I like this show. The interesting characters and authenticity. Many won't "get it" and others won't give it enough of a chance, which is apparent from many of the 1 star reviews. But this show is cool.
34 Reviews
Unique and real
leeshep13 June 2021
I like it so far.
qormi31 May 2021
The story revolves around two twenty something childhood friends, recently reunited and now roommates. . One is a struggling artist; the other a struggling teacher. Both are very low key, timid, and likable types, trying to make their way in a crazy and dangerous inner city environment, with some funny characters. We are introduced to a great supporting cast.. including some oddballs that bring on the laughs. The writing is very good... subtle humor. It seems, though, that half the opening episode was edited out, as it contained many loose ends that probably wound up on the cutting room floor.
Solid start, though, to what promises to develop into a hit series.
Solid start, though, to what promises to develop into a hit series.
Has anyone here heard of dark comedy?
drablens15 July 2021
Flatbush Misdemeanors is up there with Curb Your Enthusiasm in its wry wit and hilarious plot punchlines. If you've ever lamented the life of an underdog, you will resonate with this gritty sitcom. Not recommended for those that don't speak the language of veiled cynicism, ambivalence and irony. Take any poor reviews with a grain of salt, and give this show a chance.
Criminally underrated and keeps it real!
kaideneve24 June 2021
With all the political nonsense coming out in the last couple of years that's only redeeming quality is that it talks "real" about race, this show is super refreshing in that it comes as close as a comedy can to the real situation on the ground.
I found both of the main characters totally relatable, and I don't think you need to have experience with Flatbush to feel the same. I grew up relatively poor in a totally different area but these guys reminded me a lot of my multiracial mix of friends growing up. Different races, but similar problems, similar outlook on life. We didn't care about your skin color and openly joked about it with each other, things that are apparently super taboo these days.
Probably should have said this first, but this show is also hilarious. Specifically want to call out Hassan Johnson. How is he not in way more stuff? He cracked me up at least a few times. Also the jackass stepfather dude had some great dialogue.
I cannot believe I never heard of this show, the only reason I saw it as because it was a Staff Pick on Crave (Canada). This deserves way higher than its current criminally low rating. Showtime, get your house in order and promote this, because I know it would be wildly popular with those of us who grew up watching things like Fresh Prince or Family Matters.
I found both of the main characters totally relatable, and I don't think you need to have experience with Flatbush to feel the same. I grew up relatively poor in a totally different area but these guys reminded me a lot of my multiracial mix of friends growing up. Different races, but similar problems, similar outlook on life. We didn't care about your skin color and openly joked about it with each other, things that are apparently super taboo these days.
Probably should have said this first, but this show is also hilarious. Specifically want to call out Hassan Johnson. How is he not in way more stuff? He cracked me up at least a few times. Also the jackass stepfather dude had some great dialogue.
I cannot believe I never heard of this show, the only reason I saw it as because it was a Staff Pick on Crave (Canada). This deserves way higher than its current criminally low rating. Showtime, get your house in order and promote this, because I know it would be wildly popular with those of us who grew up watching things like Fresh Prince or Family Matters.
Meh, but still worth watching
FlightlessCormorant22 June 2021
I'm five episodes into this series, and the jury is still out. I think there are moments in the series where I think "has potential", but then there are other moments where I can't help but think "preachy about social justice and yet depicts the community it's trying to highlight sometimes in a not so pleasant light". Possibly this is the aspect of the show where some rave saying the series is gritty and real. However, for me it just doesn't seem to be uplifting, and it extends stereotypes that aren't helpful. Nevertheless, I'll continue to watch the show for the full season, and possibly rewrite my short review to be more positive (or negative).
Hilarious!
ccsnhu4 June 2021
This show is funny!. I grow up around the Flatbush area so the show resonates with me so much. The writing is clever and doesn't force lines for laughs. It's not meant to be taken seriously as the *1 star* reviewers are doing. It reminds me of shows like Broad City, Rami, and Dave. Just enjoy a day in the life of two 30-somethings living in the real Brooklyn.
I like th show, but Dan is awful, he should just stick to writing!
albritrowe12 August 2021
The show is good and has some great characters, Kareem being one of the stand outs! But Dan just really grates on me, he can't act and it seems like he's trying to be funny but it never lands. He should stay behind the camera from series 2>
It took a while but...
littlesatanhooves6 September 2021
This is the best thing that happened since 'Baskets' and 'Chad'. The first episode didn't hit me like a ton of bricks, but it had an indiscernible kind of charm which made me look forward to the upcoming episodes. I wasn't wrong. The episodes just kept getting better and better, right until the end of season 1. Is the humour in Flatbush an acquired taste? Yes I think it is. The almost deadpan deliveries of the two main leads, which reminded me of Martha in 'Baskets' and Nasim Pedrad in 'Chad' will either leave you with a chuckle in your heart, if not right out loud, or it will leave you bewildered and at worse, irritated.
Billed as a comedy, but without any LOL moments
paul-allaer25 May 2021
"Flatbush Misdemeanors" (2021 release; 10 episodes of about 25 min. Each) brings the story of Dan and Kevin, two besties who are (fairly) new to Brooklyn. As Episode 1 "leanin'" opens, Kevin is making a lunch food delivery to the public HS where Dan teaches, and the school's security guard tries to stop Kevin. In the ruckus that develops, Kevin accidentally loses $3,000 that somehow belongs to a local drug dealer. Now Kevin is in real trouble... At this point we are less than 10 min. Into Episode 1.
Couple of comments: this series is the brainchild of co-creators and co-writers Kevin Iso and Dan Perlman, up-and-coming comedians playing a fictionalized version of themselves. Episode 1 plays out in 5 parts (of roughly 5 min. Each), and the story line moves quickly. This series is billed as a comedy, but don't fool yourself, this is not the Laugh-Out-Loud kind of comedy, not by a million miles. Instead, this series observes the urban culture, Brooklyn-style, and hence you get some chuckles here and there, but that's it. From just watching the 1st episode, it appears that episodes are self-contained and that you don't need to have seen any of them to watch any particular episode.
"Flatbush Misdemeanors" premiered this week on Showtime, and Episode 1 is now available on Showtime On Demand, Amazon Instant Video, and other streaming services. New episodes air Monday evenings at 9 pm Eastern. If you have any interest in urban "comedy" where laughs are more the exception than the rule, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
Couple of comments: this series is the brainchild of co-creators and co-writers Kevin Iso and Dan Perlman, up-and-coming comedians playing a fictionalized version of themselves. Episode 1 plays out in 5 parts (of roughly 5 min. Each), and the story line moves quickly. This series is billed as a comedy, but don't fool yourself, this is not the Laugh-Out-Loud kind of comedy, not by a million miles. Instead, this series observes the urban culture, Brooklyn-style, and hence you get some chuckles here and there, but that's it. From just watching the 1st episode, it appears that episodes are self-contained and that you don't need to have seen any of them to watch any particular episode.
"Flatbush Misdemeanors" premiered this week on Showtime, and Episode 1 is now available on Showtime On Demand, Amazon Instant Video, and other streaming services. New episodes air Monday evenings at 9 pm Eastern. If you have any interest in urban "comedy" where laughs are more the exception than the rule, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
Good show but the characters are extremely annoying
mmorgquinn13 June 2021
The show is good, I like the low key humor in it but I hate some of the characters. Kevin is the worst, he's lame and annoying and genuinely made me not want to watch the show. But other than that it's good, Dan the main character is dope.
Don't go by the reviews
jimesiamason13 June 2021
(they had an unhealthy relationship.)
owen-watts3 August 2021
I didn't know what to make of Flatbush in the first episode - but the almost horizontally laidback vibe punctuated by high tension and moments of wild surrealism as well as the occasional inclusion abstract meta-subtitles won me over. Not to mention its sardonic and deft observations about the aimlessness of contemporary adulthood and the dark indifference of metropolitan American living. Oh also that the core of it a dissection of a toxic friendship. Kevin Iso's listless artist and Dan Perlman's perpetually anxious teacher are a great deadpan combo - and their wild spiralling involvement with the hypnotically erratic Drew (played brilliantly by Hassan Johnson of "The Wire" fame) and his bolshy niece Zayna is a great central arc.
Amazingly it got a second season which I wasn't expecting, and it strips out a lot of the more abstract elements which is to its benefit. Zoe Winters shines as the manically misguided arts benefactor in ways that hit harder and sharper than a lot of Flatbush's more dramatic contemporaries. There are still moments of clunky plot contrivance but it ends well and I find myself wondering if it'll have more of a legacy than we currently realise - the mash of the deadpan and the strange and the affecting was really intoxicating.
Amazingly it got a second season which I wasn't expecting, and it strips out a lot of the more abstract elements which is to its benefit. Zoe Winters shines as the manically misguided arts benefactor in ways that hit harder and sharper than a lot of Flatbush's more dramatic contemporaries. There are still moments of clunky plot contrivance but it ends well and I find myself wondering if it'll have more of a legacy than we currently realise - the mash of the deadpan and the strange and the affecting was really intoxicating.
Imbecility!
lemon-bishop26 May 2021
Hard to describe it, but we all know it: imbecility!
Please, do not trust me! Just watch the first episode or just the first 5 minutes of the first episode!
Ps I just don' t understand why such a big network as showtime would involve with such an imbecility!
Eh...
Please, do not trust me! Just watch the first episode or just the first 5 minutes of the first episode!
Ps I just don' t understand why such a big network as showtime would involve with such an imbecility!
Eh...
Awesome show!!
urygregg24 May 2021
I
Headturner18 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Think I've become more lax on my reviews since almost everything released this year hasn't been good but any ways a 7 has always been on the high side of my ratings. I remember watching an episode a while ago and never returned until last night( been happening a lot lately not sure if my taste changes or what) so I ended up finishing season 1 which I enjoyed until Dan became unbearable! With kevin and the others there I can deal with his lack of complete personality and wimpiness( He's just one of those people that repel me like nails on a chalk board)! There were funny moments and then Kevin too becomes unbearable in season 2...Spoilers.. Maybe,, He gets into that art program and he's still complaining, unhappy, and doesn't want to do anything to promote his work! Kevin gets reinstated ( that scene was hard to watch) but still works at the bicycle shop! The only one who isn't a downer is Drew and he's on the run. I grew to like his character a lot. I watched 2 episodes of season 2 and I don't think I'm going to continue because the appeal was the whole living situation / dynamic in the first season that made it watchable but that ended before season 1 did and sadly I don't think they can get it back..
NYC Vibe
The_Virtual_Tongue17 June 2022
Writing this as season 2 ep1 just came out. Really like this show. Similar to High Maintenance in that it blends what could be NYC real life people and situations. Only difference is HM will go towards the surrealistic at times. The humor in Flatbush comes from the absurdities of real life that when happening in the moment to people wouldn't necessarily seem funny, but looking on as viewers, are very comical. Then there's the characters.... Kareem (Dan's stepfather) and Dr Flowers (Dan's online therapist) are absolutely hilarious characters.
Valid!
gringeroid10 September 2021
I'm From Flatbush and this show is valid. From the slang, to the wardrobe, to the locales, to the diverse (and impressively authentic) accents; everything is hitting the right spots. Don't listen to the 1 star reviews they not in tune with the 'bush.
Was liking it until the hate for white people started.
darrel07612 May 2022
This show was ok, seemed like it was odd enough to be interesting. Episode 3 at 7:22, a character asks another, " why you hang with that white boy? " he answered " because I'm broke and need a place to stay. She says she can't be around him and hid white aura. My family is mixed and I'd be pissed if this comment was made about a black person, so I don't think it's cool the other way either. Nice racism !!
This show is funny AF!
icyjam28 June 2021
By some of the reviews some people just don't understand the value of dry humor. I'm feeling they just watched the first episode, didn't get it and gave up. Maybe they are not listening to words that are coming out of their mouths. Or dont understand urban based humor. The writing and delivery are quick and witty. It's situational comedy. The scenes tie in perfectly as well as the continuation from one episode to the next. Its not for everyone but I hope more people get to see it. I'd hate for it to be cancelled like other misunderstood shows have been.
Not sure what this is trying to be
Xavier_Stone24 May 2021
Comedy? Drama? Or just some lame stories tied together. Honestly I made it until the 6 minute mark of a 30 minute show, and it was too stupid and silly for me to continue.
I guess I'm just not in the mood for a mish mash of characters thrown at me in hopes that I'm interested in one of them.
I guess I'm just not in the mood for a mish mash of characters thrown at me in hopes that I'm interested in one of them.
This should blow up soon!
salamhafez19 June 2022
Hello from London. How is this not out there more? Everything about the first season is solid. It has real drama, big laugh-out moments and serious social issues that are realistic, organic and real.
The characters are well written, the comedy is gritty and dark. This is like the real Curb and Sunny. No punches held back on serious issues relating to many cultures and races.
Hope it gets more exposure and seasons soon as IMHO this has the potential to be a real hit with a cult following.
The characters are well written, the comedy is gritty and dark. This is like the real Curb and Sunny. No punches held back on serious issues relating to many cultures and races.
Hope it gets more exposure and seasons soon as IMHO this has the potential to be a real hit with a cult following.
Good show!!
nbacsal24 May 2021
Good writing, good pacing, good show. Not perfect. There were believable characters in believable and relatable situations. There were surprising surreal elements that kept me engaged, as well as a few other aesthetic variations that coincided with the plot arcs. Overall enjoyable, at least slightly provocative watch. Would recommend.
Fire asf Don't cancel plzz
justynchase24 August 2021
Is this what modern programming has come to?
NullUnit6 August 2021
I'm generalizing, but it seems as though many of these new cable shows have NO PURPOSE. There's no driving plot to propel a story beyond the mundane.
Flatbush Misdemeanors is no different. It's essentially a "day in the life of" without a great deal of interesting factors. Episode 1 is pretty much the same as episode 10. No story arc, no climax, nothing.. just droll, rather morose, storytelling.
It's NOT a "dark comedy" it's not funny in the least. There's not even an attempt at humor, be it dark or otherwise. It's just someone with a film crew and a script from college.
I guess they don't teach how important a PLOT is any longer.
This entire series was boring... you keep waiting for something to happen and ultimately nothing really does. Even the series climax was 10 seconds and then more droll, boring, film.
I'm sure it'll get renewed though.. apparently having no actual plot is the new "Trend".
Flatbush Misdemeanors is no different. It's essentially a "day in the life of" without a great deal of interesting factors. Episode 1 is pretty much the same as episode 10. No story arc, no climax, nothing.. just droll, rather morose, storytelling.
It's NOT a "dark comedy" it's not funny in the least. There's not even an attempt at humor, be it dark or otherwise. It's just someone with a film crew and a script from college.
I guess they don't teach how important a PLOT is any longer.
This entire series was boring... you keep waiting for something to happen and ultimately nothing really does. Even the series climax was 10 seconds and then more droll, boring, film.
I'm sure it'll get renewed though.. apparently having no actual plot is the new "Trend".
Very funny
mikecarrozza-8196018 July 2022
This show is dark and played straight. It's very funny. I love this show.
The stars wrote the show together and shine. The supporting cast is amazing, the world is full and real. It's one of the best new shows in a long time.
The stars wrote the show together and shine. The supporting cast is amazing, the world is full and real. It's one of the best new shows in a long time.
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