The Birthday Boys

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.

This group of zany comics produce nothing but laughs and the unexpected plot lines. The only thing wrong with Birthday Boys is that after 10 episodes, it's disappeared! The half-hour show has more than three separate but recurring episodes that are flat-out funny. Bob Odenkirk (Saul the lawyer on "Breaking Bad") appears, and also is the executive producer. The brothers who brew beer, the high-school kid who is stood up by his girl for the prom, with his dad substituting for her...the roofers...too many shows to watch...there are so many exceptional comedy bits in this show that in the great wasteland of reality TV, couldn't intelligent folk be allowed to laugh and genuinely hilarious TV? That's Birthday Boys--it should return, and soon!

I'm seeing quite the polarization, here: Folks either think it's the bees' knees, or think it sucks. For one thing, I don't think there's any use comparing it against Mr. Show: The flavor is very updated/refined/lower-key. I like that; it's a different modality, and one I could plug in to.

The key, I think, is that Odenkirk is trying to become a better and better producer of media products that aspire to true art, and I for one see TBBs as a step in this direction.

So: What makes TBBs look, to me, like such a step? The writing and directing are very well-integrated. This integration means that they don't have to rely on an "obvious" sketch gimmick to clue in the acting talent as to their motivation. Bob has a subtler idea, and he ably directs very able actors to achieve these subtler comic effects. Good on 'im!

I was just thinking of watching them again. Yeah! I think I'll do that!

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.

OK, for the people giving it low scores, this isn't Sat. Night Live (more like SCTV actually). One of the major Producers is Abso Lutely so you have to think along the lines of "Tim and Eric Awesome Show" and "Comedy Bang Bang".

For older references you'd be looking at shows like "Kids in the Hall" or "The Upright Citizens Brigade".

This isn't "mainstream comedy" but it's not as out there as say T&EAS:GJ.

It may not be the greatest thing I've ever seen, but I think people should give it a chance; and Bob Odenkirk is pretty good in most everything he does.