Season Review: “The Gorburger Show” Season One

Should this show get more episodes ordered?

The Gorburger Show debuted in 2015 on HBO. But later Comedy Central acquired the series. 2017 saw The Gorburger Show as an eight-episode series parodying talk shows. With its excellent voice acting from T.J. Miller, fantastic puppetry, and a delightful slew of guest stars, The Gorburger Show season 1 arrived as pure hilarious gold.

From its wacky premise and Comedy Central premiere, The Gorburger Show posited itself as one of the unique series to hit the airwaves. Gorburger (Miller) is a massive blue extraterrestrial monster that takes control of a Japanese talk show. “It’s my show now,” Gorburger growls in the intro. Indeed, Gorburger appropriated the formerly-tame show into a bizarre late-night show replete with buckets of blood, nonsensical games, and absolutely nothing politically correct.

What’s so delightful and refreshing about The Gorburger Show is its format. In its lampoon of late night talk shows, it at times feels just like one. For instance, Gorburger visits the likes of an animal sanctuary and twerking class. These excursions almost come across like the segments on Reading Rainbow when Levar Burton visited real-world locations that related to books he previously read. But then Gorburger steals puppets or rambles about pigs, and it’s back to reality.

Guest stars vary from Larry King to Tig Notaro and there are even musical guests including Sylvan Esso. Often, talk shows are fairly mundane and corny. The Gorburger Show plays off these tropes marvelously, even occasionally killing off guest stars. It’s not a politically correct show by any means. However, like South Park, it makes fun of everyone and everything.

The effects are pretty cheesy, but intentionally low budget. That way the gore that does appear isn’t intended as frightening. I like the mix of over-the-top humor, violence, and serious aspects. At regular intervals, interviews turn serious. This lulls the viewer into a false sense of actuality. It’s similar to how the raw ruggedness of The Blair Witch Project embodies a documentary vibe. It’s a testament to how engaging The Gorburger Show is.

Even the set design and filter are unique. The set is chock full of vibrant colors or drab furniture, and there appears to be a filter which lends a bright, not-quite-but-almost psychedelic look. From its humor to format and even design, The Gorburger Show ranks as one of the top TV series. Highly enjoyable, riotously funny, and completely unconventional, it’s that rare breed of television which feels wholly unique and demands a viewing. I really hope The Gorburger Show gets graced with the second season that it deserves.