The Detroiters

''Detroiters'' is an American sitcom created by Sam Richardson, Tim Robinson, Zach Kanin, and Joe Kelly. The series, filmed on location in Detroit, starred native Michiganders Richardson and Robinson. The series premiered on Comedy Central on February 7, 2017 and ran for two seasons. On December 11, 2018, Comedy Central canceled the series.

Best friends and next-door neighbors Sam Duvet (Richardson) and Tim Cramblin (Robinson) work together as creatives at Tim's family's advertising agency in Detroit (which Tim took over after his father stepped down), producing low-budget TV commercials for local businesses.

Cast

Main

* Sam Richardson as Sam Duvet
* Tim Robinson as Tim Cramblin

Recurring

*Shawntay Dalon as Chrissy Cramblin, Tim's wife and Sam's sister; she works on an automotive assembly line
*Pat Vern Harris as Sheila Portnadi, the secretary at Cramblin Advertising
*Lailani Ledesma as Lea, an intern at Cramblin Advertising
*Andre Belue as Tommy Pencils, an employee at Cramblin Advertising
*Quintin Hicks as Quintin the Bartender
* Chris Powell as Ned, a security guard for the building in which Cramblin Advertising is located
*Carolette Phillips as Rhonda Devereux
* Jason Sudeikis as Carter Grant, a Chrysler executive
* Amber Ruffin as Molly
* Mort Crim as himself
* Obba Babatundé as Mr. Duvet

Guest stars

*Kevin Nash as "Big Hank" Cramblin, Cramblin-Duvet's former CEO and Tim's father, who was committed to a mental hospital before the show's events.
* Chris Redd as Donut, a stand-up comedian whose routine relies heavily on Tim being in the audience.
* Keegan-Michael Key as Smilin' Jack
* Cecily Strong as Roz Chunks "The Mom Attorney", a client of Cramblin-Duvet's whose son is a compulsive masturbator.
* Michael Che
*Marc Evan Jackson as Dr. Kozak
* Larry Joe Campbell as Chuck
* Richard Karn as himself
* Malcolm-Jamal Warner as Sebastian
* Rick Mahorn as himself
* Jim Harbaugh as himself
* Steve Higgins as Eddie Champagne
*Tim Meadows as Walt Worsch
*George Wallace as Freddie "Motown" Brown
*Wendy Raquel Robinson as Councilwoman Gwinett
* Conner O'Malley as Trevor, Tim's brother
* Faizon Love as Farmer Zack
* Trick Trick as Cash for Copper Carl
*Danny Brown as Dr. Mayflower
*Mary Lynn Rajskub as Margaret
* Anthony Adams as Uncle George, Sam's Uncle

Episodes

Season 1 (2017)

Season 2 (2018)

Production

Development

Robinson and Richardson, both raised in Michigan, performed improv comedy together first at Hamtramck's Planet Ant Theatre, and later at Chicago's Second City. They became close friends and conceptualized the idea of ''Detroiters''. In an interview with the ''Metro Times'', Robinson stated that they sought to depict Detroit as it really is and to avoid the overtly negative light in which the city is typically shown.

Lorne Michaels' Broadway Video produced the show, and Jason Sudeikis, Joe Kelly, and Zach Kanin were executive producers. Robinson and Richardson also wrote for the show.

Cast and filming

''Detroiters'' was shot on-location in Detroit; filming locations included Belle Isle, Hamtramck, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the headquarters of Little Caesars. Many of the commercials shown throughout the series are based on actual spots that showed in the 1990s in the area.

The show hired over 200 people from Detroit, including cast members Lailani Ledesma, Christopher Powell, and Shawntay Dalon. The theme song was written by local artist and shoe entrepreneur Rick Williams.

Release

Season 1 of ''Detroiters'' premiered on February 7, 2017, on Comedy Central. The show was renewed and season 2 premiered on June 21, 2018.

Cancellation

On December 11, 2018, it was announced that Comedy Central had chosen not to pick up the show for a third season. Along with the announcement, Richardson tweeted, "Maybe it will find a home elsewhere, who knows?" Comedian Seth Meyers wrote an op-ed for ''Vulture'' where he advocated for another network to pick up the show.

Broadcast

Internationally, the series premiered in Australia on The Comedy Channel on February 13, 2017.

Reception

''Detroiters'' received positive reviews from television critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds an approval rating of 90%, based on 20 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Proudly stupid yet surprisingly soulful, ''Detroiters'' showcases an impressive level of commitment from its charming, well-matched leads – and balances its goofy humor with an equal helping of heart." On Metacritic, the first season holds a score of 75 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

On Rotten Tomatoes, the second season received a 100% approval rating based on 10 reviews with an average rating of 9/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Sam Richardson and Tim Robinson's pair of lovable dimwits continue to delight in an even better sophomore season that dishes out more foiled dreams with an infectious dose of heart."

References

External links

*
*

{{Authority control
2010s American sitcoms
2010s American workplace comedy television series
2017 American television series debuts
2018 American television series endings
Comedy Central sitcoms
American English-language television shows
Television series by Broadway Video
Television shows set in Detroit
Television shows filmed in Michigan