Moonbase 8

In the beginning, before I watched an episode, I was a tad confused what this new series was about. A documentary about NASA simulation moonbases in the Arizona? A Science Fiction drama set in the future? A Big Brother reality? The lack of marketing didn't help. If don't take Moonbase 8 serious, and enjoy the ride of chaotic situations faced by the three remaining space wannabes, it is actually fascinatingly humorous. Imagine putting three comedians as diverse eccentric-scripted characters inside a locked room and record what happens and that is Moonbase 8.

Reilly, Armisen & Heidecker are known for their semi-comedic awkward improv stylings and this is just more of that really. Set in an experimental NASA facility in the middle of a desert with three trainee astronauts, it's never going to set the world afire as a comedy but it has a lowkey charm that kept me sticking with it throughout.

The best parts are when it's just the three main characters feeding off eachother and being mildly strange. I feel someone in the chain doesn't quite trust this enough as a dynamic to work by itself so most episodes include encounters with "others" but frankly it doesn't need it - and most of these scenarios go roughly as you'd expect them to with little deviation or surprise. The biggest emotional arcs of the series happen within their dynamic and the strongest episode by quite some margin is "Move the Base" which solely concerns that.

Tonally - it's refreshingly unpretentious and quite mellow for the most part which made it an appealing watch - here's hoping a potential second season dials down on the theatrics and stunt cameos and allows the central three a bit more time to breathe.

Fred Armisen is his usual silly, awkward yet biting self in this premium cable show. The NASA moonbase backdrop is just another vehicle for quirky deadpan interactions among veteran comedic actors and their guests. While this may not be the funniest show out there, the topic is light and fun and ends on the right note after 6 episodes. I also found it delightful to see Adam Lambert take a stab at some acting, and he did a good job.

I can understand that those who go in blind might not like it. But if you're familiar with Tim Heidecker & John C. I think you'll enjoy it.

To those who aren't maybe skip episode one and start on ep 2. One was the weakest in my personal opinion.

I found the first episode really bad, but it slowly became watchable over the course of the season.