"God's Favorite Idiot" on Netflix

[nuxvomica]

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.