Why HBO Max’s New #1 Show Is Taking Over The US (Even Beating The Pitt)

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As a critic, I’ve been following the streaming charts closely, and it’s interesting to see shifts at the top. For a while, The Pitt was the show on HBO Max in 2026, but Jason Bateman’s new series, DTF St. Louis, has taken over the number one spot. And honestly, it’s a welcome return to form for Bateman – it feels like he’s really hit his stride again, reminding me of some of his best earlier work.

The darkly comedic show DTF St. Louis takes inspiration from Jason Bateman’s popular sitcom Arrested Development, and its murder mystery plot feels like a lighter, more humorous take on his later series Ozark. Despite the success of HBO Max’s fast-paced medical drama The Pitt, DTF St. Louis—with its unique and surprising mix of genres—actually performed better in March 2026.

DTF St. Louis Overtook The Pitt To Gain HBO Max’s Top Spot

HBO Max’s show DTF St. Louis quickly became its most popular, surpassing The Pitt, after its third episode aired on March 15th. That episode, titled “The Go Getter,” added more layers to the show’s central mystery. The series was initially based on James Lasdun’s 2022 article in The New Yorker, “My Dentist’s Murder Trial: Adultery, False Identities, and a Lethal Sedation,” but the story evolved into a completely original plot.

This seven-episode series centers on Clark, a weatherman, Floyd, an ASL interpreter, and Carol, who find themselves in a complicated love triangle with tragic consequences – one of them ends up dead. Though it shares similarities with Prime Video’s 56 Days in its non-linear storytelling and mystery, DTF St. Louis leans much more into comedy.

The show, DTF St. Louis, follows a murder investigation while also cleverly poking fun at the challenges of dating today, the frustrations of suburban life, and changing attitudes about sex. The title refers to an app within the show’s world used for affairs, but it’s just one piece of a complex and surprising puzzle.

DTF St. Louis Is A Dark Comedy With A Twisty Mystery Story

Funny mystery shows are popular again, with recent successes like Poker Face, Only Murders in the Building, The Residence, The White Lotus, and The After Party. But DTF St. Louis differentiates itself by offering a clever and humorous take on modern dating and relationships.

The relationships between Clark, Floyd, and Carol are complex, even without the show playing with time. This is what makes DTF St. Louis so captivating – viewers are constantly questioning who to believe and who to support in this complicated love triangle.

Blending the suspense of a great psychological thriller with the sharp humor of a character-driven comedy, DTF St. Louis offers the best of both worlds. If you loved HBO’s witty mystery The White Lotus, you’ll likely enjoy DTF St. Louis – it’s currently the most popular show on HBO Max, even surpassing The Pitt in viewership.

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2026-03-17 20:28