User reviews

I've watched almost every Netflix comedy special. This is totally original. I can't even imagine the feat of pulling off nearly 3 different hour long specials of IMPROV already knowing that they will be on Netflix. When my roommate suggested it I was not enthused. I was so wrong. These guys were the perfect duo to bring improv to the mainstream and out of its niche world.

So talented!

Personally, I didn't know their earlier works too much, except Middleditch's Silicon Valley. I was just about to sleep and wanted to put something boring that will make me sleep fast. Well... I couldn't sleep for the following 3 hours lmao!

There is chemistry, there is genius, there is sincerity... You can feel they are really improvising, yet it also feels like a very well thought comedy show. I hope it receives the appreciation it deserves.

These two are some of the most skilled performers working in Hollywood today, IMHO. They are genius at both scripted comedy (Middleditch in "Silicon Valley" and Schwartz on "Parks and Rec") and now, clearly, also improv. As the two forms require some overlapping but also some differing skills, the fact that M and S excel at both is beyond impressive. I'm confused by some reviews that complain these shows lack storylines (??) or occasionally misstep with a laugh or a plot point. IT'S IMPROV. Also, these two DO craft a story. With a beginning a middle and an end, a conflict, a resolution, multiple characters (more HUMAN-like characters than in many Hollywood films I see), a theme, the whole nine yards. ON THE FLY. IN FRONT OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE. If you're complaining it's not perfect, you simply don't understand the years of training and the level of technical skill you're witnessing. This is long form improv at its very BEST Seriously, I bet so many of these guys' Hollywood friends are watching in awe and thinking "holy s**t, I wish I was that good."

I'm a huge Middleditch and Schwartz fan. I've listened to every podcast they've been on, but I've never gotten to see them do long form improv together until now. These specials had me rolling in laughter. I've seen a lot of long form comedy in my life, and I'm confident to say they are the most natural at it.

This is a comedy special unlike I've ever seen before, I love it so much and I already want more.

If you are interested in seeing how improv looks at its peak, this is the place. These two guys are able to take a two minute story and turn it into an hour long show without missing a single piece of info. They create 5-10 characters they they will interchange and switch between throughout the show which is absolute magic. Couldn't recommend this show any higher.

Improv enthusiasts may have beef with this special, as hardcore Del Close followers would attest to: improv is meant to be shared in the moment, not recorded or saved for posterity.

That said, long form improv can sometimes produce some of the most hilarious, thought-provoking, and creative theater in modern times. Middleditch and Schwarz have the combined experience and comfort with one another that make for a long form improv experience unlike which I have ever seen.

What makes it so unique is not just that it's recorded in front of a live audience, or that it's not some reboot of a beloved short-form improv show from the late '90s, but the fact that the duo allow themselves some leeway in breaking and bending "the rules".

Performing long-form improv is a hard enough job all by itself, but the two create and weave stories that center around dozens of characters, they themselves playing all of them interchangeably. It is a feat I have not seen accomplished so smoothly across the hundreds of live performances I have witnessed both as a player and audience member. Usually you have a team to step in and help fill the gaps. These guys do it all by themselves and manage to patch it all together in the end.

I understand if the old school enthusiasts cry foul that this was not only recorded but that so many rules were broken. Yes, the duo sometimes forget which character is which, or where they're headed, or what the plot is or "why" in general, but the fact that they are so quick on their feet to recover and the fact that they make light and fun of this imperfection -- because what mere mortal could remember all they're spinning?! -- is part of why this is so entertaining and endearing.

When long-form improv becomes more of a household thing (streaming services will take note from this success) we will look back in 10/20/30 years and cite Middleditch and Schwarz as the main influencers.

They weren't the first to do this, but they're among the best, and will be cemented that way thanks to Netflix.

This show had me in stitches before the improv even started! I took some drama classes back when I was a kid, but I wasn't really into them beyond the guaranteed 'A'. In those classes we of course did improv sketches, each of which was exactly as groan-worthy as you are imagining teenage acting to be. But these two gentlemen are on another level entirely! Together they demonstrate exactly what mastery over the format entails: the adaptability, the imagination, and the receptiveness to each other's ideas is both phenomenal and a privilege to watch. Even when one of them goes completely rogue and you think there is no way of salvaging a bit, they manage to pull it off with gleeful smiles and tons of purely joyous energy. The zaniness of the individual sketches prove without a doubt that there are no writers involved, because no sane person would put pen to paper to make that s*** up. 10/10 Stars. Great show even if you have no interest in imrov.

I always enjoyed a bit of improv comedy, but man is this fantastic. They weave a full narrative out a few bits of information and don't miss a detail. Even when you think they have reached the end of something or forgotten a piece, which they do at times, they are able to bring it back in a great way. The starts and ends of the segments can be dicy for any improv group and they are no different. But I think it takes only three minutes before they are off and going.

Even if you have never seen improv comedy before this is a fantastic introduction. It is one of the funniest comedy's that Netflix has to offer, and frankly it is joy to watch. I wish they did more of them.

When it said at the start "everything in this show is improvised and made up on the spot. Nothing is written or prepared beforehand", I thought that might be an excuse. It's really not. This is the only thing for a while to get me literally loling (laughing out loud, overall this has taken more time to type, but I think it sounds snappy - also, you probably already knew what I meant). I really hope they put more of them on Netflix because I'm about to finish them after watching the first 2 yesterday. I see improv get mocked a lot but now I think I'm about to get into it.

Just do it. I was completely taken aback, this is comedy genius like I've never seen and I had no idea how good of a time I was in store for-- Middleditch and Schwartz deserve all the accolades they receive. My belly hurt from laughter. Its so rare to be on your own, watching something that makes you crack up like this! I've watched the first episode twice and it gets even better the second time around, now spotting visual cues they give each other where they almost break the 4th wall but don't. I hope they win awards!

Doing long-form improv for over 45 minutes is impressive enough by itself, the fact that this show is hysterical is almost a bonus. Incredible talent by two comics willing to put in serious effort for their jokes. Can not recommend this enough!

This is incredibly smart and surprisingly creative. Really funny. Could watch a whole lot more of these.

It's not bad, but I have to say that Brazilian's trio "Barbixas" are way better, so I was expecting another level of improv.

I guess these guys are talented. I don't know. Maybe if you're into improv, you'll find this enjoyable. It was a challenge to make it through an episode. Is it comedy? I don't get it. If you don't have anything nice to say, ya know. The one guy's kind of funny looking.

These two are perfection together. Please make more today, y'all are so quick witted and smart

I laughed so hard, I developed asthma. Watching all 3 episodes back to back, could exponentially increase the risk. Be warned!

I'm not a big fan of improv but I love these guys so I thought I'd check it out, definitely expecting to be bored after a few minutes and switching it off but ended up watching the whole thing, it was hilarious!

I think I have never laughed harder watching anything in my life. They are simply hilarious. I completely recommend everyone watches it. My stomach aches from laughter, I almost peed myself at least twice in each episode and my face hurts.

Middleditch & Schwartz give us unprecedented humor sourced from a simple conversation with the audience. This is a great example of long form improv performed at pinnacle experience. Consistent, smart and wild at times, this dynamic duo never lacks to entertain me.

Completely original and so funny! I'd love to see more of this in the future! Great characters, a true talent for comedy.

This was generally the most authentic, belly laughing show I have watched in years. This simply reinforced why I'm a fan of both Thomas and Ben. I really hope this becomes a tour down under

This is improv. this is comedy. this is amazing. first of all these specials are hilarious non stop laughter. schwartz and middleditch are really funny guys. what they're doing is not easy but they are masters of it. it is so incredibly hard to do improv well but to do it for 50mins straight with each time being completely different and original is truly amazing. plus it's something new to comedy specials on netflix. it hasn't been done before and they've nailed it. i really hope this gets the attention it deserves because these guys could be revolutionaries and hopefully bring improv to the limelight.

A show like this works MUCH better when the performers are funny and talented.

Okay, that might be overselling, but this truly is amazing. If you like crying from laughing so hard or your gut hurting from laughing, this is for you. Truly just so fun, you feel like you're actually part of the live audience.

I was in stitches the whole time!! Very quick witted and they really bounced off each other with their comedic styles!