Svetlana

People who gave this show bad rating just does not get it. This show has some unique and sometimes quite poignant and hysterically funny dialogs. Initially it looks very cheesy and cheap, and acting is pretty bad, but the screenplay actually smart and Svetlana's take on sex and prostitution is just so plain awesome. The show is very uneven. There are some bland episodes, but sometimes Svetlana would say something subtle which could be easily missed by viewer but if you think about it, it just crack you up. Her "daughters" and husband all have a lot of potential and add to an absurd atmosphere of the St Petersburg House Of Discreet Pleasures. Give this show a try, do not dismiss it after the first episode.

Real-life braniac, Iris Bahr, has created, written, produced, directed, and starred in this new MA- rated TV sitcom titled Svetlana. Bahr takes on this title role. Flipping through channels I came across this show on the HD-NET Channel. It only shows late at night. I tried in vain to give this show my full attention, but my own good taste and intelligence reigned as I was left to scratch my head, yet again, on how people are getting production deals to get the green-light on such irrefutable garbage as is this poor excuse for a show. Apparently this Brown University graduate had spare time to learn all of the various disciplines she attempts to tackle in producing this show. I think she would have been a much more value to society continuing her studies in cancer, brain, and neuropsychology. The show is poorly written, filled with over used clichés, the acting is flat-out horrible and self-aware, none of the characters are developed, likable, or properly staged. Svetlana is a Russian madam bent on being crass and abrasive, arrogant and aloof. I don't get the point or the relevance of this show. Worth a look if only to see something really terrible.

Once upon a time, there were un-PC, intelligently-written, utterly raunchy shows for adults.

That time has come again with Svetlana.

Comedienne Iris Bahr (a favorite from her NPR sketches as Fiona Chutney and Svetlana) pushes the envelope with every episode, often to screamingly funny effect. Fans of Curb Your Enthusiam--on which Bahr has appeared--will enjoy plentiful "do I cringe or do I laugh" moments. Seeing Bahr have her "poonani" waxed into a fanciful design, try to hire a driver ("You look like you are the breenk"), make a yoga teacher cry ("Can we do the anal breathing?") and accept unlikely prostitution clients ("Shh-it's Ahmadinejad!") is hilarious.

The music is beyond funny, ranging from upbeat accordion to fake Russian club music, and would make a great CD.

After seeing the first episode I disliked it and didn't watch another one until some months later. Thinking about it, I realised that the show had made me feel 'uncomfortable'. Great, a show that promoted a reaction. Then I watched more and now I have watched every episode at least once. Vlad has to be my favorite character. Finally a show to poke you in the ribs after so much mediocre drivel on network television. This not a run-of-the-mill comedy that doesn't even make you smile, it's not A N Other 'Cop Show' / 'Medical Mishap' / 'Courtroom Caper'. This is different ... Vive La Différence! (sorry, not Russian) :)

I love wacky quirky absurdist adult humor. I am talking Archer, Family Guy, American Dad, among others. Came across a reference of this show on a quora answer, checked a clip on youtube and found it hilarious. I started watching from the beginning. 6 episodes down and I can't have enough of it. This is a very intelligent piece of humor that can include a vague Murakami reference in the middle of an awkward sex scene. Love it. If you like the other shows I mentioned in my review, give this a try.