Dark Comedy Series On Paramount+ Is A Modern Masterpiece Everyone Should See
I can’t think of a series I consider more criminally underrated than Andy Daly’s dark comedy Review. An adaptation of an Australian show with the same name, it was a three-season Comedy Central show that flew under the radar despite being one of the most unique comedies of its time. Drawing comedy out of some very dark, absurd, plot lines, it follows a man whose rigid commitment to a TV show causes his life to spiral out of control.
A Review Show Like No Other
Review follows professional critic Forrest MacNeil, who hosts a show in which he rates life experiences suggested by his viewers. The real-life series follows the making of Forrest’s fictional show, which involves him pursuing various life experiences with a critical lens. Episodes follow a set structure, following Forrest as he pursues life experiences ranging from starting a cult to living as Batman, then giving that experience a rating.
Pancakes, Divorce, Pancakes
As a series, Review finds its footing in its third episode “Pancakes, Divorce, Pancakes” which proves that Forrest’s decline is the show’s most important element. It begins with a mundane assignment of eating 15 pancakes, followed by a request for him to rate getting a divorce. Most of the episode centers around him destroying his happy marriage for the show, then concludes with him giving a nihilistic monologue as he eats 30 more pancakes for an assignment.
While it doesn’t delve into the black comedy of the original Australian show, Review is a very dark series. Episodes often end with Forrest depressed and reaching a new low point as each assignment breaks him down further. The show also features dozens of deaths, many of them violent and frequently including established characters.
Andy Daly Commits To The Bit
Review’s incredible leading man, Andy Daly, elevates the series to greatness. He portrays Forrest MacNeil as a mild-mannered pseudo-intellectual, with an unsettling obsessive streak bubbling just beneath his beige-suited surface. It’s an incredible performance that makes Forrest equal parts sympathetic, monstrous, and pathetic often all at once.
While Review is undeniably a series built around Andy Daly’s comedic talents, it features some great performances from its other recurring actors as well. One of the most memorable performances comes from Max Gail as Forrest’s kindly father whose proximity to his son gradually ruins his life. Other memorable recurring performances come from Jessica St. Clair, Tara Karsian, Fred Willard, and James Urbaniak.
Comedy Followed By Extreme Darkness
Review always puts comedy first, but the series is also a bleak exploration of obsession and the entertainment industry. Through the sadistic requests of the audience and the constant manipulations of Forest’s producer Grant, the show is a condemnation of reality TV. However, the show doesn’t let Forrest off the hook, as the show is ultimately about how his obsession with his work unravels his personal life.
Review Streaming On Paramount+
GFR SCORE
On its surface, Review is a wacky comedy with a quirky premise, but its commitment to exploring the dark implications of that premise sets it apart from other shows. It may have been overlooked by audiences when it was actively airing new episodes, but there’s no doubt that it’s one of the most interesting and grimly captivating shows of the 2010s. If you missed this underrated masterpiece, do yourself a favor and watch Review on Paramount+.
