“Murderville” has been called a must-watch by some reviewers, but is it actually worth your time? PHOTO CREDIT: Rotten Tomatoes
The new Netflix series “Murderville” holds a phenomenally hilarious concept, but the execution won’t knock your socks off.
“Murderville” mirrors the British series “Murder in Successville,” a show where each episode features big names who embark on a high-profile murder investigation. The comedic catch is that the standout talent is given no script.
Detective Terry Seattle, played by comedian Will Arnett, works with a different celebrity guest each episode, training them to work in the field of criminology. These “trainees” must improvise their way through each scene in an attempt to solve a mystery in which only the recurring characters know the true script.
On the surface, “Murderville” is evoked as a top-notch Netflix release packed with a plethora of guest stars, including Conan O’Brien, Annie Murphy, Sharon Stone, Ken Jeong, Kumail Nanjiani and even NFL star Marshawn Lynch. The idea of improv mixed with scripted acting seemed amusing, especially considering the unique array of professional backgrounds held by each guest.
I entered my binge with high hopes. What could be better than some sporadic Ken Jeong stand-up?
The concept holds true to my first impression: there is so much potential hidden in the series. But “Murderville” just didn’t make me laugh enough to be considered as a necessary watch.
In a way, the show’s awkward un-funniness made each episode funnier than reality. The cinematography reminded me of “The Office,” where chaos and unprofessionalism add to the comedic undertones. Especially in Jeong’s episode, where he broke character more than actually improvising, the somewhat sloppy construction of “Murderville” was more entertaining than the on-screen performances.
That being said, none of the actors seemed committed to actually making this series work. They took advantage of the experience and clearly had a good time filming, but offered little to no taste for a truly successful comedy.
This made me question the true purpose of this show. Was I supposed to laugh at the failures, or actually participate in the murder mystery? Was it satire or simply a failed idea?
Ironically enough, I found Lynch’s episode to be the best, despite him having no previous experience in acting or improvisation. One skit involves Lynch copying the movements of a subject to make it seem like a reflection in a mirror. The stark differences between Lynch and the possible murderer, along with his actual dedication to the randomly assigned scene, made this episode the most enthralling.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m not fully knocking the “Murderville” series. I think it’s a nice lighthearted casual watch geared towards breaking down the fourth wall. There are portions of each episode that I found funny, but it’s not a must-watch like many reviews claim.
The creators and producers took admirable risks by following through with such a complex idea, yet the actors lacked the energy and enthusiasm that are so crucial when no script is given. Arnett also struggles to wean off of the script with the other actors, and at times, can come off as unprepared for the spontaneity.
I wish that the crimes being solved were more complex, too. The ending to every “mystery” is too predictable for there to be any suspense. That, mixed amateur comedy, left me disappointed in the end result of “Murderville.”
Head to Netflix for yourself to see if this series is for you. As for me, I’ll keep “Murderville” as background noise until the concept can be used to its best potential.