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nuxvomica

(12,972 posts)
Fri Jun 17, 2022, 01:41 AM Jun 2022

"God's Favorite Idiot" on Netflix

Self-conscious, socially awkward Clark Thompson (Ben Falcone) works a low-level customer support job, pines for his rambunctious co-worker (Melissa McCarthy), enjoys nothing more than "pleasuring himself" (his dad's way of saying having a good conversation) with his dad (Kevin Dunn) in the sauna, and, much to everyone's surprise, is chosen by God to deliver Her message to the world as a war rages in Heaven. He is stymied in this task by a lack of detail in the instructions, public controversy, a grifter of the televangelist variety, and Satan herself. But he is aided by his slacker co-workers and a couple of low-grade angels who can protect buildings from demons through a process called "Harry Pottering". The cast of this uniquely funny series delivers their silly lines with such commitment and perfect timing that it all seems a well-orchestrated symphony of the mediocre. Even though the characters' cluelessness drives the humor, they are nevertheless nice people -- like the Seinfeld cast but without the self-destructive egoism. I think Falcone, who created the series, has achieved something brilliant but so low-key that brilliance may go unnoticed. I checked Rotten Tomatoes and the latest scores for the show are critics 29% but audience 83%. I think so far the critics are missing something special.

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"God's Favorite Idiot" on Netflix (Original Post) nuxvomica Jun 2022 OP
100% I agree, I thought maybe I was just high and pnwest Jun 2022 #1
It's great to hear someone else "got it" nuxvomica Jun 2022 #2
You know Ben and Melissa a married, right? TexasBushwhacker Jun 2022 #3
I learned that after watching the series nuxvomica Jun 2022 #4
I love Melissa McCarthy in the brilliant and fun Bridesmaids, The Heat, and Spy SharonClark Jun 2022 #5
I laughed a lot, but also some really dumb stuff hibbing Jul 2022 #6

pnwest

(3,297 posts)
1. 100% I agree, I thought maybe I was just high and
Fri Jun 17, 2022, 03:55 AM
Jun 2022

that made the whole thing funnier, thought it was just me 😆. I admit the first 75% of the first episode almost turned me off, they were trying TOO hard to reel you in and it came off badly. But then it found its groove and got likable quick. You’re right about the low-key humor, and if you know comedy you can see where actors are ad-libbing and playing off each other, and you can also see when they’re setting up jokes, and it’s fun to watch them have fun. It helps that many of the cast are actual comics. I hope it sees the success it deserves!

nuxvomica

(12,972 posts)
2. It's great to hear someone else "got it"
Fri Jun 17, 2022, 07:25 AM
Jun 2022

I still marvel at the clockwork timing of that cast.

TexasBushwhacker

(20,726 posts)
3. You know Ben and Melissa a married, right?
Sat Jun 18, 2022, 03:27 PM
Jun 2022

Together for over 20 years. Married since 2005. 2 kids.

SharonClark

(10,350 posts)
5. I love Melissa McCarthy in the brilliant and fun Bridesmaids, The Heat, and Spy
Mon Jun 20, 2022, 07:54 AM
Jun 2022

but some of her movies are remarkably unfunny and boring. If I first saw her in God's Favorite Idiot or The Starling, I would never watch another of her movies.

hibbing

(10,402 posts)
6. I laughed a lot, but also some really dumb stuff
Fri Jul 1, 2022, 01:29 PM
Jul 2022

Not a fan of Tom, just too much. I love the innocence and earnestness that Falcone portrays.

Peace

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