9 May 2020 | ethanj-41027

9 | Comedy Gold

Documentary Now! (2015 - ) - [9/10]



I love this show. There are hundreds of reasons behind why I love Documentary Now! (2015 - ). Maybe I love it because of how it mocks legendary documentaries. Maybe I love it because I want to be a filmmaker - and they make fun of a lot of filmmaking tropes. Maybe I love it because it is exceptionally written. Maybe I love it simply because it is hilarious. Critics love it and audiences have never seen it. It is ridiculously smart, absolutely entertaining, and masterfully made. Anyone that has seen a documentary will find this show funny. Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Seth Meyers, Rhys Thomas, Alexander Buono, John Mulaney, Lorne Michaels, and so many more are attached to this show - each contributing to the hilarity. It is crazy how detailed this show is. It dances across a thin line; it is so close to offending the original documentary, but it honors the original documentary (or documentary company) with each episode parodied. Many shots mimic the original documentaries' shots. In fact, they were able to get some of the equipment that the actual documentaries' used (lenses, sketch artists, etc.). After each episode, you want to see the original documentary, because they make jokes that will go over your head. I love it. The writing is exceptional. It is hilarious, crude, genius, and masterful. The creators are all veteran comedians, with backgrounds in SNL (1975 - ) and it works so well. Documentary Now! (2015 - ) is like a cinematic, thought out, and sincere SNL (1975 - ) sketch. Each episode is a hit, because of the writing. Whether from the source material, spoofing, or mockumentary style. They try not to mock legendary documentaries, but pay "homage" to them. There are Emmy nominated performances from each season. Fred Armisen and Bill Hader are masterful comedians. They fully become their characters, with different voices, looks, and quirks. Both of them have very dry, stark, humor and encapsulate what Documentary Now! (2015 - ) is. The guest stars are also hilarious. Owen Wilson is in a couple episodes, alongside Michael Keaton. Peter Fonda, Mia Farrow, John Mulaney, and so many more. Each episode requires a different role (or the same episode has multiple roles), and that just shows how great Armisen and Hader are. Everybody that has worked with this show are comedic geniuses. This show is a lot of fun. Some episodes aren't as strong as the others, but they're funny nonetheless. I've loved this show for awhile, and I can't wait for more seasons and episodes. Each episode has its own unique style (big props to Alexander Buono and Rhys Thomas' direction). Each episode is comedy gold. Each episode encapsulates what documentary filmmaking is. Documentary Now! (2015 - ) is uniquely original, perfectly spoofs classic documentaries, is sincerely made, and a show that every comedy fan must watch.