tv seriesJasmeet Raina, better known as Jus Reign from his YouTube days, debuted his new show Late Bloomer on Crave TV in this January. For those who enjoyed his comedy on YouTube, this show will feel familiar but with a more layered approach. If you didn’t like his style back then, this show might not win you over either.
Late Bloomer dives deeper into his personal life, following the journey of Jasmeet, a young Sikh guy who drops out of med school to become an online influencer. The show highlights his struggles of balancing his growing fame with the expectations of his family and community, and making online content becomes a way for him to cope with this tension.
In the first episode, Jasmeet takes some risky nude photos for a girl he meets at a club, but when his laptop is stolen, he spends the entire episode trying to get it back before the pictures are leaked. The story takes a turn when Jasmeet attends a Gurpurbh celebration at the Gurdwara, where he casually jokes about the Gurus and the number of Gurpubhs. These jokes might feel disrespectful to some, especially if you’re not familiar with Sikh culture. For those who are, the casual approach to these topics could be seen as inappropriate or too casual.
As the show progresses, Jasmeet faces criticism from Babu, another YouTuber who plays a bold Sikh character, warning him not to embarrass the community with his content. This leads to a tense moment where Jasmeet imagines his nude photos being leaked and the community coming after him. The scene is a clear reference to the real-life controversies Jus Reign faced, specifically a viral video that caused a stir during his YouTube career. It feels like Jasmeet is using this show to address the criticisms he’s received and set the tone for the kind of humor people can expect.
Late Bloomer is a show that will resonate with those who are familiar with Jus Reign’s comedic style, but it’s not without controversy. It tackles themes of cultural identity, family expectations, and finding a balance between personal and public life. While it offers a fresh perspective on Sikh representation, it’s aimed at a specific audience, particularly second-generation immigrants. The humor can be hit or miss, and the show’s casual approach to certain cultural topics may not sit well with everyone. But for those who are open to it, Late Bloomer is a fun, well-written comedy that could open the door for more stories from this community. Just be aware—this is definitely not a show to watch around your parents!