I never saw any of the documentaries that they spoof but every episode was still funny to me.
34 Reviews
Good stuff
13Funbags12 April 2019
Unusual sense of humour
JeromeArlettaz8 September 2015
I love this sense of humour based on characters having a great consideration for themselves, looking ridiculous from the viewer's perspective, with a pinch of cruelty and tons of nonsense. In short: the character doesn't know he's in a comedy. It isn't common in US comedy, more frequent in GB. This sense of humour requires a perfect execution in the filming and acting and I think that this series has brilliantly achieved it. I'm not an easy laugher and I'm usually the guy with the poker face in the cinema when everyone is exulting. But watching this show, I think I've disturbed my neighbours with my unpracticed heavy laugh. I particularly appreciate the introductions.
Big Vivvy and Little Vivvy
staciarose2029 July 2021
Beautiful, funny and educational. Highly recommended.
ThomDerd29 July 2020
As a film student, I had to go through all the important documentaries, starting from the 1920s with Nanook of the North till nowadays docs.
Studied them, analyzed them, watched them over and over again. Great pieces of documentary filmmaking to say the least. NOW, what these guys have achieved here with these light-hearted and hilarious mockumentaries, which reflect the original ones, is just extraordinary! They actually revamped them by adding a comical element to many (with their special SNL humor touch) and certain story alterations but kept the original style of filmmaking accurate and similar to the originals. They made a different documentary; i think that if you didn't know any of their actors or their intentions and happened to come across one of these randomly, then you d think its the real thing! The result is just magnificent.
These mini docs are full of heart, talent, comedy and most of all they give a wink to the viewer to visit the original documentary.
Maybe it will be good to search for a guide on what documentaries they are basing their mockumentaries on so you get more into the humor but its definitely not necessary.
My personal favorites are the Sandy Passage, the Eye don't lie, the Blue Jean Committee and Juan likes rice and Chicken. Excellent series. 10/10.
Studied them, analyzed them, watched them over and over again. Great pieces of documentary filmmaking to say the least. NOW, what these guys have achieved here with these light-hearted and hilarious mockumentaries, which reflect the original ones, is just extraordinary! They actually revamped them by adding a comical element to many (with their special SNL humor touch) and certain story alterations but kept the original style of filmmaking accurate and similar to the originals. They made a different documentary; i think that if you didn't know any of their actors or their intentions and happened to come across one of these randomly, then you d think its the real thing! The result is just magnificent.
These mini docs are full of heart, talent, comedy and most of all they give a wink to the viewer to visit the original documentary.
Maybe it will be good to search for a guide on what documentaries they are basing their mockumentaries on so you get more into the humor but its definitely not necessary.
My personal favorites are the Sandy Passage, the Eye don't lie, the Blue Jean Committee and Juan likes rice and Chicken. Excellent series. 10/10.
Brilliant! Haven't laughed that hard in a long time
troybutcher7727 August 2015
Aktham Tashtoush who left a bad review below must not have read up on what this is about. To fully appreciate the brilliant comedy in Documentary Now, you need to watch at least part of (or read about) Grey Gardens for the 1st episode, and then watch an episode of VICE on Youtube to fully appreciate the 2nd episode. Bill & Fred have obviously watched and researched the original characters and have portrayed and mocked what is so funny about original shows. If you like morbid comedy, then this delivers.
Bill & Fred are hilarious together, and my only complaint is that there is only going to be 6 episodes it appears.
Bill & Fred are hilarious together, and my only complaint is that there is only going to be 6 episodes it appears.
Some of the Smartest, Funniest Writing in Years
erinharringtonmobile1 July 2017
It baffles me that a show this funny can remain so underground, with less than a "cult classic" following. However I understand why many have looked over this show. The concept is not only very "out there" but the writing is very smart. In a similar way that the UK version of "The Office" is often overlooked by US fans for being "too smart", this show is closer to dry, British humor than classic American humor. But, through and through, this show is brilliant. The attention to detail is astounding to the point where the original documentaries look worse than their versions. Mulany, Meyers, Hader and Armisen pour so much passion into this show. This is not a cash grab, it's not a money maker, it's a passion project shared by 4 brilliant comedians and that can be seen in every episode. Please support this show, brilliant direction, writing and acting such as this should be rewarded and unfortunately this show is being overlooked.
Great work
mylifeisbigcomedy21 August 2015
I just watched the new mockumentary show with my favorite comedians and I satisfied with what I saw there.
First episode that parodies Grey Gardens makes me laugh really hard and the biggest plus of the show is that it's seems very attractive and naturally. I mean, if you stop thinking that it's a parody on few minutes then you can truly believe that it's a real film.
Work of writers, acting of actors and design of clothes that they were wearing, everything is awesome. I want to mention Bill Hader because, how I think, he's made an excellent work on his role. Lil' Vevie is something I really scared of. And this can mean that parody became to something more.
Second episode was little strained but still have a lot of funny moments.
I can call myself a big fan of these guys but objectively Documentary Now! is one of the best show in last 5 years.
First episode that parodies Grey Gardens makes me laugh really hard and the biggest plus of the show is that it's seems very attractive and naturally. I mean, if you stop thinking that it's a parody on few minutes then you can truly believe that it's a real film.
Work of writers, acting of actors and design of clothes that they were wearing, everything is awesome. I want to mention Bill Hader because, how I think, he's made an excellent work on his role. Lil' Vevie is something I really scared of. And this can mean that parody became to something more.
Second episode was little strained but still have a lot of funny moments.
I can call myself a big fan of these guys but objectively Documentary Now! is one of the best show in last 5 years.
Brilliant and Hilarious
caseymoravek21 July 2019
All over the place
wasecan17 March 2021
Some episodes were very good. "Batsh*t Valley", "Searching for Mr. Larson", "Gentle and Soft" are some of the good ones. "Original Cast album" and "Waiting for the Artist" are painfully unwatchable. I'm sure there are some who like that kind of thing, but it was a major chore to get through those episodes. "Final Transition" and "Any given Saturday Afternoon" were reasonably OK. Armison is great, and some of the guest stars make it interesting. Overall, it balances out to about a 6.
deeply niche, exceedingly masterful; a wet dream for cinephiles and comedy writer nerds alike
sjsufan-426 September 2020
I will admit to not understanding this show for years. i, as i'm sure is also the case with many others, just found myself confused while watching season one as it premiered. i found myself waiting for some overt goof or joke, when i finally realized this material is far more akin to the work of Andy Kaufman as opposed to the more straightforward vibe of SNL. its less about building to a punchline and moreso about absolutely commiting to the bit.
watching any interview or conversation that includes either Seth Meyers, Fred Armisen, or Bill Hader, it becomes clear that they are simply comedy nerds of the highest order. Armisen has the deadpan commitment needed to sell these jokes, no matter how subdued. Hader has the imagination to turn a simple gag into a realized world. and Meyers has the deep appreciation of the blood, sweat, and tears that go into comedy writing that makes him see the deep brilliance of a joke that would go over the heads of the general public. give these three the keys to a show and you get a truly unique experience, unlike anything else on television.
besides the sheer commitment to a joke, the other standout of this show is the production's borderline obsessive attention to detail when it comes to recreating the documentaries being spoofed. one of the biggest joys of this show is seeing how effortlessly their crew recreates the style and era of each film being parodied or satirized. Armisen and Hader's long-practiced talent of impersonating is also used to great effect for this same purpose. i struggle to name any other actors who can make at least two seasons worth of material where they both embody entirely different characters that works just as well.
given the hyper-focused lens of both comedy and film being put on display here, its definitely not a show for everyone. but if you can open your mind to something completely different, i think you'll find it hard not to enjoy. with the right mindset, its like a warm cup of tea. cozy, comforting, and tranquil to just sit back and take in.
watching any interview or conversation that includes either Seth Meyers, Fred Armisen, or Bill Hader, it becomes clear that they are simply comedy nerds of the highest order. Armisen has the deadpan commitment needed to sell these jokes, no matter how subdued. Hader has the imagination to turn a simple gag into a realized world. and Meyers has the deep appreciation of the blood, sweat, and tears that go into comedy writing that makes him see the deep brilliance of a joke that would go over the heads of the general public. give these three the keys to a show and you get a truly unique experience, unlike anything else on television.
besides the sheer commitment to a joke, the other standout of this show is the production's borderline obsessive attention to detail when it comes to recreating the documentaries being spoofed. one of the biggest joys of this show is seeing how effortlessly their crew recreates the style and era of each film being parodied or satirized. Armisen and Hader's long-practiced talent of impersonating is also used to great effect for this same purpose. i struggle to name any other actors who can make at least two seasons worth of material where they both embody entirely different characters that works just as well.
given the hyper-focused lens of both comedy and film being put on display here, its definitely not a show for everyone. but if you can open your mind to something completely different, i think you'll find it hard not to enjoy. with the right mindset, its like a warm cup of tea. cozy, comforting, and tranquil to just sit back and take in.
Good but uneven.
tinafey-9319429 June 2018
Weirdly enough, you'll probably like episodes based on how much you like the documentary they are spoofing in it. If you don't care about the original doc, you just won't be invested in the jokes. But the War Room episode is absolute genius, Hader has never been better. Armisen is a talented, genius creep. Still a creep tho!
5 minutes of watching was too much.
sammylovescarrots28 December 2021
I LOVE THIS PREMISE!
kraywashere14 August 2019
Welcome to Documentary Now
cmomman198829 October 2018
Nanook Revisited and Gray Garderns
braquecubism17 September 2019
Being a fan of documentaries- these 2 are such wonderful parodies. I saw this last year, so I can't remember them all in detail. I would watch again. Satire has to be true to the thing yet take it one step further. Hard to do- many parodies fail bec they can't while keeping the integrity- these are 2 important classics- Funny! and true to the original Doc. If you haven't seen them. Did they also do Salesman, if not they should, and I would suggest, Daily Nation, Gladiator Days, the one about Ali in Zaire. it would take geniuses who really understand Docs, and Human natural. It says 3 seasons, will have to find to watch.
This measure up with the best of all time- Spinal Tap- and I think also the other Chris Guest, Best of show and Mighty Winds.
A great addition to the IFC catalog.
alexandergaither105 September 2015
Warning: Spoilers
*NOTE*: This review is based squarely on the first episode: "Sandy Passage".
In my opinion, IFC has produced some of the best alternative comedy in the past decade. From Portlandia to Comedy Bang Bang!, they've raised the stakes for what alt comedy should/could be.
Imagine to my surprise when several months ago, while watching the premiere of The Spoils of Babylon, I saw a promo for a new series called Documentary Now! Starring alt comedy darlings Bill Hader and Fred Armisan, produced by Seth Myers and Lorne Micheals, and presented by Helen Friggin' Mirren! My expectations rose to kilimanjaric levels after seeing it.
Now, having seen the first installment, I feel as if I have a firm grasp on this series and can review it in full. So, here we go.
"Sandy Passage". A "parody" (using that term loosely) of the 1975 classic about a two- man film crew who set their sights on chronicling a mother-daughter pair of socialites living in a ramshackle estate. The episode essentially plays the film beat-by-beat with Armisen being the mother and Hader being the daughter.
It's all very funny, satisfying, and even a bit poignant, but the real kicker comes at the very end, when it is revealed that the mother and daughter are murderers; both responsible for the "disappearances" of their former boyfriends and grocery boys. The ending genuinely scarred me, and as someone who often watches horror movies, that's saying something. Though the twist does feel a bit jarring after having sat through something so slow.
Overall, "Sandy Passage" is a surprisingly nice little tribute a trailblazer of the documentary industry, and a nice entrance into the world of Documentary Now! I will definitely be watching further episodes.
RATING: B+
In my opinion, IFC has produced some of the best alternative comedy in the past decade. From Portlandia to Comedy Bang Bang!, they've raised the stakes for what alt comedy should/could be.
Imagine to my surprise when several months ago, while watching the premiere of The Spoils of Babylon, I saw a promo for a new series called Documentary Now! Starring alt comedy darlings Bill Hader and Fred Armisan, produced by Seth Myers and Lorne Micheals, and presented by Helen Friggin' Mirren! My expectations rose to kilimanjaric levels after seeing it.
Now, having seen the first installment, I feel as if I have a firm grasp on this series and can review it in full. So, here we go.
"Sandy Passage". A "parody" (using that term loosely) of the 1975 classic about a two- man film crew who set their sights on chronicling a mother-daughter pair of socialites living in a ramshackle estate. The episode essentially plays the film beat-by-beat with Armisen being the mother and Hader being the daughter.
It's all very funny, satisfying, and even a bit poignant, but the real kicker comes at the very end, when it is revealed that the mother and daughter are murderers; both responsible for the "disappearances" of their former boyfriends and grocery boys. The ending genuinely scarred me, and as someone who often watches horror movies, that's saying something. Though the twist does feel a bit jarring after having sat through something so slow.
Overall, "Sandy Passage" is a surprisingly nice little tribute a trailblazer of the documentary industry, and a nice entrance into the world of Documentary Now! I will definitely be watching further episodes.
RATING: B+
Very clichéd writing
UNOhwen16 April 2016
Lorne Michaels WAS very talented - over 40 YEARS ago, when he started Saturday Night Live.
Back then, with the original (and still, THE best) Not Ready For Prime-Time Payers (Gilda, Dan, John, Garret, Jane, Lorraine, and - Chevy. By the way; Bill Murray joined AFTER Chevy left), it was biting the hands (the network, et al.) and they DID take chances.
But, since they left Mr. .Michaels has done the same old, same old for so long, it's as if he's a 'puppet,' and everything is 'pre-made.'
There's no more daring humour, no jokes that dare cross the line. It's all safe pablum.
So, seeing his name as Exec. Producer is no surprise - to me. It's like that Simon 'LeGree' Cowell, and all his 'Star Search' rip off series, where the winner DOES get a contract, but, it's more like indentured servitude; they (the winner) is forced to crank garbage out for (in this case, Lorne Michaels) for eternity. They're forced to do his pre-made yuk-fest' whether-or-not they want to.
Analogy; just like a kid who likes Chef Boyardee ravioli might grow up and still find - as they've grown to adulthood, this canned thing to be their 'favourite,' in all its sugar-drenched, chemically- tasting awfulness, it also goes with humour. As there are people who laughed at 'chicken crossing the road' -type humour when they were little, and STILL do years - perhaps decades later.
There are a lot of people who have moved past this.
For the people who still think SNL humour that they remember from their young adult-hood/college years as 'funny,' they will love this.
For what these are - little 'take-offs' of well-known/familiar films, told in a style that almost has a built in 'pause' for the audiences guffaws, it's fine.
But, if you're sense of humour is beyond this stage, these (so far only) 6(I hope that's all) episodes encompass 'ha-ha' versions of Grey Gardens, The Thin Blue Line, and several other well-known documentaries.
The thing is, the original stories these 'parodies' are meant to 'gently nudge' (yawn), are so well- known, and has already had parodies, jokes, and what-not made, that it's pointless.
The humour is plain obvious, i.e., in 'Sandy Passage' (Grey Gardens), we start with the old 'Uncle Mitly' vaudeville gag; men in drag. Yes, it can be funny, but, just drag, JUST for the FACT of having someone in drag ISN'T funny.
The characters in Sandy Passage - 'big' and 'little Viv' are, again - very obvious caricatures, with absolutely nothing new.
The real people, 'big' and 'little Edie' were so much larger-than-life to begin with, they've had performers of every calibre - from small clubs, and gay bars, to big venue shows - do send-ups of them.
The take on Errol Morris' The Thin Blue Line, one knows going in that they're going to make the southern everyone - incredibly dumb (which is OK by me), so dumb, that even with the 'innocent' (but really guilty) party doing/saying everything BUT 'I'm guilty,' they STILL try to brush it off as him being a 'cut-up,' and the (truly) innocent schlub is 'of course' (according to them) guilty (primarily because he ISN'T a southerner).
This is sophomoric humour at best, and if that makes you laugh, then perfect for you.
Otherwise, skip it.
Back then, with the original (and still, THE best) Not Ready For Prime-Time Payers (Gilda, Dan, John, Garret, Jane, Lorraine, and - Chevy. By the way; Bill Murray joined AFTER Chevy left), it was biting the hands (the network, et al.) and they DID take chances.
But, since they left Mr. .Michaels has done the same old, same old for so long, it's as if he's a 'puppet,' and everything is 'pre-made.'
There's no more daring humour, no jokes that dare cross the line. It's all safe pablum.
So, seeing his name as Exec. Producer is no surprise - to me. It's like that Simon 'LeGree' Cowell, and all his 'Star Search' rip off series, where the winner DOES get a contract, but, it's more like indentured servitude; they (the winner) is forced to crank garbage out for (in this case, Lorne Michaels) for eternity. They're forced to do his pre-made yuk-fest' whether-or-not they want to.
Analogy; just like a kid who likes Chef Boyardee ravioli might grow up and still find - as they've grown to adulthood, this canned thing to be their 'favourite,' in all its sugar-drenched, chemically- tasting awfulness, it also goes with humour. As there are people who laughed at 'chicken crossing the road' -type humour when they were little, and STILL do years - perhaps decades later.
There are a lot of people who have moved past this.
For the people who still think SNL humour that they remember from their young adult-hood/college years as 'funny,' they will love this.
For what these are - little 'take-offs' of well-known/familiar films, told in a style that almost has a built in 'pause' for the audiences guffaws, it's fine.
But, if you're sense of humour is beyond this stage, these (so far only) 6(I hope that's all) episodes encompass 'ha-ha' versions of Grey Gardens, The Thin Blue Line, and several other well-known documentaries.
The thing is, the original stories these 'parodies' are meant to 'gently nudge' (yawn), are so well- known, and has already had parodies, jokes, and what-not made, that it's pointless.
The humour is plain obvious, i.e., in 'Sandy Passage' (Grey Gardens), we start with the old 'Uncle Mitly' vaudeville gag; men in drag. Yes, it can be funny, but, just drag, JUST for the FACT of having someone in drag ISN'T funny.
The characters in Sandy Passage - 'big' and 'little Viv' are, again - very obvious caricatures, with absolutely nothing new.
The real people, 'big' and 'little Edie' were so much larger-than-life to begin with, they've had performers of every calibre - from small clubs, and gay bars, to big venue shows - do send-ups of them.
The take on Errol Morris' The Thin Blue Line, one knows going in that they're going to make the southern everyone - incredibly dumb (which is OK by me), so dumb, that even with the 'innocent' (but really guilty) party doing/saying everything BUT 'I'm guilty,' they STILL try to brush it off as him being a 'cut-up,' and the (truly) innocent schlub is 'of course' (according to them) guilty (primarily because he ISN'T a southerner).
This is sophomoric humour at best, and if that makes you laugh, then perfect for you.
Otherwise, skip it.
My stomach hurts from laughing
thecoolbonnie5 July 2019
Comedy Gold
ethanj-410279 May 2020
Documentary Now! (2015 - ) - [9/10]
I love this show. There are hundreds of reasons behind why I love Documentary Now! (2015 - ). Maybe I love it because of how it mocks legendary documentaries. Maybe I love it because I want to be a filmmaker - and they make fun of a lot of filmmaking tropes. Maybe I love it because it is exceptionally written. Maybe I love it simply because it is hilarious. Critics love it and audiences have never seen it. It is ridiculously smart, absolutely entertaining, and masterfully made. Anyone that has seen a documentary will find this show funny. Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers, Rhys Thomas, Alexander Buono, John Mulaney, Lorne Michaels, and so many more are attached to this show - each contributing to the hilarity. It is crazy how detailed this show is. It dances across a thin line; it is so close to offending the original documentary, but it honors the original documentary (or documentary company) with each episode parodied. Many shots mimic the original documentaries' shots. In fact, they were able to get some of the equipment that the actual documentaries' used (lenses, sketch artists, etc.). After each episode, you want to see the original documentary, because they make jokes that will go over your head. I love it. The writing is exceptional. It is hilarious, crude, genius, and masterful. The creators are all veteran comedians, with backgrounds in SNL (1975 - ) and it works so well. Documentary Now! (2015 - ) is like a cinematic, thought out, and sincere SNL (1975 - ) sketch. Each episode is a hit, because of the writing. Whether from the source material, spoofing, or mockumentary style. They try not to mock legendary documentaries, but pay "homage" to them. There are Emmy nominated performances from each season. Fred Armisen and Bill Hader are masterful comedians. They fully become their characters, with different voices, looks, and quirks. Both of them have very dry, stark, humor and encapsulate what Documentary Now! (2015 - ) is. The guest stars are also hilarious. Owen Wilson is in a couple episodes, alongside Michael Keaton. Peter Fonda, Mia Farrow, John Mulaney, and so many more. Each episode requires a different role (or the same episode has multiple roles), and that just shows how great Armisen and Hader are. Everybody that has worked with this show are comedic geniuses. This show is a lot of fun. Some episodes aren't as strong as the others, but they're funny nonetheless. I've loved this show for awhile, and I can't wait for more seasons and episodes. Each episode has its own unique style (big props to Alexander Buono and Rhys Thomas' direction). Each episode is comedy gold. Each episode encapsulates what documentary filmmaking is. Documentary Now! (2015 - ) is uniquely original, perfectly spoofs classic documentaries, is sincerely made, and a show that every comedy fan must watch.
I love this show. There are hundreds of reasons behind why I love Documentary Now! (2015 - ). Maybe I love it because of how it mocks legendary documentaries. Maybe I love it because I want to be a filmmaker - and they make fun of a lot of filmmaking tropes. Maybe I love it because it is exceptionally written. Maybe I love it simply because it is hilarious. Critics love it and audiences have never seen it. It is ridiculously smart, absolutely entertaining, and masterfully made. Anyone that has seen a documentary will find this show funny. Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers, Rhys Thomas, Alexander Buono, John Mulaney, Lorne Michaels, and so many more are attached to this show - each contributing to the hilarity. It is crazy how detailed this show is. It dances across a thin line; it is so close to offending the original documentary, but it honors the original documentary (or documentary company) with each episode parodied. Many shots mimic the original documentaries' shots. In fact, they were able to get some of the equipment that the actual documentaries' used (lenses, sketch artists, etc.). After each episode, you want to see the original documentary, because they make jokes that will go over your head. I love it. The writing is exceptional. It is hilarious, crude, genius, and masterful. The creators are all veteran comedians, with backgrounds in SNL (1975 - ) and it works so well. Documentary Now! (2015 - ) is like a cinematic, thought out, and sincere SNL (1975 - ) sketch. Each episode is a hit, because of the writing. Whether from the source material, spoofing, or mockumentary style. They try not to mock legendary documentaries, but pay "homage" to them. There are Emmy nominated performances from each season. Fred Armisen and Bill Hader are masterful comedians. They fully become their characters, with different voices, looks, and quirks. Both of them have very dry, stark, humor and encapsulate what Documentary Now! (2015 - ) is. The guest stars are also hilarious. Owen Wilson is in a couple episodes, alongside Michael Keaton. Peter Fonda, Mia Farrow, John Mulaney, and so many more. Each episode requires a different role (or the same episode has multiple roles), and that just shows how great Armisen and Hader are. Everybody that has worked with this show are comedic geniuses. This show is a lot of fun. Some episodes aren't as strong as the others, but they're funny nonetheless. I've loved this show for awhile, and I can't wait for more seasons and episodes. Each episode has its own unique style (big props to Alexander Buono and Rhys Thomas' direction). Each episode is comedy gold. Each episode encapsulates what documentary filmmaking is. Documentary Now! (2015 - ) is uniquely original, perfectly spoofs classic documentaries, is sincerely made, and a show that every comedy fan must watch.
Cleverly conceived idea but it can be hit or miss
Okonh0wp16 October 2016
Documentaries are generally a pretty esoteric cinematic experience and co-creator Fred Armisen's comedy is also pretty esoteric. As a result putting those together is going to lead to something that's not easy to appreciate or particularly funny every time out of the gate.
While the premise's novelty-- re-imagining popular documentaries with a comic bent -- was enough to get it through the first season, the show usually sinks or swims based on how funny the episode is.
With the exception of Michael Moore, Spike Lee, Morgan Spurlock, or Werner Herzog, very few documentaries have ever surfaced to the national consciousness. As a result, many viewers (including myself) are not going to go to know of the original source either, so the comedy often has to stand on its own in a way that most direct parodies don't. I'm not sure if this airs on the IFC TV channel, but the website has a featurette airing the two versions side-by-side which is certainly helpful.
"The Town, A Gangster, a Festival" approaches the brilliance of Christopher Guest's films (what I'm sure is an influence on these guys) in terms of attention to detail. A whole world is colored in by oodles and oodles of funny characters. This should cater to the wheelhouse of a writing staff-- all SNL alumni (if I'm not mistaken) where creating characters who can display a memorable quirk within a minute or two of screen time is a prerequisite.
Without the advantage of the large ensemble format, the show faces a harder challenge with generally only two people front and center. The show can sometimes work brilliance here but some episodes have also fallen flat. Among the most brilliant entries are "Kunuk Now" and "Globesman" as both are hilarious based on stand-alone comic characters and broad reference(the primitive Eskimo in the former, the 1950s image of masculinity and the corporate salesman in the latter) rather than a specific cinematic style. "Kunuk Now" tells the story of a kooky producer who jumps production in Alaska and an intellectually-challenged Eskimo who single-handedly creates all our modern ideas of cinematography. "Globesman" takes the squeaky clean image of the 1950's and turns it into a portrait of sheer obnoxiousness.
Among the other episodes that work somewhat well, "The Blue Jean Committee" is an exaggerated character portrait of two men whose lives have gone in opposite directions since fame. It distinguishes itself by being perhaps the only episode in the series with sentimental value (the final hug between the two tugged at my heart strings at least). Armisen is a music obsessive and his effort falls flat in the similarly themed second season episode "Test Pattern" which feels derivative: It mines similar nuances of "Blue Jean Committee" in mining similar nuances of concert culture without giving us a reason to care.
"Dronez" also roughly works without any source material as it provides a never-ending supply of dumb people and juxtaposes them with an incredibly dangerous situation.
Others like "Juan Likes Rice and Beans" and "The War Room" are middling: They work based on the hyper-specific which will vary. In the case of the former, I saw "Jiro Likes Sushi" which helped me enjoy it at a fuller level.
The rest of the episodes, including the series premiere, fall painfully flat based on hyper-specificity.
.
While the premise's novelty-- re-imagining popular documentaries with a comic bent -- was enough to get it through the first season, the show usually sinks or swims based on how funny the episode is.
With the exception of Michael Moore, Spike Lee, Morgan Spurlock, or Werner Herzog, very few documentaries have ever surfaced to the national consciousness. As a result, many viewers (including myself) are not going to go to know of the original source either, so the comedy often has to stand on its own in a way that most direct parodies don't. I'm not sure if this airs on the IFC TV channel, but the website has a featurette airing the two versions side-by-side which is certainly helpful.
"The Town, A Gangster, a Festival" approaches the brilliance of Christopher Guest's films (what I'm sure is an influence on these guys) in terms of attention to detail. A whole world is colored in by oodles and oodles of funny characters. This should cater to the wheelhouse of a writing staff-- all SNL alumni (if I'm not mistaken) where creating characters who can display a memorable quirk within a minute or two of screen time is a prerequisite.
Without the advantage of the large ensemble format, the show faces a harder challenge with generally only two people front and center. The show can sometimes work brilliance here but some episodes have also fallen flat. Among the most brilliant entries are "Kunuk Now" and "Globesman" as both are hilarious based on stand-alone comic characters and broad reference(the primitive Eskimo in the former, the 1950s image of masculinity and the corporate salesman in the latter) rather than a specific cinematic style. "Kunuk Now" tells the story of a kooky producer who jumps production in Alaska and an intellectually-challenged Eskimo who single-handedly creates all our modern ideas of cinematography. "Globesman" takes the squeaky clean image of the 1950's and turns it into a portrait of sheer obnoxiousness.
Among the other episodes that work somewhat well, "The Blue Jean Committee" is an exaggerated character portrait of two men whose lives have gone in opposite directions since fame. It distinguishes itself by being perhaps the only episode in the series with sentimental value (the final hug between the two tugged at my heart strings at least). Armisen is a music obsessive and his effort falls flat in the similarly themed second season episode "Test Pattern" which feels derivative: It mines similar nuances of "Blue Jean Committee" in mining similar nuances of concert culture without giving us a reason to care.
"Dronez" also roughly works without any source material as it provides a never-ending supply of dumb people and juxtaposes them with an incredibly dangerous situation.
Others like "Juan Likes Rice and Beans" and "The War Room" are middling: They work based on the hyper-specific which will vary. In the case of the former, I saw "Jiro Likes Sushi" which helped me enjoy it at a fuller level.
The rest of the episodes, including the series premiere, fall painfully flat based on hyper-specificity.
.
It's the most creative comedy show
doomedmac29 April 2021
A TV show where you have to do homework to enjoy it
vaklavkoca31 May 2022
I thought this was going to spoof documentaries in general, but it just spoofs specific documentaries. In order to find this show funny, you have to watch dozens of documentaries. Maybe it would be funny if you've seen all of the documentaries the writers have; but I haven't. And I don't want to do a bunch of 'homework' just to be able to watch a TV show.
Genial!
wikiblue14 July 2019
I love documentaries in general...so to watch this "mockumentary" is just a delight! So well written, produced, directed...loved every single episode. But this season 3 brought true jewels, starting with Owen Wilson as a guru from the '80, Cate Blanchett as a "tortured" artist, the Co-Op episode with Richard Kind and those absurds lyrics typical of Broadway sometimes...genial!
It's not a sketch show (sort of)
emailemily300019 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
(They're not really spoilers but I want you to experience this stuff in the show first.) I love it when comedians do something really creative, and perhaps off-putting to the general public, and it pays off. I scrolled past this on Amazon and it intrigued me because I like Bill Hader and Fred Armisen, but I assumed it had been a hit and miss because it only had 7 reviews, which averaged 4 stars (pretty low for amazon I thought). I was wrong. When I eventually watched it, I found that it is a really funny, creative and intriguing show. I also thought it would be a sketch show, but it's not. Sure, they explore different characters who are played by the same people every episode, but the story develops (as much as it can in just twenty minutes) in a way I don't often see in this type of comedy. It's not just funny, I actually want to know how the episode ends. I love the premise. It's cool that it allowed them to have the freedom to really do whatever they wanted, like SPOILERS FROM NOW ON: have characters be killed off within the first few minutes. ANOTHER SPOILER: "Their dog is a chicken" made me laugh so much that I now find it completely unamusing (apparently, unamusing is not a word - did not know that).
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
