The Birthday Boys

With each episode I see, these talented young men continue to impress me. Their sketches are well written, clever, without resorting to the crutch of vulgarity. These are not one joke sketches like those you see on SNL, either. Rather, they build on the absurdities and clever ridiculous premises established early on, throughout the sketch. Their acting is top notch and I can't wait to see what they will accomplish as they move forward. If you want intelligent comedy that doesn't insult your intelligence, this show is for you. Favorites include the Chistian Youth Group sketch, the roofers, and the beer company sketch. I believe these funny young men met each other at college where they had time to hone their comedic skills. I was fortunate enough to see them perform live on the Comedy Bang Bang tour and they were equally as funny live. I also got a chance to meet most of them, and they turned out to be a bunch of great guys with no egos or attitudes.

I've probably re-written this review 20 times so far and it just gets more and more long-winded each time, so the hell with it, let's do the quick, no-bullshit version.

The show's not good. Y'know when you're watching something that's supposed to be funny, and instead of laughing, even inwardly, you catch yourself instead just thinking things like, "Oh, I see how that could be funny. Or could've been. Neat idea. ... K, why haven't we moved to the next sketch yet?" It's not that it's all that bad, even, I mean, I see how it could be funny at times, but in a lot of ways it's so much worse to be disappointing than just flat-out bad. When something is just bad, it doesn't tend to feel like nearly as much wasted potential as something that could've been real damn good.

Here's hoping these guys learn to edit their show a lot more objectively in their next season. In the meantime, re-watch Mr. Show if you want some actually funny Bob Odenkirk sketch comedy. Hell, go back further to the Ben Stiller Show, more classic sketch comedy, written, produced by, and actually starring Bob Odenkirk and Ben Stiller (nerd note: Ben is also an E.P. on Birthday Boys); the last few episodes of its lone season still hold up incredibly well something like 20 years later, whereas this...

(Truthfully, I'm really sad. I really thought Bob knew how to pick 'em when he got behind Tim & Eric way early, and nearly everyone from Mr. Show is now either a household name or at least seen/heard constantly... This is a very negative review with a very heavy sigh attached to it.)

I don't know why I ever watched this, I don't know why my man and I can quote all of this, but this is a wonderful comedy show. It's so subtle, clever, and quotable. In fact we have a standing drinking game where if one of us makes a reference, we have to take a shot. Anymore it's just mimicking taking shots, but it's still relevant.

And one of them has a head that is perfectly square.

Losing this on Netflix was such a shame, but it really is a well crafted sketch show that was cut down too quickly. Bob Odenkirk is a delightful accomplice to the shenanigans. We love it so much we own the physical copies, which is huge.

So strap in and hold onto your shoes, because I guarantee you will find it adequate.

Plenty to appreciate about this show. The writing and the acting make for a good time. I look forward to it every week. I'd like to catch these guys performing live. Looks like they have a lot of fun making the show, and it translates to fresh, inspired television.

The pace is good. They know how long a sketch ought to be, unlike some other shows where a sketch should have ended a few minutes earlier. This show keeps things moving.

I recommend getting the iTunes season pass. Our cable provider eliminated IFC from our package, so I'm glad to have found another way to watch the show. Check it out if you haven't already.

As a huge fan of sketch comedy, I've known its always VERY hit and miss. Even the best, Mr. Show, Ben Stiller Show, the State, Kids In The Hall produced a lot of bad sketches. But I've been so impressed with how consistently well written each episode of the BBoys has been so far. And unlike the plethora of new sketch groups, especially youtube sensations like Good Neighbor, these guys put good writing first, and performance second. None of the ensemble members are trying to score laughs at the expense of the sketch. Where most TV sketch shows lurch awkwardly from bit to bit the Birthday Boys guide the viewer through the show with interweaving sketches, not unlike Mr. Show. But where Mr. Show had a surreal but linear approach to their transitions the Birthday Boys weave their sketches amongst each other with ease. Their second episode Goofy Roofers is a perfect example, silly, self-referential and even a little sweet. Don't expect huge belly laughs, and people that need that in their comedy won't like this. But if you enjoy smart, silly and very well written sketch comedy you need to see this.