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The Comedians

The Comedians

2015Ended1 season13 episodes~22 min/epMidcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

A veteran comedian is reluctantly paired with a younger, edgier comedian for a late-night comedy sketch show.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Comedians?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The Comedians to rent or buy on Apple TV, and on no subscription service.

Rent / Buy

Buy

Highlights

What stands out about The Comedians?

The Comedians earns 2 badges, led by Fun and Preferred by US Viewers.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is The Comedians worth watching?

The Comedians' Midcredits score is the 39th percentile of all shows, from 2.1K ratings across 2 sources. 68% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

39th percentile

Better received than 39% of shows

36th percentile among Comedy37th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)33rd
Approval (how many liked it)46th

Acclaim

Mixed: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

67 /100

33rd percentile of all shows

32nd percentile among Comedy32nd percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

Big peaks at both ends — people either love this or bounce off it hard.

Approval

How many liked it

68% liked it

46th percentile of all shows

40th percentile among Comedy44th percentile among 2010s
68% rated it 7–1032% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

60th percentile

2K ratings across platforms

43rd percentile among Comedy64th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 11% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps acknowledge the show's mockumentary concept and the partnership of Crystal and Gad, but disagree strongly on whether it is funny or effective.

Fans praised

  • Crystal and Gad's chemistry and honest performances anchor the show
  • Mockumentary style with meta-layers and self-aware humor
  • Well-written dialogue and sharp comedic delivery

Detractors panned

  • Weak, unfunny writing and contrived awkward situations
  • Josh Gad's character is annoying with poor comedic timing
  • Derivative of other comedies and fails to deliver laughs

What stands out

ActingDivisive75

Crystal and Gad's performances praised for chemistry; detractors find Gad grating

DialogueDivisive70

Quippy lines and pop culture allusions; detractors call jokes flat

HumorDivisive65

Fans find it funny and clever; detractors find it unfunny and cringe-worthy

CharactersDivisive60

Self-aware fictionalized versions; fans see depth, detractors see poorly realized

OriginalityDivisive55

Mockumentary angle shows some freshness but borrows heavily from other sitcoms

Emotional impact55

Occasional poignant moments, especially in character interactions

Plot and storyDivisive50

Familiar showbiz premise; some find it formulaic

Pacing40

Slow pacing and comedic timing criticized by some; fans find it deliberately awkward

Preferred by

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 15 points higher than non-US viewers.

Episodes

1 season

Season 1 · 2015 · 13 episodes

  • S1E1

    Pilot

    Apr 9, 201523 min
  • S1E2

    Come to the House

    Apr 16, 201523 min
  • S1E3

    The Red Carpet

    Apr 23, 201523 min
  • S1E4

    Celebrity Guest

    Apr 30, 201523 min
  • S1E5

    Go for Gad

    May 7, 201523 min
  • S1E6

    Orange You the New Black Guy

    May 14, 201523 min

Watch experience

What is The Comedians like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Ironic, light and gentle — an even-paced watch that leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
WarmJoyfulContemplative
Heaviest: late
Warm humor
Register
Wry · 7% of shows: Amused and slightly dry about it.Satirical · 5% of shows
Told as
SerializedSingle-season story
ToneThe series holds its material at a knowing, ironic distance, playing the mockumentary format for awkward and satirical effect while still delivering heartfelt moments.
The rideThe series maintains a light, comedic tone with occasional moments of introspection, likely building to a reflective conclusion.
StructureThe story is told in a linear mockumentary style; no unconventional narrative devices are central to the series.
Episode formatEach episode advances the overarching story of producing the sketch show, with little standalone content.
Season formatThe show ran for only one season, telling a complete arc over its 13 episodes.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
FunWistful · 6% of shows
Why it leaves you this wayThe series leaves the viewer entertained by the banter and awkward chemistry, but also with a gentle sense of nostalgia for passing comedic eras and unfulfilled creative ambitions.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Comedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12% (this title): Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2% (this title)
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Comedy of manners: Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).

12% of shows fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe series follows the behind-the-scenes friction as two comedians from different generations are forced to collaborate on a sketch show; each episode satirizes the social codes and generational clashes of the showbiz world.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfPurposeSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27% (this title): Identity 20% (this title) · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% (this title) · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Self

PurposeIdentityFame · 5% of shows
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe show explores how two comedians at different career stages navigate their purpose in the changing landscape of comedy.
StanceThe show examines the purpose and relevance of comedy through the clashing perspectives of its two leads.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
PopBackground music · licensed compilation
SettingBehind the scenes of a late-night sketch show in Los Angeles

Cast and crew

Who is in The Comedians?

Cast

Billy Crystal
as Billy Crystal
Josh Gad
as Josh Gad
Stephnie Weir
as Kristen Laybourne
Matt Oberg
as Mitch Reed
Megan Ferguson
as Esme
Clayton Early
as Sketch Actor Clayton
Dana Delany
as Julie Crystal
Denis O'Hare
as Denis Grant
Michael Earl Reid
as Old Man on Cross
Andrew Secunda
as Cue Card Guy

Crew

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What are shows like The Comedians?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like The Comedians include A Black Lady Sketch Show (2019), Wild 'N Out (2005) and Less Than Perfect (2002).

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What other shows share a tag with The Comedians?

119 other shows share the rarest tag below, kind of show: mockumentary. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.