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The Characters

  • TV Series
  • 2016
  • TV-MA
  • 32m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
The Characters (2016)
Official Trailer for Netflix Presents: The Characters.
Play trailer1:47
2 Videos
31 Photos
Comedy

No rules. No expectations. A half hour to make their mark. Eight different comedians each get an episode to show their skills in comedy.No rules. No expectations. A half hour to make their mark. Eight different comedians each get an episode to show their skills in comedy.No rules. No expectations. A half hour to make their mark. Eight different comedians each get an episode to show their skills in comedy.

  • Stars
    • John T. Reynolds
    • Kate Berlant
    • John Early
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.4/10
    1.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • John T. Reynolds
      • Kate Berlant
      • John Early
    • 17User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Episodes8

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated1 season2016

    Videos2

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:47
    Official Trailer
    Netflix Presents: The Characters
    Trailer 1:34
    Netflix Presents: The Characters
    Netflix Presents: The Characters
    Trailer 1:34
    Netflix Presents: The Characters

    Photos31

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    John T. Reynolds
    John T. Reynolds
    • Dan…
    • 2016
    Kate Berlant
    Kate Berlant
    • Brian…
    • 2016
    John Early
    John Early
    • Jason…
    • 2016
    Jon Bander
    • Employee #1…
    • 2016
    Sue Galloway
    • Stephanie…
    • 2016
    Jacqueline Novak
    Jacqueline Novak
    • Jacqueline…
    • 2016
    Brandon Scott Jones
    Brandon Scott Jones
    • Ben J.…
    • 2016
    C.J. Wilson
    C.J. Wilson
    • Host…
    • 2016
    Wes Haney
    Wes Haney
    • Steven…
    • 2016
    Tim Robinson
    Tim Robinson
    • Dad…
    • 2016
    Paul W. Downs
    Paul W. Downs
    • Detective McClintock…
    • 2016
    Natasha Rothwell
    Natasha Rothwell
    • Ashlee…
    • 2016
    Lauren Lapkus
    Lauren Lapkus
    • Amanda…
    • 2016
    Henry Zebrowski
    Henry Zebrowski
    • Barabbas…
    • 2016
    Phil Burgers
    Phil Burgers
    • Phil
    • 2016
    Lauren Adams
    Lauren Adams
    • Lauren
    • 2016
    Stephanie Allynne
    Stephanie Allynne
    • Bus Station Employee
    • 2016
    Emily Fleming
    Emily Fleming
    • Logdar…
    • 2016
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews17

    5.41K
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    Featured reviews

    4hurleycompanies

    Is sketch comedy dead?

    The first episode was like several bad SNL skits in a row. The second one was like several marginally better SNL skits in a row. That's as far as I could go. Sketch comedy is hard, which is why only about one in five SNL skits is worth watching. Key and Peele was the only sketch show I found to be consistent and even that was hard to watch at times.
    6coles_notes

    Above Average

    Netflix presents 8 comedians across 8 episodes, each with their own 30 minutes to let hilarity ensue. The full cast includes: Lauren Lapkus, John Early, Henry Zebrowski, Kate Berlant, Natasha Rothwell, Paul W. Downs, Tim Robinson, and Dr. Brown. All people you'd likely recognize their faces if not their names. A fairly simple premise, what we end up with is a series with a number of highs and lows, and not a ton of consistency, overall its decently funny stuff. I checked this out for Tim Robinson alone and his episode, but of course had to watch the rest. I think the format of giving each comedian their own full episode was nice from an experimental perspective, but I don't know if it breeds the funniest sketches, and at times felt more of a means for each comedian to show off their character work and create a pilot episode pitch for their own series. Of course we later see Tim Robinson did get his own full Netflix series (which is perfect, please watch it) after his episode was the most successful (by IMDB ratings anyway), so maybe that was the goal the whole time. If you're a huge fan of any of these individuals I'd say its worth checking out, again Tim's episode feels very much like a pilot for this later full series I Think You Should Leave, and if included in ITYSL canon I might even say its one of the best episodes. I'd also recommend Natasha Rothwell's episode, her character work is hilarious, surprising, and so good. I had only really seen her in The White Lotus prior to this, I hope she's in way more stuff, someone please give her her own show. In the end I think a regular sketch series using this same group as the writers / troupe would have been much funnier, but certainly didn't hate the format, it seems to have served Netflix well.
    7alexandermacleay

    Some Gems and some whiffs

    Most of these are fun and try new ideas. I'll take a sketch that didn't hit over something mediocre any day.

    Kate Berlant, Lauren Lapkis, both brought interesting sketches to the table. They also showed range that has me wanting to go find what they have made since 2016. I feel like Berlant is someone I've seen in alot of shows but cannot place or name one.

    The Tim Robinson's episode could have been an "I think you should leave" episode but I like that show alot, so it works.

    The other comedians were a little less memorable but, I was entertained for every episode and felt like I was watching something new.

    The John Early episode is a master piece 10/10. I don't want to spoil anything but this episode is on the border of manic anxiety horror and brilliant commentary on the human experience. It goes so F-ing hard.

    The Henry Zebrowski episode features brown face which is cringe and made it so I could never listen to him the same way on last podcast on the left. I just couldn't bounce back from that odd choice he made.
    8radarou79

    Much better than these reviews would suggest

    I'm honestly really shocked that this is rated so low on here. As a lover of sketch comedy, I found these skits quite entertaining. so many really funny performances by really talented comedians here. I've even rewatched the whole series multiple times. Yes the characters are cringe and awkward, but that's the whole point, they are supposed to be. I just don't think a lot of people got this. I love it.
    4peeps_ahoy

    Mostly not funny

    I watched the 1st episode, most of the 2nd, and the beginning of the 3rd, then just skipped to Tim Robinson's episode (I'm a fan of his other show I Think You Should Leave) because this show felt mostly unbearable to watch. I'm pretty sure I didn't really laugh until Tim Robinson's episode. Most of these comedians don't fare as well in the format of the show, and their ability to make a character automatically funny is lacking. And that's a pretty important ability on this show, because the jokes are largely not present. So it ends up being a parade of dislikable characters. It's a shame. Tim Robinson does a good job in his episode (though the first skit took a little longer than I would like to get off the ground). It's just a form of comedy that not every comedian can pull off, and this show proves that.

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    Storyline

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    • Connections
      Featured in Conan: Anthony Anderson/Lauren Lapkus/Nick Griffin (2016)

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    FAQ16

    • How many seasons does The Characters have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

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    • Release date
      • March 11, 2016 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Netflix出品:新生代狠角色
    • Production company
      • Jax Media
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      32 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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