed, operation—resonates with James’s past roles, where outsiders often upend the status quo (see: Paul Blart: Mall Cop or Grown Ups).

The series also reunites James with Kevin Can Wait co-star Gary Anthony Williams, who plays Chuck, the team’s no-nonsense mechanic. Their on-screen chemistry is a highlight, with Williams bringing a dry wit that contrasts James’s broader physical comedy . Meanwhile, Freddie Stroma’s character, Jake Martin, serves as the young, entitled heir to the team, a role that sets up generational clashes and plenty of comedic friction.

Mixed Reviews and Renewal Doubts

Despite the star power, The Crew has struggled to win over critics and audiences alike. Reviews have been lukewarm, with many noting that the show’s humor feels dated compared to sharper workplace comedies like Superstore or Abbott Elementary. One YouTube review called it “a missed opportunity,” arguing that the NASCAR setting—a world ripe for satire—is underutilized in favor of “safe, predictable jokes” . Another critic described the series as “comfort food” for James fans but questioned whether it offered enough freshness to stand out in Netflix’s crowded comedy lineup .

The lackluster reception has already raised questions about the show’s future. Rumors of a potential cancellation have swirled, with one YouTube title bluntly declaring, “THE CREW Season 2 Renewal Is Doubtful” . While Netflix has yet to confirm or deny the rumors, the platform’s history of swiftly axing underperforming shows (see: The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia, Mr. Iglesias) doesn’t bode well for The Crew’s longevity. If the series does get a second season, it would likely need a significant creative overhaul to address the feedback—something James hinted at in interviews, saying he’s open to tweaking the formula .

**Behind the Scenes: James’s Perfect *Crew***

James has been vocal about the importance of casting in making The Crew work. In a pre-release interview, he described the ensemble as “the perfect group of misfits,” praising their ability to balance humor with heart . The show’s mockumentary-style filming—reminiscent of The Office—adds a layer of authenticity, though some critics argue it doesn’t fully commit to the format .

Off-screen, James has leaned into the Long Island roots that shaped his comedy, even filming some scenes in the New York area. In a local TV segment, he joked about the challenges of shooting during the pandemic, calling the experience “a circus” but emphasizing how much he enjoyed working with the cast . The series was shot in a single-camera setup, a departure from the multi-cam format of The King of Queens and Kevin Can Wait, which may have contributed to its more cinematic feel—though not necessarily to its comedic timing.

The Verdict: A Nostalgic Throwback or a Fading Formula?

The Crew isn’t breaking new ground, but that might not be the point. For fans of James’s brand of humor—think slapstick, awkward silences, and lovable losers—the show delivers exactly what it promises: a lighthearted, low-stakes comedy about a group of people who don’t quite fit in but refuse to give up. Whether that’s enough to sustain a second season remains to be seen.

If Netflix pulls the plug, The Crew will likely be remembered as a minor entry in James’s filmography, a brief pit stop on his way to the next project. But if the streaming giant surprises everyone with a renewal, the show could have a chance to refine its humor and lean harder into the NASCAR world it only scratches the surface of. For now, though, it’s stuck in neutral—waiting for a green flag that may never come.