Review (TV series)

Review is an American mockumentary television series starring Andy Daly as professional critic Forrest MacNeil, who provides reviews of real-life experiences. The series was co-created by Daly and Charlie Siskel, and is an adaptation of the Australian television series Review with Myles Barlow.[1] It premiered in the United States on March 6, 2014, on Comedy Central, and ended on March 30, 2017, with a total of 22 episodes over the course of three seasons.

Review
GenreMockumentary
Black comedy
Tragicomedy
Created byAndy Daly
Charlie Siskel
Based onReview with Myles Barlow
by Phil Lloyd
Trent O'Donnell
Directed byJeffrey Blitz
StarringAndy Daly
Megan Stevenson
Narrated byAndy Daly
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes22
Production
Executive producersAndy Daly
Jeffrey Blitz
Andy Blitz
Charlie Siskel
Camera setupSingle
Running time22 minutes
Production companyAbso Lutely Productions
Release
Original networkComedy Central
Picture format1080i (16:9 HDTV)
Original releaseMarch 6, 2014 (2014-03-06) 
March 30, 2017 (2017-03-30)
External links
Official website

Premise

The series uses "mockumentary" techniques to depict the fictional, reality television-style adventures of enthusiastic professional critic Forrest MacNeil, who hosts a TV show called Review in which he engages in any life experience his viewers ask him to find out if that life experience "is any good". Afterward, Forrest formally rates each life experience in-studio, on a five-star scale. However, Forrest's compulsive curiosity and uncompromising commitment to the show unexpectedly backfire in ways that increasingly impact his own formerly ideal real life.[2]

Cast

Main

  • Forrest MacNeil (Andy Daly) – star of the show (-within-a-show) Review; a naïve, repressed Southern California suburbanite, who wears exactly the same clothes in every episode; a good-natured and mild-mannered intellectual, Forrest sees the show as a way to help people understand their world (by indulging their natural curiosity); as a result, he carries out each life experience/viewer request no matter what the cost(s) – ignoring his instincts, compromising personal well-being and relationships, and violating social norms and laws, along the way.[3]
  • A.J. Gibbs (Megan Stevenson) – Forrest's cheerful and expressive co-host, whose wardrobe changes each episode (and sometimes, within the same episode); she activates the review selection system, presents the chosen review to the audience, banters with Forrest, and serves as the show’s (often ignored) voice of reason.

Recurring

  • Suzanne MacNeil (Jessica St. Clair) – Forrest's happy wife of 14 years turned hostile ex-wife. Without warning or explanation, Forrest starts divorce proceedings against Suzanne (in season one's third episode), merely because a viewer wondered what a divorce would be like. The divorce leaves Forrest and Suzanne emotionally devastated, but Suzanne soon follows through with it—to Forrest's shock and dismay. She becomes close with her younger, male divorce attorney, and Forrest jealously assumes the two are in a sexual relationship. Having lost his best/only friend, his house, half of his money, and full custody of their son, Forrest obsessively launches a series of short-sighted schemes that are designed to win Suzanne back, but are derailed by his prioritizing the show over anything (and anyone) else.[3]
  • Lucille (Tara Karsian) – Forrest's dour, disapproving-but-grudgingly-loyal executive assistant; her general apathy, and lack of respect for her boss (due to Forrest's lack of common sense and self-awareness), is on near-constant display; Forrest generally ignores her attempts to save him from himself.[3]
  • Josh (Michael Croner) – The show's unpaid college intern; fun-loving and immature, Forrest frequently exploits him.[3]
  • Grant Grunderschmidt (James Urbaniak) – Forrest's (usually) blank-faced and taciturn producer; pushes Forrest to finish assignments he otherwise would not.[3]
  • Jack T. Walthall (Fred Willard) – Forrest's accidentally ironic, sweet-yet-tactless, 75-year-old ex-father-in-law. (Seasons 1–2)[3]
  • Daisy (Julie Brister) – Forrest's inept attorney.
  • Forrest's Father (Max Gail) – Forrest's father, whom Forrest moves back in with after the events of season one. He loves and supports his son, though shows dismay when Forrest's dedication to the reviews seems to be dangerous to himself or others. (Season 2)
  • Tina (Hayley Huntley) – Josh's girlfriend. Quick-witted and dryly humorous. (Seasons 2–3)
  • Mrs. Greenfield (Lennon Parham) – A teacher that Forrest meets on the review of "Sleeping With Your Teacher", whom he seduces, sleeps with and later becomes her boyfriend. After being spurned by Forrest during the "Leading a Cult" review, she usurps the cult, and leaves him. She is killed by the FBI during the "Having the Perfect Body" review. (Season 2)

Season one guest stars include Andy Richter, Ashley Tisdale, Jason Mantzoukas, Rich Fulcher, Lance Bass, Emo Philips, Andy Blitz, and Maria Thayer.[3]

Season two guest stars include Allison Tolman, Mary Birdsong, Johnny Pemberton, Ian Roberts, and Matt Besser.

Season three guest stars include original Australian series creator Phil Lloyd.

Production

The network initially ordered eight episodes for the first season run, but so much extra content was left over that a ninth episode was made and aired, too.[4] Every episode of the series was directed by Jeffrey Blitz.[4][3]

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
19March 6, 2014 (2014-03-06)May 1, 2014 (2014-05-01)
210July 30, 2015 (2015-07-30)October 1, 2015 (2015-10-01)
33March 16, 2017 (2017-03-16)March 30, 2017 (2017-03-30)

Season 1 (2014)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
11"Stealing; Addiction; Prom"Jeffrey BlitzMarch 6, 2014 (2014-03-06)0.541[5]

Stealing

Drug Addiction

Going to Prom
22"Sex Tape; Racist; Hunting"Jeffrey BlitzMarch 13, 2014 (2014-03-13)0.651[6]

Making a Sex Tape

Being a Racist

Hunting
33"Pancakes; Divorce; Pancakes"Jeffrey BlitzMarch 20, 2014 (2014-03-20)0.500[7]

Eating 15 Pancakes

Getting Divorced (No Rating)

Eating 30 Pancakes
44"Celebrity; Batman"Jeffrey BlitzMarch 27, 2014 (2014-03-27)0.551[8]

Sleeping with a Celebrity

Being Batman
55"Best Friend; Space"Jeffrey BlitzApril 3, 2014 (2014-04-03)0.423[9]

Having a Best Friend

Going into Space
66"Road Rage; Orgy"Jeffrey BlitzApril 10, 2014 (2014-04-10)0.368[10]

Road Rage

Being at a Sex Party/a Swinger
77"Revenge; Getting Rich; Aching"Jeffrey BlitzApril 17, 2014 (2014-04-17)0.426[11]

Getting Revenge

Getting Rich Quick

'There All is Aching'
88"Marry; Run; Party"Jeffrey BlitzApril 24, 2014 (2014-04-24)0.459[12]

Marrying a Stranger

Running from the Law

Being 'The Life of the Party'
99"Quitting; Last Day; Irish"Jeffrey BlitzMay 1, 2014 (2014-05-01)0.438[13]

Quitting a Job

Living Your Last Day

Being Irish (rating issued by A.J.)

Season 2 (2015)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
101"Brawl; Blackmail; Glory Hole"Jeffrey BlitzGavin StecklerJuly 30, 2015 (2015-07-30)0.257[14]

Bare-Knuckled Brawl

Blackmail

Glory Holes
112"Curing Homosexuality; Mile High Club"Jeffrey BlitzAndy BlitzAugust 6, 2015 (2015-08-06)0.347[15]

Curing Homosexuality

Mile High Club
123"Falsely Accused; Sleep With Your Teacher; Little Person"Jeffrey BlitzLeo AllenAugust 13, 2015 (2015-08-13)0.282[16]

Falsely Accused

Sleeping With Your Teacher

Being a Little Person
134"Cult; Perfect Body"Jeffrey BlitzKevin DorffAugust 20, 2015 (2015-08-20)0.278[17]

Leading a Cult

Having the Perfect Body
145"Catfish; Haunted House"Jeffrey BlitzJeffrey BlitzAugust 27, 2015 (2015-08-27)0.362[18]

Catfishing

Haunted House
156"William Tell; Grant A Wish; Rowboat"Jeffrey BlitzJessie CantrellSeptember 3, 2015 (2015-09-03)0.35[19]

William Tell

Granting a Wish

Rowboat
167"Buried Alive; 6 Star Review; Public Speaking"Jeffrey BlitzStory by: Jessie Cantrell
Teleplay by: Gavin Steckler
September 10, 2015 (2015-09-10)N/A

Buried Alive

Giving Six Stars

(Having the Best Ice Cream in Town

Getting Kicked in the Balls )

Public Speaking
178"Murder; Magic 8 Ball; Procrastination"Jeffrey BlitzRich TalaricoSeptember 17, 2015 (2015-09-17)0.233[20]

Killing a Person (Vetoed)

Magic 8-Ball

Procrastination (Vetoed)

Killing a Person
189"Happiness; Pillow Fight; Imaginary Friend"Jeffrey BlitzAndy BlitzSeptember 24, 2015 (2015-09-24)0.229[21]

Happiness

Pillow Fight

Imaginary Friend
1910"Conspiracy Theory"Jeffrey BlitzAndy DalyOctober 1, 2015 (2015-10-01)0.239[22]

Believing a Conspiracy

Being Hunted (rating issued by A.J.)

Season 3 (2017)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
201"Locorito; Pet Euthanasia; Dream"Jeffrey BlitzAndy BlitzMarch 16, 2017 (2017-03-16)0.267[23]

Eating a Locorito

Putting a Pet to Sleep

Making Your Dream Come True
212"Co-Host; Ass-Slap; Helen Keller; Forgiveness"Jeffrey BlitzJeffrey BlitzMarch 23, 2017 (2017-03-23)0.255[24]

Being a Co-Host

Slapping a Stranger's Ass (review unaccomplished; rating issued by A.J.)

Being Helen Keller

Forgiveness
223"Cryogenics; Lightning; Last Review"Jeffrey BlitzAndy DalyMarch 30, 2017 (2017-03-30)0.228[25]

Cryogenics

Being Struck by Lightning

Not Reviewing Anything Ever Again (Vetoed)

Being Pranked

References

  1. Andreeva, Nellie (October 17, 2011). "Comedy Central Greenlights 'Review' Pilot Starring Andrew Daly". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  2. Yakas, Ben (April 27, 2014). "Videos: Do Yourself A Favor & Watch The Hilarious First Season Of Review". Gothamist. Gothamist LLC. Archived from the original on April 29, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  3. Bibel, Sara (December 11, 2013). "Comedy Central Sets Winter Schedule Including 'Workaholics', 'Tosh.0' & 'Inside Amy Schumer'". Zap2it. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
  4. Blacker, Ben (April 29, 2014). "Nerdist Writer's Panel: Review". Nerdist (Podcast). Nerdist Industries. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  5. Yanan, Travis (March 7, 2014). "Thursday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: "Big Bang Theory," "Millers" Take Top Spots". The Futon Critic. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  6. Yanan, Travis (March 14, 2014). "Thursday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: "Big Bang Theory" Continues Its Reign for CBS". The Futon Critic. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  7. Yanan, Travis (March 21, 2014). "Thursday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: "Scandal," "Grey's Anatomy" Lead Demo Pack". The Futon Critic. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  8. Yanan, Travis (March 28, 2014). "Thursday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: "Scandal," "Grey's Anatomy" Top Charts". The Futon Critic. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  9. Yanan, Travis (April 4, 2014). "Thursday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: "Big Bang Theory" Returns on Top for CBS". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  10. Yanan, Travis (April 11, 2014). "Thursday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: "Big Bang Theory," "Scandal" Top Charts". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  11. Yanan, Travis (April 21, 2014). "Thursday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: "Scandal" Goes Out on Top for ABC". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  12. Yanan, Travis (April 25, 2014). "Thursday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: CBS Comedies Top Charts in Viewers, Demos". The Futon Critic. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  13. Yanan, Travis (May 2, 2014). "Thursday's Cable Ratings & Broadcast Finals: "Big Bang", "Grey's Anatomy" Lead Demo Pack". The Futon Critic. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  14. "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 7.30.2015". Showbuzz Daily. July 31, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  15. "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 8.6.2015". Showbuzz Daily. August 7, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  16. "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 8.13.2015". Showbuzz Daily. August 14, 2015. Retrieved August 14, 2015.
  17. "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 8.20.2015". Showbuzz Daily. August 21, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  18. "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 8.27.2015". Showbuzz Daily. August 28, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  19. "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 9.3.2015". Showbuzz Daily. September 4, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  20. "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 9.17.2015". Showbuzz Daily. September 18, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  21. "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 9.24.2015". Showbuzz Daily. September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  22. "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 10.1.2015". Showbuzz Daily. October 2, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  23. "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.16.2017". Showbuzz Daily. March 17, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  24. "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.23.2017". Showbuzz Daily. March 24, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
  25. "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Thursday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.30.2017". Showbuzz Daily. March 31, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
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