Middleditch & Schwartz

I always enjoyed a bit of improv comedy, but man is this fantastic. They weave a full narrative out a few bits of information and don't miss a detail. Even when you think they have reached the end of something or forgotten a piece, which they do at times, they are able to bring it back in a great way. The starts and ends of the segments can be dicy for any improv group and they are no different. But I think it takes only three minutes before they are off and going.

Even if you have never seen improv comedy before this is a fantastic introduction. It is one of the funniest comedy's that Netflix has to offer, and frankly it is joy to watch. I wish they did more of them.

Improv enthusiasts may have beef with this special, as hardcore Del Close followers would attest to: improv is meant to be shared in the moment, not recorded or saved for posterity.

That said, long form improv can sometimes produce some of the most hilarious, thought-provoking, and creative theater in modern times. Middleditch and Schwarz have the combined experience and comfort with one another that make for a long form improv experience unlike which I have ever seen.

What makes it so unique is not just that it's recorded in front of a live audience, or that it's not some reboot of a beloved short-form improv show from the late '90s, but the fact that the duo allow themselves some leeway in breaking and bending "the rules".

Performing long-form improv is a hard enough job all by itself, but the two create and weave stories that center around dozens of characters, they themselves playing all of them interchangeably. It is a feat I have not seen accomplished so smoothly across the hundreds of live performances I have witnessed both as a player and audience member. Usually you have a team to step in and help fill the gaps. These guys do it all by themselves and manage to patch it all together in the end.

I understand if the old school enthusiasts cry foul that this was not only recorded but that so many rules were broken. Yes, the duo sometimes forget which character is which, or where they're headed, or what the plot is or "why" in general, but the fact that they are so quick on their feet to recover and the fact that they make light and fun of this imperfection -- because what mere mortal could remember all they're spinning?! -- is part of why this is so entertaining and endearing.

When long-form improv becomes more of a household thing (streaming services will take note from this success) we will look back in 10/20/30 years and cite Middleditch and Schwarz as the main influencers.

They weren't the first to do this, but they're among the best, and will be cemented that way thanks to Netflix.

This show had me in stitches before the improv even started! I took some drama classes back when I was a kid, but I wasn't really into them beyond the guaranteed 'A'. In those classes we of course did improv sketches, each of which was exactly as groan-worthy as you are imagining teenage acting to be. But these two gentlemen are on another level entirely! Together they demonstrate exactly what mastery over the format entails: the adaptability, the imagination, and the receptiveness to each other's ideas is both phenomenal and a privilege to watch. Even when one of them goes completely rogue and you think there is no way of salvaging a bit, they manage to pull it off with gleeful smiles and tons of purely joyous energy. The zaniness of the individual sketches prove without a doubt that there are no writers involved, because no sane person would put pen to paper to make that s*** up. 10/10 Stars. Great show even if you have no interest in imrov.

If you are interested in seeing how improv looks at its peak, this is the place. These two guys are able to take a two minute story and turn it into an hour long show without missing a single piece of info. They create 5-10 characters they they will interchange and switch between throughout the show which is absolute magic. Couldn't recommend this show any higher.

Personally, I didn't know their earlier works too much, except Middleditch's Silicon Valley. I was just about to sleep and wanted to put something boring that will make me sleep fast. Well... I couldn't sleep for the following 3 hours lmao!

There is chemistry, there is genius, there is sincerity... You can feel they are really improvising, yet it also feels like a very well thought comedy show. I hope it receives the appreciation it deserves.