Review is an American mockumentary television series starring Andy Daly as professional critic Forrest MacNeil, who provides reviews of real-life experiences. The series was created by Daly, and is an adaptation of the Australian television series Review with Myles Barlow. It premiered March 6, 2014, on U.S. cable television network Comedy Central.
Review has been renewed for a third and final season, which premiered on March 16, 2017 and will consist of three episodes, concluding on March 30, 2017.
The network initially ordered eight episodes for the first season run, but so much extra content was left over that a ninth episode was made and aired, too. The season one episodes were directed by Jeffrey Blitz.
The series uses "mockumentary" techniques to depict the fictional, reality television-style adventures of enthusiastic professional critic Forrest MacNeil, who hosts a TV show called Review in which he engages in any life experience his viewers ask him to, to find out if that life experience "is any good". Afterward, Forrest formally rates each life experience in-studio, on a five-star scale. However, Forrest's compulsive curiosity and uncompromising commitment to the show unexpectedly backfire in ways that increasingly impact his own formerly ideal real life.
Main
Forrest MacNeil (Andy Daly) – star of the show (-within-a-show) Review; a naïve, repressed Southern California suburbanite, who wears exactly the same clothes in every episode; a good-natured and mild-mannered intellectual, Forrest sees the show as a way to help people understand their world (by indulging their natural curiosity); as a result, he carries out each life experience/viewer request no matter what the cost(s) – ignoring his instincts, compromising personal well-being and relationships, and violating social norms (e.g., laws), along the way.
A.J. Gibbs (Megan Stevenson) – Forrest's cheerful and expressive co-host, whose wardrobe changes each episode (and sometimes, within the same episode); she selects and reads viewer's question-requests, banters with Forrest, and serves as the show’s (often ignored) voice of reason.
Suzanne MacNeil (Jessica St. Clair) – Forrest's happy wife of 14 years turned hostile ex-wife. Without warning or explanation, Forrest starts divorce proceedings against Suzanne (in season one's third episode), merely because a viewer wondered what a divorce would be like. The divorce leaves Forrest and Suzanne emotionally devastated, but Suzanne soon follows through with it—to Forrest's shock and dismay. She becomes close with her younger, male divorce attorney, and Forrest jealously assumes the two are in a sexual relationship. Having lost his best/only friend, his house, half of his money, and full custody of their son, Forrest obsessively launches a series of short-sighted schemes that are designed to win Suzanne back, but are derailed by his prioritizing the show over anything (and anyone) else.
Lucille (Tara Karsian) – Forrest's dour, disapproving-but-grudgingly-loyal executive assistant; her general apathy, and lack of respect for her boss (due to Forrest's lack of common sense and self-awareness), is on near-constant display; Forrest generally ignores her attempts to save him from himself.
Josh (Michael Croner) – The show's unpaid college intern; fun-loving and immature, Forrest frequently exploits him.
Grant Grunderschmidt (James Urbaniak) – Forrest's (usually) blank-faced and taciturn producer; pushes Forrest to finish assignments he otherwise would not.
Jack T. Walthall (Fred Willard) – Forrest's accidentally ironic, sweet-yet-tactless, 75-year-old ex-father-in-law.
Daisy (Julie Brister) – Forrest's inept attorney.
Forrest's Father (Max Gail) – Forrest's father, whom Forrest moves back in with after the events of season one. He loves and supports his son, though shows dismay when Forrest's dedication to the reviews seems to be dangerous to himself or others. (Season 2)
Tina (Hayley Huntley) – Josh's girlfriend. Quick-witted and dryly humorous. (Seasons 2–3)
Mrs. Greenfield (Lennon Parham) – A teacher that Forrest meets on the review of "Sleeping With Your Teacher", whom he seduces, sleeps with and later becomes her boyfriend. After being spurned by Forrest during the "Leading a Cult" review, she usurps the cult, and leaves him. She is killed by the FBI during the "Having the Perfect Body" review. (Season 2)
Season one guest stars include Andy Richter, Ashley Tisdale, Jason Mantzoukas, Rich Fulcher, Lance Bass, Emo Philips, Andy Blitz, and Maria Thayer.
Season two guest stars include Allison Tolman, Mary Birdsong, Johnny Pemberton, Ian Roberts, and Matt Besser.
