Rapid Insights: ‘Deli Boys’ vs. ‘Running Point’—How Tone Transforms Family Chaos

Do these shows appeal to the same audience? 
No. Thanks to a darker tone and scenes of shocking (though humorous) violence, Deli Boys appeals strongly to men (65%)–a pointed gender skew, and even heavier than many similarly crime-focused comedies like Barry (57%), The Gentlemen (58%), and Mr Inbetween (55%). In contrast, Running Point’s viewership is gender-balanced (51% men / 49% women), landing better with women than many other sports-themed series (American Sports Story, Clipped, Winning Time–all 63-73% men) thanks to its strong female protagonist.

What do these two comedies have in common?
Fish Out of Water (134) protagonists. In both shows, the bumbling progeny of wealthy parents are handed an intense family legacy they’re not fully equipped to take on; at the same time, these adult children are surrounded by Family Dysfunction (151), sibling rivalries (Sibling Relationship, 122), and off-kilter business set-ups (Working with Family, 160). In Deli Boys, brothers Mir and Raj become the unwitting heirs to a cocaine empire after their father dies unexpectedly–and promised they were merely inheriting ownership of a state-wide convenience store chain. In Running Point, billionaire party girl Isla is suddenly promoted to president of her family’s pro basketball team after her competent elder brother is shipped off to rehab. In both series, these themes of family and belonging are the key drivers of longevity, setting the stage for future seasons.

What’s making Deli Boys stand out as unique? 
Crime and dark comedy (Twisted Humor, 121). Deli Boy’s ratings are being driven by its humorous twist on the crime-thriller genre, and the unexpected laughs it’s able to wring from shockingly Bloody Violence (143), an intense Criminal Organization (160), and the act of Committing a Crime (133) are giving it buoyancy. The show also revels in putting a unique spin on its specific milieu: it heightens the aspirational story of a prosperous immigrant clan who have achieved the American dream by making them a hilariously over-the-top Crime Family (132) ruling gangland with an iron fist. These distinctive elements are what’s pulling in so many viewers.

What’s differentiating Running Point? 
Sports and light humor. Where Deli Boys goes dark, Running Point serves up divertingly Awkward & Funny Moments (134) and snarky Adult Humor (153) as it plays up the Arrested Development (146) of protagonist Isla and her billionaire family. And rather than crime, the show situations itself in the captivating world of pro basketball (Sports Focus, 139), a setting appealing not only on its own merits, but also because it offers Isla the chance to Step Up (144), overcome her flaws (Overcoming Adversity, 129), grapple with new challenges (Difficult Workplace, 133), and ultimately prove herself worthy (Ambition & Drive, 128). Isla’s lighthearted journey and the comedy that underpins it propel both ratings and bingeability for the show, and viewers are tuning in–and staying tuned–to both laugh at and cheer for her success.

Are the shows popular on social media? 
Definitely. Both series peaked at or near the top of the “outstanding” range on our social buzz meter after their first season drop, and both show signs of continued engagement. While Running Point reveals more long-term robust chatter–it has maxed out our meter (at 160) almost continuously since its release on February 27–Deli Boys is also proving to be a sticky show, bouncing between “outstanding” and high-level ”promising” buzz several weeks after its own release.