User reviews

I'm an American who lived in Sweden a couple of years and speak Swedish. I found this show to be hilarious. I laughed most of the way through it. I do have a feeling that a lot of the subtle humor will be lost on those who have never experienced Swedish culture. I don't know if it will last long here due to that problem, but I for one hope it lasts a while.

The character development did seem a little weak as others have mentioned. The writers need to add more personality to help us connect more to the story. Despite it's shortcomings, I would encourage everyone to give it a chance and see if it can get you to laugh.

I started watching "Welcome to Sweden" without any expectations. The series turned out to be very funny and entertaining. It makes a lot of fun about strereotypes and as a Finn I understand those jokes. But I don't think that for example some Austalian guy who knows nothing about Sweden would get all of the jokes. But not all the jokes are based on Sweden or Swedish stereotypes. There are plenty of jokes that anyone can get. There are few characters that are a bit annoying but luckily they don't show up very often. Greg Poehler and his character are my absolute favourites. But yeah, surprisingly good show but I think Swedes and other Nordic people understand the jokes best.

I teach writing. I've written professional comedy, and I've been to Sweden many times. This is a great show. Granted it might be difficult for some who are not as familiar with Sweden, but it is very realistic. It might be hard for the average American to believe, but that's what Sweden is really like. Everyone does speak English there. It's a nice blend of zanier American humor combined with the subtleties of the dryer Swedish humor. We had a Swedish exchange student for a year then we visited her family in Sweden a number of times. They are a wonderful people, and I hope this comedy acquaints some Americans with Swedes and Sweden on some level. Nice job Greg!

... don't know what happened.. maybe the pandemic... maybe realization of climate disruption.. watching the first time enjoyed it... then watching again had quite a different reaction ... all the actors are not the problem... just the writing now seems a lot more inane-wearisome ... will not be viewing it again.

There is really so little to like about this show; it's a nepotistic slap in the face for anyone expecting to be even mildly entertained on a Thursday eve. Essentially a mix of contrived, cliché characters that play on a familiar theme; an awkward American trying to fit into a foreign culture. Yet for this formula to work, one has to like (or actually tolerate) the American in question, and Greg Poehler (Amy Poehler's brother....surprise!) is just too painful to watch; apparently years of being Amy's brother and being told he's pretty talented himself actually gave him the delusion he could act. Yet from the very opening scene with a cameo from Amy herself, it is blatantly apparent that the talent, timing and overall ability to pull-off a lead in a sit-com sat on only one side of that table. Once in awhile obscenely bland shows like this can spring forth an "Urkle" which saves it from cancellation, yet the cloyingly predictable bumbling uncle who is clearly a reincarnation of "Belkie" from "Perfect Strangers" (i.e. the foreigner who wants to be American) is just sad. Bad editing, bad writing, bad acting and a BAD choice overall.

Swedes, like myself, love to hear and see what other nationalities think of us. A lot of our entertainment is about laughing about ourselves and embarrassing situations. We love sarcasm and innuendos as well, but embarrassing situations really is popular.

Welcome to Sweden exposes a wide range of odd Swedish behaviourisms and is as entertaining to laugh with as it is to laugh at. The confused reactions of the character played by Greg Poehler helps to add to the humour.

If you know a Swede or someone who moved there or away from there, this is a funny way to get an insight into this very bizarre culture of the world's happiest people. There are things to learn and avoid from Swedish "wisdom", but in both cases it can be fun to laugh at (or with).

If you don't really like "etno humour", then you would probably rate this TV series a lot lower than me, but I find these 20 minute bitesize pieces of Swedish (and American! as the author is American) humour delightful.

For Swedes who think the series stereotypes us: Yes it does. All entertainment does this. Learn to laugh at yourself (or in worst case, others) and enjoy life rather than whine. :P (Yeah, so we're not all like this, but I'm guessing any intelligent person (even Americans) get that!)

This is one of the funniest shows I've seen in a long time and I'm just "some guy from Australia who knows nothing about Sweden". I liked the US edit so much that I started only watching the original with subs. It's amazing how much the US butcher it and still manage to make it funny.

I find myself learning more and more words but you sort of have to because it seems like most the subs you find are done with google translate. That's the good thing (and I mean the only good thing) about the US edit, you know what you're reading is what they're saying and a 5yr old has enough time to read it. That being said season 2 seems to have more English in it, it seems like they're trying to increase their audience to include less intelligent and lazy viewers.

It's great to have a quick little pick me up and to have something other your standard US dribble to watch (80 different cop/law/hospital dramas). Cast is great and the fact that the only bad actor is an American just makes it funnier. I mean, what's going on with the odd couple? At least they're butchering one of their own shows for once.

The show could have been so much more, but Greg's awful acting, horribly played-out sad-sack role could have been given so much more depth if it were played by another actor. Any other actor.

The show does play hard on the cultural discontinuities between life in the US and life in Sweden, striking up *every single* possible stereotype (and I've got no problem with that), to the exclusion of other location-agnostic jokes that might be a good fit for that specific situation. The show's writers obviously suffer from a strong lack of creativity or have been specifically told to keep the topic on Sweden. All the time. Yawn.

What would really help take this show into a second season (or at least to the end of this season before being canceled) is if the writers added a little more depth to his wife's character and showed us more of the parents (who seem like engaging actors taking on roles that beg more exploration). I can honestly say that all 5 points that I've awarded this show go firmly to the actors who play the family of Josephine Bornebusch. Hopefully one of the Poehlers is reading this.

Clever, witty, and culturally insightful about both Americans and Swedes, but even more than that, it is funny and insightful about people in general. Like Seinfeld and 30 Rock, it's more intelligent than your average sitcom, but that's to be expected given the people involved. And as a half-Swedish American, it is great to see actual Swedes playing Swedes instead of exaggerated imitations. Amy and her brother have created and produced something magical and rare. Lena Olin is magnificent and so are the other actors. A great, new, warm, funny take on the classic fish-out-of-water story. The family dynamics are also spot on. Love it.

I am married to a Finnish woman, and travel to Scandinavia every summer, and so am very familiar with Scandinavian lifestyles and practices and the challenges of being an American abroad visiting family, not speaking the language (though I can speak some Norwegian). I am also familiar with clever, original, funny television shows, and this is not one of them; (yes, we get it Greg- your sister is Amy Poehler).

The Swedish countryside and lifestyle depicted are very accurate, as are some of the stereotypical characters and situations presented. I have no doubt that this show was a hit in Sweden, and perhaps even across the Gulf of Bothnia in Finland where the same punch lines could be successfully delivered. For an American audience, however, this is just another lame knock-off of an overly familiar theme (doesn't even "Little Steven" have some show about being in a witness protection program just across the border in Lillehammer, Norway?)

What I found most tedious, however, beyond the lack of originality or real humor in the very predictable set-ups and contrived circumstances, is that the lead character (executive producer Amy's brother) seems to be doing a second rate impersonation of just about every sad sack Ben Stiller character we have ever seen, becoming increasingly visibly flustered in uncomfortable and subsequently often humiliating, circumstances, e.g.throwing up over the side of a small motorboat because he gets seasick on the 20-minute boat ride- (hilarious!). It gets tiresome with Mr. Stiller, who is sometimes quite funny nonetheless. This convention, and dragged out by Mr. Poehler, however, seems to be the one long, unfunny one trick pony in this lame storyline.

Welcome to Sweden, indeed; I suspect it will be a mercifully short visit.

I've seen too many people taking the stereotypes in a too negative way. This is comedy, and in the end this show is about love and finding peace among differences -with humor on the side. The humor is very not-Swedish and that might come as a chock for Swedish audience.

The acting is often good if not amazing sometimes, but I will say that it isn't always on spot.

The directing reminds me of American shows like 'How I met your Mother'. I think all Swedish people should see Swedish media becoming more international as a positive thing.

People are way too quick with judging this show. I recommned it to anyone that is interested in foreign cultures or just want to see a show that is very heart warming and in the end; just a comedy show for consumtion.

As an expat living abroad for 27 years I can relate to all the situations reflected in this TV series. I have not been to Sweden but when you live in a foreign country there are many strange situations you have to go through! funny and not so funny! I had a lot of fun watching this. I read a lot of bad comments about this series and I wonder where all the hatred is coming from??. Give me a third season!!!

Sorry if you love the show, but, I loved the concept and was seriously disappointed in the really weak writing. Story lines were shallow; the characters were thin and cutout like for the complete lack of depth and interest. There was no relationship connections between any of the characters developed; commonalities and personalities were never developed. After about 5 shows I gave up watching; reading the episode summaries ahead proved the nonsense continued throughout. Sad. The beautiful venues were the only positive.

I am married to a Swede. This show is incredibly close to reality in many, many ways to the hilarity and confusion experienced by many Americans (or Canadians) when in Sweden. Now, according to my wife, who's from Very Southern Sweden, the Characters have Stockholm accents. Like many places in the world, Swedes who are not from Stockholm, dislike the people there- kinda like Wisconsiners feelings towards Chicagoans, who they glowingly refer to as FIBS (F*****g Illinois B****rds). All that aside, this show is unbelievably funny. Swedes in general, I have found, in my 6 trips there and interactions with many in the USA, are generous, caring, funny, outgoing and humble. If you haven't seen this show (NBC, Thursday's 9pm EST), check it out. We look forward to it all week, as does my entire family, as does hers in Sweden, though the show is in it's 2nd season there. Peace~

First some disclosure: I am a British man living in Sweden with my girlfriend who is Swedish and I've watched all 10 episodes. I wish I hadn't.

When I first heard about the show, I was looking forward to how it would tackle the experiences of the newly-arrived foreigner so I was understandably eager to watch. Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed. There aren't many words that can come close to describing the unremitting awfulness of this travesty of a sitcom but I will give it a try.

=Writing=

Bland, safe and unfunny are the first words that come to mind. After one episode, it's immediately apparent that Greg Poehler is NOT a seasoned writer nor is he someone who has spent a long enough time performing stand-up to hone his craft. This rapidly becomes clear as the jokes are poor, trite and have no real payoff. The whole thing seems underwritten and that's always a big problem for a first-time writer. The joke-per- minute ratio is too low which has led some US critics to label the show 'subtle', 'amiable' and 'gentle'. These are code words for 'there's not much going on but we're going to be kind'.

=Story=

Another serious problem with the show is the 'barely there' storyline. Not much happens in each episode. Greg misunderstands and complains about something. The end. That's it. Most egregious of all, however, is the lack of logic in most of the situations. As the series progresses, very little makes any sense such as: Why would a top accountant to the stars in the US take a job as a tour guide in Stockholm when he doesn't know the city? Why is he so good at accounting that people demand him back in the US? Surely there are other accountants over there. Why is Amy Poehler in a very conventional office? Why does Aubrey Plaza fly to Sweden to get Greg to return? It gets more and more illogical as it proceeds.

=Acting and characters=

The two leads do not convince and they very clearly have no chemistry. The others are poorly developed including the layabout brother and the parents. Lena Olin and the man who plays the father are head and shoulders above the rest but even they can't do much with such a poor script. The worst character is the America-loving uncle. His cringe- worthy acting and characterization made me leave the room.

=Cameos=

It's not often Will Ferrell isn't funny but here he manages that feat brilliantly and the other cameos are equally pointless. Gene Simmons is particularly bad but I really feel sorry for Aubrey Plaza who usually delivers funny, dry humor in Parks and Recreation. Here she is wasted.

=Conclusion=

I do not want to come over as intentionally nasty but this sitcom is devoid of any redeeming features whatsoever. I cannot fathom why NBC would ever go near this appalling excuse for entertainment and the fact that it's got a second series in Sweden says more about the way things work over here in Sweden than it does about the Swedes having any real love for this horrible program.

I enjoy this show. I like the play between American and Swedish cultures. The writing is fun and quirky. I like unusual shows, but they usually end up canceled. Not a lot of people into quirky I guess. I'm hoping this ones runs at least a few seasons. Greg Poehler reminds me of Greg Kinnear a bit, and I love seeing Amy Poehler and other guests pop in and out of the episodes. Also, the struggle for an American trying to find work in a foreign country without speaking the language is real. I don't think Greg Poehler's character is a 'sad sack' as another reviewer said, he's just an American fish in Swedish waters. And let me say, that trying to write ten lines for every review is kind of a pain! I give that a 3 stars!

I agree with many reviewers that "Welcome to Sweden" is packed with old fashioned stereotypes and that it is overall painfully badly written and executed, with very few glimpses of intelligent laughter-provoking jokes and acting.

It is therefore really a mystery how it has been given a second season. From a Swedish perspective, however, I see a couple of things that I think might have contributed to the "success" of this series despite the at best lukewarm reviews by many critics and audiences.

One: Sweden is a tiny country in this big world and Swedes are in awe of the US. When American celebrities (and former ones) show interest in us or even come to our little pond to connect and work, we get all excited and our newspapers and social media go berserk. The series' cameos, no matter being terribly unfunny, therefore attract an automatic audience. Greg P may be a terrible actor and writer, but through his sister Amy he is certainly a strong door opener to a very attractive US market, where not many Swedish TV series have made it before. And yes, nepotism is a big thing in Sweden too so connections beat quality.

Two: I think there is an American nostalgia or fascination with Sweden, based on a very limited postcard idea of Sweden, which gives the series a good portion of US viewers. The fact that the series is located in Swedish contexts, with Swedish actors and spoken Swedish, can itself be enough to fulfill a desire of viewers with a connection to Sweden. The quality of the show is in that light not the main thing.

I think both Swedish and American audiences deserve much better comedy than this and I can only wish that more talented, intelligent and modern first time writers will get a similar bombastic chance one day in the very small and closed TV world in Sweden.

One of the MOST unfunny sitcom in my memory banks!!! Lead Actor CAN'T ACT!!!! He isn't likable on any level and seems more like a deadbeat then successful accountant or ANYTHING.

As a American who's lived in other countries. I understand that when you live in places other then your homeland there can be lots of funny moments adjusting.

BUT, there's no funny moments here, some have written from the Swedish perspective it funny, COOL I take their word for it. But from this side if the pond I have to agree that I find NOTHING funny in Greg Poehler character. Lazy, self-absorbed Yank unwilling to work as a Accountant and unqualified to do anything else including learning the language of his new country!?!

One, Special Guest aren't funny,

TWO, Greg Poehler CAN'T ACT and it shows when he's next to REAL ACTORS especially Lena Olin. And I generally love anything she's in and enjoy seeing her speak in her native tongue.

The other cast members are good in their rolls and Bornebusch is very attractive, I can see a guy moving to be with her in another country, BUT.

THREE, there's no chemistry between them.

Even though it been given a second season in Sweden...

Strike 1,2,3 = you'll OUT. Time to put this show out of it misery... At least for us in the STATES...

I saw Season 1 then my TV provider did the usual and didn't license any more, hate when that happens.

I wish that people would appreciate dry humor more, they are really missing out :) Anyways the show is hilarious, 15 more eps to go yay.

Also it has Aubrey Plaza & Josephine 😍

Bruce Evans (Greg Poehler) is an accountant with a few celebrity clients. He abandons his life and job in America to follow his girlfriend Emma Wilk (Josephine Bornebusch) back to Sweden. He's unemployed and doesn't understand Swedish. Her mother Viveka (Lena Olin) thinks very little of him. Her father Birger Wilk is a quirky retired sea captain. Her brother Gustav is 30 years old and living off of his parents.

The problem is that Bruce is so pathetic. He's more than a loser. He's so pathetic that he's actually kind of annoying. He does get a few laughs in but no more than a few for the whole series. Bornebusch is a stiff actress but she does get her laughs when her stiffness breaks down. I love Lena Olin but she has the problem that most of her dialog is in Swedish. That's a major problem for the show. Essentially the audience has the read the funny jokes and it's not as much fun. The show got canceled after 4 episodes in the second season due to anemic ratings.

Very cute, entertaining and funny. I like the acting, and setting, watching is a great escape in this day and age. The setting is so rich. I wish it was still in production. :)