Watch: Netflix Takes A Chance On Improv With 'Welcome To Murderville'

By Jen Maravegias | TV | January 24, 2022 |

By Jen Maravegias | TV | January 24, 2022 |

If you’ve ever taken an improv class, or gone to an improv show, you’re probably familiar with The Harold (even if you didn’t know it had a name.) The Harold is long-form improv. The performers create characters, themes, and locations that reoccur in connected scenes, improvising the story along the way. There’s not a lot of middle ground in The Harold. You’re either wildly successful or fail spectacularly. Either way, you’re in The Harold until you find the button or the lights go out on you.

Leave it to Will Arnett (Lego Batman, BoJack Horseman, Arrested Development) to bring long-form, improvised comedy to Netflix.

Marshawn Lynch, Sharon Stone, Annie Murphy, Conan O’Brien, Ken Jeong and Kumail Nanjiani are here to help Will Arnett solve a brutal murder — the only catch is, they weren't given a script.

Welcome to Murderville, a new improvised comedy series premiering February 3 pic.twitter.com/7h8QPGgKvG

— Netflix (@netflix) January 24, 2022

Over six episodes, Arnett will guide and instruct a parade of stars in solving a murder mystery, while he’s the only one who knows what’s supposed to happen next. It’s an interesting mix of folks, lots of comedians, but also Sharon Stone. And … Marshawn Lynch? That seems weird.

I’m pre-emptively throwing this in the “wildly successful” column mostly because I have a lot of faith in Will Arnett. Also because people love a good train wreck. Even if this turns out to be us laughing at Annie Murphy and Kumail Nanjiani losing the plot and breaking character over and over again, it will totally be worth it. I want a second season already!

Welcome to Murderville premiers on Netflix on February 3rd.