The Characters

With sketches that run the gamut from sparkling to weak, this series is a bit of a mixed bag but has enough highlights to make it worthwhile, particularly for comedy fans. Funny actors frequently complain that they're offered material that's far less amusing than they are; giving comics the chance to create the material they want is an intriguing challenge. These people can act funny, but can they create funny? The answer is, mostly, yes! Though the episodes vary in quality depending on who's at the helm, there are more hits than misses. Natasha Rockwell's episode is particularly enchanting as she morphs into a series of characters, from a homeless woman who threatens subway riders with Game of Thrones spoilers to a woman who embraces her blandness with a rap called "Basic Bitch." But there are plenty of other gems here, from a dramatic groom commanding the attention at his wedding to the host of cable TV show Big Trucks searching for the Southern-fried woman of his dreams. If you don't like what you're watching, just wait a few minutes.