February 7, 2017 (2017-02-07) – August 16, 2018 (2018-08-16)
Detroiters is an American sitcom created by Sam Richardson, Tim Robinson, Zach Kanin, and Joe Kelly. The series, filmed on location in Detroit, starred native Michiganders Richardson and Robinson.[1] The series premiered on Comedy Central on February 7, 2017[2][3] and ran for two seasons. On December 11, 2018, Comedy Central canceled the series.[4]
Best friends and next-door neighbors Sam Duvet (Richardson) and Tim Cramblin (Robinson) work together as creatives at Tim's family's advertising agency in Detroit (which Tim took over after his father stepped down), producing low-budget TV commercials for local businesses.[5]
Best friends Sam and Tim work on an advertising pitch for Chrysler, but they run into problems with the company's vice president of marketing, Carter Grant.
An old Motown legend is approached to perform a jingle for a local wig company ad that Tim and Sam are producing, which forces Tim to come to terms with his own singing skills.
Its Mr. Duvet's 60th birthday. That means everyone has to deliver a speech. Sam isn't worrying, as he spent the last year preparing a speech centered around jokes about his dad's mustache. That is until Sam's dad arrives without a mustache, leaving Sam without a plan. Tim meets a real clown at the party, and is disappointed when he doesn't live up to his expectations.
A new tech company moves into Tim and Sam's building, disrupting their daily flow. Sam lies to Tim about his plans after developing a crush on one of the women from the new company.
After getting fired by a furniture store client, Tim and Sam try to make an ad for the store's main competitor, who struggles on camera. Guest starring Keegan-Michael Key.
Sam and Tim go onto local television to promote their "De2roit" shirts with Lea and Tommy singing the jingle, but Tommy gets stage fright causing Lea to injure her ankle. Because Sam and Tim think "insurance is for suckers" they have to go to all of their clients that owe them money to try to pay Lea's medical bill, or she'll quit.
Tim and Sam run into Carter Grant from Chrysler at an Advertising Award Ceremony and are racked with guilt after seeing what happened to him after they hit him with a car. Meanwhile, Rick Mahorn overhears Sam and Tim talk about his poor acting skills and decides to do something about it.
After a celebratory dinner, Sheila gets a DUI. In searching for her lawyer, Sam and Tim find an 'April in the D' video of one of the lawyers and decide they could also get the lawyer as a client. Meanwhile, Cramblin-Duvet is on a hot streak and a rival offers to buy them.
Tim's mother asks if he can get his brother, Trevor, a job at the agency, where he turns out to be a natural. Trevor also moves in with Tim and Chrissy, where Tim and Trevor start fighting and pranking. This forces Chrissy to find solace at Sam's house where their sibling rivalry turns into a mutual enjoyment of a dance show.
After hearing an old commercial jingle that Sam sang with his ex-girlfriend, Sam decides it needs an update with his new girlfriend singing. While singing, everyone agrees that while the new version is less sexy and not fun like the original. Sam is forced to reach out to his ex-girlfriend to ask her to re-record the new jingle. Meanwhile, Chrissy is recording YouTube tutorials at home and Tim finds out that the comments section roasts him, causing Tim to spiral.
The guys court legendary newscaster Mort Crim to be the celebrity spokesperson for one of their clients. After a break-in, Ned ramps up security in the building.
Sam starts speaking differently to try and impress his new girlfriend. Tim gets roped into spending time with a widower. Chrissy has trouble hitting it off with a new coworker.
The future of Cramblin Duvet is in jeopardy when Sam discovers that he might be a father.
Production
Development
Robinson and Richardson, both raised in Michigan, performed improv comedy together first at Hamtramck's Planet Ant Theatre, and later at Chicago's Second City.[27] They became close friends and conceptualized the idea of Detroiters. In an interview with the Metro Times, Robinson stated that they sought to depict Detroit as it really is and to avoid the overtly negative light in which the city is typically shown.[27]
Detroiters was shot on-location in Detroit; filming locations included Belle Isle, Hamtramck, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the headquarters of Little Caesars. Many of the commercials shown throughout the series are based on actual spots that showed in the 1990s in the area.[27][29]
The show hired over 200 people from Detroit, including cast members Lailani Ledesma, Christopher Powell, and Shawntay Dalon.[27][29] The theme song was written by local artist and shoe entrepreneur Rick Williams.[29]
Release
Season 1 of Detroiters premiered on February 7, 2017, on Comedy Central.[27] The show was renewed and season 2 premiered on June 21, 2018.[30]
Cancellation
On December 11, 2018, it was announced that Comedy Central had chosen not to pick up the show for a third season.[28] Along with the announcement, Richardson tweeted, "Maybe it will find a home elsewhere, who knows?" Comedian Seth Meyers wrote an op-ed for Vulture where he advocated for another network to pick up the show.[31]
Broadcast
Internationally, the series premiered in Australia on The Comedy Channel on February 13, 2017.[32]
Reception
Detroiters received positive reviews from television critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds an approval rating of 90%, based on 20 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Proudly stupid yet surprisingly soulful, Detroiters showcases an impressive level of commitment from its charming, well-matched leads – and balances its goofy humor with an equal helping of heart."[33] On Metacritic, the first season holds a score of 75 out of 100, based on 11 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[34]
On Rotten Tomatoes, the second season received a 100% approval rating based on 10 reviews with an average rating of 9/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Sam Richardson and Tim Robinson's pair of lovable dimwits continue to delight in an even better sophomore season that dishes out more foiled dreams with an infectious dose of heart."[35]
