Loot

“It’s a shame that Loot typically avoids talking about race, because when it does, it handles the topic well and adds depth to the otherwise fluffy sitcom.”

Title: Loot
Episodes Reviewed: Season 1-3
Creators: Matt Hubbard 👨🏼🇺🇸 and Alan Yang 👨🏻🇺🇸
Writers: Matt Hubbard 👨🏼🇺🇸 (7 episodes), Alan Yang 👨🏻🇺🇸 (6 episodes), Zeke Nicholson 👨🏾🇺🇸 (3 episodes), Anna Salinas 👩🏽🇺🇸🌈 (3 episodes), Vicky Luu 👩🏻🇺🇸🌈 (2 episodes), and others

Reviewed by Sam 🧑🏻🇺🇸🌈

—MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD—

Technical: 3.5/5

In a climate of massive wealth inequality, where the world teeters on birthing its first trillionaire even as 1 in 4 employed Americans struggle to afford the essentials—not to mention the difficulties facing unemployed people—it’s no wonder that folks are asking whether or not billionaires should even exist. Enter Loot, which sidesteps this question by diving into an adjacent one: Is it possible for billionaires to use their money for good? The show approaches the difficult topic with a comedic touch. Created by Alan Yang (Tigertail, Master of None) and Matt Hubbard, the Apple TV+ sitcom centers on Molly Wells (Maya Rudolph), who starts a charitable foundation named the Wells Foundation after becoming wealthy from her divorce.

While Rudolph is a force unto herself, Loot also has a stacked cast of characters who play off one another. Nicholas (Joel Kim Booster) complements Molly as her devoted assistant, enabling her shenanigans. Nonprofit director Sofía (Michaela Jaé Rodriguez), on the other hand, operates as their foil with her practicality and no-nonsense attitude.

However, the show’s consistency varies, with some stories far more memorable than others. The pacing is also much looser than the average 22-minute sitcom, growing dull at times. Still, Loot offers a great time for anyone looking for a feel-good show about a group of people trying their best to make the world a better place.

Gender: 5/5
Does it pass the Bechdel Test? YES

Loot prioritizes women in its storytelling. Two of them head up the Wells Foundation, with Molly providing the money and Sofía making sure that everything runs smoothly. Having two women of color, in particular, in high-ranking positions of power is significant in light of how women continue to be underrepresented in senior roles.

Additionally, this sitcom gives them nuance by showing their everyday problems. Molly frequently deals with people who treat her as an extension of her wealthy, tech guru ex-husband, John Novak (Adam Scott), rather than as an independent person with her own mind. Molly also sympathizes with John’s new fiancée, a free-spirited Southern woman named Luciana (D’arcy Carden). While the two women initially try to outdo each other, Molly and Luciana eventually become friends and overcome their rivalry, proving that women don’t have to view each other as competition.

Nor is Molly one-dimensionally perfect. Her bitterness about her divorce, and her desire for others to like her, often leads to disaster. For example, during a bird hunting expedition in Season 3, Episode 6’s “What’s Up With Us,” Molly brings an elaborate camping van to impress her boyfriend and co-worker, Arthur (Nat Faxon). But the van accidentally kills the coveted bird that he and the rest of the birding group had been waiting all day to see. By showcasing Molly’s mistakes, while making her good intentions clear, Loot sends the message that imperfect women are still deserving of empathy and understanding.

Race: 4.5/5

Actors of color have main and supporting roles in Loot. Molly is portrayed by biracial Black and Jewish actor Rudolph, while Sofía is played by Afro-Latina Rodriguez. Howard—the head of IT at the office—is played by Black actor Ron Funches, and Nicholas is played by Korean American Booster. This isn’t just box-ticking, either. These characters get plenty of screentime and development, and with Howard being introduced as Molly’s cousin, Black characters are naturally connected through mentions of shared family members, rather than tokenized.

Yet the show typically avoids talking about race. This light approach glosses over the role that race and ethnicity inevitably play in the American workplace. It’s a shame, because when Loot does broach the topic, it does so capably and adds depth to the otherwise fluffy sitcom.

In its main racial/ethnic subplot, transracial adoptee Nicholas, who has white Midwestern parents (much like Booster himself), auditions for a role that requires him to speak in Korean. Howard eagerly helps Nicholas learn the language in “Grace” (Season 2, Episode 8), which kicks off Nicholas’ gradual discovery of his Korean heritage. Season 3 sees the plot continue as Nicholas goes to Korea to help produce a K-drama. With shows like Modern Family tackling transracial adoption through the lens of white parents, Loot takes the welcome step of centering the adoptee's experience.

LGBTQ: 4/5

At first glance, Nicholas falls into the stereotype of a “sassy gay friend.” He’s Molly’s gay assistant with an eye for fashion and a love of pop culture. But as mentioned, he becomes a well-rounded character with his own desires and storylines over the course of the show. The Wells Foundation is also portrayed as an inclusive workplace where no one bats an eyelash at Nicholas' sexuality. Given that many LGBTQ employees still avoid mentioning their sexuality at work, Loot's depiction of open acceptance in a corporate environment is positive. Still, the series could continue to build on Nicholas’ backstory outside of work or show him pursuing a love interest.

In addition, trans actress Rodriguez—who rose to prominence on the trans-centered show Pose—has a leading role. Interestingly, Loot doesn’t address whether or not Sofía identifies as transgender. But platforming Rodriguez in a fully developed role, complete with strengths and flaws and romantic liaisons, provides essential visibility for the trans community.

Bonus for Age: +0.25

It’s wonderful to see Rudolph, who’s 53 years old at the time of this review, portrayed with full complexity and given multiple romantic interests. This helps combat Hollywood’s ongoing ageism, which saw just 12% of TV’s female leads go to actors 50 and older. In reality, the U.S. Census shows that fully 38% of women are at least 50 years old.

Mediaversity Grade: B+ 4.31/5

Compared to Apple TV+’s most notable sitcom to date, Ted Lasso, Loot greatly improves on inclusiveness, reflecting the racial, gender, and LGBTQ diversity that actually exists in the world.

Like Loot? Try these other titles featuring Maya Rudolph.

Grade: BLiNovember 19, 2025Great for: Gender