Workaholics: Season 1 (2010)

For those looking to fill the void between episodes of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Archer, or even Eastbound & Down can look no further than Comedy Central’s wildly addictive series Workaholics. Created and acted by three young comedians from the web troupe "Mail Order Comedy", this 30-minute situational comedy follows Anders (with a hard “an”), Blake, and Adam as they do drugs, go to work, get drunk, go to work, wear bear jackets, go to work, celebrate Half-Christmas, go to work, pass drug tests, go to work, and befriend a pedophile. Fitting the niche for those that loved Pineapple Express or Superbad, Workaholics prides itself for not only being a stoner comedy, but by highlighting the insanity of minimum wage white-collar work on today's disjointed youth. In the first ten episodes of season one, we follow our trio through a series of unrealistic situations that will not only shape our characters, but also provide 220-minutes of unadulterated comedy. (“We don’t have a substance abuse problem. If anything we have a Subway abuse problem. We destroy $5 footlongs”)

Drawing parallels between this and the adventures of Dee, Denis, Mac, and Charlie would not go unwarranted. Upon first view of Workaholics the structure is nearly identical to that of our workers at Paddy’s Pub, but as the season begins to catch its stride, Workaholics proves a stronger comedic entry. Being a fan of “Flip-adelphia”, it is not harsh to say that the later seasons felt less funny, less-original, more Seinfeld-structured. The antics of Anders, Blake, and Adam return to the roots of non-linear chaos. Workaholics does not create characters that feel warm and fuzzy, in fact the darkness and explicit nature of their humor and choice antics will turn many viewers off. Yet, the bar has been set to discover wittier dialog, faster comedy, and uncomfortable stabs at taboo topics (ie Insane Clown Posse concert) in today's television world. Philadelphia has played it safe for the two most recent seasons, while this proves that cable TV comedy does not have to sit at the helm of Conan O'Brien or Jon Stewart. Following in the footsteps as Kids in the Hall and Stella, Workaholics has taken that rambunctious comedy and spun it into the real world. Their visual timing coupled with sharp tongue will force you to watch every episode in one sitting, and like Pavlov, you will be salavating for more. In this critics opinion, Workaholics has some of the BEST dialog coming out of television today. (Catherine Zeta Jones dips beneath the lazers.)

The first season of Workaholics provides new-classic episodes like “The Promotion”, “Muscle I’d Like to Flex”, and my personal favorite, “Checkpoint Gnarly”. (“I hope it was Yo-Yo Marvelous.”)

I typically find myself rambling on about films or television that is compelling to me, but with Workaholics, I am afraid of ruining the power of each of these episodes. This is a discovery series, meaning it will take some time to find its place in the scheme of lasting comedy (and I wouldn't be surprised like Arrested Development that we lose it too soon), and many will go throughout their lives without seeing an episode of this show - and that is wrong. I would love the opportunity to play beer-pong with these guys, or honestly, just have the cubical next to theirs. I would not be able to stop laughing. Watch this show. Tell your friends about this show. Support three comic talents proving they can handle the bigger leagues. This is not an unforgettable season, this is merely the beginning of a new genre of television. (“There's gonna be two hits, me hitting you in the face and Kid Rock's Bawitdaba playing in the background”)

Why are you still here? It's $10 on Amazon today, get-to-gettin! Oh, and you better have my honey!