Going Dutch

As a Dutch person, I was excited to see Going Dutch, hoping for a show that would capture at least some of the humor and culture of the Netherlands. Instead, what we got is a painfully inaccurate, stereotype-filled mess that feels more like an American parody than anything remotely Dutch.

First, the setting is completely off. A fictional town called Stroopsdorf? That sounds more German than Dutch. Then there's the language-actors speak with bizarre, fake accents that are nowhere near authentic. The show seems to think the Netherlands is just windmills, clogs, and people who speak like cartoon villains. It's clear no one involved actually bothered to research Dutch culture, daily life, or even basic geography.

Denis Leary does his usual thing, but even a decent cast can't save a show when the foundation is built on lazy writing and tired clichés. If you know nothing about the Netherlands, you might not notice, but if you're even remotely familiar with Dutch culture, Going Dutch is frustrating to watch.

If Hollywood ever decides to set a show in the Netherlands again, I sincerely hope they actually visit the country first. This was an embarrassing misfire.