Forever
By Joyce Slaton,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Surreal comedy has inventive, absurd laughs, language.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Forever
Community Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Great show
Report this review
I love these guys, BUT...
Report this review
What's the Story?
Married couple June (Rudolph) and Oscar (Armisen) are as comfortable as two old shoes in their middle-class suburban life, and they probably would have stayed that way FOREVER. But when June decides to shake things up one year and go on a skiing trip instead of their traditional lake house vacation, that decision suddenly snowballs into a lot more change -- and togetherness -- than either June or Oscar bargained for.
Is It Any Good?
Screamingly funny in a quiet, absurd way, and built around a high-concept oddball idea that's almost impossible not to spoil (but we'll do our best), this surpassingly strange comedy is a gem. The broad outlines of June and Oscar's life are sketched in a dialogue-free five-minute sequence that shows them eating the same fish dinner over and over, and the only thing that changes are the plaids of Oscar's shirt and June's hairstyle. Okay, after watching that we're ready for the rhythms of a domestic comedy. That's what we get for a little while, watching June and Oscar go about their bland -- but not bad -- marital life. The two aren't exactly unhappy. Sometimes they're even in sync, like when they debate the absolute best way to spend a half-hour. They shoot down a bath, a massage, and watching an episode of Jeopardy! before agreeing that half an hour is really too long for sex.
But by the end of the first episode, Forever takes a wild turn -- and halfway into the second one, yet another, launching the couple's life into Beetlejuice and The Good Place territory. As June and Oscar slowly find their footing in their new circumstances -- and a bizarre, and quite wonderfully entertaining world is built for us -- viewers may find themselves feeling shocked almost as often as they laugh. And liking it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Why are shows about mysterious realms and dismal futures such a staple in movies and television? What do they say about the dreams or fears of those watching them? What dramatic or comedic possibilities do they offer?
Would revealing the twists of this show make it less enjoyable? How was watching TV different when everyone had to watch at the same time or not watch it all? Were spoilers something people talked about then?
Have you seen Fred Armisen or Maya Rudolph in other shows? How does that affect how you view their characters on this show? Are you more prepared to laugh, having laughed at things they've said or done before?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 14, 2018
- Cast: Maya Rudolph, Fred Armisen, Catherine Keener
- Network: Amazon Prime Video
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: February 27, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Comedy TV Shows for Teens
TV Shows for the Modern Family
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate