Tim Robinson is a sui generis comedy force. His characters are angry, awkward, loud, stubborn, ignorant, and prickly. And irresistable, somehow. Tim Robinson is a Saturday Night Live alumnus (where his unique skill set was under utilized), who together with Sam Richardson (Richard Splett on VEEP) created the amazing Comedy Central show Detroiters. Detroiters is notable for hilarious and bizarre world building, as we follow the low-rent advertising escapades of the Cramblin Duvet Agency, but in the end it is an almost sweet rumination on friendship.
I Think You Should Leave is a different kettle of fish. Presented on Netflix and with only six less-than 20 minute episodes, it is eminently binge-worthy. The show is a loose collection of sketches, often gross, insulting, and very, very funny. While they never say it, each socially apocalyptic sketch could easily reach a crescendo with the demand “I think you should leave!” Tim Robinson is the king of being the guy who is insulted when he gets called out for his frenetic faux pas. The backing crew, many from The Lonely Island co-producers and Saturday Night Live, are all spot on.
This show reminds me a bit of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, which is high praise from me. It can be totally absurdist, like the scene where the hot dog car crashes into a tailor shop, and the guy wearing the hot dog costume doesn’t own up to driving it there. The automobile design focus group sketch is pure mania, and the scenes where the washed up singers try to record hits are very close to the bone.
This was one of the best, funniest, unexpected shows I’ve seen in a long time. It has been approved for a second season. I think you should leave this review and start bingeing, now!
----Steve McGowan