''American Auto'' is an American television

sitcom A sitcom (short for situation comedy or situational comedy) is a genre of comedy produced for radio and television, that centers on a recurring cast of character (arts), characters as they navigate humorous situations within a consistent settin ...

created by

Justin Spitzer Justin Spitzer is an American television and film writer, producer, and showrunner. He is best known for creating the sitcoms '' Superstore,'' '' American Auto,'' and '' St. Denis Medical.'' His other credits include ''Scrubs'', ''Courting Alex ...

, that aired from December 13, 2021, to April 18, 2023, on

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...

. In May 2022, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on January 24, 2023. In June 2023, the series was canceled after two seasons.

Premise

The series follows the employees of

Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

-based Payne Motors, and explores the company's struggles after a new CEO who knows little about cars is hired from the pharmaceutical industry.

Cast and characters

Main

Ana Gasteyer Ana Kristina Gasteyer (; born May 4, 1967) is an American actress, comedian and singer. She was a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series ''Saturday Night Live'' from 1996 to 2002. She has since starred in such sitcoms as ABC's ''Suburgatory ...

as Katherine Hastings, Payne Motors' new CEO. Classic corporate shark who jumps from one company to another. Before that she was in a pharmacology company and often tries to make a parallel between that and car industry, but she knows nothing about cars. *

Harriet Dyer Harriet Dyer (born 17 October 1988) is an Australian actress. She is best known for starring in the television series ''Love Child (TV series), Love Child'' (2014–2017) and ''No Activity'' (2015–2018). She has also appeared in films, most no ...

as Sadie Ryan, Payne Motors' CCO *

Jon Barinholtz Jon Barinholtz is an American actor, comedian, and producer based in Los Angeles. He has appeared in film and television, and is best known for the role of Marcus White on the NBC sitcom '' Superstore'' and Wesley Payne on the NBC sitcom '' Amer ...

as Wesley Payne, grandson of Payne Motors' retired CEO and brat-type who doesn't really have a job but shows at headquarters every day *

Tye White Tye White is an American actor, known for his roles as Jack Fordham in the NBC series American Auto (2021-2023), the CBS series NCIS: Los Angeles (2014-2023) where he played Aiden Hanna, the CBS series Fire Country (2024- currently) where he pl ...

as Jack Fordham, a former assembly-line employee brought in to help in the C-suite who is like a counselor to Hastings * Michael Benjamin Washington as Cyrus Knight, Payne's chief product designer *

Humphrey Ker David Humphrey Rivers Ker (; born 11 October 1982) is a British actor, comedian, writer and football executive, who is a member of the sketch comedy troupe The Penny Dreadfuls. Early life and education Ker was born to David Peter James Ker ...

as Elliot Chisholm, Payne's general counsel *

X Mayo X Mayo is an American comedian, writer, producer, and actress. She was a staff writer for ''The Daily Show''. Mayo has acted in the series ''Strangers'', '' The Good Doctor'', and '' Swarm'', and the films '' The Farewell'' (2019) and '' The Blac ...

as Dorothy "Dori" Otis, Hastings' assistant and social media addict

Recurring

Brad Hall William Bradford Hall (born March 21, 1958) is an American actor, comedian and filmmaker. He appeared on ''Saturday Night Live'' from 1982 to 1984. He was also known for manning the ''Weekend Update'' (then rebranded as ''Saturday Night News'') ...

as Richard, Katherine's husband and a math teacher in a primary school. He is very supportive of her job until the charity dinner. * Elizabeth Hinkler as Chloe *

Matthew Moy Matthew James Moy (born February 3, 1984) is an American actor. He co-starred as Han Lee on the CBS sitcom ''2 Broke Girls'' and provides the voice of Lars Barriga on ''Steven Universe'' and ''Steven Universe Future''. Early life and education ...

as Dale (season 2)

Guest

Jeff Meacham Jeff Meacham (born April 4, 1979) is an American actor best known for his roles in the television comedy series ''Black-ish'' and ''The Thundermans''. Early life Meacham attended Booker High School in Sarasota, Florida. Career After graduating ...

as Brent (season 1) * Christopher Chen as Jin Tao-Kang, Payne Motors' CFO who dislikes Hastings and wants to leave Payne for Volkswagen (seasons 1-2) *

Jerry Minor Jerome Charles Minor Jr. is an American actor, comedian and writer known for his comedic roles in numerous television programs such as '' Mr. Show'', ''Saturday Night Live'', '' Trigger Happy TV'', '' Delocated'', ''Brickleberry'', '' Unbreakable ...

as Steve (season 1) *

Tom McGowan Thomas McGowan (born July 26, 1959) is an American actor. He first became known for his stage career both on and off Broadway. In 1991, he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor i ...

as Ed (season 1) *

Joshua Malina Joshua Charles Malina (born January 17, 1966) is an American film and stage actor known for playing Will Bailey on the NBC drama ''The West Wing'', Jeremy Goodwin on ''Sports Night'', U.S. Attorney General David Rosen on ''Scandal'', and Caltec ...

as Ted (seasons 1-2) *

Jim O'Heir James O'Heir (born February 4, 1962) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for portraying Jerry Gergich on the NBC sitcom '' Parks and Recreation''. O'Heir first became active in Chicago theater and improv during the late 1980s an ...

as Governor Tom Harper (season 1) *

Andy Daly Andrew Daly (born April 15, 1971) is an American actor and comedian. He starred as Forrest MacNeil on the Comedy Central series ''Review'', and had a supporting role in the HBO comedy series '' Eastbound & Down'' as Terrence Cutler. He has also ...

as Frank (season 1) * Matt Murray as Bennett (season 1) *

Lombardo Boyar Lombardo Boyar (born December 1, 1973) is an American actor. He is best known for his recurring role as Chuy in ''The Bernie Mac Show'' and for voicing Lars Rodriguez in '' Rocket Power''. Career Lombardo is a veteran of the United States Army, ...

as Robin (season 1) *

Betsy Sodaro Betsy Sodaro is an American actress. She is a regular performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Los Angeles. She is best known for her appearances on comedy programs such as ''Ghosts'', '' Another Period'', '' Duncanville'', '' Clipped ...

as Alex (season 1) * Martha Kelly as Barb, a desk worker who starts to stalk Hastings (season 1) *

Ike Barinholtz Ike Barinholtz (born February 18, 1977) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his starring roles in the comedy series '' MADtv'' (2002–2007), '' Eastbound & Down'' (2012), '' The Mindy Project'' (2012–2017), '' Bless the Hart ...

as Landon Payne, who is in politics (seasons 1-2) * Ian Roberts as Charlie Altman (season 1) *

Jim Meskimen James Ross ”Jim” Meskimen (born September 10, 1959) is an American actor, comedian and impressionist. He has appeared in films for director Ron Howard, as well as films by Paul Thomas Anderson and Garry Marshall. He has also been the voice ...

as Soren McGarry (seasons 1-2) *

Tom Bergeron Thomas Raymond Bergeron (born May 6, 1955) is an American television personality, comedian, and game show host, best known for hosting ''Breakfast Time'' from 1994 to 1997, '' Hollywood Squares'' from 1998 to 2004, '' America's Funniest Home Vid ...

as himself, roasting celebrities at the Payne charity dinner (season 1) *

Marc Evan Jackson Marc Evan Jackson (born August 21, 1970) is an American comedian and actor. Some of his roles include Sparks Nevada in the '' Thrilling Adventure Hour'', Kevin Cozner in ''Brooklyn Nine-Nine'' (he also hosts a podcast based on the sitcom, titled ...

as Alan Strong (season 1) *

Eric Stonestreet Eric Allen Stonestreet (born September 9, 1971) is an American actor. He is known for portraying Cameron Tucker in the ABC sitcom ''Modern Family'' (2009–2020), for which he received two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Com ...

as Ian (season 2) *

Seth Meyers Seth Adam Meyers (born December 28, 1973) is an American comedian, television host, writer, actor, and producer. He hosts ''Late Night with Seth Meyers'', a late-night talk show on NBC. Prior to hosting Late Night, he was a cast member on NBC's ...

as himself (season 2) *

Jim Cramer James Joseph Cramer (born February 10, 1955) is an American television personality, author, entertainer, and former hedge fund manager. He is the host of ''Mad Money'' on CNBC, and an anchor on ''Squawk on the Street''. After graduating from Ha ...

as himself (season 2) *

Ryan Reynolds Ryan Rodney Reynolds (born October 23, 1976) is a Canadian and American actor, producer and businessman. Known for starring in comedic and superhero films, he was the List of highest-paid film actors, world's second-highest-paid actor in 202 ...

as himself (season 2) *

Andy Richter Paul Andrew Richter (born October 28, 1966) is an American actor, comedian, writer, and talk show announcer. He is best known as the sidekick for Conan O'Brien on O'Brien's talk shows: '' Late Night'' and ''The Tonight Show'' on NBC and '' Cona ...

as himself (season 2) *

Ben Feldman Benjamin Feldman (born May 27, 1980) is an American actor. Throughout his career, he has undertaken roles on stage, including the Broadway play ''The Graduate'', along with more prominent roles in television series such as his role as Jonah S ...

as Chase (season 2) *

Gilles Marini Gilles Marini (; born 26 January 1976) is a French actor known for his roles in the film ''Sex and the City'', and in the American television shows '' Brothers & Sisters'', '' Switched at Birth'' and ''Devious Maids''. He was also the runner-up ...

as Jules Durand (season 2) * Blaire Erskine as Christina (season 2) *

Kaliko Kauahi Kaliko Kauahi is a Hawaiian actress best known for her role as Sandra Kaluiokalani in NBC's comedy television series ''Superstore'' (2015–2021). Additionally, she played the recurring role of Principal Kwan in the Disney Channel series ''Rav ...

as Tammy (season 2)

Episodes

Series overview

Season 1 (2021–22)

Season 2 (2023)

Production

Development

''American Auto'' has been in development since August 2013. TV writer

, fresh off the success of ''

The Office ''The Office'' is the title of several mockumentary sitcoms based on a British series originally created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant as '' The Office'' in 2001. The original series also starred Gervais as manager and primary charac ...

'', wanted to produce a workplace comedy of his own, but would instead be set in the upper-management world. Spitzer sold his pitch to

, who put the idea as a put-pilot. The script did not go forward as a pilot, and Spitzer instead went to work on '' Superstore''. After stepping down as showrunner in April 2019 and signing an overall deal with

Universal Television Universal Television LLC (abbreviated as UTV) is an American television production company that is a division of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming#Universal Studio Group, Universal Studio Group, a division of NBCUniversal, which, in turn, is ...

, Spitzer went back and redeveloped the ''American Auto'' script. On January 23, 2020, it was given a pilot order by NBC. The pilot was directed by

Jeffrey Blitz Jeffrey Blitz is an American film director, screenwriter and producer best known for the documentary '' Spellbound'' (2003), ''The Office'' (2007 - 2010), the fiction film '' Rocket Science'' (2007) and ''Comedy Central’s'' ''Review'' (2014 - ...

and written by Spitzer who was expected to executive produce alongside Aaron Kaplan and Dana Honor. Production companies involved with the series include

Spitzer Holding Company Spitzer is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Andre Spitzer (1945–1972), Israeli fencing coach and victim of the Munich massacre * Bernard Spitzer (1924–2014), American real estate developer and philanthropist, father of Eli ...

Kapital Entertainment Kapital Entertainment is an American entertainment company founded by Aaron Kaplan in 2009. Prior to founding Kapital, Kaplan was the worldwide head of scripted television at William Morris Agency, which he joined in 1991. He exited the company ...

and Universal Television. On January 12, 2021, it was announced that NBC had ordered the series. On May 12, 2022, NBC renewed the series for a second season. On June 16, 2023, NBC canceled the series after two seasons.

Casting

In February 2020, ''Deadline'' reported

had joined the cast as Sadie and later that

had also joined the cast as Katherine Hastings. In March, X Mayo joined the cast as Dori. In July,

joined the cast as Jack, Michael B. Washington joined the cast as Cyrus,

joined the cast as Elliot, and

joined the cast as Wesley.

Broadcast

The series premiered on December 13, 2021, at 10 p.m., with two "sneak eekepisodes" and returned on January 4, 2022, in its regular time slot at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays. The second season premiered on January 24, 2023, in its new time slot, 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. The series finale aired on April 18, 2023.

Reception

Critical response

The

review aggregator A review aggregator is a system that collects reviews and ratings of products and services, such as films, books, video games, music, software, hardware, or cars. This system then stores the reviews to be used for supporting a website where user ...

website

Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review aggregator, review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee ...

reported a 100% approval rating with an average rating of 6.1/10, based on 11 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "While ''American Auto''s hijinks don't bode well for the future of Payne Motors, they promise a hilarious sitcom with a solid foundation."

Metacritic Metacritic is an American website that aggregates reviews of films, television shows, music albums, video games, and formerly books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created ...

, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 68 out of 100 based on 11 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Ratings

Overall

Season 1

Season 2

Accolades

The series was nominated for Best Broadcast Network Series, Comedy, and Albertina Rizzo was nominated for Best Writing in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy for the episode "Commercial" at the 2022 Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards.

Notes

References

External links

* * {{IMDb title 2020s American single-camera sitcoms 2020s American workplace comedy television series 2021 American television series debuts 2023 American television series endings American automotive television series American English-language television shows Television series by Kapital Entertainment Television series by Universal Television Television shows set in Detroit NBC sitcoms