• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket

Quibi Review – Reno 911!

May 4, 2020 by Martin Carr

Martin Carr reviews the Reno 911! revival…

Championed by Danny DeVito, Stacey Sher and Michael Shamberg who will be familiar from their involvement with Quentin Tarantino, Reno 911! ran for six years on Comedy Central. Following the day to day running of a Reno police department, it was created by Thomas Lennon, Kerri Kenney and Robert Ben Garant. As Jim Dangle, Trudy Wiegel and Travis Junior alongside a pitch perfect ensemble cast, this trio engaged in veiled social commentary whilst creating some truly great comedy characters.

Feeling like an expansion of the Saturday Night Live template, there is no real narrative but rather a situational ineptitude leading to circumstantial segues. Structurally there is a warm-hearted mockery towards this mismatched band of accidental authority figures, which gives the writers an automatic out. A fact which is further exemplified by the flawed genius of Dangle, Wiegel and Travis Junior, who possess an innocence inherent to every great comedy creation.

Their lack of self-awareness, inability to make decisions and commitment to the ludicrous gives them immediate audience empathy with little chance of backlash. This means Garant, Lennon and Kenney can mock traditional American values and small town mentalities, whilst weaving in more topical tangents. Beneath the overt guns and ammo fashion shows, Monty Python infused sight gags and veiled satire it is clear why Reno 911! ran for so long.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine carries the hallmarks of this show in its close knit ensemble construction, relatable stereotypes and talent for spot on casting. Although the former might seem more polished it still shares a quota of DNA with Reno 911!. Comedy in both shows is borne from character flaws, unshakeable belief and all too human foibles. Similar to British staple Only Fools and Horses humour comes from a combination of blissful ignorance, barely veiled elitism and plain bad timing. This is why Reno 911! is the perfect show for a streaming platform such as Quibi.

It comes with established characters, a diehard fan base and format which lends itself perfectly to situational comedy. As a character based sketch show comedy Reno 911! offers audiences the opportunity to dip in consistently, sporadically engage and not be tied down to an episodic narrative. By giving it a mockumentary feel creators lampoon more serious issues, fragment the viewing experience and pay homage to recognised classics such as This Is Spinal Tap.

What Quibi offers Reno 911! is more of a reunion opportunity than potential reinvention. Another chance for familiar faces to get the band back together so to speak. Much like Friends, Scrubs or The Big Bang Theory this allows fans to enjoy the company of characters they love. For audiences who missed the boat this is unlikely to convert them, while avid fans will look upon this offering as a homecoming opportunity.

Martin Carr

 

Filed Under: Martin Carr, Reviews, Television Tagged With: Reno 911!

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

WATCH OUR MOVIE NOW FOR FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

10 Essential Vampire Movies To Sink Your Teeth Into

The 1990s in Comic Book Movies

1995: The Year Horror Sequels Hit Rock Bottom?

All This Has Happened Before: Remembering Battlestar Galactica

10 Stunning Performances Outrageously Snubbed by the Oscars

Six Overhated Modern Horror Movies

The Essential Horror-Comedy Movies of the 21st Century

Rooting For The Villain

Underrated 2000s Cult Classics You Need To See

15 Movies To Watch On Tubi UK

Top Stories:

Peacock’s true crime drama Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy gets a trailer

Movie Review – Superman (2025)

Great Tarantino-esque Movies You Need To See

Great 2010s Thrillers You May Have Missed

New trailer for Netflix mystery-thriller series Untamed starring Eric Bana

7 Underrated World War II Romance Movies

Movie Review – Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight (2025)

Movie Review – Sovereign (2025)

STREAM FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

FEATURED POSTS:

Action Movies Blessed with Stunning Cinematography

10 Great B-Movies of the VHS Era

The Goonies at 40: The Story Behind the Iconic 80s Adventure

The Rise and Disappointing Disappearance of Director Richard Kelly

Our Partners

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket