One of the Funniest Cult Comedies You’ve Probably Never Seen Finally Hits Streaming

Let’s face it: it’s been a slow summer for comedy shows.

Even with shows like Adults, Ted Lasso, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia returning in August, we’ll have to wait until fall for new episodes.

That’s why it’s the perfect time to catch up on TV series that I believe every comedy fan should watch: Nirvanna the Band the Show.

This cult comedy series has been around since 2007, beginning as an independent web series created by childhood best friends Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol.

It was later adapted into a cable network show on the now-defunct Viceland channel from 2017 to 2018.

Even though the show only lasted two seasons, it quickly gained a dedicated following, one that grew drastically this year after the film follow-up, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, came out in theatres.

After nearly a decade of being lost to time, Nirvanna the Band the Show has finally found a streaming home on Hulu and Disney+.

If you’re looking for something to tune into while waiting for the fall TV slate, here’s why this Canadian series should be next up on your watch list.

What You Need to Know About the Show

The basic premise of Nirvanna the Band the Show is simple: Matt and Jay are two friends in a band (Nirvanna the Band) who want to book a show at the Rivoli, a music venue.

The show has a sitcom-like format, in that every episode sees Matt and Jay come up with a different, increasingly outlandish plan that inevitably fails.

Nothing’s off the table when it comes to what Matt and Jay are willing to do to get a show at the Rivoli.

I would love to provide some examples of their plans, but most of the fun comes from watching them create the ideas.

Another essential element of the show is that real people are often involved in the schemes.

Similar to Nathan Fielder’s shows like The Rehearsal, Nirvanna the Band the Show toes the line between reality and fiction.

Most of the story is improvised, as Matt and Jay play fictional versions of themselves and frequently interact with strangers who have no idea that they’re on a TV show.

The comedy mostly comes from how Matt and Jay aren’t afraid to make themselves the butt of the joke, often channeling a childish immaturity that’s hilarious to watch.

Why the Show Works

There are hundreds of hilarious shows out there to watch, but Nirvanna the Band the Show has some unique elements (such as the improvisational nature) that make it so fun to watch.

It has a mockumentary feel, with the shaky hand-held camera and zoom-ins that shows like The Office have so successfully emulated.

But rather than a large ensemble cast of recurring characters, the only two characters in the show are Matt and Jay. Everyone else is a “real” person they interact with.

Matt and Jay, who live together and spend all their time with each other, have a toxic codependent dynamic (think Mac and Dennis, but somehow worse).

Even though they might treat each other terribly, at the end of the day, they always find a way to resolve the conflict.

Matt and Jay’s friendship is such a driving force for the show.

Even in the most cringeworthy, embarrassing moments, it’s hard to look away from their electric chemistry.

Additionally, the simple premise allows Matt and Jay to take the show to lengths that the audience could never imagine.

Part of the half-fiction, half-reality approach of the show is that it’s hard to tell how they filmed certain scenes out in public.

Speaking of the public, I also really love how essential Toronto is as a location for the series.

Matt and Jay both have spoken about how proud they are to be Canadian, and their love for Toronto and its people truly shines through in the series.

Rather than being constrained to traditional, confined TV sets, the series feels so much more authentic when 80% of it is Matt and Jay wandering around Toronto goofing off.

Nirvanna the Band the Show has all the charm of DIY YouTube webseries of the late 2000s and early 2010s with the polish and worldbuilding of network television.

Importantly, it’s finally getting the recognition it deserves as one of the most unique comedy series in recent years.

So, do yourself a favor and check out Nirvanna the Band the Show on Hulu and Disney+!

Fanatics, have you heard of this show before?

If you’ve watched it before, let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

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