by Jack Grimme, Contributing Writer
It seems like modern Netflix executives are determined to squander any and all good will or respect the service has ever earned. Constant reports and lawsuits regarding insufficient compensation towards creatives; some of the most archaic and anti-consumer business practices the streaming world has ever seen; and the fact that no series is ever safe, regardless of critical reception or stage of completion. It is no secret that Netflix has been a mess for years and has survived solely on the backs of a handful of beloved films and series, my personal favorite original production being the endlessly entertaining I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. Against all odds and expectations, Netflix has continued to fund the show with the most recent season releasing this week. I have watched the new season multiple times, and am absolutely stoked to write about it.
I stumbled upon ITYSL on its original release day, and the distinct style of humor and infinite well of evergreen quotes immediately connected with me on every level. I spent the next two years shoehorning references and bits into every conversation I possibly could. Then the second season dropped and convinced me, and the world, that the first outing was anything but a fluke. Creators Tim Robinson and Zack Kanin introduced the world to a completely fresh form of comedy, and had no intention of slowing down. Needless to say, the third batch of episodes became one of my most anticipated releases of this incredibly stacked summer season. I am elated to say that I wasn’t disappointed.
The new season continues the structure we have come to expect: six episodes consisting of about five to eight sketches, landing at around 15 minutes total. You can knock out a whole season in about 90 minutes, which contributes to the uniquely rewatchable nature of the show. Fans have also come to expect an impressive cast, consisting of series favorites and some comedic titans guest starring for a sketch or two. Some standouts include Biff Wiff, also known as Detective Crashmore, returning for a sketch about the inherent brotherhood gained by coincidentally wearing the same shirt as a stranger. Will Forte took a hiatus for Season Two, but has returned to get his absurdly long ponytail stuck in the undercarriage of an SUV. And Tim Heidecker completes a hat trick of hilarious sketches as an unhinged cardiologist trying to weasel his way into some up and coming night clubs. Tim Meadows, Jason Schwartzman, and several other big names make a splash with their first appearances in the series as well. The impeccable talents willing to contribute their effort to the writing and performances of these sketches continue to astonish.
The other two fundamental aspects of the series are the quotability of the lines, and the overall quality and humor of the sketches. I can confidently say I will be quoting many of these sketches for years to come. It will take an incredible amount of discipline to not launch into the ridiculously long drive-thru order from Episode Two every time I pick up food. I can’t think of a time the phrase, “That one egg was 40 eggs?” would be relevant, but I will do everything in my power to say it as often as possible. And Robinson’s delivery of, “My life is nothing I thought it should be, and everything I was worried it would become, because for 50 seconds I thought there were monsters on the world” deserves to be in a museum.
If you are a fan of the series, this crop has everything you could expect and more. If you haven’t seen it before, it’s worth a shot based on the brevity alone. However, even as a diehard fan of the show and all the work of Tim Robinson, I must admit it’s not flawless. I think each sketch has merit and will most likely find an audience who will tout it as their favorite. However, there are bound to be some moments that don’t connect with you. I don’t hold it against the show too much, because comedy is inherently subjective, and for every joke that doesn’t land, there are several that bring me to tears with laughter. I also think that there are a few moments that feel slightly redundant. This is by far one of the most unique shows I have ever seen. I credit it with effectively creating a new genre of absurdist cringe comedy. There is nothing like it. However, within the show, there are some sketches that feel a little similar to other bits. But again, for every one instance of déjà vu, there are a dozen sentences that have probably never before been uttered in the English language.
I have a strong suspicion that my love for this season will grow with time just like the predecessors. I hate being critical on it, because I genuinely think it is one of the most influential comedic series of the decade. A single screen grab from the “hot dog car” sketch has essentially become a political tool to point out hypocrisy online. So if you happen to still have a Netflix subscription, throw this on and prepare for the quotes to inevitably embed themselves within society and the online lexicon.
Score: 8/10
I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson is currently streaming on Netflix
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