Detroiters

This is a comedy by natives for natives and residents near and far. It’s that undeniable sense of pride and ownership that will make you “stand up and tell ’em you’re from Detroit” between bouts of laughter and smiles.

What sells the antics is the chemistry between its leads and the fun they’re so clearly having together.

A rare new sitcom with as much heart and soul as jokes and wackiness, Detroiters is a welcome surprise premiering on Comedy Central Tuesday night.

Richardson and Robinson make for likable leads and Detroiters is savvy and funny in many ways, but what really made it work for me was the admirable affection that comes from its love for Detroit.

The premiere is the strongest, largely because Sudeikis is the perfect serious foil to Richardson and Robinson. (Sudeikis isn’t a regular cast member, but according to press materials, he will reprise his role as the Chrysler rep.) Without him, the show is a weirder journey, one that de-emphasizes story for the more elusive quality of atmosphere. But it’s a bizarre, rollicking joy to watch.

Richardson and Robinson’s laid back approach to rolling out comedy--and especially the former’s addictively amiable nature--makes for consistent chuckles that can develop into hearty guffaws. It’s a soft sell you won’t regret buying the next morning, and one that could pay off even bigger in weeks to come.

The mood is whimsical; oddballs abound.

A pleasantly dumb series.

Not every joke or comedic attempt of Detroiters works, but when it does it’s pretty great.