Vice Principals

Here's the thing, Danny McBride's comedy is very much down to individual taste. In much the same way as Ricky Gervais's material it is meant to shock, make you cringe, make you laugh out loud and usually, in the end, make you realise that there can be moments of redemption for even the most self centred, unlikeable characters.

The interplay in this between McBride and Goggins is brilliant. Goggins's insults drip with a hilarious straightforward honesty towards McBride's Gamby whilst McBride is happy to play second fiddle in the interchanges. The begrudged respect that develops between the characters at times is then all the more heartwarming.

Simply put, if you liked East Bound and Down you will like Vice Principals. If you like Vice Principals and haven't seen East Bound and Down then make it next on your list - you'll love it. For all the people that don't like the show, that's OK too, it just means that this will become a cult classic.

I have to start by saying that some of the negative reviews are as funny as the show itself, if not only for the fact that they clearly miss the humor and unironically point to exactly the cringe-inducing moments of black comedy as examples of mean-spiritedness or unredeemable characters.

Duh. That's kind of the point.

Also, be wary of any review that is almost entirely predicated on one person's opinion that a particular actor is being misutilized - especially if it's obvious that this person holds that actor in inflated esteem. The acting, so far - only one episode in - is pretty spot on.

Danny McBride has a gift for depicting totally unrelatable, yet not entirely unsympathetic misanthrope. He delivers extremely inappropriate dialog without cracking the thin veneer of believability. Walton Goggins, in his characteristic Alabama accent, plays foil to McBride as a character who the viewer can believe actually likes his fellow human beings. Both of them are, in their own ways, shameless self-promoters and viciously ambitious career climbers who totally overlook the fact that they've abandoned their moral compass in pursuit of a less than lofty goal.

The only weakness I can really point to is the family scenarios and the relatively unbelievable ex-wife's new husband - a character in his mid to late 40s who dresses and acts like a one-dimensional talking Hot Topic mannequin.

I'm interested in where they take the next several episodes and I'd recommend checking it out if you like dark humor or any of the actors involved.

The first season of Vice Principals is quite short but I'm already hooked on this excellent comedy. Season two can't come fast enough. The humor in this series might not be for everyone but to me it's excellent. I don't know what it is with Danny McBride as Neal Gamby. Is it his hair, his mustache or his facial expressions in general but as soon as I see him I have to laugh. The combination of Danny McBride and Walton Goggins is a perfect match. Those two are running the show and it's a delight to watch. Georgia King as Amanda Snodgrass is also a delight to watch. As well for her acting as her very good looks. The language might be over the limit for a lot of stuck-up people but I think this is the best part of the show. I honestly can't wait for season two to begin and I hope it will continue like this for a long time. I'm a fan!

I watched this right after having watched The Righteous Gemstones, which was an OK show. Vice Principals was funnier. Just like The Righteous Gemstone, the first season is better than the second.

Danny McBride does his usual shtick which he is very good at, but it's a little one note with him playing the exact same character in every show. Edi Patterson is just as funny (and crazy) as she is in The Righteous Gemstones. But the one who truly shines is Mr. Cletus Van Damme himself, Walton Goggins.

All great. Too funny and a super show to binge. Walton can do anything. Only down side is Busy. She can only play one character, just in different situations.