Media

'Detroiters' Show Will Be Back for Second Season

March 20, 2017, 2:51 PM by  Allan Lengel


Sam Richardson and Tim Robinson, right, in the latest episode March 14. (Comedyt Central photo)

"Detroiters," Comedy Central's show about two wacky admen in Detroit, has done what the last two national TV shows set in the Motor City were unable to do: Get renewed for a second season.

The bromance series created by local improv veterans premiered Feb. 7 and has shown six episodes so far at 10:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Related post: Behind a Hit Show's Renewal: 7 Critics Tell Why 'Detroiters' Works So Well

Here's how the cable channel announces its 2018 renewal on Twitter:

In a more traditional media release Monday, it says:

The admen of the Motor City keep their creativity flowing as Comedy Central has renewed "Detroiters" for a second season, it was announced today by Kent Alterman, president, Comedy Central. Executive produced, created and written by Sam Richardson, Tim Robinson, Joe Kelly and Zach Kanin and executive produced by Lorne Michaels, Jason Sudeikis, and Broadway Video’s Andrew Singer, the second season will launch next year.

“Sam and Tim’s sweet, goofy friendship is so infectious, we’ve noticed people being nicer to each other,” said Alterman. “Perhaps we’ll set season two in D.C.”

The Hollywood Reporter praised Detroiters as “savvy and funny in many ways. . . . Tim Robinson, Sam Richardson and the city of Detroit shine.” The series, currently in its first season airing Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT, stars real life best friends Sam Richardson, from Detroit, and Tim Robinson, from Metro Detroit, as small-time ad men in the Motor City. Whatever they do, they do it together. And no matter what happens, Sam and Tim’s love for each other and their city never wavers.

Jason Sudeikis appears in a narrative arc as a successful Chrysler brand executive whom Richardson and Robinson relentlessly pursue in an effort to land their first big-time client. Season one guest stars include Obba Babatunde, Michael Che, Comedian CP, Steve Higgins, Richard Karn, Rick Mahorn, Keegan-Michael Key, Kevin Nash, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Cecily Strong, Trick Trick, George Wallace and Malcolm-Jamal Warner. 

Two previous programs that also were shot locally, ABC's "Detroit 187" and AMC's "Low Winter Sun," were canceled after their debut season.

Each started slowly, but seemed to hit their strides late in the season. By then, it was too late. 

This time, viewers join critics in applauding the half-hour show. "Detroiters" has an average rating of 7 on a zero-to-ten scale at Rotten Tomatoes, where TV watchers post opinions. A "critics' consensus" summary says:

Proudly stupid yet surprisingly soulful, "Detroiters" showcases an impressive level of commitment from its charming, well-matched leads -- and balances its goofy humor with an equal helping of heart." 

In a Free Press prevoew of this week's episode, Julie Hinds describes the show as "a contemporary 'Dumb and Dumber' that finds the sweetness in male friendship and celebrates a certain junior high sensibility that many men retain throughout their lives. This is silly comedy practiced by very talented people."

Positive reviews also ran in Variety ("a bizarre, rollicking joy"), Vulture ("pretty damn funny") and The Hollywood Reporter, where Daniel Fienberg last month says:

Detroit is also enjoying getting to play itself as something other than a dystopian wasteland. . . . 

Good comedy is specific and organic to the place it comes from, and I hope that the success of shows like "Detroiters" inspire more comics to go back to their roots and take cameras with them.

Here's a two-minute-plus excerpt from the March 14 episode last week:


Read more:  Deadine Detroit


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