NBC spent years searching for a comedy that could stand alongside its storied sitcom legacy. Then Tracy Morgan arrived with a documentary crew, a gambling scandal, and a memorabilia collection that borders on obsessive. The result? The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, the highest-rated sitcom of 2026, which returns for its second season on November 2.
A mockumentary with a twist
Created by Robert Carlock and Sam Means, the series follows Reggie Dinkins (Morgan), a former New York Jets star whose career imploded after a gambling scandal. Desperate to repair his reputation and revive his Hall of Fame hopes, Reggie hires Arthur Tobin (Daniel Radcliffe), a disgraced filmmaker in need of his own redemption arc, to document his comeback. Reggie wants a flattering hero's journey; Arthur wants something honest. The clash between those agendas fuels the show's comedy.
What makes the mockumentary format work here is how it lets the ensemble behave like a family that's been bickering for decades. Erika Alexander plays Monica, Reggie's ex-wife and business manager, who may be more invested in his comeback than he is. Bobby Moynihan is Rusty, his former teammate and best friend, while Precious Way plays Brina, his fiancée. Jalyn Hall rounds out the core cast as Carmelo, Reggie and Monica's teenage son.
Tracy Morgan finally gets a show built for him
Morgan has spent decades as one of television's most unpredictable comic forces. His 30 Rock alter ego, Tracy Jordan, was a heightened version of his own tabloid persona. Reggie Dinkins is different: vain, funny, and deeply flawed, but never cartoonish. Carlock, who also created Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, knows how to channel Morgan's chaos into something grounded. Beneath the jokes about athletes, celebrity culture, and Reggie's enormous ego lies a story about second chances—everyone here is trying to recover something they lost.
Radcliffe might be the secret weapon. Arthur is neurotic, pretentious, and increasingly incapable of staying impartial. It's a clever twist on the format: the person holding the camera is just as messy as the people in front of it. If you enjoy sitcoms that blend awkward humor with genuine heart, this one belongs alongside the best new comedies of the year.
Ratings and critical success
The gamble paid off immediately. The January premiere aired after NBC's NFL divisional playoff coverage and drew 5.8 million viewers with a 1.4 rating in the 18-49 demo, making it the most-watched comedy episode of the 2025-26 season at the time and NBC's biggest comedy debut in three years. Critics were equally impressed: the first season holds a 97% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 38 reviews and a 76 on Metacritic. Across all platforms, season 1 drew over 14 million viewers and finished as the highest-rated rookie comedy among adults 18-49. It's a reminder that sitcoms never really die—they just find new life.
What's next for season 2
NBC renewed the series in May, and the new episodes pick up after season 1's bombshell: Carmelo is secretly dating the daughter of Reggie's football nemesis, Jerry Basmati (Craig Robinson). That revelation promises fresh headaches for Reggie, who has already spent plenty of energy trying to mend fences with Jerry. Carlock and Means have said season 2 will expand the redemption theme across the entire ensemble rather than focusing solely on Reggie. His Hall of Fame ambitions remain very much alive, and Arthur still hasn't managed to finish his documentary—a running gag the writers plan to push even further, possibly with a Thanksgiving episode now that the show returns in the fall.
With its sharp writing, stellar cast, and surprising emotional depth, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins has proven that network sitcoms can still score big. Season 2 premieres November 2 on NBC.
