''Kroll Show'' is an American
sketch comedy
Sketch comedy comprises a series of short, amusing scenes or vignettes, called "sketches" or, "skits", commonly between one and ten minutes long, performed by a group of comic actors or comedians. While the form developed and became popular in ...
television series created by and starring comedian
Nick Kroll
Nicholas Kroll (born June 5, 1978) is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He is known for the FX (TV channel), FX comedy series ''The League'' (2009–2015), creating and starring in the Comedy Central series ''Kroll Show'' (20 ...
. John Levenstein and
Jonathan Krisel served as the show's executive producers. The series aired on the American
cable television
Cable television is a system of delivering television programming to consumers via radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted through coaxial cables, or in more recent systems, light pulses through fibre-optic cables. This contrasts with bro ...
network
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American Cable television in the United States, cable television channel, channel owned by Paramount Global through its Paramount Media Networks, network division's Paramount Media Networks#MTV Entertainment Group, MTV Ente ...
from January 16, 2013, to March 24, 2015.
Style
''Kroll Show'' is a social satire that parodies many aspects of television, the internet, and popular culture. The opening title credits of each episode feature multiple iterations of the show's title as parodies of well-known TV series title cards, brand names, corporate logos, and real-world locations, among them
Absolut Vodka
Absolut Vodka is a brand of vodka, produced near Åhus, in southern Sweden. Absolut is a part of the French group Pernod Ricard. Pernod Ricard bought Absolut for €5.63 billion in 2008 (equivalent to € in ) from the Swedish state. Absolut ...
, ''
Breaking Bad
''Breaking Bad'' is an American crime drama television series created and produced by Vince Gilligan for AMC (TV channel), AMC. Set and filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the series follows Walter White (Breaking Bad), Walter White (Bryan Cran ...
'',
Google
Google LLC (, ) is an American multinational corporation and technology company focusing on online advertising, search engine technology, cloud computing, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, consumer electronics, and artificial ...
,
In-N-Out Burger,
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that is best known for stock car racing. It is considered to be one of the top ranked motorsports organizations in ...
and ''
Game of Thrones
''Game of Thrones'' is an American Fantasy television, fantasy Drama (film and television), drama television series created by David Benioff and for HBO. It is an adaptation of ''A Song of Ice and Fire'', a series of high fantasy novels by ...
''.
The style of the series is heavily influenced by the
reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that documents purportedly unscripted real-life situations, often starring ordinary people rather than professional actors. Reality television emerged as a distinct genre in the early 1990s ...
genre, although it differs in style and content from other "
mockumentary
A mockumentary (a portmanteau of ''mock'' and ''documentary'') is a type of film or television show depicting fictional events, but presented as a Documentary film, documentary. Mockumentaries are often used to analyze or comment on current event ...
"-style series like ''
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 ...
''. Most sketches are written, performed, recorded, and edited to mimic the frenetic pace and melodramatic style of reality TV shows like ''
Duck Dynasty'', ''
The Osbournes'', and ''
Keeping Up with the Kardashians
''Keeping Up with the Kardashians'' (often abbreviated ''KUWTK'') is an American reality television series which focused on the personal and professional lives of the Kardashian family, Kardashian–Jenner Stepfamily, blended family. It aired ...
'', with multiple hand-held cameras, rapid editing, flashbacks, cutaway commentaries, and superimposed graphics and text. Each episode is constructed to simulate the effect of "channel surfing" across a range of reality TV shows on cable TV. An exception to the prevailing style of the series is the recurring sketch "Wheels, Ontario", which parodies earnest issues-based teen dramas such as ''
Degrassi Junior High''.
Most sketches in the series feature Nick Kroll, who plays multiple characters including dysfunctional teenage dad C-Czar, aspiring entrepreneur and "ghost-bouncer" Bobby Bottleservice, inept publicity agent Liz G. (co-founder of Hollywood PR firm "PubLIZity Public Relations"), California’s premier animal plastic surgeon Dr. Armond, aging prankster Gil Faizon ("Too Much Tuna", "
Oh, Hello"), ''nouveau riche'' party boy Aspen Bruckenheimer ("Rich Dicks"), Philadelphia-based pawn shop owner Murph ("Pawnsylvania"), and Canadian teen actor/musician Bryan La Croix ("Wheels, Ontario").
''Kroll Show'' completed its third and final season in 2015. Kroll said the decision to end the show was his, and that the show's stories and characters were naturally wrapping up in the third season.
Cast
*
Nick Kroll
Nicholas Kroll (born June 5, 1978) is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He is known for the FX (TV channel), FX comedy series ''The League'' (2009–2015), creating and starring in the Comedy Central series ''Kroll Show'' (20 ...
as various characters.
Recurring
*
Jon Daly as various characters including Peter Paparazzo ("Ghost Bouncers"), Wendy Shawn ("Rich Dicks"), Coach Teacher/Gene Creemers ("Wheels, Ontario"), Don ("Pawnsylvania"), Kelsey Grammer ("Chairs")
*
Jenny Slate
Jenny Slate (born March 25, 1982) is an American actress, stand-up comedian, and writer. After early acting and stand-up roles on television, Slate gained recognition for her live variety shows in New York City and for co-creating the children's ...
as Liz B. and Denise B. ("PubLIZity"), Ruth Diamond Phillips ("Armond of the House"), Maureen ("Chairs")
*
John Mulaney as George St. Geegland ("Too Much Tuna”, “Oh, Hello”)
*
Jason Mantzoukas as various characters including Eagle Wing ("Gigolo House"), Spit Decreaux ("Nash Rickey's Rock N' Reunion")
*
Seth Morris as various characters including Renick ("Pony Tales"), Bob Ducca
*
Chelsea Peretti as Farley ("Bobby Bottleservice and Peter Paparazzo", "Gigolo House")
*
Samantha Futerman as Tunes ("Wheels, Ontario")
*
Andy Milonakis as Dr. Armond’s son, Roman ("Armond of the House", "Roman's Empire")
*
Ron Funches
Ronald Kyle Funches (born March 12, 1983) is an American comedian and actor. Born in California, Funches spent his early life in Chicago before relocating to Salem, Oregon, as a teenager. He began his comedy career in Portland, Oregon, at age 23. ...
as public defense attorney ("Bounce", "Mercury Poisoning"), therapist in training ("The In Addition Tos")
*
Bill Burr as Detective Smart ("Armond of the House")
*
Kathryn Hahn as Mikey's mom ("Wheels, Ontario")
*
Steve Dildarian as Tim/Steve ("Gigolo House")
*
Tonita Castro as Consuela ("Rich Dicks", "El Chupacabra")
Guest appearances have included:
Nathan Fillion
Nathan Christopher Fillion (born March 27, 1971) is a Canadian and American actor. He played the leading roles of Captain Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds on ''Firefly'' and its film continuation '' Serenity'', and Richard Castle on ''Castle''. , he sta ...
,
Zach Galifianakis,
Brody Stevens,
Amy Poehler
Amy Meredith Poehler ( ; born September 16, 1971) is an American actress and comedian. Known for her roles in sketch comedy, sitcoms and comedy films, she has earned acclaim and several accolades including a Primetime Emmy Award (out of 26 nom ...
,
Laura Dern,
Will Forte,
Jordan Peele
Jordan Haworth Peele (born February 21, 1979) is an American actor, comedian and filmmaker. He is known for his film and television work in the Comedy film, comedy and Horror film, horror genres. He has received List of awards and nominations r ...
,
Bruce McCulloch
Bruce Ian McCulloch (born May 12, 1961) is a Canadian actor, comedian, writer, musician and film director. McCulloch is best known for his work as a member of the comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall, including starring in the TV series of the s ...
,
Brie Larson
Brianne Sidonie Desaulniers (born October 1, 1989), known professionally as Brie Larson, is an American actress. She played supporting roles in comedies as a teenager, and has since expanded to leading roles in independent films and Blockbuste ...
,
Fred Armisen
Fereydun Robert Armisen (born December 4, 1966) is an American actor, comedian, musician, and writer. With his comedy partner Carrie Brownstein, he co-created and co-starred in the IFC sketch comedy series '' Portlandia''. He also co-created ...
,
Andrew Daly,
J. B. Smoove,
Hannibal Buress
Hannibal Amir Buress ( ; born February 4, 1983) is an American comedian, actor, producer, and writer. He started performing comedy in 2002 while attending Southern Illinois University. He starred on Adult Swim's '' The Eric Andre Show'' from 20 ...
,
Pete Holmes
Peter Benedict Holmes (born March 30, 1979) is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and podcaster.
Holmes gained recognition in the early 2010s as a stand-up comic, during which he launched his podcast ''You Made It Weird'' (2011–p ...
,
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 ...
,
Rance Howard,
Tim Heidecker
Timothy Richard Heidecker (; born February 3, 1976) is an American comedian, writer, director, actor, and musician. Along with Eric Wareheim, he is a member of the comedy duo Tim & Eric.
As an actor, Heidecker's filmography includes roles in ' ...
,
Ed Helms
Edward Parker Helms (born January 24, 1974) is an American actor, musician and comedian. From 2002 to 2006, he was a correspondent on Comedy Central's '' The Daily Show with Jon Stewart''. He played paper salesman Andy Bernard in the NBC sit ...
,
Maria Bamford
Maria Bamford (born September 3, 1970) is an American actress and stand-up comedian. Her work often uses self-deprecating and dark topics, including her dysfunctional family, depression, anxiety, suicide and mental illness.
Her first comedy alb ...
,
Brian Stack,
Nathan Fielder,
Richard Kind
Richard Bruce Kind (born November 22, 1956) is an American actor and comedian. His television roles include '' Carol & Company'' (1990–1991), Dr. Mark Devanow in '' Mad About You'' (1992–1999, 2019), Paul Lassiter in '' Spin City'' (1996–20 ...
,
Brian Huskey
Brian Huskey (born September 8, 1968) is an American character actor, comedian, and writer. He is best known for his roles in comedy programs such as '' People of Earth'', ''Childrens Hospital'', '' Veep'', and '' Another Period''. He also provi ...
,
Dave Holmes,
Rob Huebel,
Joe Mande,
Adam Pally
Adam Saul Pally (born March 18, 1982) is an American comedian and actor. He first earned recognition for starring as Max Blum in '' Happy Endings'', as Dr. Peter Prentice in ''The Mindy Project'', as Wade Whipple in ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' (202 ...
,
June Diane Raphael,
Paul Scheer,
Casey Wilson
Cathryn Rose "Casey" Wilson (born October 24, 1980) is an American actress, comedian, and screenwriter. Originally known for her performances with the Upright Citizens Brigade comedy troupe in New York City, Wilson's first major television appe ...
,
Jane Levy,
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 ...
,
Katy Perry
Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), known professionally as Katy Perry, is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. She is one of the List of best-selling music artists, best-selling music artists in hist ...
, Makayla Lysiak,
Jon Heder
Jonathan Joseph Heder (; born October 26, 1977) is an American actor. He is best known for his breakout lead role as the title character of the comedy film ''Napoleon Dynamite'' (2004). He also voiced the character in the Fox animated serie ...
,
Henry Rollins
Henry Lawrence Garfield (born February 13, 1961), known professionally as Henry Rollins, is an American singer, writer, spoken word artist, actor, comedian, and presenter. After performing in the short-lived hardcore punk band State of Alert in 1 ...
,
Seth Rogen
Seth Aaron Rogen (; born April 15, 1982) is a Canadian actor, comedian, and filmmaker. Known primarily for his comedic Leading actor, leading man roles in films, the accolades he has received include nominations for three Golden Globe Awards, ...
, and
James Franco
James Edward Franco (born April 19, 1978) is an American actor and filmmaker. He has starred in numerous films, including Sam Raimi's Spider-Man (2002 film series), ''Spider-Man'' trilogy (2002–2007), ''Milk (2008 American film), Milk'' (200 ...
.
Legacy
Some ''Kroll Show'' characters directly influenced characters on Kroll's hit
Netflix
Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...
animated series
''Big Mouth'' in voice, personality and sometimes appearance. Among others, washed-up 1980s hair-metal vocalist Nash Rickey inspired Maury the Hormone Monster; PubLIZity co-owner Liz B.'s meek niece Denise became nerdy Missy Foreman-Greenwald; and Liz B.'s business partner Liz G. resembles shallow, insecure Lola Skumpy.
Many ''Kroll Show'' performers voice characters on ''Big Mouth'', including Kroll himself, Mulaney, Slate and Mantzoukas.
Episodes
Series overview
Season 1 (2013)
Season 2 (2014)
Season 3 (2015)
References
External links
*
*
{{Comedy Central programming, state=collapsed
2010s American late-night television series
2010s American satirical television series
2010s American sketch comedy television series
2013 American television series debuts
2015 American television series endings
Comedy Central late-night programming
American English-language television shows
Television series created by Jonathan Krisel