Murderville

TV review by Joyce Slaton, Common Sense Media
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Common Sense says

age 14+

Language, comic violence in inspired absurd improv series.

Netflix Comedy 2022
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Kids say

age 12+

Based on 3 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Murderville is a comedy series about a homicide detective (Will Arnett, Arrested Development) who solves murders while improvising police procedural-style scenes. The tone of the comedy largely depends on each episode's guest; it's all good-natured and good-intentioned, but can circle around topics like gruesome violence (as when one guest star graphically and at length describes how a magician's assistant was sawed in half) or can contain cursing or vulgar language (expect to hear "motherf--ker," "s--t," "ass," "hell," as well as words for body parts like "boobs"). Humor is also of the "punch up" variety; cliches common in police shows, like excessive violence and unemotional detectives are sent up, and no characters are marginalized. People of color have strong central roles, especially a Black female homicide chief who grapples with Arnett's character and often comes out ahead. Guest stars are diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, age, and body type. Murder is more often talked about than seen, but you do see the aftermath of crimes, like pools of blood, in some scenes.

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What's the Story?

On each episode of MURDERVILLE, homicide detective Terry Seattle (Will Arnett) gets a new partner, and a new crime to solve. Here's the catch, at least for that episode's guest star: they're not sure exactly what they're going to be asked to do on the show, and they're definitely not handed a script. Instead they're dropped into absurd police procedural-type scenes, and asked to improvise with Arnett. All along, the show gives the viewers all the clues they need to solve the mystery. Can't put it together? No worries, the murderer is revealed at the end anyway. Guest starts include Conan O'Brien, Kumail Nanjiani, Ken Jeong, and Sharon Stone.

Is It Any Good?

Laced with surprising guest stars and improv that runs the gamut from awkward to genius, your view on the show is likely to dovetail with how comfy you are with uncomfortable moments. For some, the comedy is pure cringe due to the way the comedy sings or sags according to the guest star. The first episode, with old pro Conan O'Brien, is absolutely hysterical all the way through; the next, which taps Seattle Seahawks' former running back Marshawn Lynch, is more uneven. No surprise; O'Brien is an improviser from way back, while Lynch is known more for rushing on the gridiron. Still, casting Lynch is a weird stroke of genius (or folly?), and he does have his moments; when Arnett's Seattle asks him how much training he's had as a homicide detective, Lynch's eyes light up as he replies "I watched Training Day." Less successful: Lynch's chosen detective name is "Bagabitch."

Still, Murderville's choice to lead each guest star through comedy-stumping physical challenges is reliably funny (watching Conan O'Brien try to question a suspect while eating a hot-sauce drenched sandwich is a highlight), as are sequences in which guests stars are given an earpiece and told to repeat whatever Seattle tells them (O'Brien introduces himself to a mom's group as "Todd Caringtonbergsonfield"). The show also has a puzzle aspect to it: viewers are given enough clues to figure out the murder on each episode; can you put them together and solve the crime before the final reveal? All in all, Murderville is extremely silly, occasionally wince-inducing, and at times comically inspired. Arnett fans in particular will enjoy it as he's in every scene, and those with a predilection for offbeat comedy will, too.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the issue of what stretches the boundaries of comedy. When is a joke taken too far? Why are sexual jokes often enticing to these improv actors -- and the audience?

  • How does the show's improvised nature contribute to the success (or lack thereof) of the humor? Does it make the comic tone more uneven? More surprising? Are you able to enjoy the jokes that work enough to make up for the ones that don't?

  • Some of Murderville's guest stars aren't known for comedy: Sharon Stone is a serious dramatic actress, and Marshawn Lynch is an athlete. Why did the show choose such unusual guest stars? Does it work?

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