“Middleditch & Schwartz completely improvised comedy specials” was released on to Netflix on April 21. Middleditch and Schwartz are best known for starting in scripted television series but now have made a switch to improvised specials. Photo courtesy of Netflix
On April 21, Netflix released a new improv show — Middleditch & Schwartz Completely Improvised Comedy Special.
From sitcoms to improv, the surprising dynamic duo Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz take the stage for a new entertaining Netflix comedy special. With lively banter and great chemistry, this is a great show for viewers looking for a laugh.
Viewers may recognize Schwartz from Parks and Recreation where he plays the infamous John Ralphio. Middleditch starred in the popular sitcom Silicon Valley where he played the main character, Richard Hendricks.
As advertised in the title, Middleditch and Schwartz perform hilarious skits all improvised with a little help from the audience. This isn’t a traditional improv special like Whose line is it anyway, where the participants of the show do a variety of different improv activities and games. They work off of one topic or story, to build a whole sketch with made-up events and hilarious characters
To kick off the show, Middleditch and Schwartz ask the crowd a question in an attempt to establish a topic that they can build their skit off of. After some witty banter with the crowd, they find their plot and set the scene.
Doing one continuous sketch for an entire show may seem to get old very quickly, but Middleditch and Schwartz’s charisma and quick humor surely save the show from easily slipping into a redundancy.
The chemistry between the two comedians is great. Somehow they are able to conduct a rhythm and flow that makes sense to the scene all the while making things up off the top of their head. Their witty lines and made up characters complement each other very well.
At some points, the two comedians will break character, but it surely doesn’t ruin the show and is understandable due to how ridiculous some scenes become. Both comedians manage to play these instances off well and maintain humorous professionalism to continue the show.
Although the two have played formally standing roles on scripted television, their unscripted special is one to see. Viewer discretion is advised due to the occasional mature nature of content during the show.
