Sketch comedy is an incredibly underrated art form. Since the dawn of time the only thing comedians have needed to win audiences over was an idea and five minutes. Since the 1970’s sketch comedy has been the backbone of defining and forming each decade. There is no better example of defining the humor of today’s day and age like an auteur unlike any other. Tim Robinson’s unique brand of “what the hell” kind of sketch comedy has returned to Netflix for its third season. Here is the rundown and my review of season three of I Think You Should Leave.
It’s So Much F*#%ing Fun (First Impressions)
I just want to put this out there and get it out of the way: I was exhausted and did not like this season when I finished it. It then dawned on me that was exactly how I felt after the previous seasons, but now they are my favorite seasons of any show ever.
Tim Robinson paying it forward in the Netflix original sketch series I Think You Should Leave. Image provided courtesy of Netflix Studios.
Watching I Think You Should Leave is like being in the ocean: It is fun and overwhelming but exhausting and draining. However, once you have looked back on everything and caught your breath, everything was so much fun.
After about a day of thinking it all over, this season was great. It was chaotic, creative, and just the right amount of everything. The only thing I ever expect to leave each season with is a vast array of new quotables. Season two was pretty great and it will take time for me to stop quoting it, but this new batch of lines is bizarre yet equally fantastic.
I Don’t Remember Anything Anymore (Sketch Memorability)
Heading into each new season of I Think You Should Leave is one of the most anticipatory feelings to me. I have no idea what is going to happen. Every second of the trailer is nonsense that I need to know about. Each skit has potential to be the only thing I could think about for months on end.
As of now the number of lines, entire skits, and moments that are stuck in my brain are innumerable. Ronnie on the zipline brings me to tears whenever I think about it. The Driving Crooner might be one of the funniest sketches Tim has ever made. Richard Brecky the Silent Artist is a masterclass in Tim’s ability to spiral into madness. Listing the order from the Pay It Forward Chain sketch will straight up ruin moments of silence in the future.
I’ve written this section over so many times and every single time I have just gone one to list every skit in every episode. I just can not narrow it down to a few that made the season. Sure, yes, I named a few above, but it was a struggle with a capital “Struggle” cutting it down.
This season’s batch of sketches and ideas are my favorite so far. Tim has found his stride with his style and know exactly how he can get his audiences attention. If the strategy is to just be himself and write what he thinks is funny, then by all means. Keep doing that.
Every word in every sketch is perfectly placed. Each idea ranges from simple and crazy to crazy but simply executed.
The Stanzo Brand Fedoras were Nicer (Comparisons)
I Think You Should Leave is a masterpiece of sketch television. All three seasons have given me a rejuvenated passion for sketch comedy, modern television, and auteur comedy. I need this show in my life and in my blood.
Each season only seems to be getting better than the previous one in my eyes. So how does season three rank compared to the first two? Honestly, that is like asking me which part of my daily routine I like better. Do I like sleeping, beat-boxing, or eating better? Well, similarly to my routines, I will choose the latter of the three seasons.
Season three of Tim Robinson’s Big Ol’ House of Fun is my favorite so far. After much deliberation and thought, I am comfortable saying it’s my favorite so far. Maybe I will quote season two more and maybe I prefer the pacing of season one more, but season three is madness.
Conner O’Malley and Tim Robinson in the Netflix original sketch series I Think You Should Leave. Image provided courtesy of Netflix Studios.
Tim’s very specific flavor of humor feels more refined yet violently chaotic at the same time. A good portion of Tim’s sketches go so far into the realm of “possibly annoying” that it immediately exists into “nah, this is great” territory.
I Think You Should Leave Created by Tim Robinson
I think you should watch I Think You Should Leave. From start to finish everything is ridiculous. Season three is nothing short of an incredible addition to this show’s legacy. In terms of modern suture comedy, to me there is no one better than Tim and what he is doing with Netflix. I am not putting a rating or anything on the newest season, but I cannot recommend it enough. Season three of I Think You Should Leave is available on Netflix now.
