Don’t sleep on In the Know. The stop-motion comedy series is pure laughs, a joke machine of a show. We’ve seen plenty, almost too many workplace comedies, but In the Know has something else going for it: its eye-popping, sometimes comically mundane stop-motion.
Most comedies aren’t cinematic or the most visually striking. That doesn’t always kill the fun, of course, but nobody wants an eyesore with laughs. In the Know — created by Zach Woods, Mike Judge, and Brandon Garner — is such a breath of fresh air there.
To put it plainly, it’s great to watch a comedy that looks good.
SHADOWMACHINE, which is an Animation Studio based in Portland that worked on Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, gives these characters their all. There’s such loving attention to detail with the ensemble, their feelings, their quirks, and their insecurities. Along with the writers and voice cast, ShadowMachine makes these NPR employees well-rounded individuals, not just sight gags. They’re even more human than some some humans on television, how ’bout that?
There’s more than a novelty factor to the stop-motion characters. Lauren Caspian (voiced by Woods), for example, is kind of like a modern take on Frasier Crane, a sad man who just wants to be liked. Every movement the narcissistic NPR host makes stinks of insecurity, which is kind of why we like the unlikable character. It helps that he’s hilarious, thanks to Woods crafting an always sincere protagonist.
The Peacock series has gotten positive reviews and responses, but consider this a PSA:
Watch In The Know if you haven’t.
It’s a good-natured comedy that lovingly lampoons NPR personalities, as they interview live-action guests such as Norah Jones and Jonathan van Ness. It’s the kind of show that balances the high and low brow well. There’s something crude and thoughtful for everyone here.
And again, how many comedies can we call technical marvels? Kudos to cinematographer Michael Amado Carpio, production designer Robert DeSue, and the rest of the crew for making In the Know a visually dynamite comedy. Every department shows great respect for the hilarious material and the audience.
Whether you love or hate NPR, In The Know will work for you.
In the Know is now available to stream on Peacock.
