Improv enthusiasts may have beef with this special, as hardcore Del Close followers would attest to: improv is meant to be shared in the moment, not recorded or saved for posterity.
That said, long form improv can sometimes produce some of the most hilarious, thought-provoking, and creative theater in modern times. Middleditch and Schwarz have the combined experience and comfort with one another that make for a long form improv experience unlike which I have ever seen.
What makes it so unique is not just that it's recorded in front of a live audience, or that it's not some reboot of a beloved short-form improv show from the late '90s, but the fact that the duo allow themselves some leeway in breaking and bending "the rules".
Performing long-form improv is a hard enough job all by itself, but the two create and weave stories that center around dozens of characters, they themselves playing all of them interchangeably. It is a feat I have not seen accomplished so smoothly across the hundreds of live performances I have witnessed both as a player and audience member. Usually you have a team to step in and help fill the gaps. These guys do it all by themselves and manage to patch it all together in the end.
I understand if the old school enthusiasts cry foul that this was not only recorded but that so many rules were broken. Yes, the duo sometimes forget which character is which, or where they're headed, or what the plot is or "why" in general, but the fact that they are so quick on their feet to recover and the fact that they make light and fun of this imperfection -- because what mere mortal could remember all they're spinning?! -- is part of why this is so entertaining and endearing.
When long-form improv becomes more of a household thing (streaming services will take note from this success) we will look back in 10/20/30 years and cite Middleditch and Schwarz as the main influencers.
They weren't the first to do this, but they're among the best, and will be cemented that way thanks to Netflix.
