Detroiters ran for only two seasons before it was canceled by Comedy Central. The show was beloved by so many sitcom fans, who were confused and angry — much like the show’s creators — when the network decided to pull the plug. As far as sitcoms go, the show toed the line between the more conventional office environment, cringe comedy styles such as The Office or Parks and Recreation, and shows that fall on the more inane side of the scale — think The Eric Andre Show. It is always sad as fans to see a great show canceled well before its time, and Detroiters is no exception.

Premiering in early 2017, the show’s 20 episodes are teeming with comedic gold. The wacky scenarios and utterly ludicrous conversations that the shows’ stars find themselves in scene after scene can leave viewers both rolling on the floor laughing while scratching their heads simultaneously wondering, “could I really have heard that right?” Now over three years removed from the abrupt cancelation of the show, a return seems unlikely. Luckily for audiences, the show’s co-stars Tim Robinson and Sam Richardson have plenty of hilarious acting credits for us to enjoy. At the same time, we mourn the loss of one of television’s most tragically short-lived shows.

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What’s The Story?

     Comedy Central

Detroiters follows the lives of two ad men navigating the cut-throat world of advertising. Best friends for life, Tim Cramblin and Sam Duvet, deal with let down after let down with an untethered optimism and brotherly bond, fueled by their love of hot dogs, drinking, and their hometown Detroit. The two are always looking for ways to break into the big-time advertising scene, not wanting to settle for the “small potatoes” of local TV spots. That said, they are unflinchingly loyal to their long-time customers, such as “Smith’s Baby And Teen Kid Furniture,” with whom they avoid a near falling-out in season one.

Living in the shadow of his father, Big Hank Cramblin, is not easy for Tim, but his buddy Sam is always there to pick him up by the bootstraps and dust him off before one of his occasional bouts of rage kicks in. These fits of anger are, however, always hilarious. The scripted series exists somewhere between a sketch show and feel-good dramedy. As a viewer, you really find yourself invested in the characters’ personal lives even though it is never exactly clear what they even do on a daily basis.

The show is lovable and somehow relatable despite the absurdity of almost every scene. For those in the mood for 22 minutes of non-stop laughter and to feel a connection to some wonderful characters, all I can say is kick back, crack open a Vernor’s, and dig into an episode of Detroiters.

Who’s Who?

Sam Richardson of Veep fame stars as Sam Duvet, best friend and co-worker, co-business owner of Tim Cramblin. Richardson is a Detroit native who began his comedic career at the notorious Second City improvisational troupe in Chicago. He met and was mentored by best friend and co-star Tim Robinson. Richardson’s cheerfully comedic acting style, with the occasional tinge of self-deprecation, makes the character of Sam Duvet someone to root for unconditionally.

Tim Robinson is a fellow Second City alum and a Michigan native. He grew up in the Detroit suburbs of Clarkston and Waterford — a fact mirrored on-screen and hilariously pointed out by Sam in the show. Robinson broke into the “big potatoes” of the television world during his time as a featured player and writer on Saturday Night Live in the early-mid 2010s.

Robinson went on to write and star in his episode of Netflix Presents: The Characters, alongside many other talented comics. In 2019, he saw the release of the sketch-comedy show I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, along with Zach Kanin, with whom he and Richardson collaborated on Detroiters. Robinson picked up where he left in Detroiters with the utter hilarity of I Think You Should Leave, many scenes in which feature his pal Sam Richardson.

The cast is rounded out by Shawntay Dalon, who stars as Tim’s wife and Sam’s sister, Chrissy Cramblin. Pat Vern Harris plays Sheila Portnadi, the elderly secretary at Cramblin Duvet Advertising, who often confused Tim for his father, Hank. Jason Sudeikis served as an executive producer and made recurring appearances as Carter Grant, a Chrysler exec whom Tim and Sam hit with their car.

Lailani Ledesma stars as Lea, the video-editing intern at Cramblin Duvet who does her best to make the firm’s low-budget commercials airable. Tommy Pencils is played by Andre Belue, who also has made appearances on I Think You Should Leave.

Why We Miss It

Detroiters stands as two of the most consistently hilarious season on television, and its cancelation still sits uneasily in the minds of many. There was no lack of love and public outcry when the news broke that it was being pulled. Seth Meyers even aired his grievances in an opinion piece. But, in the end, it just wasn’t enough. The show provides guaranteed stomach-churning laughter, a unique approach to comedy television, and will always have its audience rooting for the characters.

Above all the raucous laughter and absurdity, though, is a meaningfully thought-out declaration of love and adoration for the city of Detroit by two of its native sons. A city that often lacks the love it deserves, Detroit is depicted as a land of opportunity, where community, family, and lifelong friendships are of paramount importance to its residents. It grows more unlikely with each passing year that Detroiters will make a triumphant return, but if and when it does, we will be waiting with open arms.