Screen: Comedy Central
Make Kroll Show Your New Sketch Obsession
How else are you going to learn all about Gigolo House?
I know what you're thinking: "Jesus christ, Tara, how many goddamn sketch comedy shows am I supposed to make room for on my TV schedule?" First of all: I don't care for that kind of language. Second: most of the sketch shows I recommend are on Comedy Central, and take turns on the schedule so that you can move easily on from one to the next without cutting into the time you spend doing whatever else — reading? Third: I AM DOING THIS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD.
Tonight, Kroll Show returns for its second season, and — thank god — hasn't lost a step in a ten-month hiatus series star/creator Nick Kroll spent co-starring on The League (and dating Amy Poehler). It must have been hard to figure out which of the dozen or so Kroll characters to feature in the season's very first episode, and when I first saw C-Czar, the self-described "Toilet Baby," I was dubious. But the show's found a pretty great context in which to feature him: as the new star of Dad Academy, a faux reality show that will be easily recognizable to anyone who's ever watched VH1.
Kroll's vanity-free premiere continues through a multi-part PubLIZity story (featuring Jenny Slate in a pretty adorable new role), and — thank God — a Too Much Tuna installment featuring Lucy Punch, and while it makes me miss Ben & Kate to see her on TV, at least she's found an appropriate venue for her considerable comic gifts.
Punch is just one of the many amazing talents, famous and not, who will be bringing their genius to Kroll Show's second season. In the "hardworking character actor" category, there's Marc Evan Jackson — soon to be playing Captain Holt's husband on Brooklyn Nine-Nine — as one of the Dad Academy dads, while the teaser in this first episode promises appearances by Brody "Enjoy It!" Stephens and Ron "Enlisted" Funches. But the network wants you to get excited about people who are just slightly more well known.
Yes, that was Laura Dern. And Katy Perry, I guess, whatever.
Kroll Show is sharply observed for sure: its spoofs of various kinds of pop culture are sometimes barely distinguishable from the shows they're parodying. But that wouldn't matter if it wasn't also hilarious, so fortunately, it is. If you've been missing Key & Peele, ease your pain with Kroll Show. And then watch the also brilliant first season on Hulu. Then, AND ONLY THEN, I will let you read a book.
Kroll Show airs Tuesdays at 10:30 PM ET on Comedy Central.