Richard Jenkins, star of the new HBO dark comedy series DTF St. Louis, revealed that he did not understand the meaning of the acronym “DTF” until he received the scripts for the show in advance of filming. The series, which launched earlier this year, features Jenkins as Homer, an experienced homicide detective investigating a suspicious death in St. Louis.
During an interview with DECIDER, Jenkins detailed how writer-director Steven Conrad’s scripts introduced him to internet slang unfamiliar to him, forcing the veteran actor to quickly get up to speed on modern terminology before shooting began.
I got all seven episodes and I was — I didn’t know what ‘DTF Saint Louis’ meant until I started reading,
Jenkins said.
I didn’t, I know I talked to Steve on the phone and he was saying, you know, we do DTF Saint Louis. I’m going, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah.’ [I had] no idea what it was. And so he sent me the script and then I found out, but it was brilliant.
Understanding the Meaning and Context of ‘DTF St. Louis’ Title
The phrase “DTF” stands for “down to fuck,” a colloquialism widely recognized in internet vernacular to describe casual sexual encounters. The title DTF St. Louis takes this slang and repurposes it as the name of a fictional dating app central to the plot. Unlike mainstream dating apps, this app caters mainly to married individuals who seek partners for extramarital physical relationships.
In the show, David Harbour’s character, Floyd Smernitch, is nudged by his friend Clark (played by Jason Bateman) to try using this dating app after Floyd’s sex life with his wife, Carol (Linda Cardellini), grows stagnant. Carol’s new role as an umpire, which she took to supplement their income, becomes a “mood killer” for Floyd, leading to tensions in their marriage and setting the stage for the unfolding drama.
Richard Jenkins Reflects on Adjusting to Unfamiliar Slang and the Show’s Script Quality
At 78 years old, Richard Jenkins admitted that the slang behind the title was far from everyday language for him, nor typical of his social interactions. Yet, he appreciated the opportunity to immerse himself in material that challenges his usual boundaries.
The script is brilliant. His writing is brilliant, it’s really great, it’s so smart. I mean, writing exposition is so hard, and foreshadowing, it’s so hard to get information into a movie that an audience needs to know without saying, ‘You know, what day is it today?’ ‘Oh, it’s Tuesday,’ you know? Then there’s a way to get Tuesday in there that you don’t even see it,
Jenkins praised the writer Steven Conrad’s craftsmanship, underscoring why he was eager to participate in the project.
While Jenkins has been provided with all seven episodes to view at once, viewers receive each episode weekly. He promised the narrative will take audiences on an unconventional and humorous journey that frequently blurs the line between comedy and unsettling intrigue.
Episode One of ‘DTF St. Louis’ Now Available to Stream on HBO Max
The first episode titled “Love Will Tear Us Apart” is currently streaming on HBO Max. The platform offers a subscription starting at $10.99 per month with advertisements, while an ad-free option costs $18.49 per month.
For viewers interested in broader streaming options, discounted bundles are available combining Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max. These range from $19.99 monthly with ads to $32.99 monthly without ads, providing added value for those looking for variety in streaming entertainment.
