Apple TV+ is having a big year, with a new most watched series ever and Jon Hamm claiming biggest drama debut—but comedies have been on a hot streak too, including the latest new series.
The Studio, Murderbot, and more strengthen the Apple TV+ comedy lineup
There’s no doubt that two of the biggest hits for Apple TV+ this year have been dramas: Severance and Your Friends & Neighbors.
But the streamer has nonetheless been on a hot streak with comedy debuts too.
The Studio is seen by many as the best comedy of the year across any streaming service. It’s expected to be a big favorite at the Emmy awards this year, and garnered significant buzz during its first season’s run.
Mythic Quest season 4 was an excellent swan song for the workplace comedy. Though it didn’t get the viewership necessary to score a fifth season, that wasn’t for lack of artistic achievement.
Murderbot has been another winner for Apple, blending sci-fi action with the hilarious comedic monologue of its title character, played by Alexander Skarsgård.
And this month, Stick premiered as the latest Apple TV+ comedy. So far, it looks like another hit.
Stick is a Bill Lawrence-style comedy in the Ted Lasso mold
Stick is the first Apple TV+ show that unabashedly tries to replicate the winning Ted Lasso formula, and largely to great success.
Like Lasso, Stick is more of a dramedy than a laugh-centric series like The Studio.
It fits nicely along Apple’s other “heartfelt” comedies such as Lasso and Shrinking, both of which were created by Bill Lawrence. Trying is another apt comparison.
Though Stick has an entirely different creative team, it captures much of the pleasant, lighthearted but weighty tone that some of Apple’s most beloved comedies have struck.
Here’s Apple’s series summary, and the trailer:
Owen Wilson stars as Pryce Cahill, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer whose career was derailed prematurely 20 years ago. After the collapse of his marriage and while working at an Indiana sporting goods store, Pryce hedges his bets, and future, entirely on a troubled 17-year-old golf phenom named Santi (Peter Dager). “Stick” is a heartfelt, feel-good comedy about a found family and their relationships set within the world of golf as it has never been shown before.
Currently only a handful of episodes are available. Critics who have seen the whole season, though, attest to Stick’s ability to win viewers over. The show has also spent a lot of time as the top-viewed Apple TV+ series since its debut, so it seems to be finding an audience.
Apple TV+ may be building a strong reputation for sci-fi and drama, but comedies continue being a strong point for the streamer.
Apple TV+ is available for $9.99 per month and features hit TV shows and movies like Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show, Silo, and Shrinking.
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