Documentary Now!

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Season 1
  • Network: IFC
  • Series Premiere Date: Aug 20, 2015
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
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Critic Reviews

  1. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Tirdad Derakhshani
    Aug 20, 2015
    60
    Documentary Now! may not match the genius that possesses Blunt Talk and its stars, but it's still one of the best laughers on cable.
  2. Las Vegas Weekly
    Reviewed by: Josh Bell
    Aug 20, 2015
    60
    Armisen and Hader star in each episode, alongside guest players like Jack Black and John Slattery, and their spot-on impressions are funny enough that it doesn’t really matter if the jokes are hit-and-miss.
  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Margaret Lyons
    Aug 20, 2015
    50
    Each episode parodies a famous documentary, sometimes with exacting precision and sometimes with not-so-exacting precision.
  5. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Aug 18, 2015
    50
    Actually, the series peaks in its opening credits and introduction, which cleverly approximate the fictional public-TV documentary showcase from which the show derives its name.... From there, though, Documentary Now! becomes an exceedingly hit-miss proposition.

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Best TV Season of 2015

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 25
  3. Negative: 5 out of 25
  1. Knighthawk81
    Aug 21, 2015
    6
    Bill Hader and Fred Armisen are incredibly talented, and this comedy series lends itself to mocking some of the familiar tropes inBill Hader and Fred Armisen are incredibly talented, and this comedy series lends itself to mocking some of the familiar tropes in documentaries. The pilot episode had a funny twist on "Grey Gardens," and the second episode (Available on YouTube) is a funny take on some of the overly aggressive reporting in hostile territory that seems to happen all the time. This is breezy, light-hearted entertainment.… Full Review »
  2. Scraper
    Oct 21, 2016
    5
    Documentary Now is a well-produced show with mostly punchless jokes. This concept has been done so well in the past so the bar was set highDocumentary Now is a well-produced show with mostly punchless jokes. This concept has been done so well in the past so the bar was set high (Spinal Tap, Best In Show). Mostly the scripts spend too much time with the details of each episode, which are done amazingly. It seems the dialogue is hoping to be carried by the sets and costumes. The jokes are often simple nods to the situations they're in. Very neo-SNL to try and let the concept carry the sketch itself. It's frustrating because these are two funny, dedicated guys that would have been really well served by some edginess.… Full Review »
  3. debbie13410
    Oct 10, 2015
    8
    Very well crafted mockumentary. Attention to detail, styling, film technique. These are not punch line jokes but the humor is in the satire.Very well crafted mockumentary. Attention to detail, styling, film technique. These are not punch line jokes but the humor is in the satire. I think my favorite is Kunuk and how it makes fun of the original in all the right places.… Full Review »
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