Review: Jeff & Some Aliens “Jeff & Some Confidence”

In case you’ve missed any of my Jeff & Some Aliens reviews, it’s one of my favorite currently airing series. The TripTank sketch-turned-series follows Jeff (Brett Gelman) and his alien pals Jimmy, Ted, and Sammy (Alessandro Minoli, also series co-creator). It’s riotously funny, constantly relevant, irreverent when necessary, and nihilistic. Humor remains dark but there’s quite a bit of lighthearted fun as well.

 

Spoilers Below

“Jeff & Some Confidence” finds Jeff in another wacky scheme. His parents Stanley (Richard Kind) and Pam (Tress MacNeille) are in danger of losing their house. So Jeff teams up with Ted to use a piece of alien tech, a memory changer. This alters the users memory and Jeff concocts a plan to use it on himself. The idea: artificially build more confidence so as to change his personality and earn more money.

Jeff’s idea is, quite naturally, insane. It begins with an idea he had while stoned and spirals into meat-based smoothies. Think shepherd’s pie and ribs in a smoothie. “Jeff & Some Confidence” is at its finest during its social commentary. Jeff points to renowned innovators like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk. Accordingly, Jeff envisions a recipe for greatness. Namely, a tragic backstory, a desire to only associate with those who can help him attain greatness, and a goal he must achieve. In this case, it’s raising forty-five million dollars to save his parents’ home.

There’s definitely a formula to Jeff & Some Aliens. At the onset of the episode, there’s a problem. Jeff, with the help (or detriment) of Jimmy, Ted, and Sammy, tries to solve said problem. Usually, this involves alien tech. Problems appear to be solved, the situation worsens, life returns to normal. If you can call Jeff’s life, especially living with three aliens, normal. But it’s simply a template that works. And moreover, Jeff & Some Aliens isn’t about the journey from point A to point B. Rather, it’s what happens in between, and the social commentary. Also laughing your popcorn out, as is what to happened to me during my weekly Jeff & Some Aliens viewings.

“Jeff & Some Confidence” hilariously lampoons success and happiness. The confidence coach that Jeff hears speak turns out to be merely money hungry. His mission isn’t to empower nearly as much as it is to gain power. I like Jeff’s rise to prominence in this episode, especially his bizarre smoothie concoction that somehow becomes an instant hit. There’s a delightful sequence where Jeff opens locations in locations like Dubai. Additionally, it’s hilarious to see Jeff assume a Jersey accent and stereotypical personality complete with velour track suit.

However, while the commentary was great, I didn’t think “Jeff & Some Confidence” was the strongest episode so far. A few of the gags became repetitive, like the memory wipes and Jeff banging every woman he sees. Although this latter part led to a side-splittingly funny moment during the finale. But at its core, “Jeff & Some Confidence” persists in combining relevant topics with dark humor and witty socially relevant undertones. It’s a solid episode of a must-watch series, even if it feels a bit more repetitive than previous series entries.