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Season 1 – Documentary Now!

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Documentary Now! 2015 Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
90% Tomatometer 29 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
"Saturday Night Live" compatriots Fred Armisen, Bill Hader and Seth Meyers serve as creators, executive producers and writers of this IFC original series, using their love of documentary films and combining it with comedy to present a unique take on the form. Hosted by Dame Helen Mirren and starring Armisen and Hader, each episode is shot in a different documentary film style, paying tribute to some of the most important stories that didn't actually happen. "SNL" creator Lorne Michaels also executive produces "Documentary Now!", and guest stars include Jack Black and John Slattery.
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Documentary Now! — Season 1

Documentary Now! — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Boasting a talented cast and smart writing, Documentary Now! is a clever send-up of non-fiction filmmaking, though some may find themselves outside the narrow scope of its humor.

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Critics Reviews

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Joanne Ostrow Denver Post A clever series that emulates the styles of great documentaries past and applies them to fanciful (nonsensical) people and events. Nov 5, 2015 Full Review David Bianculli NPR These parodies are filmed with loving detail imitating the style as well as the look of each film, yet they're not content with being just parodies. Aug 21, 2015 Full Review Tim Grierson TheWrap Documentary Now! is so wonderfully silly it may take viewers a moment to recognize just how smart it is, too. Aug 21, 2015 Full Review Kayla Cobb Decider This is a mockumentary show from people who love documentaries, and that fun balance of praise and parody shines through. May 23, 2019 Full Review Chris Cabin Collider Documentary Now! has plenty of class and character, but its missing a drop of unbridled mania that allows the laughs to lead the story, rather than the other way around. Rated: 3/5 May 23, 2019 Full Review Sean Mulvihill FanboyNation.com The show featuring Bill Hader and Fred Armisen takes on the entire genre of documentary with each episode featuring a meticulously crafted spoof of a classic documentary that is catnip for cinephiles and a joy for comedy fans. Rated: 5/5 Oct 29, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Pat B Brilliant television. I've loved each season, though I must admit I miss Bill Hader by the time we get to seasons 3 and 4. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/30/24 Full Review Audience Member It's some of the funniest stuff I've seen, but I'm sure it'd be a lot funnier if I actually had seen what they're making a parody of, which I'm sure 96% of people haven't. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Bill Hader is one severely mad genius, praise to Armisen too. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member The "grey gardens" spoof episode and the two part episodes of the Blue Jean Committee are gold. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member A very clever parody series that consistently impresses in terms of presentation. With each episode being a spoof of a renowned documentary (this season include knocks at Grey Gardens, Nanook Revisited, The Thin Blue Line), Documentary Now is certainly eclectic, and the filmmaking really replicates the look and format of the originals. This template tends to lead to some highly subversive jokes (the Vice parody is particularly spot on), and often yields unpredictable resultes. Granted, some viewers may not be in on the joke if they haven't seen the originals, but creators/stars Fred Armisen and Bill Hader really make the most of their background in sketch comedy here, playing a plethora of different roles with all-too necessary deadpan delivery. At a time where both documentaries and spoofs have become less topical, Documentary Now proves both have real staying power! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Audience Member You won't find two guys having more fun being so ridiculous. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Documentary Now! — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Fred Armisen

Actor

Bill Hader

Actor

Helen Mirren

Host

John Slattery

Guest Star

Aidy Bryant

Guest Star

Cedric Yarbrough

Guest Star

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Aug 20, 2015 Sandy Passage The lives of two aging socialites, and their deteriorating estate. Details Episode 2 Aired Aug 27, 2015 Kunuk Uncovered Investigating the documentary "Kunuk the Hunter," which tries to separate reality from fabrication. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 3, 2015 DRONEZ: The Hunt for El Chingon The hipster media empire, DRONEZ, sends courageous journalists to Mexico to track down a drug lord. Details Episode 4 Aired Sep 10, 2015 The Eye Doesn't Lie An investigation into the wrongful conviction of a man sentenced to death for the 1986 murder of John Patrick Winslow. Details Episode 5 Aired Sep 17, 2015 A Town, a Gangster, a Festival A documentary crew travels to Arborg, Iceland, for the festival which honors American gangster, Al Capone. Details Episode 6 Aired Sep 24, 2015 Gentle and Soft: The Story of the Blue Jean Committee Part one of the documentary chronicling the rise and fall of the band, the Blue Jean Committee. Details Episode 7 Aired Sep 24, 2015 Gentle and Soft: The Story of the Blue Jean Committee Part two of the documentary chronicling the rise and fall of the band, the Blue Jean Committee. Details

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Documentary Now! — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Rhys Thomas, Alexander Buono
Network
IFC
Rating
TV-14
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Aug 20, 2015
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